Suggestion for someone in their early 20's

[Yomamaisasnowblower]

Thought I'd reach out here for some opinions. My son has recently graduated and is looking for his next car due to MOT failure of his current (woeful) mini.

Budget is max 5k, he's still looking for employment so needs something to get to grad interviews and then maybe commute if outside London.

Criteria:

- Max 5k
- Reasonably cheap insurance, he has 4yrs NCD.
- 5dr hatch ideally
- not too small (not c1, Aygo, up!)
- Petrol, cheap to run, cheap parts etc.
- no more than 10 years old
- ulez compliant

It's pretty difficult to find something with that list, I'm currently looking at Astras from around 15/16 they seem to offer good value but not sure if there are engines to avoid.

Also considering

- Kia Ceed/Hyundai i20/30
- Civic/Jazz
- Mazda 2/3
- Dacia Sandaro!!!

Want to avoid the French stuff. (Yes Dacia is Renault but value looks great)

There is a lot of junk out there and he has been scarred by the ridiculous reliability of the Mini and some of the bills so just want something that'll work.

Is there anything out there I may have missed?

Thanks!

[Alorotom]

I would have suggested a Corsa.

Is this not prime cheap lease territory - zero hassle, zero bills, on something small and unassuming?

[ConnectionError]

Ford focus 1.6 petrol

[66HFM]

Honda Civic, may not have the image but for reliability it has to be up there or maybe something from Toyota.
Seat Leon?

[Alorotom]

66HFM said:

Honda Civic, may not have the image but for reliability it has to be up there or maybe something from Toyota.
Seat Leon?

For under £5k?

Its going to be either a Cat. car or 6figure odo figures for that

[Peterpetrole]

Pug 308

[Drezza]

There's a cracking lease deal on an EV Ford Puma at £159 pm (24 months) for 5k miles with free EV charger.

I'm considering it myself and I'm as tight fisted as they come...

[loskie]

for that price don't look for a specific make/model. Look privately and "buy" the owner as much as the car.

I was going to suggest a Fabia, but what about a Volvo C30, focus, V40 etc etc?

[66HFM]

Alorotom said:

66HFM said:

Honda Civic, may not have the image but for reliability it has to be up there or maybe something from Toyota.
Seat Leon?

For under £5k?

Its going to be either a Cat. car or 6figure odo figures for that

I was thinking something like this:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508045...
Although according to Price Watch the price has gone up £200 over the past month....

Edited by 66HFM on Monday 8th September 17:13

[A500leroy]

Punto/Corsa ( it's the same car under the skin)

Yaris

Mazda2

[Yomamaisasnowblower]

Thanks all.

Civics are quite a tough find for under 5k unless you go approaching 12-13 years old. I suppose age isn't really an issue but he kind of wants some sort of modern tech (phone connectivity, Dab) hence why the Astra looks good on paper. The 1.4T is £500ish fully comp.

As for the Puma lease, sounds great but not sure he's ready for finance just yet being unemployed.

Being 22, he's obviously a bit image conscious and I'm trying to hammer in "beggars can't be choosers"....

[ConnectionError]

Yomamaisasnowblower said:

Thanks all.

Civics are quite a tough find for under 5k unless you go approaching 12-13 years old. I suppose age isn't really an issue but he kind of wants some sort of modern tech (phone connectivity, Dab) hence why the Astra looks good on paper. The 1.4T is £500ish fully comp.

As for the Puma lease, sounds great but not sure he's ready for finance just yet being unemployed.

Being 22, he's obviously a bit image conscious and I'm trying to hammer in "beggars can't be choosers"....

Image is important!

Your initial lists is full of cars for OAP’s, not 33 year olds!

[anyoldcardave]

ConnectionError said:

Ford focus 1.6 petrol

Tbf. that should not be ignored as it seems to be lol, excellent driving cars, well specced, the zetec I bought a girlfriend had wind up rear windows, but great sounds, bluetooth, very good aircon and they are pretty much bullet proof. 2012 for 1500 quid, 3 years ago on 120k.

Parts are very cheap, after the rear window was smashed by a thief she was very upset about the cost, tailgate, in colour, 10 miles up the road, 40 quid.

for a beggar who cannot be a chooser there is nothing better lol.

[ZX10R NIN]

Yomamaisasnowblower said:

Thought I'd reach out here for some opinions. My son has recently graduated and is looking for his next car due to MOT failure of his current (woeful) mini.

Budget is max 5k, he's still looking for employment so needs something to get to grad interviews and then maybe commute if outside London.

Criteria:

- Max 5k
- Reasonably cheap insurance, he has 4yrs NCD.
- 5dr hatch ideally
- not too small (not c1, Aygo, up!)
- Petrol, cheap to run, cheap parts etc.
- no more than 10 years old
- ulez compliant

It's pretty difficult to find something with that list, I'm currently looking at Astras from around 15/16 they seem to offer good value but not sure if there are engines to avoid.

Also considering

- Kia Ceed/Hyundai i20/30
- Civic/Jazz
- Mazda 2/3
- Dacia Sandaro!!!

Want to avoid the French stuff. (Yes Dacia is Renault but value looks great)

There is a lot of junk out there and he has been scarred by the ridiculous reliability of the Mini and some of the bills so just want something that'll work.

Is there anything out there I may have missed?

Thanks!

Why does it have to be a 5 door?

For a 22 year old I'd say a three door works better & they're really not different cost wise.

1.4T Astra GTC SRI:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508155...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508275...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508125...

1.6T:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508225...

Kia ProCeed GT Tech:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508195...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508075...

1.4T Scirocco:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508015...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508075...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508305...

If it has to be a 5 door then the 1.6T Infiniti Q30 Premium would be my pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509025...

308 GT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507254...

[Edible Roadkill]

For 4-5k just see what’s available locally private and make sure it’s been looked after.