5K ulez runaround - Page 1 - Car Buying

Original Poster

1,373 posts

6 months

Saturday 4th July

I'm looking for a ULEZ compliant hatch (or estate)
It will spend most of its time in and around London with the occasional longer motorway trip.

The Focus and Fiesta with the ecoboost engine seems good value - I've read the horror stories but is it just a question of budgeting 1k preventative work and then cracking on for another few years?

Boring cars not really a problem for this as it will be a workhorse living on the streets

LunarOne

7,288 posts

165 months

Saturday 4th July

Any petrol car made after 2004 surely?

Original Poster

1,373 posts

6 months

Saturday 4th July

Yes
But when I do a search the fords seem decent value for what they are

30,475 posts

153 months

Saturday 4th July

Original Poster

1,373 posts

6 months

Saturday 4th July

Fantastic suggestions thanks.
Will have a browse later

itcaptainslow

4,678 posts

164 months

Saturday 4th July

If boring isn't an issue, it's difficult to look past something like a Toyota Corolla or Auris. It'll be endlessly reliable and easy to move on afterwards.

Original Poster

1,373 posts

6 months

Saturday 4th July

Boring not an issue.

I asked about the fords as you get a lot newer car for the money compared to the Toyota, and I presumed the belt service is the issue

Edit

It's not for me - it's for my son
When he moved to London he didn't take his car with him (a smart forfour) and that's now been requisitioned by my father in law

30,475 posts

153 months

Saturday 4th July

All of the above are reliable & will serve your son well for years to come, it'll come down to what he prefers & the insurance cost.

The 1.5/1.6T engines in the Ford have a normal cambelt so that makes them a more sensible/reliable proposition.

v8notbrave

555 posts

41 months

Saturday 4th July

Nothing wrong with eco boost but note my 4.2 V8 Audi S4 is ulez compliant and life is too short for boring cars?

This is PH, there must be other options in budget

Original Poster

1,373 posts

6 months

Saturday 4th July

v8notbrave said:

Nothing wrong with eco boost but note my 4.2 V8 Audi S4 is ulez compliant and life is too short for boring cars?

This is PH, there must be other options in budget

As a challenge what's interesting, won't explode at great expense and is vaguely reasonable to insure for a 25 living in London?

30,475 posts

153 months

Saturday 4th July

Nicetobenice said:

As a challenge what's interesting, won't explode at great expense and is vaguely reasonable to insure for a 25 living in London?

Original Poster

1,373 posts

6 months

Saturday 4th July

He had a Volvo 240 when he lived up here so that C30 appeals!

Original Poster

1,373 posts

6 months

Tuesday 7th July

Settled on a c30 onky to find that the T5 is a bit of a rare beast!

30,475 posts

153 months

Sunday 12th July

They are but if it's what you want then they're worth seeking out, alternatively there's the Giulietta Cloverleaf:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607124...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606153...

Equally as rare but worth a look.

Original Poster

1,373 posts

6 months

Sunday 12th July

ZX10R NIN said:

Thanks

I think I'm going for a a c30 and have found a low mileage 2 litre

Just waiting for the dealer to confirm when it's ready.

I quite like the look of a T5 as a run around for myself now I have looked into it!

bigmowley

2,631 posts

204 months

Sunday 12th July

I bought my lad a tidy 2010 BMW 320i touring business edition last year as his London runabout. Quite well specified and as an auto it’s lovely to drive through the traffic. I did crawl all over it with the spanners when we got it but so far it’s been fine. The dreaded N43 engine does throw an occasional warning light but they are generally trivial. I left a laptop in it so he can always clear the codes.
It’s handy as it’s still quite narrow so it’s not too susceptible to the inevitable parking damage. Tight against the kerb its noticeably tucked in compared to the modern mock SUV stuff all around it.
It’s a nice little car.

paddy1970

1,458 posts

137 months