Small car / Super mini suggestions

[Tobeman]

All

With the weather drawing ever wetter and colder, I am looking to garage my Mini 40 Limited Edition this year. It has been my daily run around, but the rubbish (excellent?) weather last Christmas and grit on the roads have accelerated the inevitable and rust is starting to look a little bad, especially the sills.

So, time for a more practical daily run about. Don't need anything big (managed to get by with the Mini since I've started driving!). I live alone, have no kids, no pets, mileage is next to nothing (commute by train, and although fuel economy is attractive to me, it's not something I worry about much). It has to look "nice" though. And my opinion of "nice" is final, and makes about as much as sense as the Top Gear cool-wall.

I'm not clinically insane, so I won't be buying new.

I've got my eyes on the fairly new VW engine that has made its way into the Polo, Ibiza, Fabia and soon-to-be A1. The 1.2 / 1.4 TSI twincharged beast. Awesome performance for the economy. Think it first appeared in the Scirocco? Anyway...

What I've had my eyes on:

• VW Polo Mk V GTI / Seat Ibiza FR, Cupra, Cupra Bocanegra
• Fiat 500 Abarth / Esseesse (the 695 Tributo Ferrari is a little out of my price bracket...)
• Mazda 2 (Takuya LE)

And the wingers:

• Toyota IQ
• Merc SLK-200 (pre-face lift, a bit cheaper, 2004-2007)

Welcome to further suggestions. Am hoping to get "on the road" for around the £12-15k mark, but could probably stretch a little further. I hope this will spark a lively debate as to how I could possibly consider having the Toyota IQ and an SLK in the same shortlist

Ta

[Tobeman]

I should point out, in case you hadn't noticed, I'm trying to keep insurance costs down as much as possible and hence the smaller engine sizes (with the exception of the SLK).

[usxhe190]

BMW 1 series coupe?

[Behemoth]

Suzuki Swift Sport perhaps ?

[PetrolHead]

Most important thing..


Whats your budget?

[kalniel]

Most important thing..


Whats your budget?

....

Welcome to further suggestions. Am hoping to get "on the road" for around the £12-15k mark, but could probably stretch a little further.

[PetrolHead]

....

Ok I fail. A couple of suggestions to start

Cooper S, Fabia VRS (the new one with the 1.4 TSI 180bhp) Ibiza fR 2.0 TDI 140 bhp.

[finlay666]

The new Fabia VRS is flappy paddle semi-auto slushbox only btw

[Tobeman]

BMW 1 series coupe?

Good shout. I like them. I shall do some research.

Suzuki Swift Sport perhaps ?

Again, I like. Unfortunately, my best mate has one. Tobeman555 files under "uncool" for that reason.

....

Beaten to it.

Ok I fail. A couple of suggestions to start

Cooper S, Fabia VRS (the new one with the 1.4 TSI 180bhp) Ibiza fR 2.0 TDI 140 bhp.

Cannot bring myself to get a new Mini, in any of it's iteration, as classic Mini owner.

Fabia VRS. I wish I could like them but the styling is just too reserved.

Might struggle insurance wise with the 2.0 TDI.

The new Fabia VRS is flappy paddle semi-auto slushbox only btw

I must book a test drive in the Ibiza / Polo / Fabia to find out what this is like. I've heard mixed reviews - slating it, indifferent (coining it "the best of a bad flappy paddle bunch"), and others praising it. I think it's probably best if I come to my own judgement and give one a spin.

[kalniel]

Elise
MX 5
westfield
caterham - roadsport with bottom engine might be okay with insurance.. Something like this: http://www.caterham.co.uk/assets/htm...ils.html?ID=83

[usxhe190]

The only thing with the 1 series coupe might be you have to get diesel for your price range. Not sure if you like that.

edit - But you can just about to get a M Sport version I think...

If not, you can try the normal 1 series (i.e not the 1 series coupe) if you like that styling.

[PetrolHead]

Might struggle insurance wise with the 2.0 TDI.

It's group 8 IIRC, anybody over 21 shouldn't have many problems insuring it.

[DanceswithUnix]

Alfa Mito, your budget should get you a multi-air turbo petrol engine and lots of toys.

eg, 9K miles 155BHP Veloce for 11K5:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2198203.htm

For a bit more you should be able to find a 170BHP cloverleaf version.

[Tobeman]

Alfa Mito, your budget should get you a multi-air turbo petrol engine and lots of toys.

eg, 9K miles 155BHP Veloce for 11K5:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2198203.htm

For a bit more you should be able to find a 170BHP cloverleaf version.

Yeah, had a look at my local Alfa dealer the other week. Very much like the styling, but wasn't a fan at all of the cabin. Still felt very cheap... the Giulietta on the other hand. Hubba!

I test drove a 118d M Sport Coupe last weekend. That is a lovely car. It's out of price budget because the coupe is a newer model, but I think I might stretch myself to that. Doesn't look like I'll be part-ex'ing or taking out finance from a dealer so might leave me in a favourable position. Any ideas for a rough BMW sticker price discount I should aim for, based on the above? 10%? 15%? More?!

[Biscuit]

The new Fabia VRS is flappy paddle semi-auto slushbox only btw

DSG gear boxes are not quite a slushbox but its not favored by all.

1 series are
A. Not very small, they feel a lot bigger than they are due to poor visibility and long bonnet
B. Not ideal for poor weather conditions due to RWD

[matty-hodgson]

DSG gear boxes are not quite a slushbox but its not favored by all.

1 series are
A. Not very small, they feel a lot bigger than they are due to poor visibility and long bonnet
B. Not ideal for poor weather conditions due to RWD

But sooooo much more fun .