Runabout £3k -£5k dead zone?
Discussion
Morning all
After a focus sized 4/5 door car to replace my wife's dead focus.
I've typically paid £1k-£2k for cars and run them for a few years until they become not worth repairing.
This time my wife wants to spend more for something more reliable, so we're looking up to £5k
Is it just me? but I don't seem to see any real difference in what comes up when going form say £2.5k to £5k
So loads of 2004 - 2011 cars, mileage all around 100k. But nothing standing out to me as being worth twice as much?
Maybe expecting a step change is unrealistic? I would rather spend less so that less is "lost" when it inevitably wears out. But having been stuck with a non starting car a few times, my wife thinks this extra £2k is going to magically protect her from this.
It will probably be a Alfa giulietta, Mazda 3, focus, auris sized. City cars too small, but barges too big (her school car park is the epicenter of bad parking)
Merc c class/3 series maybe? But all are really high mileage.
Cars like Saab 93, Alfa 156 just seem to be too old now to rely on. Mileage is 4 miles a day round trip, and economy/reliability is being placed above performance for this purchase.
Any thoughts or suggestions welcome.
Ian
After a focus sized 4/5 door car to replace my wife's dead focus.
I've typically paid £1k-£2k for cars and run them for a few years until they become not worth repairing.
This time my wife wants to spend more for something more reliable, so we're looking up to £5k
Is it just me? but I don't seem to see any real difference in what comes up when going form say £2.5k to £5k
So loads of 2004 - 2011 cars, mileage all around 100k. But nothing standing out to me as being worth twice as much?
Maybe expecting a step change is unrealistic? I would rather spend less so that less is "lost" when it inevitably wears out. But having been stuck with a non starting car a few times, my wife thinks this extra £2k is going to magically protect her from this.
It will probably be a Alfa giulietta, Mazda 3, focus, auris sized. City cars too small, but barges too big (her school car park is the epicenter of bad parking)
Merc c class/3 series maybe? But all are really high mileage.
Cars like Saab 93, Alfa 156 just seem to be too old now to rely on. Mileage is 4 miles a day round trip, and economy/reliability is being placed above performance for this purchase.
Any thoughts or suggestions welcome.
Ian
used car prices are high.
if you want a car as new as possible with as few miles then look at an astra 1.4/1.6 petrol, likely to cheaper than the korean alternatives and a lot more to choose from.
for 3 miles a day dont bother with diesel
something with more style, a bit of a haggle should get you a 2013 civic 1.8 petrol
if you want a car as new as possible with as few miles then look at an astra 1.4/1.6 petrol, likely to cheaper than the korean alternatives and a lot more to choose from.
for 3 miles a day dont bother with diesel
something with more style, a bit of a haggle should get you a 2013 civic 1.8 petrol
AJB88 said:
Used prices are up a lot, so the cars you would of been buying for 1-2k are now 3-5k cars.
Agreed, but the original point is also true in that the jump from 2k to 4K has never been 2x the car. I too prefer a 1k car than a 4K car for this reason as the 4K car is just as likely to need something like a new clutch.
But it is a difficult balance / trade off to make.
A few years ago we bought a mint 330 Bmw touring with 55 k miles off the clock for £5800 and it lasted 7 years and 70k miles. I don’t think you can find anything comparable to this now.
£3.5k will get you a good condition 2010/11 Toyota Auris or a 2009 Avensis with less than 100k on the clock
Id also be looking at a Honda Accord (mk 7 or 8 will both do the trick). Bullet proof if looked after, great to drive as a daily, plenty of boot and passenger space and comes with all the toys you'd need.
You'll get a decent one for around £4k
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111179...
Id also be looking at a Honda Accord (mk 7 or 8 will both do the trick). Bullet proof if looked after, great to drive as a daily, plenty of boot and passenger space and comes with all the toys you'd need.
You'll get a decent one for around £4k
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111179...
