Best car to get for 7/8k?

[Wowgal]

Hi all

I'm looking into getting a new car and have about 8k max to spend, maybe 8.5k.
I'm wondering if you could all offer me some advice on which car might best suit my needs.

I use it mainly to commute to work which is an hours commute (16 miles each way) through outer London. So I would like something a bit more economical than my current car as I do around 250-300 miles per week.
I also use the car every few months to take a trip back home up north, about a 300 mile journey.

I just got a hire car this morning as mine is in the garage, its a 2009 Seat Ibiza, not sure what engine, I think 1.2. I quite like it, and it seems you can get a ones that are a year old for around 7.5k. I'm just not sure if this is a good option for me?

Appreciate any input!
Thanks

[slomax]

One of the later 1.6 diesel Citroen C4. Pretty spritely for a small diesel, low tax, and if you drive it carefully will do A LOT of MPG. My mum is getting about 65mpg out of hers.

[dickbastardly]

Hi
I am in the same boat so to speak!
I also like the look of the Seat Ibiza but also the Leon.
I am also looking at the Honda Civic ES but not sure if to go for the 1.8 i-VTEC or the 2.2 i-CTDI diesel?
Anyone driven both?
Cheers
Andy

[miniman]

£8k will easily get you into a decent E39 530d which will be an infinitely nicer place in which to commute.

[Wowgal]

Is the E39 530d a BMW? Can't say I love them to be honest!

Yes I also quite like the Leon. Which one is better, the Ibiza or the Leon? Hmm.

Does anyone have any feedback on the seats? is a 1.2 engine ok for commuting or should I go for something a bit punchier?

Thank You

[slomax]

Wowgal said:

Is the E39 530d a BMW?

...... you're joking right?

GTFO.... now

I jest, I jest. But seriously....

Edited by slomax on Monday 25th October 21:56

[chrisispringles]

Have you thought about a Volvo S60/V70 D5. Not exactly fun to drive, but the seats are incredibly good, the ride is smooth, the engine is fairly quiet and punchy and £8k will get you a pretty tidy one with all. A hatchback may be economical and a bit of a laugh, but they aren't quiet or relaxing and surely thats what you need from a commuting car.

S60 D5

V70 D5

[miniman]

OK my wife has a 3-cyl 1.2 Fabia which is essentially the same car as the Seat Ibiza / VW Polo. It is fine around town, fairly nippy in fact. But on the motorway, although it will cruise at 80 quite happily it gets a bit noisy and there's nothing left grunt-wise.

[boolay]

If you like the Ibiza, go for the PD 130 OR 160 (FR/Cupra respectively)

[ludicrous speed]

For 8.5k you could get a dc5 Integra Type-R...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2180246.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2173017.htm

It might be more economical than your current car, but without knowing what that is, it's quite hard to tell.

[Wowgal]

lol @ ludicrous speed, not sure either of those are quite my style!

Thanks for the replies so far.

Having driven the Ibiza to work this morning, it does seem great for being around town but I think I'll need at least a 1.4 or 1.6 to have a bit of grunt down the motorway. Any suggestions? I quite like 5 door hatchback's..

[HellDiver]

Wowgal said:

I quite like 5 door hatchback's..

5 door hatchback's what?

How about a Fabia? You'd get a decent spec one for that money, maybe even a late old model vRS if you look hard enough.

[ludicrous speed]

OK so you don't like the integra but don't get something too dull..

ST170? Way under your budget so save the rest for fuel..
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2155112.htm

that one has the nice leather recaro's and everything, personally i'd get a 3 door and try and find one a bit cheaper but it's gotta be better than some P.O.S. seat

[teen_cerbera]

How about something like this?:
Mercedes C180 Coupe

[300bhp/ton]

Wowgal said:

Hi all

I'm looking into getting a new car and have about 8k max to spend, maybe 8.5k.
I'm wondering if you could all offer me some advice on which car might best suit my needs.

I use it mainly to commute to work which is an hours commute (16 miles each way) through outer London. So I would like something a bit more economical than my current car as I do around 250-300 miles per week.
I also use the car every few months to take a trip back home up north, about a 300 mile journey.

I just got a hire car this morning as mine is in the garage, its a 2009 Seat Ibiza, not sure what engine, I think 1.2. I quite like it, and it seems you can get a ones that are a year old for around 7.5k. I'm just not sure if this is a good option for me?

Appreciate any input!
Thanks

Having trouble working out your distance. 32 miles a day, even 7 days a week is only 224 miles, but only 160 miles for 5 days.

For 250-300 miles a week you must do a lot of non commuting miles too. If so, how important are they to you and on what sort of roads.

