Help me pick a new car for my OH

[Joe M]

How are Citreons nowadays? Always said I wouldnt buy French due to reliability issues, but that was years ago so could have improved a lot? The C4 seems to be a bit of a bargain.

[greggy50]

C4 is a bit st really from experience nowhere near as nice as the Focus to drive...

Leon is not a bad steer typical VAG so over-assisted steering and a bit boring to drive but they are not too bad and I personally prefer the drive to the pool golf. For me Focus is pick of the class still as it drives a lot nicer than the rest and feels pretty chuckable for a medium sized car.

They are getting close to your budget now in 150 eco-boost spec as well and can get them for circa 11.5k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...
If not something like this would be decent 1.8T A3 Sportback decent bit of poke and should do 35mpg easily enough...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

[Sir Fergie]

Joe M said:

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?

Irish Focus Mk 2s in 1.6 petrol came in two power outputs - from memory a 100 ps and a 115 ps unit - not sure if its the same in the Uk or not. Might be worth checking out - unless of course you know the hire cars had the higher output version.

Shame she won't drive a Skoda - 1.8 TSI Octavia has the potential to be quite nice.

Avoid the 170 twincharged version of the 1.4 TSI - they have reputation for giving trouble - can't remember the exact issues but I recall something about timing chains. I can't think if the 140 version of the 1.4 TSI is twin charged or not - if it is - that probably should be avoided as well. Incidentally when I say twincharged - the twincharged version actually has both a supercharger and a turbocharger.

Sir Fergie

[briang9]

Joe M said:

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.

it does come in an estate version too, seen 11 plates for under £7k

[Joe M]

1.6t Focus could definately be an option, slightly over budget as you say, but probably worth paying the extra for. Not sure about the 1.8t Audi, is that the old 1.8t engine that was in mk4 golfs?
Am I beng silly not considering diesels? Majority of driving will be 2-3mile school and shop runs with the occasional longer journey. A 1.6 turbo diesel would open up so many more options for Focus and VAG cars.

[greggy50]

Joe M said:

1.6t Focus could definately be an option, slightly over budget as you say, but probably worth paying the extra for. Not sure about the 1.8t Audi, is that the old 1.8t engine that was in mk4 golfs?
Am I beng silly not considering diesels? Majority of driving will be 2-3mile school and shop runs with the occasional longer journey. A 1.6 turbo diesel would open up so many more options for Focus and VAG cars.

Yes the normal 1.6 is quite an old engine and can date back to the original focus whereas the ecoboost is meant to be okay although I have one drive the diesel myself.

1.8t is a tfsi so more related to the new golf gti engine and doesn't have anything to do with the mk4 golf engine I believe.

No don't get a diesel you were correct initially as they are not worth the hassle for the shorter journeys you will be doing where a petrol car makes more sense a well as being cheaper to buy and service.

[greggy50]

Also how about a mini clubman I know you said no estates but it's not exactly a run of the mill one and the wife may like it...

Also fun to drive in cooper s spec and pretty good on fuel

Oh and you can remap them to well over 200bhp if you want!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

[R1gtr]

If it was me buying a car of this type and could not go for the high powered petrol engine I would go for the diesel every time.
My mother has a new 1.4 Astra, nice to look at, comfy, nice inside, spacious, refined....but the engine is shocking way too puny for a modern heavy car. I have in comparison driven one with the turbo diesel lump in it, much better to drive, cheaper to tax, more economical and faster.

[Joe M]

I agree with you about small NA petrols in modern cars, but really don't think diseasel is the way to go. Journeys are too short and the usual reasons a lot of ph'ers don't like diesel apply.
Seems small to mid range turbo petrol is the way to go, and the VAG 1.4Tsi 120ish bhp version seems to make the most sense. Just a case of finding the right Golf/Leon/A3 I think.
Proper car shopping/viewing will happen from Wednesday when I get back from Sea

[Joe M]

What are the 5dr 1 Series BMW's like for space? Been in a few new ones but from my understanding the original was smaller/less practical?

[greggy50]

They are st smaller in the back than a fiesta I found

[R1gtr]

Joe M said:

What are the 5dr 1 Series BMW's like for space? Been in a few new ones but from my understanding the original was smaller/less practical?

I have heard that, I think you would be better off with the Leon/Golf/A3 and especially if it will be used every day in winter, BMW's are rubbish in the snow.

[Joe M]

Leon is the winner, found one online, went to see and drive it yesterday, good trade in price as it was a Seat dealer and we pick it up next week. Its a white 1.4Tsi Sport facelift. Bit softer than the Ibiza, steering not as sharp, probably mostly down to the tyres, but its more comfortable and has the space we need.

[va1o]

Excellent choice

I'm very happy with my 1.4 TSI Leon, really good cars IMO.