AJB88 said:
Used prices are up a lot, so the cars you would of been buying for 1-2k are now 3-5k cars.
This. On the other hand, £5k will still get you a nicer car than £2k.
Seems a shame to get her a nice car like an Alfa Giulietta if she's only doing 4 mile round trips in it, as it'll end up getting knackered.
Do you have off street parking so you can install a charger? You could just about afford an electric car with £5k, such as this Peugeot Ion. It'll cost next to nothing to run and won't get ruined by short journeys.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111279...
I'd avoid hybrids at this price point, as they'll all be old Honda Civics, Toyota Priuses and Lexuses that are very prone catalytic converter theft. I'd also avoid premium brands like BMW, Mercedes and Audi as they'll all be ropey as hell. In fact, avoid anything German at £5k.
Here are my petrol powered picks
Honda Civic 1.4 i-DSI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111129...
Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111129...
Mazda 3 1.6 TS
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110068...
Kia Ceed 1.6 LS
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111109...
Renault Megane 1.6 16V
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110238...
Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 TB
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112020...
Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Wednesday 8th December 11:59
My wife has a 5 mile or so round trip. She cycles when the weather's nice, drives when it's not. She used to grumble that the focus wasn't warm by the time she got to work. Our solution was a £1K 107 - which she loves and tbh so do I. Cheap parts, cheap servicing, cheap tax, cheap insurance, fun to drive - inasmuch as anything can be knocking around town.
If I was splurging £5K on a 4 mile round trip I'd be looking seriously at a citroen ami.
I realise both the above are way too small re your criteria.
If I was splurging £5K on a 4 mile round trip I'd be looking seriously at a citroen ami.
I realise both the above are way too small re your criteria.
I am exactly the same as you, I have run a £1200 shed for the last four years and spent nothing on it other than tyres, brakes, oil changes and a battery.
As you say, £3-5K is no mans land as far as I am concerned, too expensive to scrap it something major goes wrong and two cheap to want to spend any serious money on it. You are in a situation where is something major goes wrong you have no choice but to spend a couple of grand on it.
Like you say, all £3-£5K gets you is a shed that is a couple of years newer, there is certainly no guarantee it will be any more reliable. I also get tempted by the 3 Series, C class and A4s available around this price point but chances are the person is selling it as they know something is wrong with it and they have been told to get shot by a mechanic.
Plus, as others have said, £3K is the new £1500 so you are getting the exact same car you would have got pre Covid for double the money.
I don't have the answer, my thought process tends to go like this.
1)I could spend £5K on something with zero image or prestige like a Vauxhall or a Kia.
2)Hmmmmm, £5K could get me an E90 BMW or a W204 Mercedes C class.
3)I could put the £5K down as a deposit on a new Dacia Sandero and pay £100 a month on a PCP. This will be cheaper in the long run that buying another shed
4)Hmmmmmm but that still works out £14K for a car that I don't really want.
5)I could spend £14K on a half decent Mercedes or BMW, but if it goes wrong it is seriously going to cost me
6)I think I might just keep my £1200 current shed
Rinse and repeat.
As you say, £3-5K is no mans land as far as I am concerned, too expensive to scrap it something major goes wrong and two cheap to want to spend any serious money on it. You are in a situation where is something major goes wrong you have no choice but to spend a couple of grand on it.
Like you say, all £3-£5K gets you is a shed that is a couple of years newer, there is certainly no guarantee it will be any more reliable. I also get tempted by the 3 Series, C class and A4s available around this price point but chances are the person is selling it as they know something is wrong with it and they have been told to get shot by a mechanic.
Plus, as others have said, £3K is the new £1500 so you are getting the exact same car you would have got pre Covid for double the money.
I don't have the answer, my thought process tends to go like this.
1)I could spend £5K on something with zero image or prestige like a Vauxhall or a Kia.
2)Hmmmmm, £5K could get me an E90 BMW or a W204 Mercedes C class.
