Can you recommend a fun car for £25,000?

I am looking for a new/nearly new car, budget up to £25,000. I do not transport, children, dogs or surfboards, therefore, have a very wide choice. I do about 10,000 miles a year, minimum journey 15 miles. So far I am considering; Volkswagen Polo, 1.4 TSI ACT BlueGT; Golf (any model); Audi A1 TFSI 122 S; BMW 120d Sport and Ford Fiesta ST. What do you recommend?

Asked on 10 November 2013 by Linda G

Answered by Honest John

That's interesting. It's the first I'd heard of the 1.4TSI ACT going into the Volkswagen Polo. A Golf VII offers a lot of 'feelgood' factor but the electromagnetic parking brakes could prove costly in years to come. An A1 offers the status of an Audi, which is not a bad thing. A Fiesta ST offers no status at all but is fantastic fun to drive and a very sensible price.

Road tests and videos of most of these at www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests.

I'd add the SEAT Leon 1.8TSI FR to your list. Better looking than a Golf, and with a proper handbrake. And the new Mazda 3, which I rate as top of that particular class. Tests and videos of these at HJUK too. One final suggestion: a Toyota GT86.

Tags: performance buying a new car hot hatches

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