Car Advice: £5,000, 350 miles / week - what car?

puddles

Many thanks, that's just what I wanted to hear

puddles

I'm almost certain the 1.6 Focus is for me, but just wanted to get people's thoughts on these two as a comparison:

VAUXHALL Astra 1.9 16v CDTi SRi

KIA CEED 1582 cc 1.6 CRDi S

The KIA one boasts a massive 62.8 MPG (Astra 55.4) and is nicely kitted out.

rodenal

I don't really like the drive of the last gen astra (steering is horrid) but apart from that they aren't terrible - believe they may have dpf issues engine dependent, though your mileage shouldn't give you any problems that way.

The Kias are pretty good cars tbh and you'll probably get a newer car, I particularly like the 3 door. Would go and drive all 3 and see what you think

wba31

Out of the 1.6 focus, the Cee'd and the Astra, I'd go, first choice Focus, second the Kia, and 3rd the astra (i just dont like vauxhalls...)

I thought going to smaller engines would be crap MPG on the motorway at 70, but my 1.7 Diesel civic (2004 model) gets 60mpg at 70 on the motorway... was pleasantly surprised!

Hammyman

wba31 wrote: »

I thought going to smaller engines would be crap MPG on the motorway at 70, but my 1.7 Diesel civic (2004 model) gets 60mpg at 70 on the motorway... was pleasantly surprised!

Its not the MPG that tends to be the issue, rather its one of comfort. Spending a long time tramping at 70MPH is far more relaxing in a car with a decent amount of room, some weight to it to give it a smoother less harsh ride and an engine chugging along at low revs instead of one screaming its nuts off assaulting your eardrums along with all the lightweight "coke can" panels and rattly plastic trim designed to keep the weight down. Oh, and its nice to have toys like cruise control, lane change indicators and aircon in summer - all of which you're more likely to find on a mid-large sized barge than a shopping trolley.

I like my Mondeo because I can hit the motorway, shove it in 6th, slap on the cruise control and sit like that for 4 or 5 hrs and get out at the other end feeling as fresh as when I set off.

puddles

Thanks once again everyone.

Is the 90bhp version of the 1.6 Focus really that bad? Only reason I ask is because I have found a couple at a good price. But obviously that would be a false economy if it can't handle motorway travel.

I notice that the Kia Ceed is only 90bhp as well. Is that a no go too or is it different with that car?

thanks

rodenal

Is it THAT bad? No, but it never feels at home at motorway speeds, there is a higher output Kia I'm sure I drove a 110 or 113. Again try them and see what you think

Weggy

Not quite what the OP was asking for, re budget and age, but here's a shout for decent engines - the 1.9 TDI lump in my 99 Audi A4 has done 218k miles and still keeps going and going and going. The car cost me £900 nearly a year ago and I've put 20k on it in that time. These engines found in Audis, VW's, Seats and Skodas are fantastic. It's only 90bhp but, considering the weight and size of the car, has no issues with power at all.

FakeIrish

If you're not bothered by torque, the 90bhp will more than satisfy your requirement. Test drive though to be sure but I'm saying don't rule it out.

jimjames

puddles wrote: »

Hello all

My car got totalled on Sunday and as such I am looking to buy a new car.

I don't mind what make or model but have a few requirements:

Budget: £5,000
Mileage: Below 40,000 - I do around 20k a year so am I right in thinking anything over 40k mileage will be no good or would a car with say 60,000 miles on the clock still be good for another 40-60k without any problems?

If you are getting the right diesel I wouldn't have any issues buying something with much higher mileage than that. I've now run 5 cars with the VW TDI engine and all were bought with 120k plus miles on the clock and have done in excess of 50k each without any problems.

I'm still running a VW Golf Mark 4 TDI 130 with 167,000 miles for daily commuting and around 250 miles per week and no problems with it at all.