scooby1929

iTrader: (1)

I was in a Seat Leon FFr the other night and was very impressed especially as he was getting 40+ mpg

EddScott

First thing I thought of too.

With a budget of 25K you've got alot of choices out there.

Petem95

Corrected!

SunnySideUp

EFA

Dingdongler

I think on the whole this thread proves that cars cannot be fun and economical. £25k will buy you a very nice car, but if you want to play you will have to pay when it comes to fuel.

stilover

Not really. I have a Golf GT Sport 170TDI, that not only handles pretty well, and can zip along a decent road at a decent pace, has good overtaking punch, and returns 38mpg.

Yes a Golf GTI would be more fun, but you'll pay for that extra fun. The GT sport is still pretty fun though.

jonny_693

iTrader: (5)

I'd go with a 3 series diesel. Had great fun in my old 325tds and still got 40 mpg. Probably better off with a newer 320D or For ultimate performance 330D or 335D as allready mentioned.

Matteeboy

I think a mapped 320d is probably the ultimate blend of performance (over 200bhp, stacks of torque) and economy (easily 45mpg).

The only issue is that they do sound VERY diesely.

The six pot 330d and 335d still sound rattly on tickover but get pretty fruity when pushed hard.

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

The 330D is looking increasingly attractive, especially remapped I'm a great believer in choosing wheels for comfort, ride and handling as opposed to looks so Matteeboy's suggestion would be the route I'd go.

As for the MX5, been there, done that, had one for four years or so. It was OK but I concluded that I really didn't like convertibles. I like a lot of metal around me in a car and, a big load space means more luggage which as a female of the species is always a good thing

The Yeti Elegance (top of range, touch screen SatNav/ICE gizmo, park assist ) comes in a 2.0L TDi CR 170bhp 4x4 version, 350 torques and 0 - 62 in 8.4 seconds with a combined MPG of around 46.3. Obviously this could then be remapped and would still cost, with extra options, under 25K. It's got a massive load capacity (loads more shoes and handbags ) and seems cheap for what it is - VW build quality, switches, Golf chassis etc etc. Does anyone know what, if any, other cars the engine is used in?

I still haven't driven a 330D but it's starting to look like a two horse race at the moment between that and the Yeti. I don't know what it is about the Yeti, but it just makes me laugh, I think the 'fun' aspect of the marketing has worked on me

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

One other thing I should mention is that I'm keeping the Scoob as well, for now anyway, just in case the urge for a blat takes over

The new car will be the family vehicle and although mainly used just by the two of us it also needs to be able to cart my partner's 10 year old daughter and all her paraphernalia around as well as the occasional dog, parents, nephew etc

Matteeboy

Scoobychick - rear legroom is fairly limited in a 3 series. Fine for anything up to 6 footers, then it's tricky.

Sounds like you might need a Touring? Again it's not a massive boot (having "proper" suspension means the struts nick some space) but it's very useful.

If you want a Saloon make sure it has optional (!!) folding rear seats.

I went a bit mad on mine and relied almost totally on what people had said about the car - I bought it blind and without a test drive (!!). Best risk I have taken in years - the car just feels "right" - you can really fling it around on backroads, it's super comfy (even more so on non RFTs) and with the six pot versions, naughtily quick.

If you find any, get a test drive just to make sure it's right then feel free to ask anything about any you see.

£25k will get you a belter of a 330d, a slightly more modest but still lovely 335d.

For reference I paid £21,800k and got a good p/x on my Astra for a 56 plate 16.5k mile SE Touring with leather, sunroof, sports suspension, optional 17" alloys and a few other goodies. It was fully prepped, serviced and delivered (they picked up the Astra) to me too!

It was a bargain but gives you an idea. I reckon you could get a 58/09 330d with under 15k miles or an 56/07/57 335d with low miles. Go for BMW used approved - some very handy benefits.

Post 08 gets you the LCI (facelift), post 57 (I think) gets you "efficient dynamics" with a drop in CO2 emissions and a bit of a rise in mpg. Do be a bit careful though - the LCI ones had a few standard options dropped. The lights look nice though!

Andy M3

I have just had a Alfa MiTo 1.6 JTD 120hp Veloce loan car for x2 weeks. I appreciate it is not in the same league as 200hp+ 6 pot beemers. However despite the relatively small lump with seemingly not a lot of power, it is pretty brisk. When you ride the torque point to point it feels like a much quicker machine. MPG, 40mpg+ average. A 70 mph trip on the motorway hits 55mpg based on Derbyshire roads. It's a lot left field but perhaps more fun and dangerous than a wholly accomplished 330D m-sport.

http://www.carsuk.net/wp-content/gal...meo-mito-1.jpg
http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive...erior-1-lg.jpg

"The 1.6 JTD 120bhp unit Alfa Romeo MiTo generates a whopping 240lb/ft of torque, or pulling power, with a 0-60mph time of 9.9 seconds and a 123mph top speed. Economy is 58.9mpg and the CO2 figure is 126g/km."

"The body is fairly small, at 4063 mm long, 1721 mm wide and 1446 mm tall. The 3 door hatchback sits on a 2511 mm wheelbase, and has a competitive 0.29 coefficient of drag. The kerb weight is 1205kg for the 1.6 JTDm. The Veloce tyres are 215/45/17 front and rear."

fivetide

iTrader: (1)

One that hasn't been mentioned and has had some decent reviews is the VW Phaeton. There's a 3.0 TDi 4motion with over 200bhp and it will be specced to the hilt. Proper sleeper car. I'd suggest the W12 engined one but you want some sort of mpg and the diesel seems to return a good 30mpg...

ad just for looks...

Hills of Lymington : W12 6.0 PHAETON ONLY 27,000 MILES

5t.

Matteeboy

OMG what MASSIVE depreciation!!!! They are cool though.

I'd get the V10 TDI and two the QE2 across dry land.

jasey

Clio 200 - You can still get some bargains .

You should try one.