I said I'd never do it but, the time has sadly come. The VRS Fabia is now 11 years old, low milage for a diesel at 105K I know, and, with a file an inch thick, covering all I've done or had done to it but, it's getting harder to keep it to the standard that I need it to be at, so the time has come for a replacement.

My problem is very simple and equally irritating, they stupidly stopped making them, otherwise I'd just buy another. I love the car, it still pulls like a train and will give me mid 50's to the gallon when driven a little less enthusiastically. However, I need to get something newer, Swmbo is moaning I spend more time in the garage these days than I do with her so, the new one has to be no more than five years old, preferably three. There lies my problem, what the hell do I replace it with?

I'd prefer to get something with the same get up and go and, if possible, the same economy, but the get up and go is more important. Fortunately, I've got a works van now so, the replacement can be more performance biased a la, the weekend toy even a petrol. But, I'd like it to do at least 35mpg, I had thought of staying with diesel as I prefer the performance delivery on derv, but petrol is not a no no. Higher milage isn't too much of a problem either as I only do about two hundred miles a month these days.

I had thought of a Volvo C30 D5, Honda Type R, Seat Leon FR 550 or a Suzuki Swift Sport (the new one with the 6 speed box).

I like cars that handle and accelerate, so top speed isn't everything, I'd prefer to be able to drive it for a few miles without needing to visit the chiropractor, my budget is £8K, other than that I'm at a bit of a loss, so, any suggestions folk's?

If it was my money I go for the d5 I love the looks of the Volvo and I had also had a good long drive in a d5 id say they are a very good car

I know you're Scottish but two hundred miles a month is so little that economy is no longer relevant, you can afford an uneconomical car which will cost you far less to buy and be much more fun to drive, the monthly cost difference for you between a car that does 35 mpg and 25 mpg is a TENNER for crying out loud. You're not going to get a three year old anything for eight large so be serious, five years and high mileage and you might be in with a shout, just.

 

Give us a realistic target to aim at please.

why does it need to be newer? I love my Mk I 125.7HP  TDi

I know you're Scottish but two hundred miles a month is so little that economy is no longer relevant, you can afford an uneconomical car which will cost you far less to buy and be much more fun to drive, the monthly cost difference for you between a car that does 35 mpg and 25 mpg is a TENNER for crying out loud. You're not going to get a three year old anything for eight large so be serious, five years and high mileage and you might be in with a shout, just.

 

Give us a realistic target to aim at please.

 Once, or twice a year I do a round trip to see family (Swmbo's and mine) who are spread all over the south and south east of England, the milage for that trip averages around 2K. So, it would help overcome my inate Scottishness (tight git)  if 35mpg were a reasonable possibility for these trips.

You can get a '12 plate SSS new shape for eight large, I've seen them on E-bay and Autotrader for less.

I was just looking for a different point of view, for someone to perhaps suggest something I hadn't considered, that's all and I did mention the fact that a higher milage car wouldn't be too much of a problem sir!

Edited 31 May, 201511 yr by Coffin Dodger

why does it need to be newer? I love my Mk I 125.7HP  TDi

 

To keep Swmbo happy, the theory being I'd spend less time washing, polishing, cleaning and maintaining a newer car. Basically  put me back in her good graces! 

 Once, or twice a year I do a round trip to see family (Swmbo's and mine) who are spread all over the south and south east of England, the milage for that trip averages around 2K. So, it would help overcome my inate Scottishness (tight git)  if 35mpg were a reasonable possibility for these trips.

You can get a '12 plate SSS new shape for eight large, I've seen them on E-bay and Autotrader for less.

I was just looking for a different point of view, for someone to perhaps suggest something I hadn't considered, that's all and I did mention the fact that a higher milage car wouldn't be too much of a problem sir!

 

Oooh, you might have to spend A HUNDRED QUID extra to do a round robin of the rels 

 

Give over, what's an SSS when it's at home BTW?

 

I'd buy a nice gas guzzler in your position, an Audi A8 or a Phaeton maybe, something that can squat and growl or waft along in silence depending on your mood. Hewn from a block of solid neutronium, built to outlast the Roman empire.

To keep Swmbo happy, the theory being I'd spend less time washing, polishing, cleaning and maintaining a newer car. Basically  put me back in her good graces! 

surely a new car would have you outside maintaining its pristine condition; constantly looking for the most minor of chips with a touch up in hand.

Audi A5 or similar 3.0 TDI. Or the A4 equivalent....

 

Or have a hard look at the VAG 2.0 TSI engined cars.

 

Are you looking for smaller and chuckable or slightly bigger and easier on the longer trip?

Have you seen the new advert for the MG 3 just released, costs around £8,500 region?

