£6000 budget - Best bang for buck

[Original Poster]

Hi guys,

I am looking to get a new car in the next couple of weeks, ideally want to spend around £6000. I don't want finance and there is some wriggle room with the budget but £6000 is ideal, as it £5000.

I have an open mind as to what It will be so wide open really, only real necessity is 4/5 door and a big enough boot for the pram.

To give you an idea, I've looked at everything from a Subaru Impreza to a Kia Cee'd SW.

Realistically I want it to do at least 30MPG, I work from home so our mileage is low but 37-28MPG is our bottom line.

Any inspiration for good bang for buck?

[MorganP104]

If you're not bothered about the car being very "PH", then the Ford Mondeo screams bang-for-buck. And the boot is HUGE.

£5k will get you a high-miles 2011 car, or a low-miles 2009 car. Take your pick!

[OverSteery]

Original Poster said:

Hi guys,

I am looking to get a new car in the next couple of weeks, ideally want to spend around £6000. I don't want finance and there is some wriggle room with the budget but £6000 is ideal, as it £5000.

I have an open mind as to what It will be so wide open really, only real necessity is 4/5 door and a big enough boot for the pram.

To give you an idea, I've looked at everything from a Subaru Impreza to a Kia Cee'd SW.

Realistically I want it to do at least 30MPG, I work from home so our mileage is low but 37-28MPG is our bottom line.

Any inspiration for good bang for buck?

HSV GTS

4 door,
huge boot,
30mpg - err maybe if you only drive down hill - but on the other hand V8

http://r.ebay.com/tdxY0D

[ZX10R NIN]

I second the Mondeo choice but you can still choose a PH version in the form of the 2.0T ecoboost engine.

2010 Titanium X Sport 200bhp 63k
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Or the 2.5 Mazda 6

2009 Mazda 6 Sport 53k 170bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2011 Insignia VX Line 51k 220bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

All the above are perfect for family motoring, whilst still retaining a bit of pace.

[GreatGranny]

E90 330i Touring?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

A4 Avant TFSI Qhuattro?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Legacy 2.0 R Tourer?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

[Original Poster]

Thanks guys, the Mondeo and Insignia were both very high up on my lists, the Mondeo wins it I'd say...just!

Off to do a bit of research on those...I'd 'have' to get the 2l turbo with a good spec.

[300bhp/ton]

Original Poster said:

Thanks guys, the Mondeo and Insignia were both very high up on my lists, the Mondeo wins it I'd say...just!

Off to do a bit of research on those...I'd 'have' to get the 2l turbo with a good spec.

Not knocking either of those cars, but to be honest and frank, they are completely boring 'whitegoods' vehicles. And you will loose money on them.

No idea how long you plan to own the vehicle, but 18-24 months down the line, a £6k Mondeo/Insignia will be worth a lot less.

Arguably overall it might be cheaper to run a less economical car that holds it's money better.

For the record, how many miles a month/year are you doing anyway? I know you said you have a minimal mpg requirement, but the reality is, if you aren't doing many miles a month, that a less economical car might only cost you £20-30/month more to run.

It's certainly worth doing the figures.


As for the vehicle itself, what sort of use will it be put too? Do you have any other requirements or wants?

If it's a family vehicle I personally like 4x4's, being higher up means it's easier to lift a child in and out, no stooping over. And children often ride better in a higher up vehicle and you get to see a lot more.

Something like a 3.0 litre CRD Jeep Grand Cherokee for instance. Lots of toys, good spec, comfy and very capable. They aren't 'sporty', but tbh neither are a Mondeo or Insignia. And all 4x4's have a charm about how they drive for the most part.


Lots of other choices out there too, be it a bit of luxury, something sporty, something fast, something rare or something built for adventuring.

[300bhp/ton]

I never once mentioned BMW. So I have no idea what are really on about.

[Original Poster]

Thanks for all your help guys, very much appreciated!

[ZX10R NIN]

Hope you get sorted OP let us know what you get.

[Efbe]

ZX10R NIN said:

2006 325i M Sport Touring 92k 220bhp (similar in spec to the Mainstream Cars)

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

quite like that, though very clocked

[Ahbefive]

Bang for buxk doean't really include insignias and Mondeos.

Impreza, Gti, ST, S3/S4, MPS VXR, R26 etc does.