Medium sized family hatch up to 7K

[a311]

I need a second car in the next month or so.

Requirements

5 doors-two young kids so will make life easier but they're both on booster seater rather than child seats.

Reliable-so I'm discounting any diesel's as it will mostly do short less <10 mile trips and probably no more than 5K per year.

Cheap to run, given what it needs to do cheap tax, fuel, insurance costs etc is desirable.

Nice to have:

Capable of an occasional medium/long distance trip.

I was considering a second hand Nissan Leaf, and might still but my wife's friends and family live between 2.5 and 6 hours away which she'll occasionally go on her own but will have access to a second car.

Budget is up to 7K less is better as I'll be also needing to replace the main car next June.

I suppose the main thing to do is to buy on condition etc rather than look at any particular make/model:

Some initial searches:

Vauxhall Astra:

Can get a 2016 plate. My wife had the previous model an 06 plate for years and other than consumables was a good car.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309302...

Ford Focus:

Similar aged focus seems need to spend a bit more:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308221...

Honda Civic. Basically only one available in budget and as above with the Focus.

Anything else I should be taking a look at?

Cheers

[Martyn76]

Kia Ceed or Hyundai i30? Not sure how they compare space wise though.

[Bannock]

You won't get a newer car for your money than a FIAT Tipo:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309061...

Good reliable cars, with loads of room inside for children and their debris. A decent drive too. Most under-rated car in its class when you consider the VFM aspect. a 1.4 T-JET in Lounge spec is probably the sweet spot for your wife's needs (economical, but a bit for grunt for the motorways, over and above the standard 1.4):

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309061...

[defblade]

Skoda Rapid Spaceback.

Loads of... space... in the, umm... back... for the kids, decent driving position for both me at 6' 4" and my wife at 5' 3" and the higher spec models have a glass pano roof which really makes hte whole car light and airy and gives the children a lot more view.

I've got the top-of-the-range 2016 "sports" model, which still doesn't really live up to the "rapid" part of the name with a bit over 100bhp, but it does 45mpg, road tax has gone up to a massive £35pa, and this year's industry-wide insurance hike took it from £210 to £280 fully comp.

Under the radar but definitely worth a look. Evo likes 'em: "for a small subset of buyers who need supermini running costs and family car space, the Spaceback is ideal. That they’ll also find a neat chassis and willing engine is just a bonus."

[Silvanus]

The Skoda and Fiat are both great suggestions. Good honest hatchbacks that give you the newest cars for the money.

To add to the suggestions above is the Suzuki Baleno, similar concept to the above 2 cars, very well built and reliable too.

[stevemcs]

Budget for a cambelt change on the Focus (£1300 ish)

[Bannock]

defblade said:

Skoda Rapid Spaceback.

Loads of... space... in the, umm... back... for the kids, decent driving position for both me at 6' 4" and my wife at 5' 3" and the higher spec models have a glass pano roof which really makes hte whole car light and airy and gives the children a lot more view.

I've got the top-of-the-range 2016 "sports" model, which still doesn't really live up to the "rapid" part of the name with a bit over 100bhp, but it does 45mpg, road tax has gone up to a massive £35pa, and this year's industry-wide insurance hike took it from £210 to £280 fully comp.

Under the radar but definitely worth a look. Evo likes 'em: "for a small subset of buyers who need supermini running costs and family car space, the Spaceback is ideal. That they’ll also find a neat chassis and willing engine is just a bonus."

This is a good shout, and the 'ordinary' Rapid would be a good call too, as would the SEAT Toledo (same thing, different badge).

[flatso]

I just woke up in the same situation this morning . A Golf 7 1.4 TSI with an auto box was an impressive package when I had it as a loaner 2 years ago. Really refined and grown up for such a small car.

[bmwmike]

We've got a 16 plate 1.0T astra currently taking on the whole family duties including trips to Ireland and weekends away, and luggage when flying to France etc, plenty of space for us. Its a decent ride (better than my old f10 5 series in some ways). I think the 1.4T engine has a few issues but maybe they are resolved. I find the 1.0T plenty for bog standard motorway and daily driving type duties. Quite smooth too. Even the 1.0 has more poke than the old 1.6 or at least feels a bit livelier because of the turbo. Zero tax on ours too. I'm not a particular vauxhall fan but i quite like this car.

