In your opinion what car is both fun AND economical?
29 January 2010, 03:30 PM
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In your opinion what car is both fun AND economical?
Does such a thing exist? 
As a Scoob owner I'd always just accepted that fun came with an expensive fuel bill but, recently the BF and me went on a driving holiday to Wales in his Octavia diesel and I was STAGGERED at the MPG we got, something over the 50MPG mark
Now I decided there and then that I wanted me some of that 
However, as nice as the Occy is (top of the range, plenty of comfort) it just doesn't give me a sense of fun when I drive it. Recently I went on a bit of a mission to test drive a few cars that appeared to me from the outside to offer both fun and economy but was a bit disappointed with each of them in one way or another ie; Mini Cooper D, Golf TDi Sport, Fiat 500, Fiat 500 Abarth, Skoda Fabia Sport, Skoda Yeti (yes really) among others.
My favourites were the Yeti for it's level of equipment, 4x4ness, boot space, mini Disco feel and very good price and the 500 Abarth for it's mini Ferrari feel and ability in the twisties. However the Yeti isn't fast enough and the Fiat just doesn't have the torque or guts on a long uphill stretch of motorway that I like. The others just felt dull, especially the Fabia.
What car, in your opinion, is both fun and economical? New or old and preferably available for under 25k
As a Scoob owner I'd always just accepted that fun came with an expensive fuel bill but, recently the BF and me went on a driving holiday to Wales in his Octavia diesel and I was STAGGERED at the MPG we got, something over the 50MPG mark
Now I decided there and then that I wanted me some of that However, as nice as the Occy is (top of the range, plenty of comfort) it just doesn't give me a sense of fun when I drive it. Recently I went on a bit of a mission to test drive a few cars that appeared to me from the outside to offer both fun and economy but was a bit disappointed with each of them in one way or another ie; Mini Cooper D, Golf TDi Sport, Fiat 500, Fiat 500 Abarth, Skoda Fabia Sport, Skoda Yeti (yes really
) among others. My favourites were the Yeti for it's level of equipment, 4x4ness, boot space, mini Disco feel and very good price and the 500 Abarth for it's mini Ferrari feel and ability in the twisties. However the Yeti isn't fast enough and the Fiat just doesn't have the torque or guts on a long uphill stretch of motorway that I like. The others just felt dull, especially the Fabia.
What car, in your opinion, is both fun and economical? New or old and preferably available for under 25k
29 January 2010, 03:34 PM
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330d is very fun and frugal.
The 335d is even more fun but I'm getting low 30s to the gallon - a fair bit worse than a 330d, especially post 08 (when they became Efficient Dynamics).
£25k gets you a very decent one.
The 335d is even more fun but I'm getting low 30s to the gallon - a fair bit worse than a 330d, especially post 08 (when they became Efficient Dynamics).
£25k gets you a very decent one.
29 January 2010, 03:47 PM
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Can you please go into more detail in which the 330d is fun (says the woman who has been driven for many laps around the Nurburgring in one ) and what sort of economy are we talking about? As I get older I am liking the idea of the levels of comfort a Beemer offers but I've never considered there might be a fun aspect too. Now I'm curious and can feel a possible visit to a dealer coming on
) and what sort of economy are we talking about? As I get older I am liking the idea of the levels of comfort a Beemer offers but I've never considered there might be a fun aspect too. Now I'm curious and can feel a possible visit to a dealer coming on
29 January 2010, 03:52 PM
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Sccobychick - how does 0-60 in 6.1s with over 240bhp and 380ish lbs/ft but 40-45mpg sound?
The 50/50 balance and excellent chassis means it handles very well indeed and you can still have some naughty RWD action too.
My 335d is a right laugh especially in this cool weather - the 330d is a little lighter and definitely very efficient. I'd class a 330d as economical - a 335d just drinks a bit too much to be quite the same although it's still very good for it's power (286bhp) and torque (428lbs/ft).
A £500 remao gets you to near 335d power and torque if you fancy it, whilke retaining decentish mpg.
There are also far more 330ds around. 335ds are scarce and IMO, fetching slightly silly prices.
The 50/50 balance and excellent chassis means it handles very well indeed and you can still have some naughty RWD action too.
