€10k to spend on a ‘sporty’ daily.

ifeelabreeze

I’m looking at changing my car as it has officially sh*t the bed.

I’ve around €12k to spend, but I’d ideally spend less and have some cash left over.

I commute 25+ miles most days of the week between college and work, that being said for the next while the car will only be doing that mileage on the weekends (college is online).

It’s all regional roads with a touch of motorway.

I want something engaging to drive.
I’d love a petrol but I don’t know if that’s smart with my current mileage.

So my thinking is -
Get a small funny, sporty petrol if possible.
If not get a big ‘sporty’ diesel that’ll be engaging to drive and economical.

So I’m looking at a Mk6 Golf GTI - there’s a couple just at the top of my budget, I’m also looking at getting a Mk5 (even though my current car is a base model 1.4 petrol Mk5 Golf)
2011+ Fiesta ST.
And even an Abarth 500 - I just think they’re cool.

For diesels I’m thinking - F10 520D M Sport (or a 3 series but I can’t seem to find an m sport in budget).
Or maybe the more reasonable Golf Mk6 GTD.


The sporty little petrols are a lot cheaper on insurance than the 5 series.

I think the golf is the smarter choice and the GTD being smarter again but, I’d love a GTI if I could get my hands on one.
I think the abarth would be less enjoyable on my commute.

Any suggestions?
I’m still considering octavia VRS, Passat CC, Scirocco

listermint

A 520D diesel is not sporty. No matter how many M sport badges it has in it.

ifeelabreeze

listermint wrote: »

A 520D diesel is not sporty. No matter how many M sport badges it has in it.

I know, it’s more so because my father has a standard 520d and I like how it drives.
The m sport is sportier than the standard one but it’s a long way off a GTI.

My thinking is either get a small sporty petrol or a diesel that’s still got some going power but is more comfortable.

HBC08

Outside the box and there aren't many of them on the road.
Peugeot RCZ,i have one myself the last few years,I'm due to change car this year but can't bring myself to do it.A class car that is really fun to drive and turns heads everywhere.Fits your budget and all of your criteria.

PsychoPete

12 -17 model Fiesta ST, you'd pick up one from those within your budget

ifeelabreeze

HBC08 wrote: »

Outside the box and there aren't many of them on the road.
Peugeot RCZ,i have one myself the last few years,I'm due to change car this year but can't bring myself to do it.A class car that is really fun to drive and turns heads everywhere.Fits your budget and all of your criteria.

They’re a great looking car I love the roof/rear window on them.
I’ll have to give them a proper look.
I sort of forgot about the RCZ, Audi TT and the likes.

ifeelabreeze

PsychoPete wrote: »

12 -17 model Fiesta ST, you'd pick up one from those within your budget

I’ve been eyeing up a molten orange ST.
Any idea what they’re like over longer journeys?
I’d imagine the golf would have a bit better noise insulation and what not.
But the Ford is cheaper to insure and tax

Idbatterim

Audi a7?

Buddy Bubs

Idbatterim wrote: »

Audi a7?

Don't think any a7 will be got for 10k. Not really sporty either despite sporty looks. Its an a6 in a coupe body and you pay a big premium too. They are lovely though. Big cruiser.

Not really sporty either but the OP seems to like bmw so how about a 3 series coupe? Or an audi A5?

PsychoPete

ifeelabreeze wrote: »

I’ve been eyeing up a molten orange ST.
Any idea what they’re like over longer journeys?
I’d imagine the golf would have a bit better noise insulation and what not.
But the Ford is cheaper to insure and tax

Didn't drive on that long of a journey but I thought it was quick and a very fun to drive. 208 GTI or Swift Sport might be worth a look also, Swifts arent that expensive if you can find one

maddness

ifeelabreeze wrote: »

I know, it’s more so because my father has a standard 520d and I like how it drives.
The m sport is sportier than the standard one but it’s a long way off a GTI.
.

A 520d M Sport is a lovely car but is exactly the same as a 520d SE to drive. I had one and it was lovely but as dull as dishwater to drive.

Small light and petrol for fun. Fiesta ST, Swift Sport or something similar would be the job.

bazz26

520d, A6 and A7 are all comfortable motorway mile munchers but they are much too big, wide and heavy to be sporty.

A Golf GTi would probably give you the best of being a hot hatch when you want to push it into the twisties while still being perfectly comfortable and sensible when used as a daily driver. The Fiesta ST would be a great hot hatch but it might be a bit more raw as a daily driver used for commuting.