Also do you enjoy driving or do you see a car as more of a utility?

No offense meant, but I can't really see how a SEAT 1.2 is anything remotely interesting, not for £8k+.

Not saying it's a bad car or its wrong to have one. But it is IMO about as far away from motoring enthusiasm as you can get.

£8k will get you a lot of motorcar. If you want fun and frugal then an S1 Elise, smart Roadster Brabus or MK3.5 MX-5 are all affordable.

If you want comfort then a diesel X-Type or Alfa Romeo have to be more comfy interesting options than a SEAT.

If you don't mind something different you could run a BMW, Merc, Jag or Lexus on LPG. Good cost per mile and a lap of luxury so far removed from a SEAT that you wouldn't believe.

If you want to stick more hatchy style, how about a Honda Integra Type R DC5 or a MINI CS. Some good BMW options too, and £8.5k might get you an e30 M3. Slightly compromised, but a lot of fun, practical and it'll gain in value.

I know all of these are a long way from a newish 1.2 SEAT. But in reality there is no reason to own such a mundane car if you are a car enthusiast.

[300bhp/ton]

Wowgal said:

lol @ ludicrous speed, not sure either of those are quite my style!

Thanks for the replies so far.

Having driven the Ibiza to work this morning, it does seem great for being around town but I think I'll need at least a 1.4 or 1.6 to have a bit of grunt down the motorway. Any suggestions? I quite like 5 door hatchback's..

you DON'T need grunt for a motorway!

[300bhp/ton]

doogz said:

300bhp/ton said:

Wowgal said:

Hi all

I'm looking into getting a new car and have about 8k max to spend, maybe 8.5k.
I'm wondering if you could all offer me some advice on which car might best suit my needs.

I use it mainly to commute to work which is an hours commute (16 miles each way) through outer London. So I would like something a bit more economical than my current car as I do around 250-300 miles per week.
I also use the car every few months to take a trip back home up north, about a 300 mile journey.

I just got a hire car this morning as mine is in the garage, its a 2009 Seat Ibiza, not sure what engine, I think 1.2. I quite like it, and it seems you can get a ones that are a year old for around 7.5k. I'm just not sure if this is a good option for me?

Appreciate any input!
Thanks

Having trouble working out your distance. 32 miles a day, even 7 days a week is only 224 miles, but only 160 miles for 5 days.

For 250-300 miles a week you must do a lot of non commuting miles too. If so, how important are they to you and on what sort of roads.

Also do you enjoy driving or do you see a car as more of a utility?

No offense meant, but I can't really see how a SEAT 1.2 is anything remotely interesting, not for £8k+.

Not saying it's a bad car or its wrong to have one. But it is IMO about as far away from motoring enthusiasm as you can get.

£8k will get you a lot of motorcar. If you want fun and frugal then an S1 Elise, smart Roadster Brabus or MK3.5 MX-5 are all affordable.

If you want comfort then a diesel X-Type or Alfa Romeo have to be more comfy interesting options than a SEAT.

If you don't mind something different you could run a BMW, Merc, Jag or Lexus on LPG. Good cost per mile and a lap of luxury so far removed from a SEAT that you wouldn't believe.

If you want to stick more hatchy style, how about a Honda Integra Type R DC5 or a MINI CS. Some good BMW options too, and £8.5k might get you an e30 M3. Slightly compromised, but a lot of fun, practical and it'll gain in value.

I know all of these are a long way from a newish 1.2 SEAT. But in reality there is no reason to own such a mundane car if you are a car enthusiast.

As much as i agree with you for a bit of a change, i think you're barking up the wrong tree here.

I suspect so too

[teen_cerbera]

doogz said:

As much as i agree with you for a bit of a change, i think you're barking up the wrong tree here.

I think hes in the wrong woods.

[B.J.W]

Buy a 1.2 Seat Ibiza Hatchback.

I hear the 5 door version adds some added practicality.



My work here is done.

[Wowgal]

Thanks for the great replies everyone!

You're right, I do quite a few non commuting miles as well during the week. I play sports 5 times a week, 3 of those journey are just local 7/8 miles each way, but on the weekends I could be going to a match a good hours drive away.

To be honest, I'm not a massive fan of driving and I do see it more as a means to get from A to B. I have had my current car (ford fiesta freestyle, 2002) for about 5 years now and as I get older I just want something that feels a bit more comfy and a bit safer if that makes sense.

I much prefer the look of a 3 door hatch, but we are planning to start a family soon so 3 doors makes it a bit awkward I think.

Seems to be alot of support for a Fabia, I'm off to go and have a look at those now!

Thanks again