kingpleb wrote:

Hard sus is big fun dont get me wrong David

Friend of mine has his VX setup with very soft springs but very stiff anti roll bars. The ride is superb and the grip phenominal as you can feel the inside wheels working so much harder. I'm thinking of going down a similar route with mine when I do a suspension refurb this winter.

Anyway, I know what you mean about commuting in London, and I'm not really recommending the VX in this instance. I am recommending thinking a little latterally though as it worked for me!

great turn of direction ... Would love a vx or Ariel too... But wouldn't want to share it then...

London roads are for sure...

Yeah biggest nightmare is insurance. I am still north of £1000 on my own... MY11 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 - "African Queen"

More practical are the Ford recommendations earlier to be honest. MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

Kia Soul lovely 7 year warranty economical and looks like a baby Disco  Present :2008 TDV8 HSE
Gone Audi A5 2.7TDI
Gone Discovery 3 HSE
Gone Mercedes CLK
Gone Range Rover 2.5 DSE

Interesting view on the kia soul, will check it out.

I do like the fords, the new models have a great interior but hate the exterior and wide grill... Might 'focus' on the previous model (takes his coat..) MY11 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 - "African Queen"

Kia soul has no soul!

My brother hates his and if you read the warranty not everything is as it seems, like poxhals lifetime warranty...

he has the 1.6 and sees at most 45mpg out of mixed driving but mostly 40, and he drives like a proper coffin dodger on speed! I overtook him on my MTB once I kid you not  FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

If your insurance alone is over £1k your going to get well rear ended adding a new driver on! i pay a bit more than that and i can drive almost anything I want fully comp  FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

I drove the Soul and loved it. If only they did a V8 version  Present :2008 TDV8 HSE
Gone Audi A5 2.7TDI
Gone Discovery 3 HSE
Gone Mercedes CLK
Gone Range Rover 2.5 DSE

They do in the states, it's an extended soul...

Kia Soul
Had one for a rental in CA a few years ago. It drove okay for a cheap, low budget car but the electrics failed twice in the week I had it. Kia and Hyundai sell on price. You're probably better off with a better small car (Honda, Toyota VW) a year or two old for the same money. Just my 2p.

A bit delayed but just wanted to say thanks to all for the advice and help.

I put forward my suggestions but at the same time limited my input as I wanted my brother to feel like this was his car and let him learn so took him to car giant for a look around the various models and gave him some light advice.

We ended up going with the Hyundai i30 1.6 CRDi, so after doing a little more searching we found one in a Hyundai dealier in Kent (bought off the phone unseen). It is a 2010 1.6 diesel auto in silver and was delivered last week. It has an unusual "aero bodykit" with lower bumpers to make it look "sporty". Wasn't a big fan initially but it grew on me. So far car has been great, economy not as miraculous as I wanted it to be but no other complaints. Only irritant is at low speeds with windows closed, it sounds like a huge truck due to diesel engine and poor soundproofing. Will get pictures up soon but actually like this car and think it was a good pick.

on insurance, did quite well and with him as a learner driver and me and dad as named drivers, came to about £600 but waiting for the when he passes his test... MY11 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 - "African Queen"