Gavman84

I have a Fiesta ST. Been up and down to Dublin a few times now and also to Galway/Mayo from Cork and Iv no issues with it comfort wise. Great car and easy to live with. I added cruise to mine and its great for longer spins. There were changes made to suspension on the later ones from about 2015/2016 on I think its the same as ST200 then, this makes it a bit more comfortable by all accounts. It is firm but I dont find it uncomfortable.

ifeelabreeze

Gavman84 wrote: »

I have a Fiesta ST. Been up and down to Dublin a few times now and also to Galway/Mayo from Cork and Iv no issues with it comfort wise. Great car and easy to live with. I added cruise to mine and its great for longer spins. There were changes made to suspension on the later ones from about 2015/2016 on I think its the same as ST200 then, this makes it a bit more comfortable by all accounts. It is firm but I dont find it uncomfortable.

I drove my Mx-5 NB as a daily for a short while, I loved it but I found my back was at me after my commute and I'm 23 with no back issues.

My current car is a 1.4 Mk5 Golf, if it's better or on par with that in terms of comfortability I'm fine with it!

I'm really considering a Fiesta.

It's currently a toss up between:
Mk6 GTI, MK7 GTD (or MK6 and save a few quid), or a Fiesta ST..

Edit - How do you find the Fiesta MPG wise?
I'm guessing that'll be the middle ground between the GTI and GTD.

Gavman84

Iv been getting about 40mpg out of it long term I think so cant complain really. Tax is 280 too which nice.

galwaytt

Renault Mégane GT line or RS if you can find one. Well spec'd in the top trims, and comfortable.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2016-renault-megane-gt-line/26729908

jlow1

Octavia VRS good all rounder. Should get a facelift 2013 for that budget. Petrol or diesel both good. Would stick to manual if you want to be 'engaged'.

job seeker

ifeelabreeze wrote: »

GTD.

ifeelabreeze wrote: »

I commute 25+ miles most days of the week between college and work, that being said for the next while the car will only be doing that mileage on the weekends (college is online)...

I hate to be 'that guy' but do you really need a diesel though? Even if you do 25 miles per day for 365 days of the year for example. That's still only 9,125 miles in total. Which is extremely low mileage and isn't near diesel mileage as far as I'm concerned. I personally would go petrol!

barney 20v

Octavia Vrs??

ifeelabreeze

job seeker wrote: »

I hate to be 'that guy' but do you really need a diesel though? Even if you do 25 miles per day for 365 days of the year for example. That's still only 9,125 miles in total. Which is extremely low mileage and isn't near diesel mileage as far as I'm concerned. I personally would go petrol!

25 miles one way, so it's 18k a year, that's to work, and college it's 5 miles on the motorway on top of that, it's all online at the moment but if it goes back to in class lectures, it's 6 days at 30k each way and 25k each way Saturday Sunday.

Edit - That being said I think I want a Fiesta ST

PsychoPete

I have a 3 litre black edition A6, it's a nice car but even with it been quattro its so boring to drive. I really think you need petrol to have any fun driving a car

job seeker

ifeelabreeze wrote: »

25 miles one way, so it's 18k a year, that's to work, and college it's 5 miles on the motorway on top of that, it's all online at the moment but if it goes back to in class lectures, it's 6 days at 30k each way and 25k each way Saturday Sunday.

Edit - That being said I think I want a Fiesta ST

Oh, my mistake! I left my readers in the study!

The ST Fiesta is a great choice to be fair!

Have you considered a JCW mini? Not sure if it was mentioned already..

ifeelabreeze

Gavman84 wrote: »

Iv been getting about 40mpg out of it long term I think so cant complain really. Tax is 280 too which nice.

280 road tax is very nice compared to the €500 odd I was paying for my old Mx-5.

Most STs I’m finding are all around the 100k miles mark, there’s one for 60k-ish too which I’m a little surprised about.
I see people on Reddit saying oh ‘25k km and going strong’ like it’s an accomplishment!
I’ve heard they’re quite robust engines but any idea if it’s worth considering a higher mileage one?

Gavman84

ifeelabreeze wrote: »

280 road tax is very nice compared to the €500 odd I was paying for my old Mx-5.

Most STs I’m finding are all around the 100k miles mark, there’s one for 60k-ish too which I’m a little surprised about.
I see people on Reddit saying oh ‘25k km and going strong’ like it’s an accomplishment!
I’ve heard they’re quite robust engines but any idea if it’s worth considering a higher mileage one?

I have a few friends that have them and they have done a lot more miles then me so far. They have not had any major issues. They are a reliable enough car I think once looked after. I wouldnt be put off by the miles if the car has a good history and is well looked after and price was right.
Iv done 30k km in mine since got it in aug 2019 and hasnt cost me a penny outside servicing and wear and tear items.

Henry Ford III

I had 2 x Fiesta ST's.

Great all round cars. Plenty of practicality for everyday use. Reliable and economical (considering what they are). Ride is firm but not unbearable.

Running costs are fine. 40mpg is easily achievable even though you'll be tempted to use the performance.

Did I mention that they are brilliant cars to drive? Very rewarding and they'll make an average driver look better.