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What do you mean by some ability to personalize and character?
I have a 2017 Seat Leon estate Ecomotive that hits all the other points, and I bought it for £7k in 2020. It's nothing exciting, but it is really great at what it does, and cheap to run. I've done nothing other than replace consumables, and there isn't even any VED to pay each year. Insurance has also been very reasonable. Being VAG the fuel economy might not be quite as good as the inbuilt computer tells me it is, but based on how many miles I get per tank, the fuel economy is very impressive to me.
hazzelfrazzel-
What do you mean by some ability to personalize and character?
Good question, for character i like stuff that has a function over form aesthetic that ends up making it look interesting. The Saab was designed primarily by an industrial designer and you can sort of see that. I know nothing about new cars and don't love Audi but always thought the A2 was a good example of this. Also Yeti and maybe the Panda 4x4. Seems harder to find in a more typical saloon package though. My dad is pushing the Octavia mk1 but struggling to find anything interesting about it.
In terms of personalisation i guess subtle factory options or well regarded after market stuff designed for long travel that won't fuck up the insurance or make it look too Max power. Winter steels, a roof rack and maybe a factory dog guard would be nice.
jono84
Sanity check needed as i think i'm developing ULEZ anxiety. Current car is a 93 Saab 900 Turbo, good and bad aspects listed below. I've found someone to restore the bodywork and will need to put down a deposit shortly for work that could total £5k. Plan was to keep it in London with minimal use but a bad back and home DIY work has left me wanting a car that i can use more locally without giving it too much thought (within reason). Since ULEZ has kicked in i've only used it once for an out of London trip but using it so infrequently might not be the best for keeping it ticking over (just ordered a cover as i discovered the interior had got pretty damp during the rain storms).
My question is what alternatives might be out there that would offer at least some of what i have already? Current budget in mind probably £7k max.
Brief
ULEZ compliant with decent omissions (petrol only?)
Good mpg
Good loading and probably 5 door
Air con
Low maintenance/running costs
Character with some ability to personalise (Yeti?)
Current car
Good
Low fuel costs (due to usage, mpg ok not great)
Amazing loading capacity for the size
Almost zero running costs thanks to mechanic dad and well stocked for spares/consumables
Has passed emissions tests without issue for the 10 years i've owned it
A lot of fun on the coast where we like to holiday
Appreciating classic. The car owes me very little and even if i poured money in to getting the bodywork done i'd have a high chance of getting my money back if i decided/needed to sell
It's a cool car with sentimental attachment, plan was to be more involved in nerdy car stuff like classic rally's and show's in the future.
Bad
Non ULEZ compliant. Original forecast was using the car twice a month so £300 a year but i'd like more opportunity to use it so could easily double that
Bodywork looks tired and needs work
No air-con/climate not great for summer trips and dog (apparently is available as retro mod for approx £1.5k)
Bit tiring on motorways
May be subject to tighter emission restrictions in the future