I was talking 33mpg average round rural wales in my octy mk1, over 40 on a run. Not bad for its size and pace.

How about the 150 bhp 1.8t Ibiza? On that mileage a petrol is probably more suitable, Fiesta ST should be pretty nice. Although I'd never want to own a Ford, build quality doesn't really cut the mustard for me, great chassis though.

Will just add my Ibiza FR keeps growing on me, nice little car. Polo gti another option, rare with the 1.8t in it though I think.

Edited 28 January, 201610 yr by YellowCar

Have looked at polo gti but seem expensive for a car with half decent mileage. Mpg wise I'm looking at 35-40.

You'll easy get low 30s (maybe even 35) combined in a small car with a bit of go to help get things moving easier. If you want over 35 though you need a diesel really, but the kind of mileage you're doing won't get the best out of a diesel,you'll have to make sure you give it a good run at least once a week just for the hell of it to help keep it running clean.

I will take low 30s, my 1.3 cdti corsa only getting high 30s although it is driven foot down everywhere really.

So really, car under £3500-4000, petrol, small, preferably sub 8 second 0-60,

Older Civic, the 1.6 ( I think? ) Type-S? They're pretty nippy! Not sure of fuel economy.

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I'd try and find something with the 150bhp 1.8t in it, for that money the Ibiza cupra probably represents the best value. Think the standard 0-60 on paper is just over 8, but if you get a good 2006/7 car you'll probably have enough spare for a remap, and a good tuner will be able to up your power without extra thirst, which really makes it more economical because you'll learn to drive to its strengths. As with any turbo car you'll ideally get something standard and well maintained. Have a look at some Fiestas too, as you say they handle very well it seems...but you may find you prefer the vag build quality. All makes have their quirks mind, nothings perfect.

Older Civic, the 1.6 ( I think? ) Type-S? They're pretty nippy! Not sure of fuel economy.

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I think Honda economy is a bit pants, and when you look at performance as standard you don't get much bang for your buck. Plus I still don't like the look of newer civics, they look like an alien threw up.

Now lets assume you didn't do your used buying homework, to buy a really good car that mutes this point as the past owner has already fixed this and countless other well known issues

In my case. I bought my suspension for circa £120 ish for the HR some time ago, transformed the handling.

How is that really a serious issue when purchasing when its so easily fixed ?

 

At least the Skoda has a bit of character, I'd feel to lose a Ford in a sea of other bland identity cars (even with the sportiness over it).

I'm sure they are cracking cars despite - but when they outnumber the Fabia mk1 on the roads by 4 to 1, I'd keep the individuality - and economy myself.

I haven't done any used car homework since buying my car Sir.

Granted the handling of the mk1 Fabia can be improved, the same for most cars, but surely a lighter (at the front end at least) car will go around a corner cleaner than one with the pd lump in it. Although let's be honest, unless the OP is attending track days or using the car as a getaway vehicle, he/she isn't going to need 'next level' handling. 

I agree with your point on the uniqueness of the Fabia though, not many of them about, quite a novelty to see a vRS in my area in fact. Good news for us owners I suppose.

JRJG

Car won't be used on track. Just after a quickish fun car to get me from A-b and isn't going to break my bank to run. Ideally a petrol aa they tend to be lighter less expensive to fix.

Great suggestions so far. 90000 Mile vrs tend to sell for around 2700 in Manchester area which seems OK. Slightly newer petrol variants ST ibiza 1.8t etc go for a little more.

Only reason I'm leaning towards the VRS is fuel economy but if the economy isn't that much better thrn I would get a petrol

Car won't be used on track. Just after a quickish fun car to get me from A-b and isn't going to break my bank to run. Ideally a petrol aa they tend to be lighter less expensive to fix.

Great suggestions so far. 90000 Mile vrs tend to sell for around 2700 in Manchester area which seems OK. Slightly newer petrol variants ST ibiza 1.8t etc go for a little more.

Only reason I'm leaning towards the VRS is fuel economy but if the economy isn't that much better thrn I would get a petrol

The economy of my Ibiza tdi is a lot better than the petrol octy vrs I had (which still wasn't bad) but the tank is like half the size. So while the gauge drops at a similar rate I have to remind myself it's using half as much, I get 58 combined overall, get around 70 into work. Point is you could argue diesels require more regular oil changes, the fuel costs a wee bit more and cold start economy isn't great. You need the distance to really reap the rewards even though economy is a lot better than petrol equivalents. Most journeys I do are at least half an hour and there's plenty of need for some throttle, the type of driving I do suits the qualities of a diesel and how they need to be driven.

Edited 28 January, 201610 yr by YellowCar

My commute is around 30-45 minutes driving between 20-50mph. My head says 1.9 diesel but my heart says petrol.

Having had fast petrols in the past including a 170bhp polo G40 with all bells and whistles on I thought I would never enjoy a fast diesel. I love driving the fabia. Feels like a cool car and pulls so nicely, the torque makes the engine feel so capable and under stressed. Really good on fuel too. I was between a 150bhp polo gti 20v turb and the fabia vrs. Having driven both I am well happy with the choice. Doesn't feel any slower real world, 6 speed, better economy, cheaper tax, slower decrease in value as mileage increases dependant on condition and service/history obviously.

I'm not biased as I love petrols and don't overly worry about economy but I am pleased with the fabia.

