Suggestions for fun daily driver

bertiewhite

I'm looking at replacing my ageing Ford Fiesta and I'm wondering if anyone can suggest something 2-3 years old that can be had for around £7K-8K that is economical & fun/quirky. I'll be doing a 5 mile each way daily commute and weekend trips out with just my wife & I so rear seat room isn't an issue.

I know it might be a hard ask at that price but a quick search suggests that a Fiat 500 or even a mini could be had in that bracket.

I had considered a new car at around the £11K mark (I'd looked at the Suzuki Swift) but then thought I might be able to get something a bit more fun after some of the depreciation has taken its toll but will still essentially be a fairly new car so I'm open to any suggestions.

I'll be looking at approved dealer, not private.

DrEskimo

Would avoid the Fiat 500...

OH has a 60plate Mini 1.6 petrol auto for the last 5 yrs and it's been great, costing very little to run. Think hers is worth £6k, so finding one for £8k that's only 3yrs old might prove challenging.

Do you have the ability to install a home charger (drive-way/garage)? If so, a Renault Zoe might be worth a look? Or Nissan Leaf?

A leased battery Zoe would be easily under £8k (particularly if you take advantage of the £1k deposit contribution on finance deals, then settle to save on interest), and the lease cost will probably match fuel costs, however you would save on maintenance and outright purchase. If you are patient you can get bargain battery owned models. Took a while but I picked up a battery owned Zoe for my mother-in-law for £8k. Was a 16plate that only had 88miles on the clock, so brand new really.
Great fun to drive round town, come with reversing cameras, sensors, sat nav, climate control, pre-conditioning, etc, so well kitted out for the price level. Would be perfect for your short commutes too, as they can either warm up prior to getting in, or take just seconds for heaters to warm up.

bertiewhite

DrEskimo wrote: »

Would avoid the Fiat 500...

Why?

DrEskimo wrote: »

OH has a 60plate Mini 1.6 petrol auto for the last 5 yrs and it's been great, costing very little to run. Think hers is worth £6k, so finding one for £8k that's only 3yrs old might prove challenging.

I've found a few coopers at 3 yrs old at just over £8K on 30-40K miles online this evening and I do like them. Do they wear well?

DrEskimo wrote: »

a Renault Zoe might be worth a look?

I'm not sure that's for me but I do like the new Twingo, for the same reason I like the Fiat 500. And the Citroen C1 for that matter.

Jeannine

smart fortwo / forfour or Suzuki Ignis....??

Goudy

If it's quirky and fun, check out the Fiat 500 Twinair, or better still the Panda with the same Twinair engine is usually a bit cheaper, is actually better built than the 500 (built in a different factory) and rides a lot better.

There is nothing that comes close to this engine, it's totally unique but can be a bit thirsty.

The new Suzuki Swift with the 1.0 Boosterjet engine is probably the pick of the Swift range, the 1.2 is a bit flat, but you'll need to work hard to get one in your budget, see them at around 9k almost new.

Not as much fun (no fun at all really), but worth considering is a Toyota Yaris Hybrid.
It is quirky though just for the way is drives, it's beautifully built and almost bombproof, it's the same engine/running gear as the 2nd gen Prius and mini cabbers have been flogging these to 300 and 400 thousand miles with easy.
80+ mpg, no road tax and if you buy the 75g/km model, no congestion charge (the CC is only London so far, but there's no doubt it'll arrive in a city near you soon)

If you are buying from a dealer, check out Carwow or similar car sourcing websites.

martinthebandit

Mazda MX5 would be my choice for fun and quirky but doubt you'll get one at the and price you want.

knightstyle

+1 for Twingo and have a look at Skoda Citygo Monte Carlo.

motorguy

bertiewhite wrote: »

I've found a few coopers at 3 yrs old at just over £8K on 30-40K miles online this evening and I do like them. Do they wear well?

Another vote for the Cooper.

From 2014 (F56 variant) its pretty much a BMW underneath. Aim for one with low miles and a good spec. Theres loads about.

In fact for your budget, you could maybe get a Cooper S. Its a real hoot to drive.

motorguy

martinthebandit wrote: »

Mazda MX5 would be my choice for fun and quirky but doubt you'll get one at the and price you want.

Yes, an MX5 can be got in budget and in the year range. Great little cars!

peter_the_piper

My suggestion is the Kia Picanto, not really sporty but cheap to run and insure.. Bought mine from new and the only thing changed has been tyres.

daveyjp

Last model swift sport.

Avoid smart and Twingo.