Which car?

SaLoGo

I have £4-5K to spend on a new car. I have narrowed my choices down to 3 cars; Fiesta, Focus and Astra. I'm leaning towards the Astra as from my research of local dealers it seems to be the best 'value for money'. But I'm sceptical as my ex had to scrap a 5 year old Astra, but can't remember why. Is there a reason they are so cheap? Well, not cheap, just seem to get more for your money.

The specific one I'm looking at is a 2007 07 plate Astra 1.6 16v SXi 5 door with 48k on the clock and it's priced at £3,990. 12 months tax & MOT, full service history.

Does this sound like a good deal?

worried_jim

Buy something Japanese, anything but a Vauxhall if you have a choice.

cddc

Cheap generally because of reliability issues, a Focus is likely to be better, or better still the Japanese Focus, otherwise known as the Mazda3....

OddballJamie

It's usually the diesel Astras that let them down, the petrols are actually pretty reliable.
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/buying-and-selling/2010-03/2009-reliability-index/

tommytynan123

Japanese or Saab

I've got a Saab and in 2 years I've owned it (not fom new) nothing has gone wrong as in breakdown job. I've paid for the normal consumables and when I climb in I know it will start and perform. Snag with Saabs is that you will have to aim 2-4 years older to fit your wallet but in my view worth a look at least. For more value avoid the Saab main dealers.
Have a sneak at the Lexus range.

OddballJamie

tommytynan123 wrote: »

Japanese or Saab

I've got a Saab and in 2 years I've owned it (not fom new) nothing has gone wrong as in breakdown job. I've paid for the normal consumables and when I climb in I know it will start and perform. Snag with Saabs is that you will have to aim 2-4 years older to fit your wallet but in my view worth a look at least. For more value avoid the Saab main dealers.
Have a sneak at the Lexus range.

It's not difficult to avoid a SAAB dealer nowadays

I've owned an Astra for three years next month (from new) all I've paid out on is services, fuel, VED and insurance. Never had a mechanical problem with it. Noticed a slight rattle from the cowling and it was sorted on the first service, that's all.

cheesemelts

Mazda, I bought mine after researching statistics on crashes. Someone drove straight into me in VW Polo and even though I survived when shouldnt have the fact of the lasting impression meant I needed different car,

After experiencing a head on crash with a car approaching me at top speed I have to say what that VW did was amazing. Both me and my son survived with not a scratch.

However have a mazda 2 and from safety aspect I feel secure and happy and based it off reviews at the time.

Ultrasonic

cheesemelts wrote: »

However have a mazda 2 and from safety aspect I feel secure and happy and based it off reviews at the time.

For the OP's benefit, surely a Focus has better crash protection than a Mazda 2? Euro NCAP star ratings are only comparable between vehicles in the same class (size).

SaLoGo

I think Saab's and Lexus's are a bit beyond my range! My dad swear's by Nissans, but there's nothing in my price range I fancy!