Which of these two cars would you buy?

PurpleStripedSocks

We are needing a new family friendly car after our 2004 small hatchback has become uneconomical to repair.
Which of these two cars would you go for an why? Both are £4000.
1) 2011 Vauxhall Astra (old design). Basic spec. Full dealer service history, one family owner, 62k miles. New mot and service. 1.4litre.
2) 2012 Nissan Note. Top spec. Full service history. 2 owners. 72k mile. New mot , service and brake pads. 1.4litre.

I'd be grateful for your opinions!
Thankyou

davidwood681

IMO, go for the Astra

PurpleStripedSocks

Thank you David, why is that if you don't mind elaborating?

agrinnall

Why only those two? There will be thousands of cars at that price within a reasonable distance (unless you live somewhere like Shetland or the Scilly Isles) and I wouldn't buy either of those over a decent Fiesta or Focus (depending on what size you want).

PurpleStripedSocks

Because I'm clueless about cars and this is the best I could come up with! I thought I'd found some good ones haha. We're also carless at the moment so could only travel a long distance if we were pretty much decided on a specific car x

laidbackgjr

What's your current car - I think what's confusing in the selection of those two cars is that the Astra and Note are not particularly similar cars, the Astra is a good conventional family hatchback and the Note is a supermini class car, although quite a big one it's still significantly smaller than an Astra.

PurpleStripedSocks

Our current car is a Hyundai Getz. Only 3 doors so any 5 door car would make my life easier getting my son in and out of a rear facing car seat!

PurpleStripedSocks

When I looked at a note it did seem to have more rear seat passenger and boot space than the Astra but I didn't see both side by side! Maybe the note's height made it seem taller.

neilmcl

There's 2 things you need to decide upon, exactly what type of car are you looking for, forget makes just focus on what you want from the car, the size, the type of usage etc. Then the second, and most important thing is; what is your absolute maximum budget?

lisa110rry

Allowing for comment on just these two cars, I would find out (google) whether they have timing belts or timing chains. If belts, I would investigate at what mileage replacement is recommended (again google) and then specifically ask to see evidence that this has been done. Some cars recommend replacement at just over 50,000 miles.

(If timing chains, less critical. I have just sold my 2002 Honda CR-V with 153,000 miles and the chain was not replaced in all that time because the trusted mechanic said I would hear it before it went and there would be time to mend it. My 1999 SLK has a chain, 100,000 miles and the chain has not been replaced for the same reason.)

PurpleStripedSocks

Both of these models have timing chains which is handy.

Our absolute max budget is £4k.

What do we want?
- 5 doors
- reliable
- cheapish to run
- enough space for a buggy in the boot and an extended-rear facing car seat in the back.

I know there are no guarantees with used car but just want something that'll last us 3 or 4 years. We do about 8k miles a year.