SWMBO needs to replace her ageing Focus, for something of the same size or maybe smaller - Fiesta or Fabia, possibly, and must be at least 4-door for ferrying aged relatives.
The budget is either just under 5 grand or just under 10 grand, subject to negotiation :-)
but the prime requirements are that it should be cheap to run and tax, but able to hold its own on the motorway - annual milage is probably around 15000 and is more likely to increase than decrease. What's the best fit for the job ?
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Kia Ceed Diesel or petrol. you need to do the sums about diesel if you are looking at 15k year.
Last edited by: Zero on Tue 5 Apr 11 at 17:31
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For 10k, nearly new Fabia Petrol with a 1.2TSi engine in 'elegance' trim.
Drives comparably with a 1.8 non turbo petrol engine in a medium sized car. Will do a genuine 45+ mpg (brochure's unrealistic, quotes over 54mpg) without driving like miss daisy. I think it just squeezes into the £30 VED band?
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Be wary of DPF-equipped cars at the £5k level. Possibility of a £1000+ bill cropping up soon after purchase.
Last edited by: Dave_TDCi {P} on Tue 5 Apr 11 at 18:47
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Depends how "ish" you are prepared to be about the "new" bit? Factor in 3 year old cars and your choices expand dramatically. Three year old C-Max'd be just the ticket for crumbly shifting. Oh, and welcome to the site !
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www.hyundai-car.co.uk/newCars/offers/details/i20.php
Couple of weeks ago was about £8500 for 1.2 Comfort (mid-spec) but £8300 for 1.2 Base spec still seems reasonable - well rated engine, <120g/km CO2.
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>> Kia Ceed Diesel or petrol.
Not many of them available around here and certainly no dealers in convenient places, which may be relevant for the long warranty. Tested a Ceed last year and I'd be happy to have one myself
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With a highish mileage like that I'd go for as new as you can afford. Both Fabia and Ceed sound good: the Fabia 1.2 or 1.4 would be more economical than a petrol Ceed, and not much less so than a diesel.
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For £10k and that mileage I would look for a new Fiesta 1.6 diesel, great to drive (better than the 1.4) and 60 mpg ish.
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1.6 TD is over 11k for the cheapest on drivethedeal.com - can get the cheapest 1.4 for £10,100.
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>> 1.6 TD is over 11k for the cheapest on drivethedeal.com >>
New(ish) then ?
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L'es has got a low mileage Focus he's getting rid of.
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Better be quick, I think Ford want that one back to see if they can make another 2litre petrol that will do 870 miles to an 11 gallon tank of petrol. :-)
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>> 11 gallon tank
50 litres surely ;-)
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Been looking around myself, although my requirement is for largish flat boot with low sill for dog. Tried the Fabia Estate and although feels solid, I find the interior relatively unappealing and feels dated even compared with my 03 Octavia - and definitely not as nicely trimmed. Can't help thinking it's poor value compared to an Octavia.
Roomster - fantastic space but trim seems not to wear well on examples I've looked at plus wet carpets, the age- old VAG problem again?
Very tempted by Clio Sport Tourer, a very nicely laid out car. 1.2tce appeals, just a bit dubious as to Renault's poor showing in reliability tables -although the Clio seems to buck the trend.
It's on my short list.
But the best I've looked at is Hyundai i30 estate, slightly over budget but what a nice car. Fine build and modern interior, I think it edges over Kia Ceed but that's personal preference. Sat in a Golf next to it and to be honest there wasn't a lot in it in my opinion.
The petrol/diesel dilemma is easier for me, on 10000 miles a year and likely to keep out of warranty, it's petrol all the way!
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If you like Fords, and it seems you do as you're replacing a Focus and considering a Fiesta, then I'd suggest a Ford Fusion. Would be much more suitable than a Fiesta for ferrying old folks around.
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>> If you like Fords, and it seems you do as you're replacing a Focus and
>> considering a Fiesta, then I'd suggest a Ford Fusion. Would be much more suitable than
>> a Fiesta for ferrying old folks around.
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Or a C-Max, if the Fushion is too much of an 'Eastbourne Express'.
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OK, budget revised to 8k, and we are looking for something up to three years old. Fabia would be my favourite, but I'm not sure if there is enough room in the back.
Currently wading through autotrader, parkers, etc trying to balance car prices and running costs
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You could have a brand new Kia Rio 5 door 1.4 petrol for six and a half grand. Seven year warranty too
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...You could have a brand new Kia Rio 5 door 1.4 petrol for six and a half grand...
Good shout, not the nicest car to drive, but capable enough, a sort of modern Ford Escort.
However, I think the OP has ruled out Kia because there are no dealers near to him.
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How about a used Astra?
Autotrader yields a few 2009 1.7 CDTi 110bhp EcoFLEX models with 30k or so on the clock for £8500. Should be achievable for close to budget with a bit of haggling.
£30pa road tax, 62 mpg combined, great on the motorway, and not much else will be cheaper to service or buy parts for.
Not a bad car, the Astra and much better value secondhand than a Focus.
Last edited by: DP on Wed 6 Apr 11 at 13:27
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Well she's had astra before, and liked them, so that's to the good
62mpg - is that from personal experience or VX's claimed figure ?
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We haven't yet suggested the Honda Jazz - ticks quite a lot of boxes both for the OP and for Baz above.
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Except the cheap to run one. Some of the services leave you scratching your head at what car has just been serviced. Inlet manifold off to check valve clearances, CVT fluid changes every 25k.
MiL has one, loves it to bits but sometimes I wonder about the servicing costs.
<*tongue in cheek>Almost make Volvo look reasonable.<*tongue in cheek>
Last edited by: gmac on Thu 7 Apr 11 at 22:59
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New(ish) car wanted - Zero
