I wouldn't say they're overstated as it is defo a problem. If you're lucky like me, you can find one with a recently rebuilt gearbox fitted since should see you ok.

Mines on it's 2nd gearbox in 80,000 miles, the first lasting about 65k. Based on reading around, most seem to suffer at somepoint as the use plastic for something which breaks. When it's rebuilt I think they use metal instead which is meant to be better. It does seem that most of them go, it's just a matter of when. Some get 120,000miles out of them, some 30k. Guessing it's like turbos, all down to driving style and maintainecne. Repair costs are about £600 for a reburb inc. fitting/removal.

Mine's been fine so far, but I am getting a nice whining noise in most gears above 2k rpm atm, which is a recent development. Might change the oil, see if that fixes it.

AFAIK the Lupo 6 speed is the same final drive, just closer ratios in the other gears, so cruisung ability is no different. I think accerlation 0-60 is meant to be better with the 6 speeder, but not sure how it would work in the real world - if you'd be changing gear more often etc. I find the 5 speeds to be fine usually, wish it had a longer 5th gear, but the others are fine. It goes well enough from 30 in 5th and the spacing of the ratios seems pretty decent to me too.

That aside, the 6 speeder does seem to be a lot stronger than the 5s and have a hydrolic clutch too.

another vote for the swift sport. Most car magazines love them, especially EVO.

Will add another vote for the SSS (swift sport), very close to getting that over the vrs, but my sensible side kicked in. I wanted more economy than fun :(

What's your take on the gearbox issues that are widely reported? Are they overstated?

Also, doesn't the Polo have a 5-speed gearbox - how well does that work in the car? Reviews of the Lupo suggest that the change to a 6-speed box in '02 was a big improvement.

get a lupo gti with 6 speed

no issues box wise with these and much nicer to drive than the sluggish 5speed!

you can get a decent one easily within your budget

a mk1 fabia vrs

I had a Swift Sport before my Occy vRS. Didn't feel like it had much ooomph and it was ridiculously small, it gets boring having to fold the back seats down to get a weekly shop in the back. I certainly never got 40mpg from mine. Fabia 1 vRS would be the better choice I think, bigger boot, 5 doors and the oomph of a turbo that’ll give you plenty of smiles per gallon.

My thoughts much as I like the mini it and the Lupo are strictly 2+2 not a true 4 seater. Both also have tiny boot space.

If you want to use it as a car with more than 2 people in it more than once in a blue moon, then you're looking at the swift, polo, fabia, ibiza, c3, fiesta, corsa sized cars.

The swift is only 2+2, no middle seatbelt in the rear.

If you want performance & a genuine 40 MPG it will have to be a diesel.

Any pertrol driven with vigour will struggle to get in to the 40's.

Have you driven a Fabia VRS diesel?

I've driven the Volvo 2.0T at length, & whilst it has a better top end it is not any quicker than a VRS, for overtakes & punching out of corners the VRS has it.

VOLVO- 177 hp & 180 lb·ft

VRS- 130+ BHP & 230 lb ft (later Fabia's make 140 ish BHP as standard)

Your £6k budget will buy a lovely one.

I had the S60 remapped to 225bhp, thats why I think I'd miss the power. The car flies now, with little lag and true power like the bigger engined S60's.

I hsve driven the VRS and it was quite good. This was a couple of years ago. I think I shall go and have a drive. Seems that I can get a remap to take it to 170bhpish for not a lot of cash.

I had the S60 remapped to 225bhp, thats why I think I'd miss the power. The car flies now, with little lag and true power like the bigger engined S60's.

I hsve driven the VRS and it was quite good. This was a couple of years ago. I think I shall go and have a drive. Seems that I can get a remap to take it to 170bhpish for not a lot of cash.

Yep, 225 BHP remap would change my statement ..lol.

I've driven the VRS pre & post remap & the difference is significant.

Just ensure it's a smooth map fromone of the big names on here & it will be good.

I was in the same boat as you, I had an Octy 4x4 Turbo, mapped to 210 BHP & wanted to downsize for economy yet retain a little grunt. I researched loads of motors & ended up buying a Fabia VRS (our second one).

Hard combination of price/performance & economy to beat.

Jabbasport is close to me so seems a logical choice. To be honest though as long as I get more than the 26mpg I'm getting now, anything will do!

Lupo gti like me

4 seats

0-60mph in 7.8s, as fast as a remapped fabia vrs

40 mpg and lots of fun

Bi-xenon headlights as standard too

LOL. I know this is off topic, but nearly 8 seconds to 60mph must mean the Fabia that was mapped is poorly sick. High 6's with ease with a remap, 1 second quicker. Oh and more mpg too. Wont handle anywhere near as good as the Lupo, and in fairness the Lupo is a cool car, and not fast becoming a chav wagon like the Fabia. But still, LOL @ 8 seconds for mapped PD130.

Having looked about I think the Octavia VRS diesel ticks all the boxes...