A what car thread...

[Andy]

Ok, so my playing field has changed since the beginning of the year and I'm now in a situation where I need to think sensibly about my next car purchase.

Here is what I'm limiting myself too...

Budget: Upto £7k
Age: Upto about 5 years
Mileage: sub 40k miles
Engine size: no bigger than a 1.8
Spec: must be able to fit 4 people comfortably, be good on mileage, quite large boot space. Creature comforts like aircon, heated screen a plus.
Vanity side: alloys, no dents or dings, not black or silver. Or pink.

Current contenders:
07-on Ford Focus hatch/estate
07-on Ford C-Max
06-on Honda Civic
08- on Astras hatch/estate

And that's it.

What I'm after is either some real life 'reviews' or 'my mate said' on all of the above and any others that you guys can think of.

At the minute I'm pretty set on the focus but I don't want to miss out on trying other stuff out. Will be looking at a Civic at the weekend.

I've already ruled out an 07 Polo as its far too small to be comfortable.

Thanks in advance!

Ps, sorry it's not yank related but will make up for it in a bit!

[Fieldy]

Have you looked at the Seat Leon?

My mate has the Cupra version, I had the 1.4 eco model at the weekend, it is awesome. Very, very, nice car to drive. The 1.9 Diesel is frugal and IMO it's better looking than the Civic (I like Civics mind).

The Seat has anchors of room for 4 adults (My wife and mum travelled in comfort in the rear), the boot is huge considering it's size (I got a 1950's pram chassis in it and a weekends load of gear).

[Roadkill]

See my comments on Astras on a previous thread.

I'd go for Ford.  (hate to say it)

EDIT - also the Golfs, FYI, have really small boot (smaller than a Fiesta !!!)

[Andy]

This is leading at the moment, if only I can get over being snobby about the mileage!

http://www.prcruislip.co.uk/used-cars/ford-focus-1-8-zetec-5dr-uxbridge-middlesex-201206449152330\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.prcruislip.co.uk/used-cars/ford-focus-1-8-zetec-5dr-uxbridge-middlesex-201206449152330

[Incursus]

I like the Civic the most out your list, the diesel engine is superb, the Accord is on my short list for my next car.
 
Focus are okay probably has better sized boot and lower running costs (parts etc.) Get more VFM with a Mondeo though IMO.  Oh and my mates got they last shape one (08 I think) and says its awful on road noise...

Golfs are a nice drive, at least the 'T' reg one I've used to drive a while ago was, considering it had done 150K+ and ragged to hell and back (company pool car)  Don't get much for your money though.

[HardRockCamaro]

Focus drives the best so I'd go with that.

[a91_formula]

You can pick up quite a new Lacetti (2009) for that type of money.  Had ours 4.5 years from brand new and have put 110k on her and, touch wood, not had any problems what so ever.  Best reliable car we have ever owned

Just one for example I have found http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-Chevrolet-Lacetti-Petrol-/300667616675?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item46012fbda3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-Chevrolet-Lacetti-Petrol-/300667616675?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item46012fbda3

There are loads at even cheaper than that too..

[Motorama]

Spend a grand on an economical runaround, spend £6k on an American car

[Fieldy]

Quoting: Motorama

Spend a grand on an economical runaround, spend £6k on an American car

[Incursus]

 

[Andy]

I like your thinking Andy, but anyone under 25 (like me) with no LHD experience can't find insurance anywhere!

The most obvious thing would be to put me on the Camaro or Mustang insurance as Dave can't drive both at the same time, but all underwriters turned me away!

This next car has to be a long term jobby, looking at running it til it drops sort of think so want as much bang for my buck!

Seen a few Chevrolets on my AT list but never really thought they were much cop! I will definitely have to try one out. What spec do you recommend?

Going back to the Seat Leon, did that get beaten with an ugly stick at some point? I remember the mid 00's ones looking pretty nice! Is it true they're just a golf with Seat body panels?

[Roadkill]

Quoting: Andy

I like your thinking Andy, but anyone under 25 (like me) with no LHD experience can't find insurance anywhere!

I'm sure some of the STS / Seville Caddies came in RHD/Euro Spec versions.

Not super exciting but different - plus you can pick them up for £1500, now, and the N*'s give pretty good MPG for show-hopping in summer.

[EDGE]

the RHD caddy sts is group 20 insurance...

[art b]

audi a4 estate...

[Andy]

I looked art! But nowhere near my price range! Or mileage :(

Them German cars hold their value well. Good ol' English cars plummet!

This has taken the lead over that Blue Focus! Yes, another focus...

http://www.parkviewskoda.com/Used-Car-Details/used-ford-focus-16-zetec-hatchback-magnum-grey-metallic-manual-petrol-ID_2162869602415010.aspx?COGManufacturer=Ford&COGModel=Focus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Skoda Focus

[Motorama]

Insurance takes a lot of shopping around i guess, the answer is to put the car in Daves name and you as a named driver.

Spend £7k on a car and in 3 years time its lost half its money. Buy the right classic in 3 years time its worth the same as you paid for it

STS Cadillacs can be great but need to be low miles with stack of history. I love em but you have to buy carefully, prone to overheating and gearbox woes when the miles get up there

Have you seen the 95 Impala at Oldcott Motors, theyre a future  classic

My cousin buys a new Focus every couple of years, he swears by them, never puts a spanner to them

£7k would buy some decent Audi or VW tdi stuff

[Fieldy]

Quoting: Andy

I like your thinking Andy, but anyone under 25 (like me) with no LHD experience can't find insurance anywhere!

I never had an issue from 18 onwards

Quoting: Andy

Going back to the Seat Leon, did that get beaten with an ugly stick at some point? I remember the mid 00's ones looking pretty nice! Is it true they're just a golf with Seat body panels?

I think they look great....

Yes, they are just a Golf, but cheaper, meaning they are great value cars....

[Andy]

I think if I'd jumped in and had the money when I was 18, I'd probably be doing alright now too, but it never was cheap enough to be sensible. Last year AF would insure me, but for £1200 on a limited mileage policy with no commuting etc.

That'd been grand but I couldn't afford that for a second car. The last couple of years insurance on a whole has gone crazy and if you're new to it like me, it's hard work.

Oh and before any suspicions start getting raised, clean driving license since 2005 and no accidents +4 years NCB. The first years of driving I was only a names driver.

I will add the Leon to the list to look at. I was too keen on the revamp they did on the Ibiza, thought that used to look a proper smart car.

[Fieldy]

This is the shape we had, it is lovely, they start at £4k for higher mileage, my mate paid £7k for his Cupra version...

As for the insurance, I was only paying £500 when I was 18 for my 4th gen, then I put my wife on my Olds Toronado insurance and she was a new driver, it only added £100....

Has insurance altered that much?!

[art b]

ive driven a couple of seats,
not bad cars and almost... audis as there made with vag group parts..