6k budget suggestions

[e92merjay]

Astra 1.6 i VVT

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Does anybody know much about these cars? What’s the engine like? Any thing to look out for?

[ZX10R NIN]

It's a N/A 1.6 utterly reliable but has to be worked, the 1.4T engine is the one to look out for:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[e92merjay]

ZX10R NIN said:

It's a N/A 1.6 utterly reliable but has to be worked, the 1.4T engine is the one to look out for:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

What do you mean by the 1.4t engine is the one to look out for?

[ZX10R NIN]

1.4 Turbo it has more torque (so you don't have to work it as hard) & a bit more power than the 1.6 making it a slightly better drive as well as being a bit better on fuel.

[e92merjay]

ZX10R NIN said:

1.4 Turbo it has more torque (so you don't have to work it as hard) & a bit more power than the 1.6 making it a slightly better drive as well as being a bit better on fuel.

What will the 1.4 engine be like on motorways though? Will i be able to do cruise at 80mph comfortably or will it feel like the engine is being overworked?

[Shifter1]

coldel said:

Never quite understood the UKs obsession with the number 100,000. What happens when it ticks over that number? Some sort of self destruct countdown timer starts? What changed in the time between it having 90k miles and 110k miles?

I would rather buy something on 100k which has a receipt list of all perishables done, perfect service history etc. than something with 50k on it which has a patchy service history and the only other work is in response to MoT fails. Also the high miles are usually a result of motorway cruising, which isn't hard on a car, vs lower miles which could be made up of cold starts, short journey's etc. Mileage is not a representation of car condition.

The great thing about the UK market is that buyers are so obsessed with low mileage (often buying a worse car because of it and overlooking a better and cheaper car with higher miles) that prices are overly inflated for low milers meaning you can negotiate a great price on a higher miler.

Edited by coldel on Monday 29th October 16:55

100% agree here. The mileage doesn't matter. It matters if the car has been taken care of or not and low mileage doesn't telly you that.

[stevekoz]

BMW 's don't have to be expensive, so don't discount them on the basis of one model that was costing you money.

Any car from any brand will cost you money if it goes wrong - there are not guarantees. Doing your homework on history and care and buying right the first time will save you hassle. But, if not, find a good specialist, stay away from main dealers and service it regularly to save any expensive bills from lack of care. But i've paid as much for ford parts as i have for BMW parts. Its a luck of the drawer. The diesels are always more expensive and more fragile if not cared for in a past life (not saying you didn't take care of it, but if it was causing you trouble, someone did something wrong).

So, going back to your OP. You can afford a decent BMW for that money

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Nice, modern (ish), decent poke and a good drive in all honesty. At your money its a good option. Or if that is too small, try its slightly bigger brother

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

If something easy to maintain and cheap and reliable is def your key, then look to the East

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Kia's are cheap to run and maintain and rarely (in my experience) go wrong. A newer model will be less than your budget and offer more kit than perhaps a western alternative.

Likewise Hyundai. Though i'd argue they don't look as "nice". The veloster is something a bit different and not as dreary as your usual box on wheels

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Not going to set the world on fire. But again, ticks the value for money and reliability boxes. As does the i30 as previously mentioned.

Alternatively. Hop back over the continent into something VAG but with a spanish flair

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Leons are good cars. The FR is warm rather than hot. The engine isn't without issue but a cared for one with right maintenance will keep on going.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or if you prefer the Seats cousin you have the inevitable Golf, and no better golf than the GTI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Yes, a 2008 model will see you relatively mid mileage well cared for car. Thats fun, economical, and will go and go if looked after. On the up side you get the handling and performance of a hot hatch and practically of it being a Golf. Could do far worse.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

But don't discount a slightly older car on the basis it won't be reliable. Look at the history and the care not the miles on the clock. Also as mentioned before. A low mileage car driven only on a cold engine short distances racking up maybe 20 or 30 thousand miles in its 10 years will have far more wear than a car with triple the miles on. Its just as big a gamble as buying blind on a high miler. Do your homework and pay care and attention to the elements that warrant it and you should see yourself in any number of decent cars for your money.

good luck

[ZX10R NIN]

e92merjay said:

ZX10R NIN said:

1.4 Turbo it has more torque (so you don't have to work it as hard) & a bit more power than the 1.6 making it a slightly better drive as well as being a bit better on fuel.

What will the 1.4 engine be like on motorways though? Will i be able to do cruise at 80mph comfortably or will it feel like the engine is being overworked?

The 1.4 turbo has more power & torque than the 1.6 naturally aspirated 140bhp vs 113bhp & the extra torque it has will make it a more comfortable cruiser than the 1.6.

If you want a really good motorway Astra try to find the 1.6 turbo (180bhp) version they also have longer gearing so are more suited to motorway work but they're hard to find within your budget.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[e92merjay]

I’ve had a look at people suggestions and the 2 that stand out right now for me are the Astra 1.4 turbo and the Seat Leon although I don’t know which would be the best engine for this? I do like the look of the veloster but I haven’t yet researched that further. And I don’t want another BMW yet because it would have to be an m sport and also a 3litre and that’s out of my budget at this time.

[Test driver]

Gives up rep mobile dreary derv for a pathetic gutless Astra. Have you the wrong website pal?

