Help me pick a new car for my OH

[Joe M]

Ok, at the moment the oh has an '09 Seat Ibiza 1.6 3dr. Its an ok car but with an 8yr old and now a baby on the way we need something bigger, criteria as follows:

Reasonably new, needs ISOFIX
Got about 10'000 to spend
5 doors
Decent on fuel, the Ibiza sits at about 30-35mpg.
Probably not a diesel, worried about dpf problems as it will do a lot of short journeys.
She flat out refuses to drive an estate or mpv style car.

My thoughts at the moment are a Focus of some sort, Ecoboost would be ideal but a bit out of budget. Ive had a few 1.6's as hire cars and the engine was a let down in them. The 1.6tdci's ive drove would be fine but ive mentioned reasons not to get a diesel above.
Next in line would be a Golf, mk6 with the 1.4tsi engine. Should be a good drive and efficient, as well as being suitable for shorter journeys? Again, had the older 1.6 engine petrols on hire and wasnt impressed with the engine.

Should I just save a few grand and get her a mk5 GTI and keep the extra cash for fuel?

Any thoughts/recommendations?

[greggy50]

Would she consider a 3 series? Get a nice 330 for 10k

[R1gtr]

Nissan juke

[va1o]

Golf 1.4 TSI sounds like a good option, I'd recommend test driving one. I've currently got a Leon with the same engine and have been very impressed with it. It has enough performance to feel quick but it benefits from low running costs and good fuel economy. The best bit is its not a dreary and tedious diesel.

For maximum space look at the Golf Plus, bit rarer on the used market but also cheaper.

[briang9]

A newer 5 door Ibiza perhaps?

[Joe M]

Golf is probably my favorite out of all of them just now, she keeps saying womanly things like "but its got a smaller engine than the Ibiza" kinda given up trying to explain the differences in power delivery and performance with turbo engines, will just need to make her drive one.
Not keen on the 330 for 2 reasons, running costs for her, I don't want to be spending on it other than the purchase price, and I also quite fancy getting a 335 or M3 for myself in the near future.
Juke is an interesting suggestion, aren't they pretty small inside though and can they be had for that price? I haven't had a proper look at one since they were first released.

[talksthetalk]

Or you could stay spanish and get the Leon FR TFSI. With the same engine as the golf GTI, you don't pay Golf premium and get a different dashboard (different not better, never liked the mk5 dash to be honest, YMMV)
Or (ahem) a Cupra
Sorry to put ideas of 240bhp in the frame
Biased as I had an Fr TDI.
But I preferred it to the two golfs I had before.

[R1gtr]

Joe M said:

Juke is an interesting suggestion, aren't they pretty small inside though and can they be had for that price? I haven't had a proper look at one since they were first released.

Not sure to be honest, you would have to go see if it meets your needs, I see it as a pretty cool thing that you prob would not mind borrowing off the missus, much cooler than the usual car choice for the missus I.e mini,golf, people carrier etc

[Joe M]

5dr Ibiza won't be any bigger, extra doors would help but I think we would struggle to get much in the boot with the pram, if it even fits.

[vit4]

It's quite possible that it only affected the earlier engines, but I'm sure I remember the 1.4TSI engines having serious oil consumption issues?

[va1o]

vit4 said:

It's quite possible that it only affected the earlier engines, but I'm sure I remember the 1.4TSI engines having serious oil consumption issues?

Tends to only affect the higher-powered twincharged version. The 122PS turbo-only is generally fine

[Joe M]

Got a definite no on the Juke..
Think the VAG 1.4 comes in a lowish powered turbo only version, the higher powered turbo and supercharged one had the oil issues? Its the lower powered one we would be looking at.
She does like the Leons, but I think an FR could be too much on fuel/ running costs, like the GTI I half jokingly mentioned.

[R1gtr]

Renault Megane? I would have said Octavia Rs but if the missus said no to a Juke I can't imagine her going near a Skoda

[Joe M]

What are the new Fiestas like inside? Bigger than the Ibiza or similar?

[Joe M]

Think I would get a similar reaction for Skoda. Not keen on the Meganes unless it's RenaultSport model, and for me, not her.

[va1o]

Joe M said:

Got a definite no on the Juke..
Think the VAG 1.4 comes in a lowish powered turbo only version, the higher powered turbo and supercharged one had the oil issues? Its the lower powered one we would be looking at.
She does like the Leons, but I think an FR could be too much on fuel/ running costs, like the GTI I half jokingly mentioned.

You can get the Leon FR with the 1.4 TSI in 125PS form. £10k would just about get you a 61-plate

Joe M said:

What are the new Fiestas like inside? Bigger than the Ibiza or similar?

A little more room for backseat passengers but the boot is the same size and overall dimensions similar

[vit4]

va1o said:

vit4 said:

It's quite possible that it only affected the earlier engines, but I'm sure I remember the 1.4TSI engines having serious oil consumption issues?

Tends to only affect the higher-powered twincharged version. The 122PS turbo-only is generally fine

Ahh right, cheers for clearing that up I'll be curious to see how the rest of these new small forced-induction petrol engines hold up over time though, in particular the 1.0 Ecoboost.

[R1gtr]

How about a 2-3 year old Audi A3, you can get 3 or 5 door plus plenty of engine choice, the S-line ones look pretty nice.

[Benrad]

Citreon C4? Love mine (although it's a derv and for mile munching duties i'd imagine it would fit your bill well)

[Joe M]

Leon and A3 with the 1.4Tsi engine are both good shouts that she would go for.
Seen a good deal on nearly new Leons in the 1.2Tsi Copa model, I drove a Polo with that engine and liked it, but think the Leon might be a bit heavy for it.