Recommend me a replacement for my Ford Fusion

orange-sox

I currently have a 53 plate Ford Fusion that is rapidly becoming uneconomical to keep, and could have the potential of causing me great bother if it conks out mid motorway commute.

Last year the car cost me over £1200 in repairs and maintainance, this year I had up until today managed to get by on regular bits and pieces (bulbs, oil, the like). Today provided me with a £400 bill to replace the mid and back section of the exhaust (expected but was putting off until MOT in Oct) and the Front Shock Coil Spring pair (passenger side snapped less than 200m from my home and almost burst my tyre). I have paid for the repairs to be done, and will continue to use the car for the time being as journeys will be remaining in about a 15 mile radius of home until January time.

I would like to replace the fusion with something of a similar size in terms of passenger and load space, and with a similar driving position (somewhat more upright than "standard"). Must be able to compete in the yorkshire winter climate and have the nuts to go up hill and down dale as well as my trust fusion has. I have a max budget of about £4k really as I'm in the final year of a degree at present. So far my list of possible replacements is as follows:

Another Ford Fusion
Nissan Note
Golf Plus
Land Rover Freelander or similar small 4x4 styles.

Could anyone suggest any other alternatives, or indeed steer me away from any bad choices?

Kind regards

bodgerx

Nissan Note is ok, but the interior is very cheap.

Fusion? Meh.

Golf Plus - fine but over rated, and a bit pricey.

Landrover Freelander - for this budget I would avoid if reliability is a factor.

If you want a 4x4, CR-Vs are very good. On road winter condition ability is fine. Won't have the off road ability of the LR tho. Reliable. Struggle to get a decent diesel for this budget and the petrol likes to drink.

I would buy a Honda Jazz. Driving position is a little upright - similar to the Note. Reliable.

forgotmyname

You have replaced almost everything so why change now?

£400 for mid a back exhaust? Are you using main dealers? Thats more than i paid for a custom stainless exhaust on my car.
£100 - £130 for a decent brand fully fitted..

I know someone selling a cheap Fusion. Going to be a bargain they fixed everything that needs replacing.

The money your going to spend puts you right back into the territory that the cars getting on a bit and is likely to need suspsension and exhaust parts.

w50nky

I take it the £400 bill was for exhaust springs and tyre?

Had 2 Notes for wifes use and no problems with either so far.

jaydeeuk1

Lets say you buy a 5 year old car, the springs, exhaust, brakes could all need doing 12 months down the line, leaving you (far) worse off than you were before.

Everything you listed is expected in cars over 5 years old.

Your car seems pretty sorted, if its a belt drien engine and hasn't been done recently (I doubt it as you haven't listed it as a repair) put a few hundred quid aside for that.

Otherwise how much do you want for it, mates after a sorted little runaround.