What would you do?

[stedaley]

Family member has a new job.

Will be hybrid working so possibly 2times a week into the office.

But will have to go to clients and customers another day or two out the week.

Miles are from Antrim to Belfast for the office, 10miles each way to the office and possibly another 30miles to the customer visits.

Would be 70% country roads to the motorway and then 30% motorway.

They have just given back their car for lease and want to buy a cheap car to do this drive, budget up to 3k. They would like something bulletproof and decent mpg! A fun drive would be a bonus.

What would you do?

[Yomamaisasnowblower]

In the current climate, screw the fun and focus on reliability for 3k especially if it's for a commute/work etc. Usual Jap/Korean stuff is what you need, petrol and NA.

Example - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023031452...

[blueovercream]

A Panda 100hp.

Not sure about reliability but it ticks the mpg and fun boxes

[stedaley]

Yomamaisasnowblower said:

In the current climate, screw the fun and focus on reliability for 3k especially if it's for a commute/work etc. Usual Jap/Korean stuff is what you need, petrol and NA.

Example - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023031452...

I did mention similar,

I was looking at the Skoda Citigo as a very warm eco car that has good review on being surprisingly fun, cheap and bombproof.

There’s a lot of talk of D5 Volvos and d4d Toyotas on the searches, I’ve seen a few Audi A2s as well pop up.

[stedaley]

blueovercream said:

A Panda 100hp.

Not sure about reliability but it ticks the mpg and fun boxes

I did think of the Citigo/Mii class as they are supposedly surprisingly fun as you can get for the size of them.

Have heard the 100hp are abit rough on the road with the sporty suspension. Might fall apart with the roads over there.

[ZX10R NIN]

1.6T Astra GTC SRI, fits the brief as a good steer with decent go & reasonable to run:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403167...

Mito Sportiva 140:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403167...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403167...

Veloce 155:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403157...

Twingo RS:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312084...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311224...

Abarth 500:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403107...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308211...

[Time4another]

stedaley said:

I was looking at the Skoda Citigo as a very warm eco car that has good review on being surprisingly fun, cheap and bombproof.

Wife drives a Citigo. Great little car. Toddles along at motorway speeds happily. Enough room for 4 adults if your dropping someone off etc. Boot is never going to be big but it is deep. Super cheap to run. Has everything you need but not much more beyond that. Wouldn't think twice about buying another Mii, Citigo or Up.

[stedaley]

ZX10R NIN said:

1.6T Astra GTC SRI, fits the brief as a good steer with decent go & reasonable to run:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403167...

Mito Sportiva 140:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403167...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403167...

Veloce 155:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403157...

Twingo RS:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312084...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311224...

Abarth 500:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403107...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308211...

They fit the fun, but do they fit the reliable?

I haven’t really heard much about any of them for reliability, I have no doubt they would be fun though!

[stedaley]

Time4another said:

Wife drives a Citigo. Great little car. Toddles along at motorway speeds happily. Enough room for 4 adults if your dropping someone off etc. Boot is never going to be big but it is deep. Super cheap to run. Has everything you need but not much more beyond that. Wouldn't think twice about buying another Mii, Citigo or Up.

I’ve heard that! They are supposedly very good little cars

Does it Have cruise control?

[Mad Maximus]

stedaley said:

Family member has a new job.

Will be hybrid working so possibly 2times a week into the office.

But will have to go to clients and customers another day or two out the week.

Miles are from Antrim to Belfast for the office, 10miles each way to the office and possibly another 30miles to the customer visits.

Would be 70% country roads to the motorway and then 30% motorway.

They have just given back their car for lease and want to buy a cheap car to do this drive, budget up to 3k. They would like something bulletproof and decent mpg! A fun drive would be a bonus.

What would you do?

N/A, manual just watch out for cambelt type and anything will fit the bill.

3 series or 1 series no cambelt to worry about either and lots of fun.

[ZX10R NIN]

stedaley said:

They fit the fun, but do they fit the reliable?

I haven’t really heard much about any of them for reliability, I have no doubt they would be fun though!

Yes they're all reliable the 1.4T in the Abarth/Alfa is well proven as is the 1.6T in the Astra.

[Deerfoot]

stedaley said:

Time4another said:

Wife drives a Citigo. Great little car. Toddles along at motorway speeds happily. Enough room for 4 adults if your dropping someone off etc. Boot is never going to be big but it is deep. Super cheap to run. Has everything you need but not much more beyond that. Wouldn't think twice about buying another Mii, Citigo or Up.

I’ve heard that! They are supposedly very good little cars

Does it Have cruise control?

My son has a Citigo, very impressed with it even with the 60bhp engine.

The ride is surprisingly good for this class of car, it's pretty basic but has A/C and and aux socket so he's sorted. Easy 55-60mpg too.

Not sure if they're available with cruise though.

[georgeyboy12345]

What would I do? Well firstly I wouldn't have that crappy sounding job in Northern Ireland

Secondly, I wouldn't spend only 3 grand, I'd probably spend a bit more and get something nicer and more reliable.

If I can't do anything about the above two, then I'd be looking at one of these

Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403127...


Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401275...


Mazda 3 1.6 TS2
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403157...

[CG2020UK]

At this budget I’d maybe look to buy from the safest place possible so will recommend some local dealers.

Bit more than your budget but I know the owner personally and have no qualms recommending.

Only 15mins away from Antrim.

https://www.usedcarsni.com/2009-Ford-Fiesta-1-25-Z...

Terry Coulter is also my neck of the woods and has a good reputation with cars in budget.

Suzuki Swift would be my pick here.
https://www.usedcarsni.com/2009-Suzuki-Swift-1-6-V...

Clio a good car as well.
https://www.usedcarsni.com/2011-Renault-Clio-1-2-1...

[stedaley]

georgeyboy12345 said:

What would I do? Well firstly I wouldn't have that crappy sounding job in Northern Ireland

Secondly, I wouldn't spend only 3 grand, I'd probably spend a bit more and get something nicer and more reliable.

If I can't do anything about the above two, then I'd be looking at one of these

Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403127...


Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401275...


Mazda 3 1.6 TS2
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403157...

I mean it’s a pretty good job, in the world of business development.

How much more would the step up be?

[stedaley]

CG2020UK said:

At this budget I’d maybe look to buy from the safest place possible so will recommend some local dealers.

Bit more than your budget but I know the owner personally and have no qualms recommending.

Only 15mins away from Antrim.

https://www.usedcarsni.com/2009-Ford-Fiesta-1-25-Z...

Terry Coulter is also my neck of the woods and has a good reputation with cars in budget.

Suzuki Swift would be my pick here.
https://www.usedcarsni.com/2009-Suzuki-Swift-1-6-V...

Clio a good car as well.
https://www.usedcarsni.com/2011-Renault-Clio-1-2-1...

I can travel to collect the car for them and bring it over, prices in NI are rather high,

Have done a few cars like that and seems the best way to get a good deal!