New Car Advice - £6-7k
Discussion
Hey folks,
Looking for some advice really on getting a new motor.
Been without a car for a few years now but a new job has meant more cash and I really miss having my own set of wheels so I'm looking to get something.
Not looking to spend a fortune, as the topic says up to £7k really, I've been looking at Volvo S40's as they look decent and seem very reliable, but I'm wondering if there's anything else decent in the price I could have a look at.
Would probably prefer a diesel although in the case of the Volvo's I've found I can get a low mileage 3 year old petrol for the same price as an older much higher mileage diesel so I'm open to either.
Nothing I particularly don't like but I wouldn't have a Peugeot... was half wondering if I'd be able to pickup a 3 series in that price range?
Cheers!
Looking for some advice really on getting a new motor.
Been without a car for a few years now but a new job has meant more cash and I really miss having my own set of wheels so I'm looking to get something.
Not looking to spend a fortune, as the topic says up to £7k really, I've been looking at Volvo S40's as they look decent and seem very reliable, but I'm wondering if there's anything else decent in the price I could have a look at.
Would probably prefer a diesel although in the case of the Volvo's I've found I can get a low mileage 3 year old petrol for the same price as an older much higher mileage diesel so I'm open to either.
Nothing I particularly don't like but I wouldn't have a Peugeot... was half wondering if I'd be able to pickup a 3 series in that price range?
Cheers!
You could easily pick up a 3 series within that budget, and there are plenty of more interesting vehicles than an S40 for that price too (although I assume our respective definitions of "interesting" may differ 
)
With regard to getting a petrol or a diesel, what sort of mileage are you expecting to do? The general rule of thumb is that if you do over 15k miles a year or more, diesel will be cheaper to run, less than that and petrol is for you.
How much space do you need etc?
)With regard to getting a petrol or a diesel, what sort of mileage are you expecting to do? The general rule of thumb is that if you do over 15k miles a year or more, diesel will be cheaper to run, less than that and petrol is for you.
How much space do you need etc?
I would love something "interesting" was close to buying an Alfa GT Coupe but if I'm honest I really needed something a bit more practical.
Golf I will certainly consider, had a fair few as hire cars and always found them a good car to drive.
As for mileage, as of right now not a lot probably 10-12k but I'm an IT contractor and while I only work 10 miles away now its not to say that in 6 months I might be going up and down the motorway every week so I think I'd rather cover the possibility off by buying a diesel really...
Golf I will certainly consider, had a fair few as hire cars and always found them a good car to drive.
As for mileage, as of right now not a lot probably 10-12k but I'm an IT contractor and while I only work 10 miles away now its not to say that in 6 months I might be going up and down the motorway every week so I think I'd rather cover the possibility off by buying a diesel really...
Okay then, so interesting diesel that would be good on the motorway. 
Alfa Romeo 159
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3760080.htm
Or if you want something more "sporty", you could look at a Skoda Octavia VRs diesel or Seat Leon FR diesel.
Alfa Romeo 159
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3760080.htm
Or if you want something more "sporty", you could look at a Skoda Octavia VRs diesel or Seat Leon FR diesel.
Codswallop said:
Okay then, so interesting diesel that would be good on the motorway.
Alfa Romeo 159
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3760080.htm
Or if you want something more "sporty", you could look at a Skoda Octavia VRs diesel or Seat Leon FR diesel.
Again nice looking car!! Much to ponder!Alfa Romeo 159
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3760080.htm
Or if you want something more "sporty", you could look at a Skoda Octavia VRs diesel or Seat Leon FR diesel.
chrismscotland said:
Six Fiend said:
I guess I have to suggest the X-type 2.2 Sport Premium (I like X-types but have a petrol)
330d is a fine car too.
X-Type does actually look very nice and from a quick search plenty of them within my price range.330d is a fine car too.
Boot is big and many of the later cars have folding rear seats too.
Six Fiend said:
Cheap to run and cheap to service, nice place to sit in.
Boot is big and many of the later cars have folding rear seats too.
Will take a gander, I'd noticed a lot of Jags at very good prices but assumed it was because they were petrol guzzlers but a lot of the 2.2 Diesels also around the £6.5 - £7k mark as well.Boot is big and many of the later cars have folding rear seats too.
I'd also thought the X-Type would be massive in size but its very similar to the Volvo S60 which I'd been considering.
If its cheap to run (and the MPG figures for the diesel certainly show that) and cheapish to keep going then I'd certainly be interested!
Jw Vw said:
Volvo S60 D5 has to be a choice. All the toys, reliable, comfy, and at your price range will get you a very good one. Saab's, especially the hot versions, are really cheap atm also.
Just missed out on an S60 D5 actually that I did like the look of so I'm certainly keen on one of those.I do really like the SAAB's as well, but I'd heard that due to their bankruptcy getting parts wasn't easy which put me off.
chrismscotland said:
I do really like the SAAB's as well, but I'd heard that due to their bankruptcy getting parts wasn't easy which put me off.
That's mostly scaremongering. As with Rover, other companies took over the parts supply, besides which most parts are generic Fiat or GM, hence readily available.I'm with you on the Alfa however I would also suggest one of these (or possibly a 75 at lower mileage) as a left field entrant.
Surprisingly good considering
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3777221.htm
Surprisingly good considering
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3777221.htm
Codswallop said:
Okay then, so interesting diesel that would be good on the motorway.
Alfa Romeo 159
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3760080.htm
Alfa Romeo 159
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3760080.htm
Well I went around a few dealers today to see what I liked the look of, still keen on the Volvo S40 but a few friends telling me Volvo's are really expensive to maintain and service? Is this the case?
Didn't really like the X-Type, did like a few of the Focus's that I saw (older shape Pre '12) which I know from having driven hire cars for 3 years is a decent enough car to drive.
Also quite liked the new Civic (again not the new new one but the Since 2006 one) but I wondered what they were like for reliability and running? I know Honda are meant to have a cracking rep as far as build and quality goes?
Didn't really like the X-Type, did like a few of the Focus's that I saw (older shape Pre '12) which I know from having driven hire cars for 3 years is a decent enough car to drive.
Also quite liked the new Civic (again not the new new one but the Since 2006 one) but I wondered what they were like for reliability and running? I know Honda are meant to have a cracking rep as far as build and quality goes?
Civic faults:
http://www.civinfo.com/wiki/index.php?title=Faults
Don't be too dishearten by that list - it is one of the most comprehensive single-model forums around.
http://www.civinfo.com/wiki/index.php?title=Faults
Don't be too dishearten by that list - it is one of the most comprehensive single-model forums around.
Well I had a test drive of a 58 plate 2.2 Diesel Civic today and was very impressed with it, 28,000 miles and although its over my initial budget at £9.5k I think thats what I'm going to go for!!
Although I'd maybe seek out one with a higher trim level (better than SE) for some more goodies like Sat Nav and Cruise Control.
Can anyone tell me what the 1.8 petrol is like performance wise v the diesel? I know its going to be less economical but does it perform similarly?
Although I'd maybe seek out one with a higher trim level (better than SE) for some more goodies like Sat Nav and Cruise Control.
Can anyone tell me what the 1.8 petrol is like performance wise v the diesel? I know its going to be less economical but does it perform similarly?
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