Micra 3 door 52 Plate or X Reg 5 Door same price?

swizzle_2

Hi

I have posted here before about 3 door v 5 doors cars, still unsure.

But I have £2.5K to spend and now seem to have the option of a 3 door 52 plate or a 5 dooe x reg or other reg on a 2000 plate.

The moneysaver in me is saying go for the 3 door-newer car for my money, but then this little voice is saying get a 5 dooor!

It`s a second car for me, to run the children round in, so most of the time just me and my soon to be 5 year old and 7 1/2 year old, they are of an age where they can strap theseleves in, but will it be a pain having to let them out all the time?

Do be honest the 5 door is a better spec, and bigger engine, but all I need is the base model, it will be used for short local trips only.

Help

Hintza

Question:- Can you live with a 3 door with children? I certainly couldn't.

swizzle_2

Not sure!

Spent the last 14 months without a car, and am fed up of waiting for buses that don`t come!

So part of me thinks anything will be better than that?

peterg1965

5 door for me, 3 door car with children will be a nightmare! Believe me, i have done it! You will also save money, the older 5 door will lose less money and be more saleable when it comes to getting rid of it.

spacenase

The five doors are more expensive because there are not many about.

My parents lived with a two door saloon until both me and my sister were teenagers. I think once the kids are old enough to get in and out themselves, the need for a five door is less as you don't need to put them in. There's also the fact that there's no door or window for them to try and open.

Having said that, from a financial point of view the 5 door is likely to continue to hold its value better and be easier to sell on, but it will cost you more to run because of the larger engine.

Difficult choice. I'm not a great fan of base models, but I think I'd go for the simpler, newer 3 door.

ArsenalFC

Its a hard one to say. Can you live with a 3 door car? That was the question asked above. If you can then get a 3 door, but something better than base spec (power steering, electric windows, CL etc) this will be so better in the long run. 5 door cost alot more, but I dont think the price is justified.

swizzle_2

When I have looked up the `bookprice` the 3 door is over priced and the 5 door is about right. What car and Parkers saying that I have not seen a 3 door 52 plate for cheaper than £2.5.

I want to buy from a garage I know something about, as I know nothing about cars nor does my hubbie.

Resale will not be a problem as I intend to keep the car until it dies.

Thanks for all your comments

spacenase

swizzle wrote:

When I have looked up the `bookprice` the 3 door is over priced and the 5 door is about right. What car and Parkers saying that I have not seen a 3 door 52 plate for cheaper than £2.5.

I want to buy from a garage I know something about, as I know nothing about cars nor does my hubbie.

Resale will not be a problem as I intend to keep the car until it dies.

Thanks for all your comments

In that case, as long as you are happy with the increased running costs, go with the five door. The increased flexibility, more power and better equipment will prove more useful in the long run. You may find yourself using more than you originally thought.

Make the usual checks on car history, service history and previous owners though.

Good luck!

KEITH