[ZX10R NIN]

The Astra is the pick you'll get a nice 1.0T SRI Nav for your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305147...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310062...

1.4T:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310032...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310072...

[flumpy]

The Astra K is a decent car, but all versions up to 2019 can have issues with clutch master/slave cylinder failure, which is expensive to fix (gearbox off and steering column / pedal box out) so check whether it's been done already. It's caused by metal filings left in the cylinders during manufacture which damages the seals - the replacement cylinders don't have the issue though, and Vauxhall changed supplier in 2018.

The 1.4T engine should be avoided (especially the 150bhp version) as they can suffer from crankshaft end-float, and pre-2018 ones suffered from LSPI (pre-ignition). The LSPI was largely resolved after Vauxhall specified a different grade of oil, but it's quite possible the wrong oil could have been put in later by a non-Vauxhall garage. Both these issues usually result in engine failure/replacement.

[a311]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Going to take a look at all of those. The Astra seems to be about the best value I've had a couple of Octavia's and Leon's so the Rapid and Toledo (don't see many of them about) also worth a look.

[bmwmike]

flumpy said:

The Astra K is a decent car, but all versions up to 2019 can have issues with clutch master/slave cylinder failure, which is expensive to fix (gearbox off and steering column / pedal box out) so check whether it's been done already. It's caused by metal filings left in the cylinders during manufacture which damages the seals - the replacement cylinders don't have the issue though, and Vauxhall changed supplier in 2018.

The 1.4T engine should be avoided (especially the 150bhp version) as they can suffer from crankshaft end-float, and pre-2018 ones suffered from LSPI (pre-ignition). The LSPI was largely resolved after Vauxhall specified a different grade of oil, but it's quite possible the wrong oil could have been put in later by a non-Vauxhall garage. Both these issues usually result in engine failure/replacement.

Interesting, didn't know that about the master/clutch cylinder - they did a recall for it from what a quick google tells me. There is no outstanding recall for my car and it was never changed as far as I know. Is there a way to find out if mine is susceptible? It is overdue a brake fluid change, not sure if its the same system or a dual system.

[Inspire]

stevemcs said:

Budget for a cambelt change on the Focus (£1300 ish)

1300 pounds for a cam belt change on a Ford! Is that right?

[stevemcs]

Inspire said:

1300 pounds for a cam belt change on a Ford! Is that right?

It’s nearer £1800 if you go to Ford. It’s £1400 for the 2.0 eco blue and just over £2000 from Ford.

However when you consider vw are £660 for a belt change and need it changing every 4/5 years - the newer 2.0 I’d be changing around 3.5 years it does equal itself out.

[ABMA]

I believe the Civic might be the answer; might be biased as just bought a Honda Civic for similar use.

[a311]

ABMA said:

I believe the Civic might be the answer; might be biased as just bought a Honda Civic for similar use.

My thoughts too initially I've never owned one.

There's not many about within my search criteria, have to go a little older or pay more.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023090114...

[flumpy]

bmwmike said:

Interesting, didn't know that about the master/clutch cylinder - they did a recall for it from what a quick google tells me. There is no outstanding recall for my car and it was never changed as far as I know. Is there a way to find out if mine is susceptible? It is overdue a brake fluid change, not sure if its the same system or a dual system.

On the diesels, it was regarded as a safety issue (as it also affected braking) so Vauxhall had to issue a recall. Unfortunately a clutch pedal that could get stuck whilst driving wasn't considered dangerous enough for a recall, so only got fixed for free whilst under warranty.

The thread below from the Astra K forum contains a table that shows the VIN ranges and dates affected. Its basically all petrols made before December 2018:

https://www.astrakforums.co.uk/threads/1-4t-petrol...

[Summit_Detailing]

Civic or Mazda 3 would be my first ports of call / test drive.

[bmwmike]

flumpy said:

On the diesels, it was regarded as a safety issue (as it also affected braking) so Vauxhall had to issue a recall. Unfortunately a clutch pedal that could get stuck whilst driving wasn't considered dangerous enough for a recall, so only got fixed for free whilst under warranty.

The thread below from the Astra K forum contains a table that shows the VIN ranges and dates affected. Its basically all petrols made before December 2018:

https://www.astrakforums.co.uk/threads/1-4t-petrol...

Thanks. Affects 2017-2019 cars by sound of it. My VIN is not in the vulnerable list anyway.