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Downsizing from a Focus
I'm driving a Focus 2.0l TDCI averaging 44-47mpg on a 55 mile daily commute (25miles each way) mainly on dual carriageway and fast A roads. Plus shorter trips of 4 - 10 miles each way on fast A roads to the shops. Annual mileage of 15,000, of which around 12,000 is the commuting.
I'd like to down-size to a smaller car with better mpg. I've driven a Fiesta 1.6D, Clio diesel and Mazda 2 1.6D - the Mazda felt nippier than the other two.
I'd like the car to be responsive and fun to drive, hence trying the 1.6 engines. However, they all feel 'tinnier' and a more noisy on dual carriageways and at speed than the Focus (or my last car, a 2001 Seat Leon 1.9TDCI), which doesn't feel so good.
My budget is £6000-£7000. Is there a similar sized car that fits my requirements, maybe the Seat Leon? Or is the 'tinnier' feel something common to all the smaller cars in this bracket and I'll just have to live with it?!
I'd like to down-size to a smaller car with better mpg. I've driven a Fiesta 1.6D, Clio diesel and Mazda 2 1.6D - the Mazda felt nippier than the other two.
I'd like the car to be responsive and fun to drive, hence trying the 1.6 engines. However, they all feel 'tinnier' and a more noisy on dual carriageways and at speed than the Focus (or my last car, a 2001 Seat Leon 1.9TDCI), which doesn't feel so good.
My budget is £6000-£7000. Is there a similar sized car that fits my requirements, maybe the Seat Leon? Or is the 'tinnier' feel something common to all the smaller cars in this bracket and I'll just have to live with it?!
Asked on 11 August 2012 by js6969
Answered by
Honest John
If you want real economy for a low price, then has to be a small diesel and for £6k - £7k you are pretty well forced into something with the PSA/Ford 1.6 90PS diesel. Fiestas and Mazda 2s are best on the smaller wheels and deeper profile tyres, I think 175/65 R14. At lower speeds these tyres make them feel more grippy. The other way to go is a Panda or FIAT 500 with the 1.248cc (1.3) Multijet, but hard to get a 500 for the money.
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