Advice on new car to buy for £30k

[M.F.D]

Nice username.

Polo is 3dr or 5dr, so are you looking for a hatch or a saloon?

Also, budget is helpful.

Oh and welcome.

[lookingforanewcar]

The new facelift version is 5 door only. Though I take it that its going to be lacking in areas hence why its almost 10k less than the Golf GTI?

Budget is 30k

I have only driven hatchbacks and Im not sure I can really get a new saloon for 30k? The nearest Ive seen is a 320i for around 33K

[samoht]

First thing to consider is that car production is limited due to computer chip shortages, which means generally dealers have very few cars in stock, and the waiting lists for new factory orders can be 6-12 months long, and subject to further delays and/or gadget deletions, depending on how successful the manufacturer is at negotiating for further chip supplies. So depending on how soon you need this car, you may need to look for what's available.

A tip, AT lets you look for new car offers only, eg this link shows new cars offered for up to £30k https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?sort=price...
So can be useful to see what's out there.

Could an electric car work for you? Obviously only any good if you only really want to do local trips, and you have a garage or driveway you can charge it on. I mention as they often have more 'tech' as well.

If you want a saloon / bigger car, looks like you can get a new Vauxhall Insignia for the budget, perhaps a Pug 508.

On the VW front, there's a 150hp petrol Golf in budget, probably gives more comfort/quality, but less sportiness, than a Polo GTi, but shouldn't be slow.

[M.F.D]

Golf is obviously the bigger car, slightly quicker too.

Does it need to be brand spanking? Because there are many more options open to you if you would consider a lightly used 2020/2021 car.

[M.F.D]

150bhp Golf would be a bit blah.

2.0T 190bhp in the Leon would be slightly better. I'm not sure what you mean about the suspension, but I am sure a brand new Leon is compliant and 'sporty' enough at the same time.

However, bare in mind you could buy a 2020 Leon Cupra 300 estate (300bhp, 4wd, mega practical) for your budget which will retain much better value and be a whole different experience to the models you are looking at. No brainer to me....

[ZX10R NIN]

The used market isn't a rip off infact you can get some decent deals on lightly used cars/ex demo ones

Kia Ceed GT 200 as good a steer as the Polo as (new these are a smidge over 30k) well as 6 years of warranty left too:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201231...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201131...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201201...

Hyundai i20 N Performance you'll get a brand new/pre registered ones for 25k:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/new...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201191...

i30 N Performance

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201131...

Leon Cupra

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201191...

[f1racer]

lookingforanewcar said:

Budget is 30k

Can you stretch it a bit more? At Broadspeed you can get the Golf GTi for just over £30k. Other brokers may be able to offer one for slightly cheaper but expect a long wait.