My 335d is a right laugh especially in this cool weather - the 330d is a little lighter and definitely very efficient. I'd class a 330d as economical - a 335d just drinks a bit too much to be quite the same although it's still very good for it's power (286bhp) and torque (428lbs/ft).
A £500 remao gets you to near 335d power and torque if you fancy it, whilke retaining decentish mpg.
There are also far more 330ds around. 335ds are scarce and IMO, fetching slightly silly prices.
Last edited by Matteeboy; 29 January 2010 at 03:53 PM.
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29 January 2010, 05:20 PM
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erm, not quite -
0-60 just trawling the net -
golf TSI - 9.5 secs
golf GTI - circa 6.0s
No doubting the TSI is a good car, but the gti is in a different league.
So, I would recommend a Golf GTI. circa 36mpg for 200bhp.... not bad imho
Dan
0-60 just trawling the net -
golf TSI - 9.5 secs
golf GTI - circa 6.0s
No doubting the TSI is a good car, but the gti is in a different league.
So, I would recommend a Golf GTI. circa 36mpg for 200bhp.... not bad imho
Dan
29 January 2010, 05:44 PM
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tsi is 140bhp
29 January 2010, 05:47 PM
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Scoobychick, what about a WRXD.
As an everyday commuter I get a minimum of 45mpg, infact I have a photo of it doing 57mpg!!!!! Plus side its a scoob so very tunable, downside its a hatch.
As an everyday commuter I get a minimum of 45mpg, infact I have a photo of it doing 57mpg!!!!! Plus side its a scoob so very tunable, downside its a hatch.
29 January 2010, 11:02 PM
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30 January 2010, 10:08 AM
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Do you know I think I've looked at just about every car that's been mentioned here (apart from the MR2 ), I go round and round and round in circles and end up back where I started 
The problem is finding a car that fits my criteria and doesn't cost over 50K If money was no object I'd just buy a top of the range Range Rover and the Fiat 500 Abarth with everything on them - I like my gadgets and gizmos and every conceivable comfort 
Although having said that, if money was no object I'd probably have at least 20 cars as I can never my make my flipping mind up what I like best
Tomorrow I'm going to go car hunting again and am going to have a nose around the secondhand 330D's. Then I'll almost certainly wander over to the Skoda dealer and look at the Yeti again
I know what I don't want in a car and that's a harsh ride and poor fuel economy. I'd like a 4x4 as I do a lot of off-piste nobbering but it's not essential and none of the big 4x4's have good MPG unlike the smaller hatchback/SUV crossovers (like the Yeti). Which brings me back to the 330D. Then again, every time I think of buying a non-4x4 I get wistful thinking of all those rutted tracks in the wilderness that I won't be able to explore.
Somebody please just shoot me
), I go round and round and round in circles and end up back where I started The problem is finding a car that fits my criteria and doesn't cost over 50K
If money was no object I'd just buy a top of the range Range Rover and the Fiat 500 Abarth with everything on them - I like my gadgets and gizmos and every conceivable comfort Although having said that, if money was no object I'd probably have at least 20 cars as I can never my make my flipping mind up what I like best Tomorrow I'm going to go car hunting again and am going to have a nose around the secondhand 330D's. Then I'll almost certainly wander over to the Skoda dealer and look at the Yeti again
I know what I don't want in a car and that's a harsh ride and poor fuel economy. I'd like a 4x4 as I do a lot of off-piste nobbering but it's not essential and none of the big 4x4's have good MPG unlike the smaller hatchback/SUV crossovers (like the Yeti
). Which brings me back to the 330D. Then again, every time I think of buying a non-4x4 I get wistful thinking of all those rutted tracks in the wilderness that I won't be able to explore. Somebody please just shoot me
30 January 2010, 10:39 AM
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I'd like a 4x4 as I do a lot of off-piste nobbering but it's not essential and none of the big 4x4's have good MPG unlike the smaller hatchback/SUV crossovers (like the Yeti ). Which brings me back to the 330D. Then again, every time I think of buying a non-4x4 I get wistful thinking of all those rutted tracks in the wilderness that I won't be able to explore.
