Yes.. another "I need help choosing a car" thread

[Brettoll]

Hello PH'ers,

So I have a bit of a dilemma.. in the process of getting rid of my Peuget 508sw as I can't warrant having such a large car on finance anymore (it is only driven a few evenings and at weekends).

Really don't want to take out finance on another car as saving for a house, so looking to spend around £2000 tops on a reliable and safe to ship the kids about car (that is still fun to drive). I have had a few budget runners in the past (Audi A4 estate - fun but expensive to fix, MG ZS - again fun but a bit boy racer, Proton Wira - clutch and gearbox so scrap) and I have a few ideas, but really would like to know honest users experiences/advice/alternatives to the following:

• VW Golf
• Ford Focus
• Seat Leon
• Honda Civic

Cheers,

Brett

Edited by Brettoll on Tuesday 26th July 16:33

Edited by Brettoll on Friday 29th July 10:30

[MajorMajor76]

Personally I would say all of those options are getting a bit past it by now and would be looking for something more modern. Given that the main criteria you state are safe for the kids and reliable, at that money I would be looking at Hondas. Plenty of mid 2000s Civics/Accords around for that sort of cash, petrols are the best bet for reliability.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...



Diesel if you would prefer:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...


All if it was my money, obviously, you may have more wants on your wishlist

[Brettoll]

Good shout! This is why forums are useful.

Cheers

[RS Grant]

Agree with the Honda suggestion.

A friend of mine was in a bit of a state financially/personally a few years ago and needed a cheap but reliable car to ferry her to/from work and her wee boy to/from nursery along with all the usual day-to-day running around. She had around £1000 to spend and I found her a 2004 Honda Civic SE Executive 5dr with ~85k miles on it for £1250. This was 4 years ago and the car was still going strong when she traded it in a few weeks ago with ~135k miles on it.

- it's well specced for that type of car with full heated leather, electric windows/sunroof/mirrors, climate control, etc.
- it's got a 1.6 VTEC petrol engine that is fast enough to keep up with traffic and returned >40mpg average for her.
- it's flown through each MOT without any horrific surprises; just the odd tyre, bulb, etc.
- it's very spacious for a wee hatchback, carries a childs buggy and associated crap in the boot and the rear has a completely flat floor (no transmission tunnel) which makes movement far easier for strapping kids in etc.

...they're starting to knock on a wee bit now so there'll be a bit less choice perhaps, but I think you could easily get a low-ish miles/full history version that's in decent cosmetic order for your budget.


Cheers,
Grant

[steve-5snwi]

Out of those 4 my only choice would be the focus, they drive well and to be honest 2k would possibly get you a mk2 focus or even a cmax. However if you want something safe and quick I would be looking at a 9-5 aero.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the Focus ST would be a good shout as well as a good steer.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

In case you need four doors

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[Brettoll]

Cheers for the responses everyone!

Perusing the internet now for some deals

[Howard-]

I'd feel ripped off if I paid £2k and ended up with any of the cars in the OP tbh - they're all old cars that can be had for a few hundred quid or closer to a grand. None of them will be 'reliable and fun to drive' either, except perhaps for the Focus.

Honda Civic or some sort of Toyota is the best bet here if you're on a budget and need dependable transport.