Another what car poll...5-Door runaround for the better half

[Burnham]

Looking to spend up to £6,000 for a safe reliable family car for my OH. I had wanted to get a Panda 100HP, but I dont think the space is enough for us as we are planning on keeping it for a while and it may need to be big enough to take a dog/kid and associated kit at some point!

Seen a few good examples of the above, all relatively low miles for the year, with the VW coming out at slightly higher milage...

Any others I may have missed? I dont really want anything French/Italian/Spanish.

I've not got much experience when it comes to shopping cars, so any advice would be appreciated!

[Rammy76]

Out of interest, isn't the Ford Focus one car that should be on that list too?

[kambites]

Focus, Octavia, Leon (it's more German than Spanish), C'eed, A3?

ETA: 1-series or slightly older 3-series?

Edited by kambites on Tuesday 4th October 18:14

[Burnham]

OK, added the Focus..though it was not on my shortlist.

[Burnham]

kambites said:

Focus, Octavia, Leon (it's more German than Spanish), C'eed, A3?

ETA: 1-series or slightly older 3-series?

A3 would ideally need to be a sportback, but they are a little too pricey (this is coming out of my Morgan 3-Wheeler fund!). BMW 1Series I found a little harsh on suspension, and it would need to be leggier and older model(as you said). Although my OH is Czech and would probabbly go for a Skoda, the Octavia is probbably to big for her, likewise the 3-Series. C'eed..they eat dog in Korea. SEAT? Maybe...added!

[JollyGrnMonster]

Golf tdi 05 plate 50+mpg

[Burnham]

JollyGrnMonster said:

Golf tdi 05 plate 50+mpg

I'd like to opt for the golf but we'd have to get a higher milage car. That said she only does about 5k miles a year...kind of makes paying a premium for the tdi a waste though.

Cheers for the votes folks.

[Chrisw666]

Your budget should get a 2007 or 2008 focus, or a similar age Toyota Auris. Neither are exciting but both should be reliable and good enough for the job asked.

[Benbay001]

I can sell you a lovely Focus (2007), not currently up for sale, but i would consider it. just under 30k otc
Fantastic condition, not a 1.6, but a 1.8 petrol. Just been serviced. Anygood? message me if you want to know more.
If not, i can thoroughly recommend them, great cars. Quite wide though.
P.s. Its a Zetec with the climate pack.

[300bhp/ton]

Burnham said:

Looking to spend up to £6,000 for a safe reliable family car for my OH. I had wanted to get a Panda 100HP, but I dont think the space is enough for us as we are planning on keeping it for a while and it may need to be big enough to take a dog/kid and associated kit at some point!

Seen a few good examples of the above, all relatively low miles for the year, with the VW coming out at slightly higher milage...

Any others I may have missed? I dont really want anything French/Italian/Spanish.

I've not got much experience when it comes to shopping cars, so any advice would be appreciated!

Honda CR-V more room and a better family car. Will keep you/her mobile all hear round too.

[Burnham]

Benbay001 said:

I can sell you a lovely Focus (2007), not currently up for sale, but i would consider it. just under 30k otc
Fantastic condition, not a 1.6, but a 1.8 petrol. Just been serviced. Anygood? message me if you want to know more.
If not, i can thoroughly recommend them, great cars. Quite wide though.
P.s. Its a Zetec with the climate pack.

Cheers Ben, the current snotter will have to go before the end of the month (tax and MOT are up, and it's on it's last legs)...will check insurance for her on a 1.8, can't imagine it will make a big difference over a 1.6. My folks are in Sturminster Newton so could pop in to see it if convenient. Will drop you a PM!

[Burnham]

300bhp/ton said:

Honda CR-V more room and a better family car. Will keep you/her mobile all hear round too.

The CR-V was one of my first thoughts (my Aunt raves about hers, she's had 2)....just a little too big for what my girlfriend needs though, and also top of budget. It would look good alongside my RRS though, the ecowarriors would have kittens

[Benbay001]

Burnham said:

Cheers Ben, the current snotter will have to go before the end of the month (tax and MOT are up, and it's on it's last legs)...will check insurance for her on a 1.8, can't imagine it will make a big difference over a 1.6. My folks are in Sturminster Newton so could pop in to see it if convenient. Will drop you a PM!

Wow, ideally local. Ok, im in no big rush to sell, so she can go whenever.

[va1o]

Golf, Focus or Leon are the three to look at IMO. I'd be tempted to say the VW is best since it has the nicest interior, and the 1.6 FSI is a bit more powerful than the older 1.6 units used in the Focus and Leon, plus its the only one with a 6-speed gearbox.

[va1o]

Burnham said:

JollyGrnMonster said:

Golf tdi 05 plate 50+mpg

I'd like to opt for the golf but we'd have to get a higher milage car. That said she only does about 5k miles a year...kind of makes paying a premium for the tdi a waste though.

Diesel a complete waste of time at that mileage, and second hand Golf TDis at that end of the market can be a nightmare.

[billzeebub]

Golf..

[Burnham]

OK, Focus it is!

Tomorrow we are going to look at a 2008 (so facelift) 1.6 Zetec with AC, 45k miles one the clock, one owner...close to top of the budget (is that not always the way?!).

Other half is going hyper, and I'm looking forward to it myself too.

Thanks all

(PS Ben, I've sent you a PM!)