Time for a daily driver (maybe).

New job. Got to travel a bit further to get there. Probably time I get a daily driver. Like, a normal person with a normal car.

Looking around at second hand cars, it looks like I'd need to spend around 4k to get something that's fairly low mileage (from 30k). My "moon on a stick" wish list is:

- Low mileage (say up to 60k).
- Bit of grunt behind it (at least 150bhp?).
- Fairly decent MPG.
- Nothing "retro". Probably 2003+?
- Reliable.
- Something I can service myself or at least attempt to fix myself.

At the moment RX8s are really attractive. Both from a looks point of view and mileage, price, power. But they're not great on MPG and if they've not been looked after properly the engines could be a bit fragile.

Honda's could be quite a good choice. Maybe a Civic Type R? But I'm not overly keen on them.

Low mileage BMWs or Audi's seem a bit on the pricey side still. Don't really like Mercs.

I'll be doing ~50 miles/day, Monday-Friday. At the weekends the 106 will be used.

Any suggestions?

RX8's are lucky to pull 13mpg

You've only mentioned Petrol, not nterested in a Diesel?

One of the best Exec Cars i've Driven... but you will have to up your milage limit...

Maybe a bit small?

Wouldn't say no to a derv.

OK, I'll raise my mileage to 80k...

What you thinking big man?

Oh. I see what you did. There's a link there.

I was just looking at Accords!

They are a really nice drive, the CDTi with the 6 speed is such a good cruiser!!

Otherwise I hate to say it... Mondeo?

But youve say RX8 and CTR, kinda performancey based cars?

I want something with a bit of poke to it. When I have kids I'll settle for less Not ready to sacrifice the power just yet.

Really like the RX8s. But it'd probably cost me more than the 106 in petrol. And the 106 is pretty shocking.

Without sounding a bit ghey, reliable coupe with a bit of poke and some alright looks... Audi TT? Won't set your hair on fire but should cruise pretty nicely and shift a bit when needed.

Mini Cooper S's are starting to dip below that budget but they might be a bit higher mileage, as are E46 coupe's.

Slightly out of the box... Saab 9-3? Quick, reliable, bit of a sleeper, over 500 brake has been seen on stock internals....

Ooo 9-3 is a good shout.!

Careful with the mondeo's they can become expensive when they break. Something else to keep an eye on if looking at modern diesels is the dual mass flywheel, a lot of modern cars (mostly diesels) are eating them up. I got a really good deal recently on a dual mass flywheel, clutch etc and was charged mates rates at a garage and it still cost over £600!!

Mazda 6 MPS sub 5k 4wd 256bhp turbo

jamesy wrote:

Mazda 6 MPS sub 5k 4wd 256bhp turbo

Didn't realise they were that cheap!?

Just had a quick look and the 6 MPS might be a little out of my price range at the moment but I'll keep looking.

The hit list so far is:

Honda Accord
Audi TT Mk2 (don't know much about them)
Saab 9-3
Mazda MX5 Mk2 (bit of a space issue?)
Renault Clio 172 (maybe - but it's a bit 106-esque?)

MX-5 would be very fun, probably a bit too easy to play with if you want to keep it sensible... boot's big enough for camping stuff for a weekend, easy to work on, fun drive, not very quick in stock form though - slower than a 106 GTi, in a straight line at least

I think I've convinced myself to look at Clio 172s. Fairly modern car, pretty good MPG (35 ish looks like the average), bit of poke, not too small. They seem pretty reliable too. And I could get change out of 4k.

Fall back would be an MX5.

Fun but not cheap to run

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3453924.htm

An Alfa will blow up at some stage, won't it?

Dave-R wrote:

An Alfa will blow up at some stage, won't it?

This is true

Cheap tax!

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2664239.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3560786.htm

or

Pistonheads SOTW seems good...

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/news/default.asp?storyId=25047

Just say NO.

Dave stick with fwd. Or prepare to sell the 106.

My saxo was a stripped track car. I wanted a nice daily so l bought my n/a Mr2. I really loved driving my saxo but l never insuranced it again! Rwd is addictive. And an mx5 will be more fun than an n/a mr2. So your 106 has no chance lol. Apart from its engine.

Seriously though, just keep it in mind lol. That's just my experience.

I won't be selling the 106 any time soon. If ever. Still got lots of plans for it (sticky tyres, re-do the brakes and include a bias lever, cage, probably more power with some bottom end work... ).

Having a look around I think a Clio 172 or 182 would be a good option. They're not *too* small. Got some power behind them. Seem fairly reliable. I could probably get 35 MPG out of it (50 miles/day on dual carriage way). And you can pick up a 182 with Cup pack for about 2.5-3k with <60k on the clocks.

Thanks for that Adam. Good to know what other people have done!

182 fo sho!

Golf derv, jimmy agreees.

Defo wouldnt go for an rx8, the one we had at work was meant to be a 2.6 but was not quick, yeh would go sideways but i dont think it would of kept up with my gti6 & poor fuel consumption. IMO.

RX8's are rotary wankel engines, they're actually 1.3 but due to their power output are classed on insurance and tax guidelines as a 2.6. You have to rag them for power (which is actually good for the engine!), and I'm assuming you probably drove the 192 version, as the 236 is pretty damn nippy...

I like the noise of the rx8

http://www.built4track.co.uk/t3120-peugeot-306-rallye-cherry-red-1999-swap-or-p-x-considered

Maybe?

Jenny's looking to replace her 306 XSI. Where is that one?

When i done a dvla check on our work computer i think it did come up with 192bhp. Also doesnt twin rotor make them a 2.6? I will agree though do sound nice.

Feel i should go against the crowd here.

IMO, why bother with something else performance based? Surely that will just make you drive the 106 less? Even on a weekend. If it were me, i'd be going for something with comfort/mpg and towing capabilities

My Dad owns a TT mind, 45miles per day and he loves it. Great in all weather, comfy and can average 35mpg on motorway/country roads with 270bhp availbale (mapped from 225ish).