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Thread: Need a sensible, practical and economical car, but still fun.....What do?

  1. #41
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mark View Post
    And what are you driving at the moment?
    HARSH !












    ...but fair

  2. #42
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    Quote Originally Posted by green_rs13 View Post
    I always found the minis's to have quite hard suspension. a lot of the diesels are the 1.4 Toyota engine. the 1.6 is the lower powered PSA engine fitted to pretty much everything with a 1.6 diesel. Peugeot/citroen/ford/mazda/Volvo. something like a Volvo estate would be decent but they all seem to have 150k+ the little C30 is basically a focus but smaller inside. the PSA unit is notorious for turning the oil into gunge.
    It's the 110hp PSA engine in the R56 mini. The key is to replace the gauze filter in the sump fairly regularly (some do it every oil change, others about every 4th change) and use the correct oil, then they don't go wrong. I've removed the DPF on mine and had it remapped to about 130bhp so it's good fun, cheap as chips to run and looks pretty good too. It's not practical as a family car but most of the time it's just me driving to work and back, 50 mile round trip.

    Suspension is pretty hard, and run flat tyres don't help either. Although mine is bearable on Scottish roads, so on English roads it would be absolutely fine.

  3. #43
    Banned sideways14a's Avatar
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    Cant you just move closer to the job?

  4. #44
    Guest arry's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sideways14a View Post
    Cant you just move closer to the job?
    No

  5. #45
    Guest R3K1355's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jonny Wilkinson View Post
    vRS and Cupra are going to be relatively juicy and the Fabia is not a nice car to drive IMO.
    Ibiza FR seems pretty similar to the Polo I was putting forward. Econo engine with nice spec interior.
    The FR Ibiza was available with a 2 litre diesel, 140bhp stock, 180 with a remap. Smash out 50mpg all day long and fly down the motorway with the best of em.

  6. #46
    Banned sideways14a's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by arry View Post
    No
    Or how about the job moves closer to you?

    Hey got to try and think outside the box.

  7. #47
    Member GrahamB's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mark View Post
    And what are you driving at the moment?
    In my humble defence, I'm only a named driver of it

    It's even got a smaller engine than my bike

    I suppose I should be grateful I've still got something fast, so it's not a total loss
    SXOC Member #62SXOCCar Gone & ZX-12RPS4 - AFKAN
    Pessimists are people without dreams. dhún an doras ar do bhealach amach...Wii - 2031 7909 3288 5367
    Gamers Read This...

  8. #48
    I <3 BBS LM Actual_Ben_Taylor's Avatar
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    Volvo C30 2.4i worth a look?

  9. #49
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    Following ABT's lead, this looks quite tidy but its 9K and mpg is closer to 30 than 50

    https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...01809130456032

  10. #50
    Engine Builder Mark's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jonny Wilkinson View Post
    mpg is closer to 30 than 50
    Try 20

    Drove one when they came out and it didnt feel as fun to drive as the Focus ST plus the seats were not as good

    However the V40 T5 that replaced it was much better
    Quote Originally Posted by silverzx View Post
    I like Mark, he seems fair.
    Quote Originally Posted by Slip_n_slide View Post
    Mark is right.

  11. #51
    I <3 BBS LM Actual_Ben_Taylor's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mark View Post
    Try 20

    Drove one when they came out and it didnt feel as fun to drive as the Focus ST plus the seats were not as good

    However the V40 T5 that replaced it was much better
    What about the Mazda 3 MPS then?

  12. #52
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    Quote Originally Posted by handsomedez View Post
    It's the 110hp PSA engine in the R56 mini. The key is to replace the gauze filter in the sump fairly regularly (some do it every oil change, others about every 4th change) and use the correct oil, then they don't go wrong. I've removed the DPF on mine and had it remapped to about 130bhp so it's good fun, cheap as chips to run and looks pretty good too. It's not practical as a family car but most of the time it's just me driving to work and back, 50 mile round trip.

    Suspension is pretty hard, and run flat tyres don't help either. Although mine is bearable on Scottish roads, so on English roads it would be absolutely fine.
    I didn't realise they were the 110 version. I nearly bought a cooper-D but found a focus with 20k on the clock that some old duffer had kept in his garage so felt compelled to buy that as it was basically new. id not heard about the sump strainer so will fire a new one on next time its serviced.

    the Mazda's don't seem to have aged well with the lexus style rear lights.

    the C30 R-design would be a good shout if the tailgate opening wasn't tiny.

  13. #53
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mark View Post
    Try 20

    Drove one when they came out and it didnt feel as fun to drive as the Focus ST plus the seats were not as good

    However the V40 T5 that replaced it was much better
    20 is closer to 30 than 50 lol

    Trouble with the V40 is its not as pretty as the C30

  14. #54
    Engine Builder Mark's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Actual_Ben_Taylor View Post
    What about the Mazda 3 MPS then?
    Certainly ticks the fun box, a better drive than the ST but interiors are a bit low rent and 'Japanese'
    Quote Originally Posted by silverzx View Post
    I like Mark, he seems fair.
    Quote Originally Posted by Slip_n_slide View Post
    Mark is right.

  15. #55
    Head Mod Scottie's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jonny Wilkinson View Post
    20 is closer to 30 than 50 lol

    Trouble with the V40 is its not as pretty as the C30
    My brother has the Mazda 3 Sport Nav 2.2 185bhp diesel, and it's loaded, handles well, performs surprisingly, can do 50mpg and is in your budget, for someone who appreciates handling i'd suggest you try one.
    2004 - on : 1999 S14a 398bhp 378lb/ft
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  16. #56
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    Quote Originally Posted by Scottie View Post
    My brother has the Mazda 3 Sport Nav 2.2 185bhp diesel, and it's loaded, handles well, performs surprisingly, can do 50mpg and is in your budget, for someone who appreciates handling i'd suggest you try one.
    When I go to the pearly gates and plead my case, I want to be able to honestly say "I have never owned a diseasal !". Even if they send me downstairs, I'll go happy in the knowledge that I never succumbed to the temptation of "the dark side". lol

  17. #57
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    I Has a 2011 Volvo C30 D4 R-design

    They’re fun to drive, even if it is a focus chassis

    2L 5 cylinder diesel,177hp, 400nm torque, 6 speed, and can crack 56mpg on a long journey

    Reliable as feck! Had mine 3 years and the only thing I’ve had to do is service, change tyres, and front brake pads, drove it to the Netherlands and back 4 times!

    Bought it on 63k now has 93k and still drives like a new car

    Only problem, and why I will be selling soon is the boot, too damn small!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  18. #58
    Guest arry's Avatar
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    Selling soon.... Chelmsford....

  19. #59
    Guest Maff_1991's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by arry View Post
    Selling soon.... Chelmsford....
    Soonish, got a car in the workshop to shift first, so I can give the Volvo some routine maintenance and a tidy up before selling!

    Got tyres to fit, possible C.V joint too, and a bloody good wash!

    Will be around the 5k mark

    She’s fully loaded, sat nav, premium surround sound, Black leather, heated and electric seats, 18” diamond cut wheels, aux in and usb radio connectivity

    Stainless twin exhaust with backbox delete too

    Has a few car park dings to the passenger rear 1/4 but other than that shes straight and true!


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  20. #60
    Guest arry's Avatar
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    Probably a bit outside of where I want to be though, sorry

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