3)I could put the £5K down as a deposit on a new Dacia Sandero and pay £100 a month on a PCP. This will be cheaper in the long run that buying another shed
4)Hmmmmmm but that still works out £14K for a car that I don't really want.
5)I could spend £14K on a half decent Mercedes or BMW, but if it goes wrong it is seriously going to cost me
6)I think I might just keep my £1200 current shed
Rinse and repeat.
Afternoon all
Thanks for your replies. Like a lot of us, I've been watching used car prices increase across the board, but I suppose the maxim you get what you pay for is still true, even if it's all increased by the same ratio.
There's some good examples provided around the £5k mark there which are encouraging, and definately better than the £2k strata. It seems a <10 year <60k car is available for that cash, whereas >10<15 years over 100k miles is more like the £2k end.
Being completely frank, usage won't "just" be the school run, but a multitude of uses: weekend clubs, shopping, social visits etc that the car will get used for. My 5 series tends to get used for longer jaunts, or when we need to be in separate places at the same time (she doesn't like driving it though, hence wanting her own car)
There is zero probability of a bike cutting it. Sorry. Maybe in Holland. But the traffic, weather, time, road conditions, well, everything basically are against it. It's not going to happen.
There's a family a few doors down with an f-pace, and they drive their kids to school in it,and the school is so close you can hear the kids at lunchtime. I'm not going to feel bad about my kids not cycling to the next village down some quite busy narrow roads each morning.
We have off-street parking. I'm not against electric cars, but God, that Peugeot! Who signed off that design?
Manufacturers seemed to go through a stage where they thought anyone who wanted an electric car also had bizarre personality traits about their car design.
Seems to have been fixed now, but it will be years before those cars fall into my budget.
Cheers
Ian
Thanks for your replies. Like a lot of us, I've been watching used car prices increase across the board, but I suppose the maxim you get what you pay for is still true, even if it's all increased by the same ratio.
There's some good examples provided around the £5k mark there which are encouraging, and definately better than the £2k strata. It seems a <10 year <60k car is available for that cash, whereas >10<15 years over 100k miles is more like the £2k end.
Being completely frank, usage won't "just" be the school run, but a multitude of uses: weekend clubs, shopping, social visits etc that the car will get used for. My 5 series tends to get used for longer jaunts, or when we need to be in separate places at the same time (she doesn't like driving it though, hence wanting her own car)
There is zero probability of a bike cutting it. Sorry. Maybe in Holland. But the traffic, weather, time, road conditions, well, everything basically are against it. It's not going to happen.
There's a family a few doors down with an f-pace, and they drive their kids to school in it,and the school is so close you can hear the kids at lunchtime. I'm not going to feel bad about my kids not cycling to the next village down some quite busy narrow roads each morning.
We have off-street parking. I'm not against electric cars, but God, that Peugeot! Who signed off that design?
Manufacturers seemed to go through a stage where they thought anyone who wanted an electric car also had bizarre personality traits about their car design.
Seems to have been fixed now, but it will be years before those cars fall into my budget.
Cheers
Ian
Ian Geary said:
Afternoon all
Thanks for your replies. Like a lot of us, I've been watching used car prices increase across the board, but I suppose the maxim you get what you pay for is still true, even if it's all increased by the same ratio.
There's some good examples provided around the £5k mark there which are encouraging, and definately better than the £2k strata. It seems a <10 year <60k car is available for that cash, whereas >10<15 years over 100k miles is more like the £2k end.
Being completely frank, usage won't "just" be the school run, but a multitude of uses: weekend clubs, shopping, social visits etc that the car will get used for. My 5 series tends to get used for longer jaunts, or when we need to be in separate places at the same time (she doesn't like driving it though, hence wanting her own car)
There is zero probability of a bike cutting it. Sorry. Maybe in Holland. But the traffic, weather, time, road conditions, well, everything basically are against it. It's not going to happen.
