Interesting options for a station car?

JonW

JonW

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3,262
All,

I'm toying with the idea of buying a 3rd car as a daily driver / station car for me. This would then mean my GTS became more of a weekend car, or what I would use if I was travelling more than the 2ish miles down to the train station and back.

Haven't decided yet whether I'm going to go down this route, but if I did, budget would be no more than £5k, and my current shortlist is

Audi S3
Mini Cooper S (prob 1st Gen)
Mazda Mx5 (with a hard top)
Golf GTI (2005-07)
Ford Fiesta ST
Ford Focus ST2
Alfa Mito

I'm not really looking to buy a hot hatch to thrash, but I like the idea of something I would still enjoy driving occasionally. I also like the idea of buying something that is pretty cheap and close to the bottom of its depreciation curve and shouldn't lose a lot of value...

Out of all these, the two I'm most tempted by are the MX5 (as this potentially gives an interesting option on a nice sunny day) or the Mini (as you can get nice ones for £2-3k).

However, would love to hear thoughts or other suggestions, so what would you buy if you had up to £5k to spend on a station car?
 
rockits

rockits

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9,172
TVR S for 5k?

I had a Focus ST-3 for a while. Hated it...always wants to stick you in a ditch with horrific torque steer. Trying to drive the thing smooth impossible.
 
zagatoes30

zagatoes30

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Alfa GT is a good daily runner, the oil burner is the sensible bet but heck you have a Maserati why be sensible
 
rockits

rockits

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Alfa GT is a good shout as well. Maybe a petrol if short journey. You'll get a decent 3.2 V6 Busso for that. I nearly bought one last month for 3k!
 
outrun

outrun

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5,017
I've a 2nd generation r56 Mini Cooper S for dotting about the place as my daily. It's great and much better than the earlier r53 car. It's a really good, full history and top spec one and it's still only worth about £5k. £4k will buy you one but make sure it's been looked after as they have an issue with cam chain tensioners which is an expensive thing to repair. Push to £6k or so and you'll get one from a main dealer with a full warranty. I've extended mine for piece of mind.

Also, if you get one, bin the run flats. They are epically bad.
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

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rockits said:
Alfa GT is a good shout as well. Maybe a petrol if short journey. You'll get a decent 3.2 V6 Busso for that. I nearly bought one last month for 3k!
Click to expand...

Great cars. Madly practical as well. Fold down the seats and huuuuge load area

C
 
Wack61

Wack61

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You've got a GTS , I assume you have a sensible saloon or estate , having had 2 Mk1s and now a much more wife friendly MK3 I'd go for the MX5 every time

I absolutely love mine, don't listen to the naysayers with their hairdresser comments , I got mine late summer which coincided with a high number of warm sunny evenings, I was out in it every evening wasting petrol and enjoying every second.

If you're using it year round a hard top and a spare set of wheels fitted with winter tyres would be a sensible option

This is the longest list of what's bad I've ever seen on honest John so I don't think I'd want a mini

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/mini/cooper-and-s-r56-2007/?section=good
 
rs48635

rs48635

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3,181
Mx-5 any one, but I would stick with a mk1 1800. Get a rust free one and you'll always get your money back. Just a hoot to drive, and if it only costs a grand, why bother with the hard top? Once it's on you have to drive home to take the roof down. Used mine to commute to station, invariably roof down. Missed my train several times on sunny days, just "killing time driving" instead of stood on the platform tutting. :D


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Contigo

Contigo

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Mx-5 Mk1 (NA) are amazing fun cars, anyone who skates them either hasn't driven one or is an idiot. Get a good one now and it won't let you down or depreciate just check the chassis rails/sills and drain holes for rot.
 
JonW

JonW

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3,262
Thanks for all the comments everyone.

Seems like the Golf and the MX-5 are popular choices, with mixed views on the Mini. Will keep looking...
 
Andyk

Andyk

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61,154
We had a early Mini Cooper and it was faultless. Never missed a beat and was loads of fun. Phil S right about the MX5 it's a brilliant car no matter what one you go for. Ignore the woman's car jokes etc it's a proper drivers car.
 
Ewan

Ewan

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Why not stick with the Maserati theme and get a biturbo (or early markII Ghibli)? Obviously it would be a brave shout, but it would be a more interesting choice than a Golf. Zero depreciation, and may even increase in value.
 
allandwf

allandwf

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I would go for the MX5, as said, Mk1 1.8. Reliable, superb heater,(for the winter,) loads to choose from, everyone seems to be some sort of limited edition, and you should get your money back when you sell. A hoot to drive as said just watch what tyres you fit. Potentially the most fun car on your list.
 
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