Suggestions for a car please

Shawn_Dark

I'm looking to buy a car with particular requirements. Please give me your suggestions.

Of course after a moment of madness I stopped looking at and considering Audi TT's. My actual requirements are:

- Under £2000
- Ideally no bigger than a Focus/Astra
- Something with a balance of speed and economy
- No more than £250 a year for tax
- Four/Five door, five seats
- Prefer diesel if possible
- Six speed would be nice

My current car:

2003 Astra 1.7 turbo diesel, costs just less than £20 a week for around 100 miles. But I do put my foot down (and sometimes need to overtake slow moving tractors).


Example of cars I like are:

- Skoda Fabia 1.9 TDI: I saw a 2004 model for around £1500 but the cabin and dials were pretty dated.

- Citroen C2 1.6 VTS: I saw a 2005 model for around £1600 but my only gripe is four seats, not five (I can live with a 3dr).

- Seat Leon Cupra 1.9 TDI: Saw a few of these but literally only started looking at these today.


Anyway please just give a quick suggestion as to your car choice and why. I'd prefer not to get into a discussion about the 'why and what for'.

gord115

Skoda Octavia?

forgotmyname

No bigger than a Focus or Astra. What about a Focus? Cheap parts. Reliable overall.

I wouldnt base my decision on a car having 6 gears. Mine only works as you approach motorway speeds. Below 60mph 5th gear gives better economy.

Shawn_Dark

I'm driving my sister's Octavia now and then. Fantastic car but like the fabia the cabin and dials are too dated for my liking. Also for a car that size maintenance and repair costs suddenly jump.

I do like the focus but would only consider the 1.6 turbo diesel. Only problem I found with them is a bit sluggish.

tykesi

7th Gen. Honda Civic? Not sure what diesel options are but should be reliable, comfy and cheap to maintain?

forgotmyname

Go upto a Mondeo. They can be cheaper to buy than a Focus and similar running costs.

clayton16749

What is it that's making you want to change cars?

harrys_dad

If you are only doing 100 miles a week why do you want a diesel? Not sure it does them any good to do so few miles.

Shawn_Dark

No preference on diesel or petrol. I prefer diesel as I always do the odd trip out of town once or twice a month. Besides performance diesels still give good economy.

Don't like the mondeo.

Would like to keep it smaller as I have noticed they are less costly. Example, parts, repairs, servicing, maintenance such as tyres, etc.

Shawn_Dark

Please keep the suggestions coming.

forgotmyname

Nope a Mondeo can be cheaper to buy than a focus. And a Focus can be cheaper than a Fiesta. Down to demand.

People have the same impression that you have. A bigger car costs more to run.
Not always the case. Mines cost less than £250 a year in repairs and MOTs etc in the last 5 years.
Parts are cheap. Buy a small Kia and you will see that small cars can cost more to run. Want an alternator or power steering pump? Expect to pay double.