Help! Need car soon!

Bagpuss1973

Hello, looking to buy a secondhand car in the next few weeks. Can't decide what to get.

Top budget £2500

Essentials: Must be five door, hatchback (hoping for little one soon so need a bit of boot space for paraphinalia!);)

Which is best diesel or petrol? Had conflicting advice.

Diesel is more economical for mileage but dearer to buy and have been told that diesels need more maintenance. Also, diesel would need to be a higher engine size - does this affect car tax level? Would it be more expensive?

Petrol on the other hand is cheaper to buy, needs less maintenance and can get an engine size of 1500cc (in cheap car tax bracket) but does less mileage per gallon

Which is best diesel or petrol - do at least 30 miles a day travel to work.

Thinking of vauxhall astra or similar (that sort of size).

Thanking any good folks that reply;)

Pink.

Hi Bagpuss,

You should get more help with this on the Motoring board, so I'll move your thread over there.

Pink

piggeh

15k miles per year is around the point where diesel becomes worthwhile.

tax depends on whether the car was registered after euro emissions came into force as they'd then be taxed differently. Otherwise most diesels would be £170/year. Although the 1.4 diesels may be lower tax.

They need servicing more often generally. my skoda fabia tdi is every 10,000 I think. Diesels depreciate slower I think as well, which is something you havent factored in (if it's relevant), although they are more expensive to buy in the first place.

Bagpuss1973

Thanks for your reply. Not so bothered about the depreciation value, I tend to keep my cars until no one else would have them!

Bagpussx

saintjanet

I think that within your price range it would be much easier to find a petrol car.As stated above diesels often hold value better and are therefor often more expensive to buy.There are also many more petrol cars available,so you would have more choice.

I would consider a diesel if you are planning to keep it for a long time,as they are likely to reach higher mileages,with fewer mechanical problems.They do need more frequent oil changes but should not cost any more to service in the long run.Bear in mind there will be less outlets to use for servicing,although this should not be a big problem.

tomstickland

I don't think it'll make much difference whether it's diesel or petrol myself. For £2500 you should be able to find a very good condition 5 door hatch. Take a look on the autotrader website.

vansboy

Petrol 1.6 8v engine Club Astra.

No street cred = 'bargain' price compared to say, Golf/Focus. Probably W or X reg ex fleet/company car 60-70000miles wouldn't be unreasonable.

Gets you a pretty reliable & not to expensive to fix, if you do have problems. Best avoid the OK 1.4 engine, as you'll still be well into mid 30's mpg wise & won't make the car be working hard to acheive good performance either.

VB

happygal_3

Citreon Xsara (french though!) 1.4 estate, 43,00 miles, T reg, fsh paid £1500 six months ago. Loads of boot space and was fine with two children and two adults. Now we have three children are going to have to sell it, wish we lived in the 80's where I could just pop one in the boot!

vr6lad

Hmmmm, looking for a reliable 5dr hatch that is good value, that you will be keeping for a long time that is of similar size to the Astra?

I'd look no further than a Honda Civic. Utterly dependable, nice cabin and good to drive. The 1.4 and 1.5 provide engines provide surprising poke whilst returning decent economy. The build quality is excellent. A decent low mileage one is very easy to find - particularly with your budget.

Just make sure you keep the servicing up at the specified intervals and the car will serve you well.

I like Astra's too, but pals seem to have the odd annoying niggle from time to time.

Happy car hunting!

iluvmylexus

honda civic is a good bet , astra has a larger boot and normally about £1000 cheaper than the equivalent year focus , focus is nicer to drive but not so easy to fit baby buggy and bits in though. vw golf is pricey compared to skoda or seat equivalent models.

thecremeegg

Perhaps a bit small but maybe a renault clio?