Don't know any performance figures, but, might interest you ?

surely a new car would have you outside maintaining its pristine condition; constantly looking for the most minor of chips with a touch up in hand.

 

I'd be like that with a new one. Would probably drive me mad, be terrified of parking in supermarkets etc

Oooh, you might have to spend A HUNDRED QUID extra to do a round robin of the rels 

 

Give over, what's an SSS when it's at home BTW?

 

I'd buy a nice gas guzzler in your position, an Audi A8 or a Phaeton maybe, something that can squat and growl or waft along in silence depending on your mood. Hewn from a block of solid neutronium, built to outlast the Roman empire.

wouldn't mind a Phaeton myself, six acres of walnut grove gave their lives for the dash alone. (I'd wrap the dash). Lovely car though with the W12 and the price of them dropped quicker than Jordans knickers for a photo op.

Have you considered a BMW 1 series?

 

Specifically the 123d - proper sleeper of a car especially with a remap! You'll be looking at near on 250bhp and 320-330lb-ft torque! (They are 201bhp/295lb-ft standard) so it will easily keep pace/wipe the floor with with most modern hot hatches. It's a twin-turbo too so you get a nice liner power delivery similar to a petrol, it's not as ON or OFF like most 4 pot turbo diesels are and you've the added benefit of being RWD. Should just about be able to pick one up for £8k mark but it will likely be high mileage.

 

You've also the petrol hot hatches of which there are many to choose from:

Honda Civic Type R

Ford Focus ST
Renault Clio 197/200
Renault Megane Sport

Seat Leon FR/Cupra
Seat Ibiza Cupra
Audi S3
Skoda Fabia vRS (current shape)
VW Golf/Polo GTi 
Mini Cooper S

And on and on...
 

Edited 1 June, 201511 yr by mattbvRS

Seat Leon Cupra k1 running stage 2 your looking at circa 360bhp ish.

Octavia vRS Petrol or Diesel?

 

I went from a Polo/Ibiza/Fabia platform car to the Octavia (Seat Cordoba PD130) and very pleased I did.

 

As much as I loved the oomph from the PD130 I'm actually perfectly happy with less power in a bigger, comfier and easier to drive car.

 

The Octavia MK2 chassis is a huge step up from the Fabia and feels much more planted.

 

With it being a bigger car you will probably find it comfier too for your long trips. I'm 6'7" and can drive for hours on end without getting tired.

 

Phil

Keep the car and trade the missus in for a newer model.

 

 

Give over, what's an SSS when it's at home BTW?

 

 

 Suzuki Swift Sport

Thanks all!

A couple of things suggested that I hadn't considered before, so, food for thought and a few more options, cheers!!

Have you considered a BMW 1 series?

Specifically the 123d - proper sleeper of a car especially with a remap! You'll be looking at near on 250bhp and 320-330lb-ft torque! (They are 201bhp/295lb-ft standard) so it will easily keep pace/wipe the floor with with most modern hot hatches. It's a twin-turbo too so you get a nice liner power delivery similar to a petrol, it's not as ON or OFF like most 4 pot turbo diesels are and you've the added benefit of being RWD. Should just about be able to pick one up for £8k mark but it will likely be high mileage.

Yup the stats look good on paper

But i certainly would not entertain any bmw with the N47 engine. Especially the 123d as they are the earliest revision and most problematic (google n47 timing chain failure)

All cars have their faults and not all of the n47 engines suffer from the timing chain failure, it was more the early ones pre 2009, but it is a more common issue than perhaps it should be. I still wouldn't write off the car because of it though! One of my friends has one and it's a proper weapon on the road, he's not had any issues with the timing chain making funny noises and going and it's pushing past 100k miles now. Luck of the draw with things like that! 

I know you're Scottish but two hundred miles a month is so little that economy is no longer relevant, you can afford an uneconomical car which will cost you far less to buy and be much more fun to drive, the monthly cost difference for you between a car that does 35 mpg and 25 mpg is a TENNER for crying out loud. You're not going to get a three year old anything for eight large so be serious, five years and high mileage and you might be in with a shout, just.

 

Give us a realistic target to aim at please.

 

Just a wee thank you!

Your rather pithy, answer to my query helped me decide to make the internet do my searching for me. I input all my requirements on a couple of different sites and came up with hundreds of possible alternatives, all under £8K, the oldest of which was four and, the newest one year old. Some of the newer ones had star ship milage but they were usually not cars I would have picked anyway, for one reason or another. 

I was particularly pleased to find this little gem http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201504242897845 It meets all of my criteria, and is particularly low milage, despite not being in my favoured colour for a car (red), however, it's reasonably fast, handles well and is different  looking, I certainly wouldn't be one of the herd in this wee beastie.  

Thanks again for giving me the kick up the arse I needed to get my brain in gear.