5k for a new car. Suggestions

[tech1889]

I had one and one tank got 200 miles was a hoot though..

[scarr89]

Pick up a mk4 150/130tdi for 3k then spend 2k 'personalizing' it 

[Ben Lessani]

+1 for a fully loaded Cooper S. 1 year down the line for me and haven't looked back. Plus, I've survived a year so far without needing to fit a smaller pulley to satisfy my power needs! I drive like a total tool and still get 30mpg average during the week (no motorway at all) and on m'way trips 48mpg@60mph and 40mpg@70mph.

Manchester, 25, ~£600 per year on insurance (4yrs NCB).

Only issue is people think you are driving your misses car! (I had one by the way)

Dunno about that, not had any abuse driving mine, in fact, only negative remarks I've had were from my thread asking to buy one on here last year!

I literally boot it everywhere and get 280 miles out of a tank every time, about 500 in pure motorway miles (going at 60 and barely overtaking).

I drive my sisters cooper d too and it feels as fast as my s, but gets 50mpg all day long. But I think they are still pretty expensive.

But to be honest, mini's are bloody expensive for what they are, for 5k you are probably looking at a 53 or 54 plate.

[Ben Lessani]

Oh and the comments about build quality on early models, i'm not sure I believe either. No squeaks or rattles on mine

[Bellend]

Anyone else not rate BMW Mini's at all?

Find the Cooper S nice to drive and decent handling, but the PS pump is a b!tch and general build quality and reliability awful.

[Bellend]

Oh and the comments about build quality on early models, i'm not sure I believe either. No squeaks or rattles on mine

Got a few customers with them.

Had an early low mileage one and needed two indicator holders due to them just wearing away, two rear lamp holders, two horns, one headlight hanging out, and the STUPID switches on he dash changing due to wear. Think it was on 46K miles. Is kept serviced and midleage woman owner. EDIT: and a powersteering rack which was a b!tchy job. Urinating out fluid.

Another one which is fun to drive as it doesn't drive straight and is a good inch or so lower on the drivers side rear due to being smacked up the arse and some "insurance approved" body shop "repairing it" it's still rippled under some of the side skirt plastics FFS. 

[Misky]

Cheers for the comments guys! I dont have net back at the flat. 

I have drove a cooper S and as you say it will have to be an earlier model, 53/54 plate. My mate has one of these and has had very little problems with it.  Most of my journeys are now non motoway due to changing jobs.  So have a few twisties to have fun with. 

I had a look at A3's/S3 extra £150 a year over a cooper S but thought they are pretty ugly and will of been thrashed around by the 'drug dealer mandem' of days.

Ben where abouts in Manc do you live? Didnt you have any problems with yours? Im sure I rememeber a thread on here where you had the engine out?!

Anyone rate the mk1 TT 180? It is older than the cooper so will more than likely have more ware/tear/milage. But what are they like to drive?

As for mpg the mk3 isnt exactly great il be honest so I might aswel get similar out of a better car!

cheers so far guys!

[Rhyso]

Drove a 180 Mk1 TT Quattro the other day and i was less than impressed.  It was slow; very slow 

Stretch your budget and get a MK5 GTI if you can

[Misky]

Drove a 180 Mk1 TT Quattro the other day and i was less than impressed.  It was slow; very slow 

Stretch your budget and get a MK5 GTI if you can

I could find it/stretch to get one...But its insurance, far to costly     otherwise I would love a MK5 GTI. Shame really.

Think I will stay away from the TT then!

[Ben Lessani]

Ben where abouts in Manc do you live? Didnt you have any problems with yours? Im sure I rememeber a thread on here where you had the engine out?!

Trafford.

Engine has never been out of the Mini - but I stripped most of the front-end replacing the inner ball joints when I got it. Its due a spot of maintenance now - its up for a clutch (eek). I knew the clutch was on its way out when I got the car, but its due a new one within 2k. Which from the dealer is £650 + £300 for a flywheel (which are dual-mass almost consumable poop).

I love it, but in saying that - I did drive a 25 year old car for ~4 years, which was on ramps every other weekend!