Recommend a new car

Cameron1590_2

Hello All,

We are looking to change our current car, the car we have currently is a fiat Panda 2006 1.3 diesel that has done 65k miles however we now only do 5-10miles a day with the odd run home (300mile round trip) which isn't going to be good for it long term so we need a petrol.

Ideally we could do with:

Something newer with a lower mileage so we don't have to replace it or have big repair bills (hopefully).

Bigger then our current car ( I'm very tall 6ft6 so need something will decent leg room but also a decent size overall for carting stuff to and from home).

Cheap to insure as it cost us a fortune as we are both young drivers

In the remit of £3k.

We would like A/C and cruise control if possible

Thank

Cameron

parking_question_chap

I think you will find it tough to get newer with cruise control on £3k.

Off the top of my head, get a 1.6 petrol focus.

[Deleted User]

I've got a 2005 Ford that you can have for £3k. I'll even give you 24 hours warranty and throw in a bottle of wine.

cmazza

I would say something like a Peugeot 307 should be within your price range.

kmb500

Cameron1590 wrote: »

Hello All,

We are looking to change our current car, the car we have currently is a fiat Panda 2006 1.3 diesel that has done 65k miles however we now only do 5-10miles a day with the odd run home (300mile round trip) which isn't going to be good for it long term so we need a petrol.

Ideally we could do with:

Something newer with a lower mileage so we don't have to replace it or have big repair bills (hopefully).

Bigger then our current car ( I'm very tall 6ft6 so need something will decent leg room but also a decent size overall for carting stuff to and from home).

Cheap to insure as it cost us a fortune as we are both young drivers

In the remit of £3k.

We would like A/C and cruise control if possible

Thank

Cameron

In my experience (we have a 2007 1.3 Panda) the panda is a very reliable little car. And I would be stunned if you found a more economical car than it for the price you're looking at. Our 1.3 petrol panda does 45-50 mpg, I assume your diesel does significantly more than that.

Why do you need a petrol by the way? Diesel is more economical on older cars.

Ultimately i guess I'm asking what are the problems with your current car. Apart from the way it drives I think the panda is a fantastic little car.

foxy-stoat

Honda Civic Gen 8 - ticks all or most of your boxes.

giraffe69

kmb500 wrote: »

Why do you need a petrol by the way? Diesel is more economical on older cars.

Diesel cars tend to run into problems with the sort of low mileage that OP talks about.

Cameron1590_2

Thanks for the suggestions so far all.

I am willing to compromise on the cruise control (would prefer not to). I have seen a few low mileage 2012 plate fiat panda's (new shape).

They have a 1.2L Petrol engine, any reviews on that particular car/engine its not a huge amount of leg room but we have been very happy with our panda so probably just looking to stay with what we know so to speak.

Thanks,

phoenix_w

Cameron1590 wrote: »

They have a 1.2L Petrol engine, any reviews on that particular car/engine its not a huge amount of leg room but we have been very happy with our panda so probably just looking to stay with what we know so to speak.

The FIRE engine is pretty bomb proof so long as you get it serviced regularly. Only thing I've heard (anecdotally) is that since they moved production from Poland to Italy in the late 2000's the build quality isn't as good.

Personally, I'd stick with what you've already got - my 2004 Panda was ridiculously reliable despite being abused by me, only changed it because I was forced by my wife

n15h

foxy-stoat wrote: »

Honda Civic Gen 8 - ticks all or most of your boxes.

I agree - Honda Civic 8th Gen, 07 or 08 plate with decent mileage are reasonably priced. Look for the EX trim models - these come with sat nav, cruise control, heated seats, etc.

wgl2014

If you want a Panda stick with your current car and change when it goes wrong.
In the meantime consider a diesel additive such as https://www.design911.co.uk/mobile/#part;id=126480 use each time you fill up, costs buttons and keeps engine clean.
There are mixed views on additives but I have found the one I linked to is good.