£3k - car advice

loftus

Hi
Looking to get a new car in the next couple of months when I got the cash together. Know !!!!!! all about cars really so want to pick the experts brains.
I'll have around 3k to spend, I do around 25,000 miles a year - mostly motorway and dual carriageway driving between home and work (120 mile round trip).
I want something that is relatively cheap to maintain and will take that kind of hammering. I'm not a car snob so will rule nothing out.
What should I be looking for and what can I expect to get for my money?
I am happier buying from a dealer as I would like there to be a little comeback if there were problems.

Thanks in advance

balsingh

I was in the exact same situation as you a couple of years back where I needed a 3k car to do a lot of mileage comfortable and reliably. I ended up getting a Rover diesel. Its not flash, but for the money, you will get a newer Rover in comparison to the equivalent Ford/Vauxhall etc. The diesel engines in ROvers are solid for many miles and the cars come fairly well speced with air con etc.

I did look at Astra diesels but they were slower, less economical and cost more.

highguyuk

Are you after a newish car, or just anything that fits the bill? Any other specifications you need/would like?

loftus

Like most people I guess I want as much for my money as I can get. A decent spec would be nice but the major factor is good mpg (should I be looking at a diesel) and reasonable running and servicing costs. I currently drive an old Punto with a 1.2l engine that has 160k on the clock and whilst I can not complain about the reliability, its been great, I would like a little more power and comfort for the hours I spend in the car.
Hope this helps.

highguyuk

By the sounds I think you must go for a Diesel ... especially if you want a bit more power.

Maybe go with a Phase 3 Peugeot 306 Diesel? Known for great handling and models come with quite a few extras. I'm 6'5 and there is plenty of room, and lots of ways to adjust the seat - I generally think the interior is of a good standard.

Lots of information can be found at:
https://www.pug306.net and
http://www.pug306.net/info.php?s=diesel

I must admit to owning a Peugeot 306 and I love it! Also, can't remember anyone ever recommending a Punto for reliability. lol. Even a good friend of mine at a dealership wouldn't touch one for the amount of them that go back with problems.

loftus

I must have just been lucky then! I've never had anything major go wrong with it, its just the fact that now it is wearing out - poor thing!

Chris_VRS

Skoda Octavia TDI!...a load of metal for the money!...proven VAG 1.9TDI engine and mechanicals!

Dodgybloke

You're best bet is looking at the following type of cars (in no particular order):

Skoda Octavia TDI
Seat Leon/Toledo TDI
Vauxhall Astra DTI
Ford Focus/Mondeo Diesel (TDCI common rail diesel maybe too new for you)
Peugeot 30? HDI.

I've drove the Astra and it's easily capable of 60MPG. I now have a Focus TDCI which is a lovely drive but the older TDDI I don't know about. A Rover sounds a good call from earlier posts. Look at cars which depreciate quickest in the early years (i.e. in the first three years, Ford & Vauxhall fit here).

Best bet is to look at the The AA motoring advice page. Select the help me choose the best car for my needs and follow the steps. It will tell the cars to look at and give you a mile adjusted value for the cars according to the motor trade bible, the Glass's Guid. The link is as follows:

http://www.theaa.com/motoring-advice/index.jsp

Hope this helps.

Happy_Shrimper

I too will be looking for a cheap replacement for my Pug 406 diesel in the near future.
Currently looking at getting either another PUG 406 - nice cars, well built etc, but quite fancy a Rover 75 diesel.

Seem to be quite cheap and looking at Honest Johns site and Channel 4 motoring, they seem to get excellent rating for reliabilty and build quality.
Built by BMW or latterly Longbridge but without the bad stigma attached to BMW. As it turns out, the Longbridge ones a supposed to be even better.
Why on earth did Rover go bust with a car like the 75?
Any 75 owners out there that can confer?

vansboy

The best value car, will be an ex fleet vehicle, with a few miles above 'average', on the clock.

You'd be into plenty of choice at 3/4 year old if you went to auction.

But as you say you prefer dealer, http://www.cargiant.co.uk the prices there are not too much above auction costs (that's where they buy from!)

Loads choices, but think of Astra & if you don't get back ache from the seats, you'll be more than pleased.

VB

PS I'm serious about the poor seat support, other than sporty models - but some will disagree with me!!