New car for the missus... £5k family runabout
Discussion
Hi all. Sold my 208 GTi last night; it just wasn’t cutting it as a family car, surprisingly! My wife’s using my A-Class for school drop offs whilst we figure out what’s next for her.
What she wants:
1. Not French
2. Hatchback… MPV or SUV (I’ve been told strictly no estates which is a shame)
3. 75k miles or less good, 75-100k maybe, over 100k would have to be exceptional
4. Manual preferred… maybe auto
5. Petrol
Ultimately, I’m paying for it, and will be using it from time-to-time so want to put my own stamp on it. All this really means is finding the best example of what she wants, so:
1. If I can find a newer model, or at least a facelift, I will!
2. Sporty looks if a version exists, i.e. GT/ST Line, M Sport etc.
3. Better spec interior… CarPlay or at least a screen, half leather (hate full) parking sensors etc.
Budget: £4,500 (£5,000 at a push)
It will be ferrying three children around, but we have a Multimac so no issues getting them all in. Obviously, a decent sized boot would be helpful, for trips away etc.
She originally was obsessive about Sportage. Then moved on to hatchbacks being okay and asked me about Focus. We used to have a C’eed GT-Line, wouldn’t mind another one of those. I’ve added a few more to my watch list recently, but don’t know much about them… any experience on the following? V-40 R-Design, Mazda3 SKYACTIV, Hyundai i30, Pulsar Tekna, SKODA Yeti.
Any I’ve missed? Opinions welcome
What she wants:
1. Not French
2. Hatchback… MPV or SUV (I’ve been told strictly no estates which is a shame)
3. 75k miles or less good, 75-100k maybe, over 100k would have to be exceptional
4. Manual preferred… maybe auto
5. Petrol
Ultimately, I’m paying for it, and will be using it from time-to-time so want to put my own stamp on it. All this really means is finding the best example of what she wants, so:
1. If I can find a newer model, or at least a facelift, I will!
2. Sporty looks if a version exists, i.e. GT/ST Line, M Sport etc.
3. Better spec interior… CarPlay or at least a screen, half leather (hate full) parking sensors etc.
Budget: £4,500 (£5,000 at a push)
It will be ferrying three children around, but we have a Multimac so no issues getting them all in. Obviously, a decent sized boot would be helpful, for trips away etc.
She originally was obsessive about Sportage. Then moved on to hatchbacks being okay and asked me about Focus. We used to have a C’eed GT-Line, wouldn’t mind another one of those. I’ve added a few more to my watch list recently, but don’t know much about them… any experience on the following? V-40 R-Design, Mazda3 SKYACTIV, Hyundai i30, Pulsar Tekna, SKODA Yeti.
Any I’ve missed? Opinions welcome
I'd say the answer is a golf, we had one for years with two young boys and two dogs and have only just replaced it with the prospect of a third child on the way. I'm not sure exactly what you will get for £5k but we did 100k miles in our mk6 2.0 tdi and it only let us down once due to the clutch slave cylinder failing.
CrippsCorner said:
Mazda3 SKYACTIV
Saw the thread title and my mind immediately went here. I am a serial car changer but my partner is not. We have had a 2.0 SE-L Skyactiv for a long time, shes done over 100k in it, its been near as damn it faultless. It still looks good in Soul Red, its got a screen you can have upgraded to carplay/android, its done 45mpg for 100k miles with just oil changes and the odd set of filters and spark plugs, a few tyres and some discs and pads.
But its just that little bit sweeter than all of the other bog standard stuff that we could have got for the same price, having owned multiple MX-5s you can tell its from the same people. Its not a sports car, but it just has 'something', nice steering, good gearchange, feels well built and solid yet lightweight and agile.
Generally you pay Vauxhall/Toyota price, but it feels more like a Golf equivalent. And a 2.0 naturally aspirated petrol engine, with a 6 speed manual is both vanishingly rare these days as well as being lovely to drive AND reliable/cheap to run.
Drove the Focus, Golf, Astra, i30, all the usual suspects at the time and ended up here.
I would only expect around £3k for hers now if we sold it, but we arent selling it becuase theres basically nothing wrong with it and she loves it.
