More used car advice

Astraeus

I apologise in advance as I know this forum is already littered with posts reaching out for recommendations as to which used car to buy and I see similar recommendations bandied about but I wanted to pose a query of my own.

I presently bus to-and-from work five days per week (at a cost of £20) and rely on lifts or occasional use of a family car to transport myself outside of work times but I am becoming increasingly constrained by this with so many activities taking up my time. I have therefore decided to buy a car!

My initial desire was for a VW Scirocco on finance but I have since concluded this is a massively expensive folly and so I am looking at the used car market. Generally, my requirements are for a decent-sized car (with a boot big enough for golf clubs!) which is very fuel efficient and won't cost the earth to insure (for a 25 year old). Reliability is also important (as I guess it is for anyone!).

I can realistically spend up to £7,500 but I'd quite like to keep it below the £5,000 mark unless the extra money brings in a superb car. I'd ideally get something less than 5 years old too.

What would people recommend?

s_b

Astraeus wrote: »

I apologise in advance as I know this forum is already littered with posts reaching out for recommendations as to which used car to buy and I see similar recommendations bandied about but I wanted to pose a query of my own.

I presently bus to-and-from work five days per week (at a cost of £20) and rely on lifts or occasional use of a family car to transport myself outside of work times but I am becoming increasingly constrained by this with so many activities taking up my time. I have therefore decided to buy a car!

My initial desire was for a VW Scirocco on finance but I have since concluded this is a massively expensive folly and so I am looking at the used car market. Generally, my requirements are for a decent-sized car (with a boot big enough for golf clubs!) which is very fuel efficient and won't cost the earth to insure (for a 25 year old). Reliability is also important (as I guess it is for anyone!).

I can realistically spend up to £7,500 but I'd quite like to keep it below the £5,000 mark unless the extra money brings in a superb car. I'd ideally get something less than 5 years old too.

What would people recommend?

let me know what you get and i might buy a couple myself:)

Astraeus

s_b wrote: »

let me know what you get and i might buy a couple myself:)

Sorry, I could do with paying attention when I type! Something less than 10 years old might be more appropriate. :cool:

andygb

Something like this

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201213460520728/sort/default/usedcars/maximum-age/up_to_5_years_old/price-from/4000/fuel-type/diesel/price-to/5000/model/octavia/make/skoda/postcode/me21dp/page/3/radius/1501?logcode=p

Very reliable, comfortable, economic (55mpg), low tax, low insurance. Quite an easy task really - unless you have some kind of hang up about buying a Skoda, and would prefer an overpriced VW or Audi instead.

worried_jim

andygb wrote: »

Something like this

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201213460520728/sort/default/usedcars/maximum-age/up_to_5_years_old/price-from/4000/fuel-type/diesel/price-to/5000/model/octavia/make/skoda/postcode/me21dp/page/3/radius/1501?logcode=p

Very reliable, comfortable, economic (55mpg), low tax, low insurance. Quite an easy task really - unless you have some kind of hang up about buying a Skoda, and would prefer an overpriced VW or Audi instead.

Good recommendation.

andygb

worried_jim wrote: »

Good recommendation.

£5K = luxury car to me:D

I know my place;)

lesalanos

Ford Focus or Mondeo diesel

Astraeus

andygb wrote: »

Something like this

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201213460520728/sort/default/usedcars/maximum-age/up_to_5_years_old/price-from/4000/fuel-type/diesel/price-to/5000/model/octavia/make/skoda/postcode/me21dp/page/3/radius/1501?logcode=p

Very reliable, comfortable, economic (55mpg), low tax, low insurance. Quite an easy task really - unless you have some kind of hang up about buying a Skoda, and would prefer an overpriced VW or Audi instead.

I certainly have no objection to buying a Skoda - that is a lot of car for the money. I really don't like the styling on the Octavia though and that's what would stop me buying one.

One thing I neglected to consider is that I'd really like a car with a aux-in connection and I have seen few at this price range with such a feature.

I am swaying towards the Ford Focus despite not being overly enamoured with its styling. It seems to get good write-ups and they can be had reasonably inexpensively as well as being fuel efficient.

almillar

Very easy to change the stereo in most cars ('older' ones anyway) that don't have the stereo too integrated to something far better that could have aux in or iPod or USB connectivity. Can add aux in quite easily to lots of integrated stereos too. This is not a factor that should influence your decision whether to buy a car or not.

mgdavid

Astraeus wrote: »

I certainly have no objection to buying a Skoda - that is a lot of car for the money. I really don't like the styling on the Octavia though and that's what would stop me buying one.

One thing I neglected to consider is that I'd really like a car with a aux-in connection and I have seen few at this price range with such a feature.

I am swaying towards the Ford Focus despite not being overly enamoured with its styling. It seems to get good write-ups and they can be had reasonably inexpensively as well as being fuel efficient.

Pass this by me again - you currently use public transport :eek: and scrounge a car off your family etc when you want; :mad:
you only want to spend 5k on a car - yet you are being picky about its 'styling' - suggest you get real and smell the coffee. I don't see how you fit the MSE profile.... sorry to be blunt.

thegirlintheattic

For 5K look VERY carefully at any cars you consider from autotrader - otherwise you might end up buying a cat c or cat d which can cause issues when trying to insure.