Right lads,

Needing some guidance, I'm toying with the possibility of getting a new car as long as I can get some funds together anyway - selling my car + small loan. I've previously owned a Fabia vRS and loved it - from memory anyway. Only really got rid of it to fund another project.

I'm looking for something that get's me reasonable MPG (40+) accompanied with decent performance. As we all know straight line the vRS isn't the quickest but that's not where the fun lines and that's fine performance wise for me. I've had a Clio 182, Leon FR+ TDi remapped to approx 210bhp and now (unfortunately) I have a BMW 318 Coupe - don't like it. Anyway, I don't do a lot of miles per week, probably about 200 all in so I don't think it would make too much of a difference wether it's petrol or diesel. But I do like the Turbo's.

Anyway I'm basically toying with the idea of either coming back and getting another vRS as I loved them, possibly a SE one as they look superb and funds dependent. Or open to any other suggestions which fit the bill. Budget would probably be max at the cost of a vRS SE so a maximum of probably £6K but the lesser the better. I'm toying with another Fabia vRS (well specced), Suzuki Swift Sport, Fiat Grande Punto T-Jet/M-Jet, Polo GT Tdi, Golf of some sort.

Anyway has anyone driven any of the above or would anyone recommend any others cars that fit my criteria. Or is it a case to stick what I know and come join the Fabia club again Honesty would be appreciated but I'm sure it can't be guaranteed :think:

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Kyle

I had a grande punto as my last car, I wouldn't get another

If you loved the Fab vRS, then go for another, or alternativley you could go for something like this ? http://www.autotrade...p42ee?logcode=p

Edited 21 April, 201214 yr by Mr Grump

Life's too short to get the same car twice, imho

The Suzuki Swift is a good car, but imho a bit outgunned by it's rivals in performance terms whilst still having "big car" running costs like 17" wheels, 97 RON unleaded, etc. I drove the Grande Punto M-Jet - a fairly capable car and comparable to the Fabia vRS but I wasn't a fan of the overly light steering or the obstructive A pillar and bought a Panda 100hp instead. Golf GT TDI (2.0 140bhp) I drove had rock hard suspension that couldn't seem to keep up with the car and very few toys but did have blue dials.

If you're wanting 40+ mpg and performance, I think realistically you'll be looking at diesels. A few leftfield suggestions might be an Auris T180, Seat Ibiza FR (if you can get past the looks!), Citroen VTR HDI, Mini Cooper D, BMW 330D...

Chris

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Life's too short to get the same car twice, imho

The Suzuki Swift is a good car, but imho a bit outgunned by it's rivals in performance terms whilst still having "big car" running costs like 17" wheels, 97 RON unleaded, etc.  I drove the Grande Punto M-Jet - a fairly capable car and comparable to the Fabia vRS but I wasn't a fan of the overly light steering or the obstructive A pillar and bought a Panda 100hp instead.  Golf GT TDI (2.0 140bhp) I drove had rock hard suspension that couldn't seem to keep up with the car and very few toys but did have blue dials.

If you're wanting 40+ mpg and performance, I think realistically you'll be looking at diesels.  A few leftfield suggestions might be an Auris T180, Seat Ibiza FR (if you can get past the looks!), Citroen VTR HDI, Mini Cooper D, BMW 330D...

Chris

What about the newer Cooper S with the turbo petrol rather than the supercharger? On paper the figures are good and I know someone who is amazed by its economy but I couldn't say I know that it'l get 40+ if you want to try.

The Cooper S is a good call although 6k might be a bit tight (think the switch over was 2007) as the MINIs seem to have very strong residuals. Saying that though, I think the engine is also used by Peugeot so that may be an option...

Chris

The Cooper S is a good call although 6k might be a bit tight (think the switch over was 2007) as the MINIs seem to have very strong residuals. Saying that though, I think the engine is also used by Peugeot so that may be an option...

Chris

Isn't the cooper D the post 2007 french engined model? Early diesels not being coopers and having the toyota derived 1.4?

The Cooper D introduced in 2007 was powered by the PSA 1.6 HDI lump and then was switched to a (much better but slightly less economical) BMW 1.6 unit. Think you're right about the MINI One though and it shared the 1.4 with the Yaris. I believe it now uses a detuned version of the Cooper D engine but could be wrong...

Chris

I had a grande punto as my last car, I wouldn't get another

If you loved the Fab vRS, then go for another, or alternativley you could go for something like this ? http://www.autotrade...p42ee?logcode=p

I had a grande punto sporting (diesel) and loved it :p id go for the multijet, more tunable than the t-jet, and they are well equipped, and handle well.... I bought mine new, and did 107,000 happy fault free miles in it never broke down, never let me down. (and I mapped it at 4k!)

however, as mr Grump's opinion backs up, there have been less satisfactory ownership experiances the dealers apparently suck (but mine was fantastic) ..

dont be put off by reliability stories, its swings and roundabouts, my grande was more reliable than my mark I vRS by a VERY long way, but not as reliable (so far) as my mark II vRS