Anyone driven VW golf 1.4 TSI sport? Friend selling an 06 with 80000 for 3 grand. Mpg claim is 39.

yeh pd100 1.9tdi in my ibiza will get me between 50-70mpg with 60mpg being easy to achieve 

got it mapped to about 130bhp

 

with upgraded and lowered suspension it corners as good as the fiesta i hired but still doesn't feel as nimble

That's a point worth noting about the Ibiza option, I think the handling is much firmer standard and it feels more agile (particularly the 3 door). Some have said they are too firm, great chassis for me though.

That's a point worth noting about the Ibiza option, I think the handling is much firmer standard and it feels more agile (particularly the 3 door). Some have said they are too firm, great chassis for me though.

A neighbour of mine had the pd130 Ibiza, he had a 'spirited' drive in mine on a B road he drives regularly and was amazed at my Fabia not bottoming out or lifting a wheel on a certain corner. I thought he was joking. Until we drove the same road in his car. A good few thuds later and a couple of three wheeled incidents and I came to the conclusion that it was definitely a harder suspension! Good for some I suppose. I didn't prefer it but I'm nowhere near as fast or aggressive a driver as what he is.

JRJG

A neighbour of mine had the pd130 Ibiza, he had a 'spirited' drive in mine on a B road he drives regularly and was amazed at my Fabia not bottoming out or lifting a wheel on a certain corner. I thought he was joking. Until we drove the same road in his car. A good few thuds later and a couple of three wheeled incidents and I came to the conclusion that it was definitely a harder suspension! Good for some I suppose. I didn't prefer it but I'm nowhere near as fast or aggressive a driver as what he is.

JRJG

Think that sounds like confirmation!

My ibiza was pretty ****ty stock but the shocks and springs were 6 years old by that point. Apparently the VRS shocks are a bit higher than the standard ibiza ones. Though a lot of people reccomend the VRS shocks for ibizas so dunno what the characteristics are. My aftermarket stuff is good but pretty hard unless forced. Speed bumps and potholes are something i'm careful on but still completely manageable for everyday use

Two years ago I had the opportunity to test drive the ST, it was nice enough and the one I was looking at was very tidy but,.... I couldn't switch because the Fabia was way more torquey and economical, and that was still important to me at the time. ST was a nice thing but I prefered the VRS.

Hope this helps!

Car won't be used on track. Just after a quickish fun car to get me from A-b and isn't going to break my bank to run. Ideally a petrol aa they tend to be lighter less expensive to fix.

Great suggestions so far. 90000 Mile vrs tend to sell for around 2700 in Manchester area which seems OK. Slightly newer petrol variants ST ibiza 1.8t etc go for a little more.

Only reason I'm leaning towards the VRS is fuel economy but if the economy isn't that much better thrn I would get a petrol

Totally depends on how you drive it. (The VRS that is).

My mate had a 2005 fiesta st- handles great but interior quality was poop and it was slower than my remapped vrs. Btw, that fezzy did about 35mpg and my gtb powered vrs still does over 40mpg. No contest for me its vrs all the way. Apart from fiesta cost about 1800 used compared to about 2500-3000 for a similar aged decent vrs.

Sorry should have said I meant either mark 1 fabia VRS or a fiesta ST 2008 ST1?

Mk1 vrs all day long, that st wouldn't pull you out of bed

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I'm at a loss to understand why everyone assumes that the OP wants an ancient ****ter Fiesta ST, I wouldn't consider buying an 05 at all, I would however buy a newer 08 onwards model. The difference in safety, build quality and performance is night and day.

I had both a ST150 and Fabia at the same time. Everyone is most likely assuming due to them being the same age and price roughly now. If I was looking at near new ST180 Fiestas I dont think a 10 Year old Fabia would even be considered.

 

Comparing the old one, in standard form the Fiesta is much more of a drivers car, handles better, great fun to drive. If you're doing such low miles and it's between those two cars I'd take the Fiesta. As much as I loved my Fabia it needed lots of money chucked at it to make it anywhere near the car the Fiesta was out the box. It's trump car is economy, but if thats not needed then it's not much of a plus. I can only imagine the newer one is much more punchy as a bonus. 

Edited 31 January, 201610 yr by matt1chelski

Yeah, lol.

My first choice was Clio 197 but insurance is silly.

BMW would cost £9000 including 1 year insurance and on top of spending a lot of money, that would be my car for years and years.

I figured I'm 21 and only owned diesels, I want to try a N/A (hence the 197) and don't want a car yet that I'm going to have to make a big commitment to.

As you can probably tell I'm indecisive and when it comes to cars, don't like commitment.

I literally am getting rid of my VRS SE because this winter the windows have p**sed me off, always misty and need wiping on the inside.

All in with a years insurance I can get a FSH 50k miles ST150 for £5000 or so, and get rid of it a year after if I wanted to try other things.

Power is simlar, sound of N/A engines is a beautiful thing and it has heated windows and climate control (go ford)

I called it a day (after a few fix attempts - worked initially but the seive-like qualities returned) with my MKI vRS because of that issue - it was misery in winter with ice on the inside of the windows (I didn't have a garage at the time and the car could sit for a couple of days - it sometimes took an age before I could even get going - it marred the ownership experience).

Anyway, if you're only doing 6,000 miles I'd echo the comments of others and get the ST.