The BINI isn't a good bet - used prices are way too high - and the car is overpriced new.

Does she like/need 5 drs - then the VRS is the way to go.

Left field suggestion would be a ZR - seen 105's for less than

Left field suggestion would be a ZR - seen 105's for less than

OK - the sugestion was left field. The furby VRS might be the best car but please hear me out.

Rover 25 may be but the suspension has been tuned to the hilt. If you haven't driven one do so. It is NOT like the 25

I am a Skoda person, but after driving a ZS (admittedly this is bigger) I had to have one (was going to buy a new octy but ended up with the ZS and the Furby).

And before the waranty issue is raised most dealers are giving warranties on the cars (for 3 years)

The parts for existing parts are made by Catapiler through X-Part. Yup MGR were bought by the chinese but fortunately the parts business had been sold off

What I am saying is the few remaining cars are so ridiculously cheap that they have to be worth a look.

That being said depreciation wise (i.e. If you are getting rid of the car within 3 years) a BINI Couper is worth a punt. The MG is totally unsuitable.

One thing to remember who designed the MINI - Rover

MG's (apart from the ZT) are still tacky looking.

I agree with JKM2 - the ZR is a fantastic handling machine. Testdrove one about 2months ago, the 105 has the 1.4 k series engine, no headgasket problems with this, cheap as chips for a new car (7k) aircon isn't as standard unless you go for the high spec trophy + which is about £7500.

Build quality isn't all that and a bag of chips, but its a fair car for 7k. Hey if it breaks in 12months, you can afford to buy another one with the rest of the 12k

Yellow vRS, very girlie !!

MG's are out of the question, they may look nice on the outside, to a bunch of male car nuts, but SWMBO doesnt like the spoilers etc. And I dont like the interiors.

Its going to do less than 7k miles a year so economy isnt really an issue, neither are other running costs.

Front runners at the moment are the Clio 182, the Fiesta ST and the Mini.

Used TT - no there is an idea I haddnt thought of.......

Elise or VX220 (at least that has ABS ) OK not got the NCAP but it would be fun and she can hardly get any shopping in it which is always a bonus! Or a BMW Z3 2.5 or 3.0

Used Audi A2 (apparently it looks funky)

.

What is it with girls and the A2? My wife is obviously as blind as yours,she likes it as well.

Doesn't matter what Mrs G wants.Guide her into something you like:thumbup: (get a lotus elise)

I wouldn't go for the fabia vrs.

As much as it pains me to say it I'd be looking at maybe the Ford STD I mean ST, or alike hot hatchg or maybe a nice 2 seater!

If you can get a S2000 for 12k then it's a real corker of a car!!

If you could get a tidy S2K for £12k I wouldnt have been here asking the question

One thing to remember who designed the MINI - Rover

I presume you mean the old mini that went out of production a few years back. That's not the car i'm referring to.

The current mini was designed by an American for BMW. It doesn't share anything with Rover except the Mini name. It was built in the UK but under the control of BMW. Rover never got a look-in.

Not strictly true, I went to uni with some part time students who worked for Rover, they were designing parts for the New Mini in Oxford.

Interestingly we never hear much Fabia Vs. Mini chat on here - why is that then? am I missing something?

£12k will get you a decent 2000-2001 S2000 and that's what I'd go for. In grey with red leather if you can find one.

One from left field how about a new Fiat Barchetta, girlie, sporty, rare, so long as she don't mind a left hooker

Interestingly we never hear much Fabia Vs. Mini chat on here - why is that then? am I missing something?

not allowed:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/t34213-fabia-vs-xxxxx.html

and they get far too excited by the fact that a vRS was quicker than a Cooper on TopGear