£4k for a car (want about a 2004?)

[before hollywood]

hi peeps, am thinking of getting a new car, what would you lot recommend though?
currently i have a 2002 (51) fiat stilo, 33k on the clock reckon its worth £2k on px (scary thought i paid £5k for it 3 and a bit years ago), am looking for something a bit more modern and reliable for up to about £4k- i can find a grand quite easily and borrow another grand and have it paid off in no time.

wanted a toyota corolla 02 shape onwards but would end up with something same age as the fiat (too old really), what would everyone else recommend? i like the focus, quite like the almera and stuff like that, ideally a 1.4 engine and if it could be an 03 or 04 that would be amazing- any ideas what i should look for????

[balsingh]

Is there really a need for it to be 2004 or newer??? Personally, I would be happy with a car a year or 2 older provided it was a better car.

[goldspanners]

i have a 1.6 focus,the 1.4 is totally under powered,if your looking for a car with a 1.4 engine with a half decent fuel economy i would look at a smaller car.
maybe a 1.4 fiesta or the likes?
look out for cars like the citeroen c3 1.4 turbo diesel,great fuel economy and only £35 per year road tax,and powerful for its size.

[movilogo]

If a car is out of warranty anyway, it doesn't matter whether it is 2004 or 2001. Your chance is something to wrong and shell loads of money to fix it is more of less same.

If you're keen on getting 2004 or newer model for £4000, only you can get Hyundai with warranty.

[before hollywood]

If a car is out of warranty anyway, it doesn't matter whether it is 2004 or 2001. Your chance is something to wrong and shell loads of money to fix it is more of less same.

If you're keen on getting 2004 or newer model for £4000, only you can get Hyundai with warranty.
i've already decided against a hyundai, i looked at the 2004 models when they were new cos they were similar prices to what i paid for the stilo when i got it and i wasn't keen.

thanks for the helpful responses guys, i'm still weighing up my options

[acjc]

Autobytel are doing the basic Ford Ka model for £4994 new at the moment, though it is £1k more than your budget.

[indiegirl]

If you want boring, if you want reliable and if you want loads of kit... look for an 53 plate or newer Almera SE. 1.5 engine, cruises comfortably at 80-85 on the motorway (3700-4000rpm) and does (for me) 32mpg urban, 37-40mpg on the m-ways (depending on how hard I drive mine).

Insurance group 5, climate control air con, reversing sensors, seats 3 in the back comfortably, and is chain cam, so no danger of the cambelt snapping!

Yes it's not a Focus and it's not as modern or stylish, but it's done the job for me for three years now. You're probably looking at about £4500-5k for around a 54 plate as I've described above... perhaps nearer 4k for the 53 plate-rs.

The S spec is similarly equipped, but doesn't have the climate control air con or the reversing sensors.

Funnily enough I recommend the Almera! ;-)