Astra/Focus size car recommendations

swansea_lad

Any recommendations for a Astra/Focus size car up to 7k?

I was looking at a Fiat Tipo as they are good value. I have even considered a Suzuki Baleno, as fairly roomy inside.

tommyedinburgh

Toyota Auris. 

[Deleted User]

Driving profile would help.

Goudy

Suzuki cars seem to end up in fairly high insurance groups.
Your average spec and engined Astra is between 6 and 8, the Baleno is between 11 and 16, if you fancy one check some quotes first.
The Baleno and Swift which it's based on do drive rather well and are pretty reliable, but they do tend to have a fair bit of noise intrusion into the cabin as the body work is fairly light and tinny.

The Tipo 1.4 is a fairly robust engine that's been around a good while with very few problems, though they do suffer their fair share of electrical gremlins, also fit and finish can be pretty poor.
A lower spec model without some of the fancy electronics might be worthwhile if it's cheap enough.

Something from Kia or Hyundai might suit, though the Auris isn't a bad shout.
The Kia Ceed or a Hyundai i30 tend to to be pretty popular and with your budget you'll be look at some cars just coming out of their long manufacturers warranties, so will have been in the dealer network for servicing and repairs pretty much all of their life.

The Astra, Focus tend to very nearly dominate this segment of the market as they have most angles covered, low insurance groups, cheapish service and repair costs and a fairly flooded market so you won't have to look hard for one.they can have their problems though.

Oddly the Golf tops this segment out even though they aren't too cheap which ever way you look at them, though you'll likely end up with something a little bit older on your budget.

Stubod

..Octavia???

hollie.weimeraner

Toyota Auris, bit bland but great cars.  I've just swapped to EV from my Auris tourer (Hybrid) and it was faultless for 5 years

sheramber

Skoda Fabia - a Golf by another name and cheaper.

lemondrops69

I'd say an Astra or Focus

Ditzy_Mitzy

lemondrops69 said:

I'd say an Astra or Focus

I'd also say the same, without a hint of flippancy.  The Fiat Tipo is actually Turkish and the Suzuki Baleno made in India; both are cheap, disposable cars geared towards the third world that just happened to be sold here.  Toyota and Nissan tend to be slightly stodgier and more boring than the Focus/Astra cars they seek to emulate.  The Koreans haven't quite got there as regards driving experience; the driving controls, clutches and steering, tend to be vague and mushy feeling and interior plastics can be on the cheap side.  You get a lot for the money, though, if you don't care about that sort of thing.  Skoda?  No idea!

The Mk2 Focus is better than the Mk3 in all sorts of ways.  I'd buy a late facelift Mk2 and pocket the balance, although you'll have to watch out for rust; diesel engines are old fashioned, 1.8 and 2.0 petrols are quite good and there's always the ST.  The equivalent Astra is a nice car to drive, feels solid and is sharply styled.  Bad points are irritating indicator stalks that don't lock in the 'on' position and are hard to cancel, and an ergonomically poor gear lever for those with small hands.  

Have you thought about the Mazda 3?  They're the same as the Focus underneath, so will drive as well, but you can get newer ones with the old (good) Mazda engines that were dropped from the Focus itself when the Mk3 debuted.  Not sure about build quality.  I used to have a much older Mazda and it was much better to drive than other Japanese cars I have experienced.

Grandad2b

Ditzy_Mitzy said:

The Mk2 Focus is better than the Mk3 in all sorts of ways.  I'd buy a late facelift Mk2 and pocket the balance, although you'll have to watch out for rust; diesel engines are old fashioned, 1.8 and 2.0 petrols are quite good and there's always the ST.  

I'm looking to replace my 12 year old Focus diesel estate and thinking maybe another Focus so this is nice to read. Of course, you have to be aware that the diesels won't be ULEZ compliant whereas the petrol version probably will. There are no ULEZs planned near me so the vastly better fuel economy and cheap road tax of the Mk2 diesel make sense. I've had no problems with rust (touch wood) in 8 years and 110,000 miles.

Grumpy_chap

swansea_lad said:

Any recommendations for a Astra/Focus size car up to 7k?

I was looking at a Fiat Tipo as they are good value. I have even considered a Suzuki Baleno, as fairly roomy inside.

In this range of cars, personal preference is really the deciding factor and the options are vast.

On that basis, the Focus would be my choice, but that does not make the Focus better.  I just like the Focus.

If not a Focus, and looking for "more pound for my buck", the Tipo is actually a good alternative, well equipped, spacious though does seem to have lower powered engine options and less sprightly.  That, also, does not make a bad car, just a different choice with different preferences / priorities in what a car needs to do.

The other car that is always well-reviewed and seems to be widely recommended is the Octavia.  Well built, more spacious than most in the class and reliable.  Not the value proposition that people of a certain vintage will associate with the brand, though - my Nephew is currently looking for one and they are jolly pricey.  No doubt a fan will say that is evidence of their quality.