Possible car change - confused!

[Evilchap]

So... I have a Fabia VRS 1.9 Diesel.

I hate it.

I also have a 309 Mi16, which I love, but as a daily car just isn't ideal, and is for sale due to a lack of use since the weekender.

To replace these 2 cars I would like something else.

My drive to work is 1.5 miles, I need to go home during the day, so driving is pretty essential despite the tiny distance due to time, which is annoying.

So I am thinking a diesel will suffer with these short drives, despite a 60 mile drive every weekend I dont think that quite blows out the soot and crap.

Wife doesn't like big cars, which doesn't help.

I would like something I can enjoy driving, that does at least some mpg, and isn't a Honda.

I have no clue what to get. Budget I was thinking 5-6K.

It needs to be a hatch or estate, as dog comes along everywhere we go.

MkV Golf GTi was my first thought, but then they're apparently not so well nailed together as they once were, and I dont want a totally ruined rattly car.

1 Series is my other thought, but I like the coupe, and they're no good for dog. Also I dont want to be bored with the car, and the nice ones are expensive.

Please help me! I am stumped

[Actual_Ben_Taylor]

Focus ST

[Evilchap]

It's an idea, but aren't they good for about 1mpg?

[Actual_Ben_Taylor]

Because your 90 miles a week is going to cost you an absolute fortune in fuel?

[Evilchap]

Fair point, I may just have a nose at some. ST3 is getting close to budget.

[R3K1355]

I think 1.5 miles a day is going to be pretty ruinous to any car you buy, especially newer ones with more complicated emission control systems.
Why not buy a shitty old Micra to beat to and from work, then something nice for the weekends?

Last thing you want is a wallet busting repair bill on a decent car.

[Evilchap]

True. I saw this:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...71dn?logcode=p

Might just be a plan, even if a quite stupid one

[def]

1.5 miles = walk

[Evilchap]

I cannot walk it, as I need to pop home at lunch from work to take out the dog, and that doesn't leave me time.

Otherwise that is exactly what I would do.

[zeppelin101]

You need a bicycle.

[Evilchap]

I dont. That also is not practical for going home at lunch, or indeed working in an office where there are no shower facilities, for when the weather is less than clement.

[ben8000]

Seriously, 1.5 miles on a bike will take less than 5mins. Plenty of time to get to and from work in a lunch break. Also you should not be breaking a sweat riding a bike for 1.5 miles.

[-ghost-]

GTR good all around just don't put rotas on it or the OC will hunt you down :whack:

[Mark]

Get a moped

1.5 miles is going to kill any car, you are going to need a new battery every 6 months

[Evilchap]

I also bring wife to work every day with me, she works across the road, I should have added

[Mark]

She can cycle

[Evilchap]

Maybe a G-Wiz is the answer for every day driving

[Hamish N]

tandem

[Jonny Wilkinson]

Have you thought about electric for the commute and something nice for the weekend ?

Or, get something really nice and take the long route to work and back.

Or move to somewhere with a longer commute

[Si]

Because your 90 miles a week is going to cost you an absolute fortune in fuel?

Actual LOL

I agree with all the above - 1.5 miles a day is not car territory. Mini scooter?
Just buy a cheap shitter, the short distances won't be good for a car. Plus, if you insist on driving 1.5 miles distances you'll soon be enormously obese, and the resulting massive weight will be even harder on the car
Hell, even a Clio Sport might manage that journey for 6 months without breaking nmore than once a fortnight.