[e92merjay]

Test driver said:

Gives up rep mobile dreary derv for a pathetic gutless Astra. Have you the wrong website pal?

What’s so bad about an Astra then?

[rsbmw]

ZX10R NIN said:

The 1.4 turbo has more power & torque than the 1.6 naturally aspirated 140bhp vs 113bhp & the extra torque it has will make it a more comfortable cruiser than the 1.6.

If you want a really good motorway Astra try to find the 1.6 turbo (180bhp) version they also have longer gearing so are more suited to motorway work but they're hard to find within your budget.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

The Mrs had a 1.6 Astra, absolutely fking gutless, avoid. In fact, even with a different engine that car would be a yawn fest.

Titanium X focus is a good shout.

[e92merjay]

rsbmw said:

ZX10R NIN said:

The 1.4 turbo has more power & torque than the 1.6 naturally aspirated 140bhp vs 113bhp & the extra torque it has will make it a more comfortable cruiser than the 1.6.

If you want a really good motorway Astra try to find the 1.6 turbo (180bhp) version they also have longer gearing so are more suited to motorway work but they're hard to find within your budget.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

The Mrs had a 1.6 Astra, absolutely fking gutless, avoid. In fact, even with a different engine that car would be a yawn fest.

Titanium X focus is a good shout.

Was it the turbo or non-turbo version?

[rsbmw]

e92merjay said:

Was it the turbo or non-turbo version?

non of course!

[e92merjay]

stevekoz said:

BMW 's don't have to be expensive, so don't discount them on the basis of one model that was costing you money.

Any car from any brand will cost you money if it goes wrong - there are not guarantees. Doing your homework on history and care and buying right the first time will save you hassle. But, if not, find a good specialist, stay away from main dealers and service it regularly to save any expensive bills from lack of care. But i've paid as much for ford parts as i have for BMW parts. Its a luck of the drawer. The diesels are always more expensive and more fragile if not cared for in a past life (not saying you didn't take care of it, but if it was causing you trouble, someone did something wrong).

So, going back to your OP. You can afford a decent BMW for that money

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Nice, modern (ish), decent poke and a good drive in all honesty. At your money its a good option. Or if that is too small, try its slightly bigger brother

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

If something easy to maintain and cheap and reliable is def your key, then look to the East

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Kia's are cheap to run and maintain and rarely (in my experience) go wrong. A newer model will be less than your budget and offer more kit than perhaps a western alternative.

Likewise Hyundai. Though i'd argue they don't look as "nice". The veloster is something a bit different and not as dreary as your usual box on wheels

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Not going to set the world on fire. But again, ticks the value for money and reliability boxes. As does the i30 as previously mentioned.

Alternatively. Hop back over the continent into something VAG but with a spanish flair

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Leons are good cars. The FR is warm rather than hot. The engine isn't without issue but a cared for one with right maintenance will keep on going.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or if you prefer the Seats cousin you have the inevitable Golf, and no better golf than the GTI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Yes, a 2008 model will see you relatively mid mileage well cared for car. Thats fun, economical, and will go and go if looked after. On the up side you get the handling and performance of a hot hatch and practically of it being a Golf. Could do far worse.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

But don't discount a slightly older car on the basis it won't be reliable. Look at the history and the care not the miles on the clock. Also as mentioned before. A low mileage car driven only on a cold engine short distances racking up maybe 20 or 30 thousand miles in its 10 years will have far more wear than a car with triple the miles on. Its just as big a gamble as buying blind on a high miler. Do your homework and pay care and attention to the elements that warrant it and you should see yourself in any number of decent cars for your money.

good luck

I like the look of the Kia Ceed, especially the interior and 6k would get me a 2013 model. Should I be looking at anything in particular with these cars as I don’t know much about them?

[imck]

e92merjay said:

I like the look of the Kia Ceed, especially the interior and 6k would get me a 2013 model. Should I be looking at anything in particular with these cars as I don’t know much about them?

The 1.4 Petrol is under powered. I had an i30 as a Hire Car a few Years ago. Nice enough but not great to drive.
Don't know what the 1.6 Petrol is like.

I had the first Gen 2008 1.6 Diesel for about 6 Years. Great commuting Car. Very reliable. Warranty through Dealers is excellent.
Sold to a Colleague. Now on 160K with very few Problems.

If you go for a Kia, make sure it has full Service History for the 7 Year/100K Warranty.
The one linked looks good and will have at least 1 Year Manufacturer Warranty.

Also had an Astra 1.7D Hire a few Years ago. Thought it was a decent Car.
I would suggest the 1.4 Turbo Astra is worth a Test Drive. Have a look on Evans Halshaw as well as Autotrader, Ebay, etc.

[e92merjay]

What about a Kia Sportage? Anybody had any experience?

[e92merjay]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Opinions??

[kinghottinger]

I drove an Astra (newish) recently, it was alright, well equipped compared to equivalent Focus, and made in England. Another option would be a Megane. Would get a 2010+ low miles for 6k. Similar vintage petrol Civic also fits. I quite like mine.

Edited by kinghottinger on Thursday 1st November 18:38

Edited by kinghottinger on Thursday 1st November 18:39

[coldel]

Sat in a 1.6T Astra that a mate had as a hire car, what a gutless piece of crap. Better off sticking with 320d beemers to be honest. Astra was plastic gutless crap.