Estate Derv or Modern Hot Hatch (New Daily >40mpg Needed)

[Rubix_Cube]

I'm looking to get rid of my 1996 B5 Audi A4 TDi after its good service with me.

The dilemma I have in my head is I need a car that does >40mpg on the motorway as I do 1000 miles a month for work alone.

Been looking at A4 TDi's and BMW 320d's online as the "sensible" option. However I know some of the new modern hot hatches are capable of doing >40mpg on a motorway cruise so it got me thinking could I have my cake and eat it by getting a fun car that will not bankrupt me with my commuting miles.

*EDIT*The car needs to be big enough to take 4 people + luggage comfortably, the BMW's and Audi's I've been looking at are all estates. I know I'll loose that with a hot hatch, but I would like a 'big' hot hatch so no pumped up city cars please.

Budget is hovering around 12-15k, 4k deposit the rest on finance.

What can the wealth of wisdom of the SXOC provide me on this?

Cheers,

Willie

[Ghazoobe]

Ok so a bit overbudget, but I presume the eco engined one would do 40mpg...
http://www.ford.co.uk/Cars/FutureVehicles/Ford-Mustang

Sorry, I'll leave now, I've no idea whats available in that price range

[Ko_Na_H]

Ford fiesta ST? Excellent little cars, http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/ford/fiesta/st-hatchback

[Rubix_Cube]

Ford fiesta ST? Excellent little cars, http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/ford/fiesta/st-hatchback

Should have specified I need a big car... the a4's and bmw's I've been looking at are estates.

[Chriscooke]

Not exactly sporty but a seat exeo estate would save you a fair chunk of cash I'd imagine

[darrengodfrey]

Audi a4 b8 3.0tdi avant quattro, thats personally what id go for in that case with that budget.

[Drifter]

I bought an 09 Passat CC GT 170 after my A4, looks good, seats 4 and has a massive boot. Hussles along quite nicely as well considering it's size and returns 48mpg

[Si]

Golf GT TDi?

[cChance]

MK2 Leon FR TDI 170 all the way. Bit biased as I've just bought one a few months ago but love it. Paid under 10k for mine, will look for the link now. I do nearly 1000miles a month, 50 a day just for work 24mile there average 52/53mpg driving 70mph and gentle throttle and longer braking distances, 48mpg not paying attention to how I drive, and 40mpg when I'm really late decent sized boot to by the way.

Edit for link below, and to add with the change saved from your budget get the DPF gutted and get it mapped, few handling mods and some uprated pads and discs and you'll be laughing
http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/showthread.p...olf&highlight=

[Mark]

Screw the budget and get a Focus ST wagon I managed 35mpg out of mine on Sunday running up to Silverstone averaging 80mph on the motorways so if you drove it at the speed limits it might nudge 40.

Otherwise get a Fiesta ST and a roof rack

[Yakko]

Screw the budget and get a Focus ST wagon I managed 35mpg out of mine on Sunday running up to Silverstone averaging 80mph on the motorways

Is that the T5 engine, or was that the previous gen ST? Because I can't get more than 27mpg out of mine...

So don't get something with a T5 if you're after economy...

[Deacon]

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifie...xperiment=true

Not far out of budget !

[Deacon]

Is that the T5 engine, or was that the previous gen ST? Because I can't get more than 27mpg out of mine...

So don't get something with a T5 if you're after economy...

Thats the old st.

[Mark]

Is that the T5 engine, or was that the previous gen ST? Because I can't get more than 27mpg out of mine...

So don't get something with a T5 if you're after economy...

As Deacon said the Mk2 used the T5, the Mk3 uses a new 4 pot turbo. Mine does around 28 round town which is about as good as it ever got in the old 2.5 lol.

[Mark]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...2-5l?logcode=p

Not an estate but the boots a fair size.

Top of the range estate

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...2-5l?logcode=p

[Ross.]

Bmw

[Rubix_Cube]

Mark, that's why I'd been considering a modern petrol engine as they are quite efficient these days. I know Jamie's megane is quite frugal when it wants to be.

[Mark]

Come join the FST group I get my Wagon next week hopefully

[Rubix_Cube]

LOL I don't know if I like the interior or not... its hit or miss for me.

[Scottie]

If you go for a diesel estate I'd suggest a test drive in a Mazda 6 Sport SL, it was up there with the BM for me as best drivers car, and has one of the best handling capabilities of any estate I've driven, plus a superb 2.2 4 cylinder 185bhp engine.

Just done 3k in 6 weeks and am hugely impressed, cracks 50 real world mpg and can chase a hot hatch down a B road

Very practical and fully loaded without German badge premium.