Somebody please just shoot me
). Which brings me back to the 330D. Then again, every time I think of buying a non-4x4 I get wistful thinking of all those rutted tracks in the wilderness that I won't be able to explore. Somebody please just shoot me
30 January 2010, 07:30 PM
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I've just bought an ML320, it'll do 0-60 in 8 seconds, (not exactly fast admittedly) but not slow for 2 tonnes of 4x4, it's averaging around 28-30 to the gallon, and i'm reliably informed if you drive a bit sensibly you can get around 35 to the gallon, it's got over 500 Nm of torque and pulls like a train, handles like a car and has plenty of toys as standard, if you have a good look around you should be able to find a nice clean highly specced 06/07 one for around 25k.
30 January 2010, 08:04 PM
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Yep 330d's aren't bad for MPG. I got an E90 one last year, and it's averaging 43mpg so far. You can get over 50mpg cruising comfortably on the motorway, but then when you want to have some fun you can keep up with some serious sports cars on a-roads (275-290bhp remapped + massive torque), and the handling is great fun. Also the sound inside the car is more like a petrol V8 than a traditional diesel noise!
On the minus side every man and his dog seems to drive a beemer these days, and the runflat tyres are in the £300-each region if you go for an M-Sport model (which you will as they look miles better!)
The A4 3.0 TDI Quattro is probably worth looking at too, although I've never been in a 3.0 TDi Audi. I was a bit of an Audi-devotee previously, and IMO Audi's have better styling, interiors, image and build quality than BMW's - but beemers have much better engines and are just sooo much better to drive
On the minus side every man and his dog seems to drive a beemer these days, and the runflat tyres are in the £300-each region if you go for an M-Sport model (which you will as they look miles better!)
The A4 3.0 TDI Quattro is probably worth looking at too, although I've never been in a 3.0 TDi Audi. I was a bit of an Audi-devotee previously, and IMO Audi's have better styling, interiors, image and build quality than BMW's - but beemers have much better engines and are just sooo much better to drive
Last edited by Petem95; 30 January 2010 at 08:05 PM.
30 January 2010, 09:38 PM
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The e46 330d is a fine balance between economy, practicality and performance. I'm on my 2nd. I now have a 2004 (facelift) with 204 bhp as standard, but remapped and it absolutely flies and gets 40+ mpg combined. Perfect when you can buy them pretty cheap with lots of toys.
Sean
Sean
30 January 2010, 10:39 PM
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Get an SE 330d with 17" wheels and stick non run flats on it - then you can use it like a "normal" car and not suffer from the PITA issues of 18" and 19" cracking M Sport alloys.
Big alloyed M Sport are chosen purely for looks - the ride is worse and the tyre costs are stupid.
Trust me, an SE on Sports suspension with 17s and non RFTs gives the best ride and handling compromise.
Massive alloys on silly tyres have no single advantage (accelerated tyre wear, huge costs, extra drag, etc) - if looks are more important than ride and handling get an Alfa.
The fad will soon pass.
Big alloyed M Sport are chosen purely for looks - the ride is worse and the tyre costs are stupid.
Trust me, an SE on Sports suspension with 17s and non RFTs gives the best ride and handling compromise.
Massive alloys on silly tyres have no single advantage (accelerated tyre wear, huge costs, extra drag, etc) - if looks are more important than ride and handling get an Alfa.
The fad will soon pass.
Last edited by Matteeboy; 30 January 2010 at 10:42 PM.
30 January 2010, 11:55 PM
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When I used to have my beemer, it had to go into the garage for around 3 days, and I got a Mini Cooper D while my car was in.
What can I say, brilliant fun! Feels much faster than it should, handles like it's on rails, and will cruise all day on the m/way giving superb economy.
If you a bit of money to spend, I would also consider a BMW 123d in any form. 214bhp standard and again excellent handling and economy.
If you are on a budget, I can highly recommend an Astra Sri 150 cdti and my brother has a mk4 Golf GT TDi 150. Again, fair bit of poke from both with fun handling and good economy.
Good luck.
What can I say, brilliant fun! Feels much faster than it should, handles like it's on rails, and will cruise all day on the m/way giving superb economy.
If you a bit of money to spend, I would also consider a BMW 123d in any form. 214bhp standard and again excellent handling and economy.
If you are on a budget, I can highly recommend an Astra Sri 150 cdti and my brother has a mk4 Golf GT TDi 150. Again, fair bit of poke from both with fun handling and good economy.
Good luck.
