Good value 2nd hand 5 door hatchback?

[Deleted User]

We're finally saying goodbye to our old banger (12 year old Nissan Almeira) and looking for a 2 year old (approx), petrol, 5 door hatchback of similar size (i.e. not a super mini). Golf and Focus are too expensive for us (we're looking around £10,000 max). Options on shortlist so far are: Toyota Auris, Hyundai i30, Honda Civic, Vauxhall Astra, Nissan Pulsar, SEAT Leon, Skoda Rapid.

We'll be looking to hang onto it for at least 6-7 years (maybe more) and residual value is not important for us.

I've read the motoring press on them all but wondered if anyone had any feedback on any car on the shortlist, or can think of any we've missed considering before we start the long trawl around dealers?

Thanks.

walwyn1978

You should be able to get a 2015 or even 16 Focus for 10k, there's some on Autotrader, and that's what I'd pick above the rest of the list

agrinnall

I'd buy a Fiesta (OK, I did, twice), I doubt if a 12 year old Almera is significantly bigger than a 2 year old Fiesta.

facade

Vauxhall are desperate to give the meriva away at the moment, as they are replacing it with something that you can drive in your pajamas.
You might get a new one for £10,000.

I was interested in one as a replacement for the dreadful Note, but then I remembered that Vauxhall can't make an engine to save their lives.....

[Deleted User]

walwyn1978 wrote: »

You should be able to get a 2015 or even 16 Focus for 10k, there's some on Autotrader, and that's what I'd pick above the rest of the list

Thanks for this - had a look but can't see a Focus within 50 miles of us for less than £15,000. We're really looking for a low mileage one (min 1.2 engine) that we can hang onto, not thrash, look after and (hopefully) it will last us a long time.

walwyn1978

Fair enough, it obviously depends on where you live.

System

Corona wrote: »

Thanks for this - had a look but can't see a Focus within 50 miles of us for less than £15,000. We're really looking for a low mileage one (min 1.2 engine) that we can hang onto, not thrash, look after and (hopefully) it will last us a long time.

I paid sub £9k for a 2 year old Mondeo.

Up the mileage of the vehicle. Low mileage is actually a bad thing as it means it has either spent long times stood which can result in brake, clutch, bearing issues down the line or done a lot of short journeys which mean a higher wear rate on the whole drive train and things like the exhaust going rustier early because all the condensation never gets burned off.

16000-25000 miles is the range you want to be looking at for a 2 year old car. I bet that opens up a lot more to choose from.

I bought mine with 38,000 miles on which is why it was sub £9k but it still had one year and 22,000 miles left on the warranty which was more than enough. 5 years on its on 122,000 miles and has only had two suspension bushes in all that time. If you do low average mileage, say 8-10,000 a year then buying something a couple of years old with slightly higher than normal mileage and saving a chunk of money doesn't matter because over 6-7 years it'll end up being around where it should be for a vehicle doing average mileage in the UK from new.

[Deleted User]

Tarambor wrote: »

I paid sub £9k for a 2 year old Mondeo.

Up the mileage of the vehicle. Low mileage is actually a bad thing as it means it has either spent long times stood which can result in brake, clutch, bearing issues down the line or done a lot of short journeys which mean a higher wear rate on the whole drive train and things like the exhaust going rustier early because all the condensation never gets burned off.

16000-25000 miles is the range you want to be looking at for a 2 year old car. I bet that opens up a lot more to choose from.

I bought mine with 38,000 miles on which is why it was sub £9k but it still had one year and 22,000 miles left on the warranty which was more than enough. 5 years on its on 122,000 miles and has only had suspension bushes in all that time. If you do low average mileage, say 8-10,000 a year then buying something a couple of years old with slightly higher than normal mileage and saving a chunk of money doesn't matter because over 6-7 years it'll end up being around where it should be for a vehicle doing average mileage in the UK from new.

Thanks - hadn't realised that about low mileage vehicles. That gives us lots more scope.

Something like a Mondeo wouldn't fit on our driveway - hence the need for a medium hatchback (though having looked at comparison measurements, cars are generally getting longer and wider ...!)

LandyAndy

Mazda3 is very much worth a look in that category of car

agrinnall

Corona wrote: »

(though having looked at comparison measurements, cars are generally getting longer and wider ...!)

Which is why I suggested that you look at a Fiesta, I wouldn't be at all surprised to find it's perfectly adequate for your needs, and there are many available for your budget.

Pewmouse

I'd go for the Seat Leon, my 13 year old mk1 is a lovely car and they are surprisingly spacious with a very large boot so I would imagine a newer model is ever better.