Replacement Car

yellowlawn

I'm looking for some real world advice on Car ownership. I'm looking to replace my Toyota Avensis for another car. I don't want to spend money getting a car I'll instantly regret. I have been looking on all the usual websites Autotrader, Parkers et al but want advice from people who own and live with there cars. Have also looked at some owners clubs who paint a very different picture of car ownership, but a lot you have to join to search for advice.

I'm looking to spend about £5k. As new as possible. Will do 50+ MPG on motorways, but also has plenty of get up and go. We have no kids so that isn't a requirement, but if hatchback 5 doors preferred. Don't like Peugeot, Renault or Citroen.

So far looked at:

Ford Focus C-Max 2.0TDCI (missus likes the look of)
VW Golf 2.0 GT TDI

mluton

Mk5 Astra Diesel Sri 150Bhp, my daily drive

Tilt

heres a suggestion for you; http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201112382834140/sort/priceasc/usedcars/engine-size-cars/1-7l_to_1-9l/price-to/5000/model/grande_punto/make/fiat/page/1/radius/1501/postcode/wv46hb?logcode=p

funkycoldribena

yellowlawn wrote: »

Don't like Peugeot, Renault or Citroen.

So far looked at:

Ford Focus C-Max 2.0TDCI (missus likes the look of)
VW Golf 2.0 GT TDI

You're not doing to bad on your own.

yellowlawn

Tilt wrote: »

heres a suggestion for you; http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201112382834140/sort/priceasc/usedcars/engine-size-cars/1-7l_to_1-9l/price-to/5000/model/grande_punto/make/fiat/page/1/radius/1501/postcode/wv46hb?logcode=p

Nice, shame it's 250 miles away!

yellowlawn

funkycoldribena wrote: »

You're not doing to bad on your own.

One thing that is bothering me is actual vs govt. figures for fuel economy.

bigjl

mluton wrote: »

Mk5 Astra Diesel Sri 150Bhp, my daily drive

Your model doesn't have a DPF does it?

If so then it is a win.

The 1.9 engine was ruined by the DPF.


As far as the OP goes i would think the C-Max will fit the bill. But you would get a lower mile car going fir petrol.

£5000 won't get you a top spec diesel, but may get a slightly better equipped petrol, maybe an LPG conversion in a few months?

getmore4less

I have stuck £4k-£5k under 2 years and 40k max miles into autotrader

Suprised at how many come up.

rodenal

There are so many choices at the budget you've given. Best thing to do is as above stick your criteria into autotrader and go see/drive a few of the cars listed.

Not sure why you're looking at the Cmax specifically but I had a 2.0 tdci focus for around a year. Decent enough performance wise but averaged around 43mpg on a 40 mile mostly motorway run day in day out. My friends 1.6tdci was still sprightly enough and averaged around 58mpg doing much the same journey.

yellowlawn

One question that always goes through my mind is the Vehicle size vs Engine Size vs (in my case) Driver size. Yes I am overweight but not on American scale! Obviously all three will have a bearing on vehicle performance. Also are petrol's actually better around town than diesels on MPG?