31 January 2010, 03:07 PM
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Do you know I think I've looked at just about every car that's been mentioned here (apart from the MR2 ), I go round and round and round in circles and end up back where I started
The problem is finding a car that fits my criteria and doesn't cost over 50K If money was no object I'd just buy a top of the range Range Rover and the Fiat 500 Abarth with everything on them - I like my gadgets and gizmos and every conceivable comfort Although having said that, if money was no object I'd probably have at least 20 cars as I can never my make my flipping mind up what I like best
Tomorrow I'm going to go car hunting again and am going to have a nose around the secondhand 330D's. Then I'll almost certainly wander over to the Skoda dealer and look at the Yeti again
I know what I don't want in a car and that's a harsh ride and poor fuel economy. I'd like a 4x4 as I do a lot of off-piste nobbering but it's not essential and none of the big 4x4's have good MPG unlike the smaller hatchback/SUV crossovers (like the Yeti). Which brings me back to the 330D. Then again, every time I think of buying a non-4x4 I get wistful thinking of all those rutted tracks in the wilderness that I won't be able to explore.
Somebody please just shoot me
), I go round and round and round in circles and end up back where I started The problem is finding a car that fits my criteria and doesn't cost over 50K
If money was no object I'd just buy a top of the range Range Rover and the Fiat 500 Abarth with everything on them - I like my gadgets and gizmos and every conceivable comfort Although having said that, if money was no object I'd probably have at least 20 cars as I can never my make my flipping mind up what I like best Tomorrow I'm going to go car hunting again and am going to have a nose around the secondhand 330D's. Then I'll almost certainly wander over to the Skoda dealer and look at the Yeti again
I know what I don't want in a car and that's a harsh ride and poor fuel economy. I'd like a 4x4 as I do a lot of off-piste nobbering but it's not essential and none of the big 4x4's have good MPG unlike the smaller hatchback/SUV crossovers (like the Yeti
). Which brings me back to the 330D. Then again, every time I think of buying a non-4x4 I get wistful thinking of all those rutted tracks in the wilderness that I won't be able to explore. Somebody please just shoot me
ian carson & son ltd : bmw x3 3.0d m/spt auto sat/nav diesel
31 January 2010, 05:22 PM
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Can't complain at the 3 series either. My wife's car is a 320d touring, whilst it feels a bit heavy, the rear drive handling is very nice when you get used to it (SE on 17" wheels, so the ride is decent too). A bit more poke as per the 330d and it would undoubtedly be a lot of fun, current 330d ED with 241bhp would be ideal. Just don't expect them to be much use in the snow, or to get anywhere near BMW's claimed fuel economy in everyday use.
31 January 2010, 06:47 PM
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Absolutely. I've averaged just over 38mpg in mine from new for ~14k miles. And with good low down boost giving a power band starting below 1500rpm going on to 7000rpm, once rolling it's not a lot slower than my old 286bhp bugeye WRX. But it does it subtly, wrapped in heated leather with 2 zone climate, iPod dock, and is quiet and comfy on a run. Allegedly very simple to tune towards 300bhp
Can't complain at the 3 series either. My wife's car is a 320d touring, whilst it feels a bit heavy, the rear drive handling is very nice when you get used to it (SE on 17" wheels, so the ride is decent too). A bit more poke as per the 330d and it would undoubtedly be a lot of fun, current 330d ED with 241bhp would be ideal. Just don't expect them to be much use in the snow, or to get anywhere near BMW's claimed fuel economy in everyday use.
Can't complain at the 3 series either. My wife's car is a 320d touring, whilst it feels a bit heavy, the rear drive handling is very nice when you get used to it (SE on 17" wheels, so the ride is decent too). A bit more poke as per the 330d and it would undoubtedly be a lot of fun, current 330d ED with 241bhp would be ideal. Just don't expect them to be much use in the snow, or to get anywhere near BMW's claimed fuel economy in everyday use.
I'm getting just over 30mpg (335d) not 40!
31 January 2010, 07:06 PM
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Great car, reliable, 40mpg!
Holds it's value better than I hang onto my wallet!
Looks good, too.
What is this car for all men/women?
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Mazda MX5! Really, if you can do without a big boot (but still have a boot big enough for shopping and holiday luggage), it IS the best car you can own for fun and economy!!