What car - £6k

[onfirealot]

I'm looking for a new car at the moment, as someone wrote off my Civic Sport (05), I'm really not sure what to go for, so looking for some advice.

I'm putting some more money towards a car to get something a bit newer than my Honda, which can hopefully give me a couple of a good years motoring. My commute is only 2 miles (hoping to get out on my bike, but waiting for summer, not the most confident on it) but most weekends I do a motorway round trip of 200 miles (sometimes more). Also, I'm potentially looking at longer trips next year (mainland Europe), but not 100% sure.

Other things I'm looking for:
Something I can fit a couple of big bags (100 ltr) in, not bothered about getting people in the back
Reasonable MPG - Got 41mpg average with my Civic, mostly motorway miles. Would prefare something north of this.
Reliable
Not a barge (I like my hatchbacks; AX, 106, Saxo, Civic)
Nothing crazy insurance wise (1 fault about to exceed 5 years and now a non-fault claim) 27 yo.

Cars I've been looking at, but not test driven:
Fiesta mk7 1.6 Zetec S <60k on the clock
Volvo 1.6/2.0D C30 <100k on the clock

I can't think of any other cars that I can afford or fit the bill (or that I like :P). If anyone has any suggestions that'd be greatly appreciated.

[Bonefish Blues]

Clio Trophy

ETA
Actually scrub that - it'll get close to the mpg, but only be a little newer than your old car, so if those things are important, then not one to consider.

...you'd be missing out, mind

Edited by Bonefish Blues on Tuesday 25th November 21:20

[Willy Nilly]

The newest Jazz your £6,000 will buy. You'll being doing well to get that down to 41mpg.

[Matttracker]

C30 R design is a lovely looking car if in your budget

[talksthetorque]

You're going to love or hate this suggestion.

MINI Clubmans are now dipping below 5k.

[TonyF55]

Yaris 1.8SR

[onfirealot]

I've been avoiding Renaults, as I didn't think they were any good. Not the case? Actually looking at that one, might be a bit more expensive to run.

Jazz, not a fan.

Clubmans... not bad, didn't realise that they had been out for so long.

Yaris, I'll have a look.

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

[FraMac]

Willy Nilly said:

The newest Jazz your £6,000 will buy.

Yoda watch. Can you feel the force.....

[onfirealot]

I'll discount the Clio then

Just looking at the normal Mini Coopers, didn't realise the price had dropped that much. There are probably a lot of cars I'm over looking as I'm assuming the cost will be too much.

[Sidewindow]

Mk5 Golf GTI - competent all-rounder and 41mpg is possible on a run. Comfortable over long distances, fun when you want it to be, boring when you don't!

[R2T2]

onfirealot said:

I've been avoiding Renaults, as I didn't think they were any good. Not the case? Actually looking at that one, might be a bit more expensive to run.

Jazz, not a fan.

Clubmans... not bad, didn't realise that they had been out for so long.

Yaris, I'll have a look.

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

I've been loaned a 51plate laguna whilst my car is in for repairs and it drives great and everything works. Not much more I can say about it other than it's got 90k's on it, and drives great.

[iloveboost]

If you want 40mpg don't listen to people saying they get it from a 2.0. Unless you do long journeys crusing at about 50mph everywhere you'll get mid-thirties driving slowly. I think a Volvo C30 would be a bit dull but have as you're considering a Fiesta 1.6 Ti-VCT I'd test drive that first. The engine is meant to be good and the look quite good but honestly I've no idea what they're like to drive. Focus Mk2 is ok but the Volvo C30 is meant to be squishier than that. Looks nice though from rear angles and I think the interior is nicer.
I'd also consider a diesel FR Ibiza as they are relatively reliable, very economical and look sporty. If you like cars that handle better than average maybe a Swift Sport? I like the Swift Sport but it's just a bit worse than a Fiesta ST in many ways. It's more economical though so if that's important then maybe a Swift Sport is the car for you. If insurances is a factor I'd get some insurance quotes before you look at a car as prices can vary a bit from what the insurance groups suggest.

Edited by iloveboost on Wednesday 26th November 12:59

[anonymous-user]

Sidewindow said:

Mk5 Golf GTI - competent all-rounder and 41mpg is possible on a run. Comfortable over long distances, fun when you want it to be, boring when you don't!

This, though I can recall seeing 41mpg once in a total of 6 years ownership. Other than that a superb all rounder.

[Sidewindow]

I get over 40mpg easily on a motorway run, long term average is 37mpg which includes London driving. Running on super unleaded. Still another option for the OP to look at and decent value for money at £6k.

[anonymous-user]

Sidewindow said:

I get over 40mpg easily on a motorway run, long term average is 37mpg which includes London driving. Running on super unleaded. Still another option for the OP to look at and decent value for money at £6k.

Out of interest, what year/engine code is your car? Mine was a 2006 with an AXX engine.

[Sidewindow]

andrewparker said:

Out of interest, what year/engine code is your car? Mine was a 2006 with an AXX engine.

2007 with BWA engine.

[nickofh]

What about a Mazda 3 ?

In petrol should be solidly reliable, apparently decent to drive and I think good value.

2010 Available with 55k for less than £5000.00

I would personally fancy one with the Bose sound system.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

[stargazer30]

+1 on the Zetec S mk7 or the swift sport. I've been considering these two to replace my immaculate FN2, now am doing 5000 miles more per year and can no longer afford 23mpg.

Did you know they did a 133bhp Zetec S, as a pre runner to the ST. Good economy with nippy sub 9 secs 0-60....

[onfirealot]

So I test drove the C30 and the Fiesta to see what they were like.

I lol'd when I saw the boot of the C30, I knew it was small, but it was tiny. Really comfortable to drive and would love to own one one day, but not really suitable for I would use it for.

The Fiesta was better boot wise, it was a nice drive, had a nice bit of speed (for me). But I wasn't really liking the interior and the drive wasn't as comfortable. I probably made a mistake taking the C30 out first, as they are so nice.

Since then I've started to look at Minis, in particular the Cooper. Boot isn't too tiny and the fact that the seat fold down level is pretty good. The drive was nice and had all the features that I wanted, have seen that the visibility pack add heated front windows as well. Very nice to drive as well, reminded me of the VTR but with stiffer suspension.

But I am seeing posts and comments about the R56 engines going, but not really sure if that is the Cooper or the Cooper S, or both. Are these to be avoided?

[JonnyxM]

Mk5 GTi could possibly fall short on your MPG criteria. Though I can get 40+mpg on a longer run. Depends how far you drive.. obviously.

I picked my 06 plate, 55k on the clocks for under your budget.