There's a family a few doors down with an f-pace, and they drive their kids to school in it,and the school is so close you can hear the kids at lunchtime. I'm not going to feel bad about my kids not cycling to the next village down some quite busy narrow roads each morning.
We have off-street parking. I'm not against electric cars, but God, that Peugeot! Who signed off that design?
Manufacturers seemed to go through a stage where they thought anyone who wanted an electric car also had bizarre personality traits about their car design.
Seems to have been fixed now, but it will be years before those cars fall into my budget.
Cheers
Ian
Firstly there are lots of options out there, at the same time there's no point talking about where prices were lower as they won't be anywhere near those for a long time if at all. You just have to work on getting the nicest car you can right now.Thanks for your replies. Like a lot of us, I've been watching used car prices increase across the board, but I suppose the maxim you get what you pay for is still true, even if it's all increased by the same ratio.
There's some good examples provided around the £5k mark there which are encouraging, and definately better than the £2k strata. It seems a <10 year <60k car is available for that cash, whereas >10<15 years over 100k miles is more like the £2k end.
Being completely frank, usage won't "just" be the school run, but a multitude of uses: weekend clubs, shopping, social visits etc that the car will get used for. My 5 series tends to get used for longer jaunts, or when we need to be in separate places at the same time (she doesn't like driving it though, hence wanting her own car)
There is zero probability of a bike cutting it. Sorry. Maybe in Holland. But the traffic, weather, time, road conditions, well, everything basically are against it. It's not going to happen.
There's a family a few doors down with an f-pace, and they drive their kids to school in it,and the school is so close you can hear the kids at lunchtime. I'm not going to feel bad about my kids not cycling to the next village down some quite busy narrow roads each morning.
We have off-street parking. I'm not against electric cars, but God, that Peugeot! Who signed off that design?
Manufacturers seemed to go through a stage where they thought anyone who wanted an electric car also had bizarre personality traits about their car design.
Seems to have been fixed now, but it will be years before those cars fall into my budget.
Cheers
Ian
If you want a good value car then look no further than the Astra range you'll get a nice reliable 2012+ car all with less than 80k on the clock
1.4T Astra GTC SRI 120
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110268...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112050...
SRI 140
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111239...
1.6T SRI 180
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111239...
1.6 Astra Elite
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111019...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112030...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111169...
The Focus is the better steer but they're normally more money or older than the Vauxhall:
1.0T Titanium Navigator 125
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110319...
1.6T Titanium 150
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110278...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112010...
2012 1.6 Megane Dynamique TomTom 110
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111270...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111300...
2013 308 Allure 120
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112040...
2014 C4 Selection 120 these are the same car as the late 308 & are a sensible buy
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111159...
2013
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111189...
1.8T A3 Sportback
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112040...
1.2T
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006210...
1.6 S Line
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109087...
Now if you just want a decent car then there's always the early MG6 GT SE 160:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110078...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108065...
Ian Geary said:
We have off-street parking. I'm not against electric cars, but God, that Peugeot! Who signed off that design?
It's what I'd call an 'interesting' design. It's actually based off the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, which in turn was based off the Mitsubishi i Kei car. Citroen also made a version called the C-Zero. I kind of like them for the money. In any case, that's academic now as it looks like it has been sold. I’ve found that it’s the thirsty/left-field stuff where bargains can be found, as there’s less competition than for a popular/economical/obvious model. My 06-plate A6 Avant 4.2 V8 with 88k and tonnes of kit wasn’t that far over your budget and yet is far more car than the hatchbacks you’re talking about - because it’s thirsty and a format of car that’s not in such demand.
Not recommending something like that for you, as it’s far too big, but going for a less obvious car type - a saloon in a class where hatchbacks are more popular, a less desirable model like a Toyota Avensis rather than something like a C-Class or a basic/non-pretentious trim rather than big-wheeled sport trim (that may have no useful extra equipment and simply have a firmer ride and tyres that cost more to replace), can get you more for your money.
