What Car?, sorry in advance.(for my brother)

[SteellFJ]

My younger Brothers turned to me for some guidance on a new car, he's treating himself after passing his Charter Accountancy Exams last month.

Being a bean counter he is being tight on Budget (£9000) and needs something that will give him good mileage for the next 3/4 years.

His brief is as follows:

• Diesel
• <3yrs old if possible
• Low(ish) miles <<40k if possible.

He is in Liverpool so car within 20 miles of here maybe further for the right car.

I've tried to have the budget expanded slightly or the age allowance opened up a bit but so far not sure he will budge.

The car can be 3/4/5 door small/medium sized hatch or saloon like Golfs or Volvo S40s, but really need some more help on this.

I'm trying to sway him to a 2007 1 series with 50k+ on it but not budging.


HELP please.......

[SlowV6]

Probably head towards a diesel Golf. Being an accountant your brother will appreciate the strong residual values.

What annual mileage does he do? Does he actually need a diesel?

Not meaning to be rude but HonestJohn forums might yield more interest for a "what £9k diesel hatchback.." thread than PH.

[Bohally]

Mondeo?

Would certainly look the part in the work car park.

Edit:Just realised it is sold... DOH!

[dav123a]

If he doesn't want anything interesting Golf/astra/focus would seem to fit the bill.

[Zad]

Interesting 2-tone colour scheme going on between the front and rear doors of that Mondeo!

[Scootersp]

Geez, I've autotrader'd those criteria and there is some seriously mundane options in there with little to get excited about.

What has he got now out of interest?

[nct001]

Get him a half price Golf TDI...

2010 Hyundai I20 diesel

36k miles
from a main dealer
upto 70mpg


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

[aspirated]

I'd be tempted by this

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

or this with a little haggling

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

[BlueMR2]

Go take him to drive a nice 928 S4.

See what he thinks about older cars after that.

[Rawwr]

With that criteria, I'm guessing your brother doesn't really give a sh*t about cars so just tell him to get whichever grey tedious box you first see when you open the pages to Depression Monthly magazine with a special centrefold pull-out on nooses.

[Matt UK]

Rawwr said:

With that criteria, I'm guessing your brother doesn't really give a sh*t about cars so just tell him to get whichever grey tedious box you first see when you open the pages to Depression Monthly magazine with a special centrefold pull-out on nooses.

Do you know what, I agree.

He says Golf or S40 - fine, get one, they are both adequate cars.

Or a Megane, or a Focus, or an Auris, or a Peugot, or a... basically whatever dealer is near to home and is polite to you when you visit.

I fear this thread would be the parody of me mentioning to my brother I need a new fridge - he eagerly scampers off to 'FridgeHeads - Chilling matters' and returns exhausted having had plenty of debate, comparisons, legwork, arguments, etc.
I'd smile, say I'll consider his views and still wander into my nearest Currys and buy the one nearest the door.

[SteellFJ]

Scootersp said:

Geez, I've autotrader'd those criteria and there is some seriously mundane options in there with little to get excited about.

What has he got now out of interest?

He's currently in a 1.0 corsa.

As mentioned the criteria make for some poor reading, which is why I need your help!

[BE57 TOY]

What about PCP on a new car? He wouldn't need to put the £9k down then...

[Kolbenkopp]

Matt UK said:

I fear this thread would be the parody of me mentioning to my brother I need a new fridge - he eagerly scampers off to 'FridgeHeads - Chilling matters' and returns exhausted having had plenty of debate, comparisons, legwork, arguments, etc.

Also if we suggest something exotic is it going to be our/your fault if there's anything wrong with the thing the next three years? If you pick something from a brand with perceived high reliability, at least you can avoid that sort of discussion. Send him to VAG (Polo, Fabia, Golf, Octavia) or Toyota (Yaris, Auris).

Or, if you see a tiny chance he can be saved, try talking him out of the Diesel and let him have a go in an Abarth 500 or Swift Sport?

[Matt UK]

Kolbenkopp said:

Also if we suggest something exotic is it going to be our/your fault if there's anything wrong with the thing the next three years? If you pick something from a brand with perceived high reliability, at least you can avoid that sort of discussion. Send him to VAG (Polo, Fabia, Golf, Octavia) or Toyota (Yaris, Auris).

Or, if you see a tiny chance he can be saved, try talking him out of the Diesel and let him have a go in an Abarth 500 or Swift Sport?

Agreed. When I get asked about this sort of stuff I tend to post a link to what car / honest john with a cheery "Have fun! "

[SteellFJ]

BE57 TOY said:

What about PCP on a new car? He wouldn't need to put the £9k down then...

I suggested PCP but he was not really into that idea and the mileage restrictions on some of them are terrible when doing 15-20k a year.

He's seen a 1.6 TDI Golf in Lookers Liverpool that he's going to have a look at later.

I Believe this one: http://www.lookers.co.uk/vauxhall/used-cars/129348...

I've only ever driven my mums 2.0 TDI which was pokey enough and he drives like an accountant would so should be enough for him in a 1.6 lump.

Thanks for all the responses.

[Kolbenkopp]

SteellFJ said:

He's seen a 1.6 TDI Golf in Lookers Liverpool that he's going to have a look at later.
---
Thanks for all the responses.

Honestly, sounds like a good match. Not much top end but torque is OK, the car is black (always a plus ) and has sensible options. Fairly classless thing that should provide good service and age well enough.

Nothing noted to go wrong on that engine / model combo, at least according to the independent reference @ http://www.michaelneuhaus.de/golf6/golf6-probleme.... (sorry German only). They mention a partial recall, apparently some ECUs were replaced at VW's cost for problems with starting in very cold weather, so perhaps something to look out for. Only thing: at that price I'd insist the dealer's detailing crew get the rear seats done before buying.

[robsa]

If he's doing under about 12k a year I believe the usual logic is don't get a diesel. A Golf would be a good choice, although I don't know much about them.

Allow me, if I can, to suggest these wildly inappropriate but gorgeous cars (what would his insuarnace be on one of these?!)

I would get him to look at one of these little babies:



http://goo.gl/z5fXjL

Only 7 grand too!

Or this one, only 36k:



http://goo.gl/6CKksV

Up for £8990....

Edited by robsa on Monday 30th September 22:37