Question: £8,000 for my first car, what do I get?

[KingOfZanzibar]

Hi guys,

First-timer here in need of a little advice. I'm looking to buy my first car and I have around £8K to spend. I'm 31 (don't ask) and want something with a little style, as well as practicality. I'm happy to buy used.

What should I buy?

[FN2TypeR]

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

A bit o' haggling/extra saving will see you in this beauty.

[jonvw84]

Old Volvo 240/740

Built like tanks, almost bulletproof reliability and relatively easy to fix when they go wrong

[Lee540]

KingOfZanzibar said:

Hi guys,

First-timer here in need of a little advice. I'm looking to buy my first car and I have around £8K to spend. I'm 31 (don't ask) and want something with a little style, as well as practicality. I'm happy to buy used.

What should I buy?

Dacia Sandero Stepway

[Berkshire bred]

FN2TypeR said:

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

A bit o' haggling/extra saving will see you in this beauty.

Brave man to buy that although it is beautiful. Maybe get a mint low miles 350z or a reasonable s2000. Or look down the classic route and if your lucky you might even make a profit. Also welcome to the forum.

[KingOfZanzibar]

Dacia and Rolls Royce?...

Come on guys, I need your help!

[andy43]

Nice Roller, but honestly, for real style and grace it has to be a V12


/thread

[treeroy]

can you be like.. a bit more specific? 8000 is a lot and you can get quite a few different cars...

when you say "practical" do you mean it needs to be 5 door estate? It needs a boot but no back seats? What are you after? How old? What mileage?

[KingOfZanzibar]

5 door preferable, hatchback would be ideal because we have on street parking only. Ideally it'd have less than 40K miles on the clock.

[Integroo]

This has been one of the least helpful threads I have ever seen in this forum ...

8k, practical so you are probably thinking hatchback or estate, a little bit of style.

(EDIT: I pulled this list together before seeing you would prefer hatchback over estate and sub-40k miles but hopefully gives some ideas).

Ford Mondeo 2.0 Titanium X

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

Mercedes-Benz C Class C200K Estate Elegance

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

BMW 3 Series 3.0 325i M Sport Touring

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

Mazda 6 2.0 TS2 Estate

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

[KingOfZanzibar]

That's more like it, thank you!

If you had to pick hatchback, £8K, bit of style, what would it be?

BMW 1 series, Audi A1, Golf?

[Trevor555]

For £8000 I'd buy a later shape Skoda Fabia 1.2 Tsi SE version.

Nippy and economical, small so easy to park, £20 road tax, great dealers, SE equipment includes Collision avoidance braking, rear park sensors, leather steering wheel, aircon, alloys, up to date infotainment, Bolero sound system.....

Unless you need something bigger, or more stylish of course.

[Integroo]

KingOfZanzibar said:

That's more like it, thank you!

If you had to pick hatchback, £8K, bit of style, what would it be?

BMW 1 series, Audi A1, Golf?

Personally, none of the above. Have you considered the Alfa Romeo Guilleta or the Mazda 3?

[KingOfZanzibar]

Love the look of the Alfa, but will it have the reliability of a German rival?

[GiveItSomeWellie]

andy43 said:

Nice Roller, but honestly, for real style and grace it has to be a V12


/thread

[Lee540]

KingOfZanzibar said:

Dacia and Rolls Royce?...

Come on guys, I need your help!

Dacia Duster

[Trevor555]

KingOfZanzibar said:

Love the look of the Alfa, but will it have the reliability of a German rival?

Alfas are pot luck, some are reliable enough, some cost a fortune in repairs.

I've been selling German cars for years, they're not as reliable as one might expect.

Jap stuff is the most reliable if you're looking at an older car.

£8000 for a 10 year old sporty or luxury car you'll be into some big repair bills if something goes wrong. Something that a new driver may not factor in.

[Lee540]

KingOfZanzibar said:

Dacia and Rolls Royce?...

Come on guys, I need your help!

I bought a Mk6 Golf 1.4 TSi well within budget last year.. 5dr, looks cool, goes well and German

[Integroo]

Trevor555 said:

KingOfZanzibar said:

Love the look of the Alfa, but will it have the reliability of a German rival?

Alfas are pot luck, some are reliable enough, some cost a fortune in repairs.

I've been selling German cars for years, they're not as reliable as one might expect.

Jap stuff is the most reliable if you're looking at an older car.

£8000 for a 10 year old sporty or luxury car you'll be into some big repair bills if something goes wrong. Something that a new driver may not factor in.

I don't have personal experience, but I understand that the Guilleta is reasonably solid. I also agree that I don't think BMW/MB/Audi are as solid as some people may think.

[treeroy]

KingOfZanzibar said:

Love the look of the Alfa, but will it have the reliability of a German rival?

In the What Car 2017 reliability survey, Alfa Romeo came #5 behind only some japanese manufacturers. Ahead of all the German ones.

5. Alfa Romeo
12. Audi
13. Skoda
17. BMW
21. Seat
22. VW