Economical and fun?

[nuttinnew]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... gen&page=1

or on the basis that at least one of the original requirements usually gets ignored;

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... =on&page=1

[PaulJ]

Someone's already suggested MX5, so my second thought is an UP GTI.

[Zonda_]

Someone's already suggested MX5, so my second thought is an UP GTI.

Yep, been looking at Ups but they seem too expensive.

[Shlergen]

Panda seems a good shout, didn't someone on here have one?

Other options include 1 owner golf 1.6fsi or something VAG with 2.0t in, avoiding the cam tensioner issues. Bro in law has a late mk2 Cupra and it goes well.

[integrale_evo]

I thought up GTi too straight away, but they’re mental money.

Panda 100hp are supposed to be fun but always looked poor value compared to the 500 abarth which is the same platform but substantially quicker and probably just as economical ( having personal experience of very similar engines to both in a punto and punto based Alfa )


Pointless question anyway, economical means different things to different people. How many miles do you do me on what sort of roads? How about slightly less economical but only £6k?

[integrale_evo]

I was wondering how cheap gt86s would be as they’re probably not on bad on fuel. Was expecting 5-6k, but nope. Seem to start at £10k for a 10 year old 80k miler.

[Rich B]

How many miles do you do me on what sort of roads? How about slightly less economical but only £6k?

harry, he's told us several times - we don't need any more details! Just what he's told us!!!

[integrale_evo]

Cat n e46 m3 with lpg conversion.

E39 540i and some petrol tokens

Rover metro with a 1.8vvc conversion

Half of a lotus Elise

Ford transit with shagpile lining and a double mattress.

[Jobbo]

Fiat 500 abarth

Another strong contender, all the ones I've seen for sale in a reasonable distance have interiors that would make Jobbo blush unfortunately!

Sounds perfect - I haven’t forgotten that you bought from me the very BMW which gave rise to that epithet.

[Jobbo]

Oh, and a proper suggestion. Merc SLK250 CDI:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 9019318772

[Zonda_]

Fiat 500 abarth

Another strong contender, all the ones I've seen for sale in a reasonable distance have interiors that would make Jobbo blush unfortunately!

Sounds perfect - I haven’t forgotten that you bought from me the very BMW which gave rise to that epithet.

That was tasteful compared to some of these horrors!

[Explosive Newt]

Low practicality, high fun: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 9139731172

Tiny bit more practical: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 6156809128

More practical but iirc bone shaking suspension: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 9099609887

Mentioned by others and probably what I would get: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 8188904205

[John]

Isn't a Fiesta ST almost guaranteed to get stolen? I'd buy a mk3 mx5.

[Zonda_]

Isn't a Fiesta ST almost guaranteed to get stolen? I'd buy a mk3 mx5.

Clearly tempting fate but I couldn't tell you the last time a car was stolen round here.

[Gavster]

Budget £8k, suggestions?

I’ve always thought Martin Lewis was economical and quite fun, although definitely more than £8k.

[Sundayjumper]

Low practicality, high fun: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 9139731172

More practical but iirc bone shaking suspension: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 9099609887

Boxster yes, and MINI also yes but I'd go for the Clubman as a daily as it's genuinely practical.

[Rich B]

Budget £8k, suggestions?

I’ve always thought Martin Lewis was economical and quite fun, although definitely more than £8k.

probably depends on how long you want him for?

[Zonda_]

Low practicality, high fun: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 9139731172

More practical but iirc bone shaking suspension: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 9099609887

Boxster yes, and MINI also yes but I'd go for the Clubman as a daily as it's genuinely practical.

Aren’t Boxsters notoriously expensive to maintain? Looks lovely that one.

[Sundayjumper]

Aren’t Boxsters notoriously expensive to maintain?

Oi, that was not on the list of requirements !!

[Jimmy Choo]

Low practicality, high fun: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 9139731172

More practical but iirc bone shaking suspension: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-detail ... 9099609887

Boxster yes, and MINI also yes but I'd go for the Clubman as a daily as it's genuinely practical.

Definitely an S, though. The One and the Cooper don't have enough power for the grip.

IIRC, the 2.7 boxster is pretty reliable. However, I had an "impromptu performance test" on a dual carriage way between my old E46 330i Spurt saloon and one of these and they were perfectly matched up to 80mph. After that, it pulled away relatively easily.