I bet you could get a lovely one for 5 grand.
Edited by snotrag on Thursday 5th March 12:23
Edited by snotrag on Thursday 5th March 12:23
Funny you should say that, as I also put the query into AI and it came back with...
If you want the best all‑rounder
Mazda3 Sport/Nav
Driving feel: 5/5
Boot and practicality: 4/5
Technology and specification: 4/5
Reliability: 5/5
Sporty factor: 4/5
OVERALL: 5/5
So that's definitely on the list! There's a nice looking one local, for a smidge over £4k although it's higher miles, not a problem for me, but she's a bit more of a mileage snob lol. Shame I can't stretch to a Sport as it seems they come with great spec, but even the non Sport has decent looks etc. thanks!
If you want the best all‑rounder
Mazda3 Sport/Nav
Driving feel: 5/5
Boot and practicality: 4/5
Technology and specification: 4/5
Reliability: 5/5
Sporty factor: 4/5
OVERALL: 5/5
So that's definitely on the list! There's a nice looking one local, for a smidge over £4k although it's higher miles, not a problem for me, but she's a bit more of a mileage snob lol. Shame I can't stretch to a Sport as it seems they come with great spec, but even the non Sport has decent looks etc. thanks!
Rebew said:
I'd say the answer is a golf, we had one for years with two young boys and two dogs and have only just replaced it with the prospect of a third child on the way. I'm not sure exactly what you will get for £5k but we did 100k miles in our mk6 2.0 tdi and it only let us down once due to the clutch slave cylinder failing.
Golf is always a good shout, I was looking at the SV with the bigger boot!? That would definitely fit the bill... not many around for under £5k though.How much is she going to roll her eyes at your requirements vs hers?
For her requirements for a practical hatchback at that budget I would serious look at the Honda Jazz. Very spacious inside for this size, good turning circle with a pretty vertical boot and short bonnet make it an excellent urban runabout that's very easy to park, and they're about as reliable as brick. It'll fail your requirement 2 though.
For her requirements for a practical hatchback at that budget I would serious look at the Honda Jazz. Very spacious inside for this size, good turning circle with a pretty vertical boot and short bonnet make it an excellent urban runabout that's very easy to park, and they're about as reliable as brick. It'll fail your requirement 2 though.
Giulietta Cloverleaf:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601219...
Veloce the 1.4T has proved to be very reliable & robust:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603010...
1.4T Astra SRI Nav:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601038...
If you can work with a CAT car you can get a good deal but you need to do your checks:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601289...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602129...
Ford Kuga the 1.5/1.6T four cylinder cars have a normal timing belt:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511067...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602280...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601129...
Mazda3:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603020...
500X:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601309...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601219...
Veloce the 1.4T has proved to be very reliable & robust:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603010...
1.4T Astra SRI Nav:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601038...
If you can work with a CAT car you can get a good deal but you need to do your checks:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601289...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602129...
Ford Kuga the 1.5/1.6T four cylinder cars have a normal timing belt:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511067...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602280...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601129...
Mazda3:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603020...
500X:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601309...
Honda Civic?
This engine will easily give you 200k miles with no issues
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602129...
This engine will easily give you 200k miles with no issues
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602129...
Thanks, some good suggestions there! Further talks today prove this is going to be quite hard work lol. She said she likes Ford... I know the 1.0 EcoBoosts aren't the best, but like posted above I found a 1.5 Kuga locally, but she said no. I found a Sportage, facelift that she was obsessed about at one point as mentioned, she said no. She even asked about an EV and I found what I think is the best at this price point, a BMW i3. She said no.
As mentioned we used to have a C'eed GT-Line and I found another, and she liked the idea! Then later, said no, lol.
Others mentioned so far then... Jazz. She had one of these and loved it, but surely two small for 3 kids in the back? Alfa's a good shout as haven't really considered the brand. Octavia she says is too big. Fabia is too small, lol.
My A-Class is reasonably fun being an A250, I did mention a B-Class to her but she doesn't like the sound of the running/repair costs... even though mine's been fine!
Oh better add... she said no Vauxhall's, and no FIAT (our last car was a FIAT and royally screwed up)
Update: I sent her a Hyundai i30 that is for sale one road from her mum's house which we could look at tomorrow. She said no.