Not recommending something like that for you, as it’s far too big, but going for a less obvious car type - a saloon in a class where hatchbacks are more popular, a less desirable model like a Toyota Avensis rather than something like a C-Class or a basic/non-pretentious trim rather than big-wheeled sport trim (that may have no useful extra equipment and simply have a firmer ride and tyres that cost more to replace), can get you more for your money.
For that few miles, I would stick to something old and cheap. Can your present examples really be that unreliable? My daily commute is short, but a bit longer than yours, and my old 600 quid 75 has never failed to start ... (yet, touch wood!). Don't think buying something a few years newer with a few less miles on the clock guarantees it will never break.
RoVoFob said:
I’ve found that it’s the thirsty/left-field stuff where bargains can be found, as there’s less competition than for a popular/economical/obvious model. My 06-plate A6 Avant 4.2 V8 with 88k and tonnes of kit wasn’t that far over your budget and yet is far more car than the hatchbacks you’re talking about - because it’s thirsty and a format of car that’s not in such demand.
Not recommending something like that for you, as it’s far too big, but going for a less obvious car type - a saloon in a class where hatchbacks are more popular, a less desirable model like a Toyota Avensis rather than something like a C-Class or a basic/non-pretentious trim rather than big-wheeled sport trim (that may have no useful extra equipment and simply have a firmer ride and tyres that cost more to replace), can get you more for your money.
It's funny you say that, as I noticed yesterday a mazda3 saloon instead of hatchback, which I've never knowingly noticed before! Not recommending something like that for you, as it’s far too big, but going for a less obvious car type - a saloon in a class where hatchbacks are more popular, a less desirable model like a Toyota Avensis rather than something like a C-Class or a basic/non-pretentious trim rather than big-wheeled sport trim (that may have no useful extra equipment and simply have a firmer ride and tyres that cost more to replace), can get you more for your money.
Was about £1k cheaper like for like that it's 5 door equivalent.
I would personally have gone for a V8 barge, or something like an Impreza WRX. My 3 litre beemer gives the same poor fuel economy, but without the performance
, but my wife tends to be more sensibleGreat thread
In the same position recently, 2x primary school kids, wife a secondary teacher. Street parking at work for her only so don’t want I spend much, Will do 10 miles a day all urban so petrol desired and auto a must. Looking sun £5k
Found a E class but that was diesel and parking not great for such a long car, c180 but was shoddy and needed a lot of maintenance (no service for 6 years), exhaust, discs and pads needed and rusty arches. Audi A3 and bmw out of reach budget wise. All hatchbacks were diesels or manuals (focus fiesta) and lots of terribly presented cars on dodgy ‘forecourts’
Settled on a 2005 Polo 5 door hatch auto with aircon and 37000 miles and 2 owners from new. Expensive in a way at £3.4K but if it lasts longer than £150 pcm pcp and doesn’t break and need £ fixing then!
It was a £2k car pre covid though.
Happy hunting!
In the same position recently, 2x primary school kids, wife a secondary teacher. Street parking at work for her only so don’t want I spend much, Will do 10 miles a day all urban so petrol desired and auto a must. Looking sun £5k
Found a E class but that was diesel and parking not great for such a long car, c180 but was shoddy and needed a lot of maintenance (no service for 6 years), exhaust, discs and pads needed and rusty arches. Audi A3 and bmw out of reach budget wise. All hatchbacks were diesels or manuals (focus fiesta) and lots of terribly presented cars on dodgy ‘forecourts’
Settled on a 2005 Polo 5 door hatch auto with aircon and 37000 miles and 2 owners from new. Expensive in a way at £3.4K but if it lasts longer than £150 pcm pcp and doesn’t break and need £ fixing then!
It was a £2k car pre covid though.
Happy hunting!
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