New Car Help Please

[bonnie scotsman]

Hi, Just looking for some advice.

Am looking to change cars due to a new member of the family going to be arriving soon - so that leaves 2 adults, a new addition & the small yorkshire terrior. We currently have a hyundai accent but they have stopped making them.

We currently do about 16,000 miles a year - a mixture of motorway and in-town driving.

We are looking to buy something either pre-reg or under 12 months old to keep for at least 3 years. Something that is reliable, cheap to run & has a big enough boot for a pram! & does not cost too much in the 1st place!

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.:T

[daveyjp]

Go mainstream. My choice would be a Ford either Focus (possibly an estate, depending on the pram you choose) or a Mondeo. Reason being they are cheap to buy, loads of choice and they are cheap enough to service and maintain. If you think baby = MPV (not a theory I believe and we have a 2 year old) then C-Max or S-Max.

If these don't appeal a Skoda Octavia would be high on my list.

[BillScarab]

Octavia would top my list, but then I've got one. If you're doing 16000 miles a year a diesel may be worth considering but do your sums first. They have a much bigger boot than a focus and are a bit roomier inside. Othen than that as daveyjp says look at mainstrem models like a Focus or Astra. My wife ran a mk2 Mondeo when our children were young and it was nice and roomy and cheap to buy. They're not so cheap to run nowadays due to fuel costs though.

[Keith]

Check out the Ford Direct Dealers such as Matlock, Coalville, Jennings. They offer massive discounts from list for Pre-reg and nearly new.

Personnally, a Focus ST in red or white would be my choice if buying new.

[AdrianHi]

Octavia a great choice, especially new. They don't depreciate as fast right from new as many cars, which actually makes them a bit pricey as a nearly new buy as they still have good money to loose in depreciation from 1 year old on.
If you still like the idea of a Hyundai, the Hyundai i30 is the replacement car for the Accent. Don't buy it new, depreciation is big on these at the start but then slows, buy a 1 year old. Same goes for an Astra which is a great buy as a 1 year old.

[nullogik]

I'm quite a fan of Korean cars now which represent great value for money (especially second hand) are well built and reliable.

Something like the Kia Rio or Kia Ceed (both are Focus sized) should be worth looking at. Both have been received well by the motoring press and represent great value for money. More details below:

http://www.kia.co.uk/?flash=true

Of course with cars like Kia, its best not to buy new otherwise you'll loose a ton of money. Instead go for a dealer approved Kia thats maybe a year or two old to take the sting out of depreciation losses.

[daveyjp]

Personnally, a Focus ST in red or white would be my choice if buying new.

If you were a "serious money saving fan" you'd avoid the ST like the plague! A neighbour has just got rid due to horrendous running costs.

[Dr Blockbuster]

At 16,000 miles a year I'd recommend a diesel. I used to hate diesels with a vengence until I started driving one ;) . Having driven about 30 Fiat Multiplas ( I used to be in the trade) they're excellent value for money if you can stand the "style" and I was getting over 40mpg on diesel ... and I was hardly cruising :whistle: .
Loads of space for prams & grannies toooooo ;)

[bonnie scotsman]

Many thanks to everyone who has responded - off car shopping today

thank again
Bonnie