Ha. Wish me luck!
As mentioned we used to have a C'eed GT-Line and I found another, and she liked the idea! Then later, said no, lol.
Others mentioned so far then... Jazz. She had one of these and loved it, but surely two small for 3 kids in the back? Alfa's a good shout as haven't really considered the brand. Octavia she says is too big. Fabia is too small, lol.
My A-Class is reasonably fun being an A250, I did mention a B-Class to her but she doesn't like the sound of the running/repair costs... even though mine's been fine!
Oh better add... she said no Vauxhall's, and no FIAT (our last car was a FIAT and royally screwed up)
Update: I sent her a Hyundai i30 that is for sale one road from her mum's house which we could look at tomorrow. She said no.
Ha. Wish me luck!
It seems she likes your A Class, so I'm going to suggest one of these:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/267538975270?_skw=infin...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/277554609442?_skw=infin...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504201...
These are the same car as your A Class apart from the bodtywork, the 1,6T is a reliable unit.
It's at the top of your budget & will require haggling BUT it could be a good call.
If a diesel can work for you then the EX could be a good shout:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603060...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602230...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/267538975270?_skw=infin...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/277554609442?_skw=infin...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504201...
These are the same car as your A Class apart from the bodtywork, the 1,6T is a reliable unit.
It's at the top of your budget & will require haggling BUT it could be a good call.
If a diesel can work for you then the EX could be a good shout:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603060...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602230...
Edited by ZX10R NIN on Saturday 7th March 15:22
Shooter McGavin said:
Honda Civic?
This engine will easily give you 200k miles with no issues
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602129...
This engine will easily give you 200k miles with no issues
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602129...
id be amazed if that is a genuine 56k miles.
Ive had 2 sold at 110k and 80k I recall and none of the dash buttons looked worn like that.
Brilliant cars except for terrible stereo.
heisthegaffer said:
Shooter McGavin said:
Honda Civic?
This engine will easily give you 200k miles with no issues
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602129...
This engine will easily give you 200k miles with no issues
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602129...
id be amazed if that is a genuine 56k miles.
Ive had 2 sold at 110k and 80k I recall and none of the dash buttons looked worn like that.
Brilliant cars except for terrible stereo.
CrippsCorner said:
Thanks, some good suggestions there! Further talks today prove this is going to be quite hard work lol. She said she likes Ford... I know the 1.0 EcoBoosts aren't the best, but like posted above I found a 1.5 Kuga locally, but she said no. I found a Sportage, facelift that she was obsessed about at one point as mentioned, she said no. She even asked about an EV and I found what I think is the best at this price point, a BMW i3. She said no.
As mentioned we used to have a C'eed GT-Line and I found another, and she liked the idea! Then later, said no, lol.
Others mentioned so far then... Jazz. She had one of these and loved it, but surely two small for 3 kids in the back? Alfa's a good shout as haven't really considered the brand. Octavia she says is too big. Fabia is too small, lol.
My A-Class is reasonably fun being an A250, I did mention a B-Class to her but she doesn't like the sound of the running/repair costs... even though mine's been fine!
Oh better add... she said no Vauxhall's, and no FIAT (our last car was a FIAT and royally screwed up)
Update: I sent her a Hyundai i30 that is for sale one road from her mum's house which we could look at tomorrow. She said no.
Ha. Wish me luck!
Difficult chosing a car for someone who doesn't know what they want. As mentioned we used to have a C'eed GT-Line and I found another, and she liked the idea! Then later, said no, lol.
Others mentioned so far then... Jazz. She had one of these and loved it, but surely two small for 3 kids in the back? Alfa's a good shout as haven't really considered the brand. Octavia she says is too big. Fabia is too small, lol.
My A-Class is reasonably fun being an A250, I did mention a B-Class to her but she doesn't like the sound of the running/repair costs... even though mine's been fine!
Oh better add... she said no Vauxhall's, and no FIAT (our last car was a FIAT and royally screwed up)
Update: I sent her a Hyundai i30 that is for sale one road from her mum's house which we could look at tomorrow. She said no.
Ha. Wish me luck!
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff