Cheap 5 Door Car (Suggestions)

[John2502]

Hi all.

So, will be looking for a cheap (under about £1200 ish) 5 door car that vaguely satisfies my petrolhead....ness.

A guy i know has a really nice red W plate 30K miles Alfa 156 which I would love to buy (I've had a "bad" Alfa before) but I know this car well and it is immaculate and never goes wrong it seems- but they can be picked up really cheap.

Any suggestions? Criteria:
-Under £1200
--5 Door
- Relatively safe in back seat (1 year old will need to be taken about in this)
- Interesting enough to satisfy my "want" factor

Cheers!

John

[Tuvra]

T5 Volvo of some sort. C70 maybe?

[Calmchap]

When buying at this end of the market, it's more important to buy on condition rather than to look for a specific brand/model.

If the Alfa checks out, that'll be as good a buy as any. Worth checking the Euro NCAP scores to get an ide for roughly how safe it is.

A Toyota Avensis can be had for around that money and when it was launched, had a five star Euro NCAP rating.

[Cupramax]

OP said 5 door, Tuvra suggests C70...

PH at its finest, perhaps MX5? Engage brain before typing.

[waynedear]

I use a fiat Bravo 1.4 as my daily, 5 doors and spacious, it has certainly grown on me.

[Dr Interceptor]

Mondeo with a V6 petrol engine in Ghia X trim.

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[kieranblenk]

If I was in the market for a cheap family car I would initially look for a Rover 75/MG ZT V6 saloon or estate is a hatch is a must. If you can look past the image they are tremendous value for money. If that's a bit big then a Mk1 Leon of some variety.

[Tuvra]

Cupramax said:

OP said 5 door, Tuvra suggests C70...

PH at its finest, perhaps MX5? Engage brain before typing.

I actually hate people who do that too!! I completely forgot the 5 door part when thinking about a potential T5!

I'll try again, Volvo T5 of some sort, S60 maybe?

[Bonefish Blues]

Tuvra said:

I actually hate people who do that too!! I completely forgot the 5 door part when thinking about a potential T5!

I'll try again, Volvo T5 of some sort, S60 maybe?

You're not helping yourself, you know

[Tuvra]

Bonefish Blues said:

You're not helping yourself, you know

Good point, fk it, get a V70!

Actually, add on a Saab 9-5 HOT Turbo estate. I had one as a shed and it was hilariously quick (in a straight line), was brilliant tearing apart £35k Diesel Merc's, Audi's & BMW's

Also very well specced, hugely comfortable and being cheap you'll have a lot of choice at £1,200

[Bonefish Blues]

Now you're getting the hang of it!

Agree with the Ovlov, less so the Saab - ours got very baggy indeed.

[John2502]

Cheers guys! definitely on the list now are:
Alfa 156 (although would have to be THAT one)
T5
MG ZT
Saab 9-5

The Bravo and Mondeo don't do anything for me i'm afraid, and a mate who has 2 Leons both constantly ruining his bank balance has put me off a bit.

[Dr Interceptor]

Over the £1200 prerequisite, but worth a haggle... £1250 cash?

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

[mx5ian]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-52-FORD-FOCUS-ST-17...
I always liked the mk1 Ford Focus ST170, this ones is 5 door and under £600.00! It does have a short MOT, its MOT history doesn't look to bad might need a couple of bottom arms this year.

[Tuvra]

mx5ian said:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-52-FORD-FOCUS-ST-17...
I always liked the mk1 Ford Focus ST170, this ones is 5 door and under £600.00! It does have a short MOT, its MOT history doesn't look to bad might need a couple of bottom arms this year.

Wern't they a bit st though?!?