Lease going back, what car next?

[Shominy]

So, it's getting to that time when the period left on my lease is <6 months so I need to start thinking about what to do next.

Currently I have a Seat Ibiza 1.2 FR which is on a 1+23 at £149 a month for 5k miles a year. I thought the deal was more than decent at the time and still do but it's time to move on.

Budget is up to £10k or £200-£225 a month on a lease amortised. I am definitely leaning more towards buying as it offers more choice and I'm not piling miles onto the car making its value drop more than it usually would.

I still do the same 5000 miles so don't need a diesel.

Requirements are:

Petrol
4 or 5 doors
Bigger boot than the Ibiza
Preferably a bit more power (150bhp+ ideally but not a must)

I've looked at just about everything available and am leaning towards a Mk2 facelift Octavia VRS. Mk3 out of reach for £10k but a bit less should buy a 2010+ model with reasonable mileage.

Others I've strongly considered have been a Leon 1.4TSI, a Mazda3, a Honda Civic or the Alfa Giulietta. They can all be had for under £10k and all 2014/15 models so a bit newer as well and with a high spec.

Is there anything I've missed or anything which I should definitely be getting or avoiding?

[Shominy]

Anyone?

[GreatGranny]

I think the VRS is a good choice.

Heard that the interior isn't that robust and seats mark easily but nothing else.

Decent power from a proven engine.
Lots of space and they look good IMO.

Or what about a Golf GTI?

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

[Shominy]

GreatGranny said:

I think the VRS is a good choice.

Heard that the interior isn't that robust and seats mark easily but nothing else.

Decent power from a proven engine.
Lots of space and they look good IMO.

Or what about a Golf GTI?

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

Yeah, I've looked at pretty much everything and the VRS stands out the most. I don't mind the Golf but don't like it as much as the VRS.

Main toss up is between something fancier or with more performance but older or slightly newer but a bit more boggo. I'd also looked at e90 3 series and the Lexus IS250. The 3 series in 4 cylinder guise seems to be not very popular and almost everyone thinks there's no point unless you go for the 6 pot. The IS250 is bulletproof but might be a bit thirsty and I'd be getting an oldish car for the same price I could get a 14/15 plate Civic/Mazda.

[rustyuk]

You won't be able to order a GTI. I have been trying for the last week or so.

[GreatGranny]

rustyuk said:

You won't be able to order a GTI. I have been trying for the last week or so.

He's looking for a 2nd hand car not new :-)

[MissChief]

Focus mk3 Ecoboost 182? https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Octavia VRS an obvious choice, as it Golf GTI but the Skoda always seems way better VFM.

Edited by MissChief on Wednesday 12th September 13:18

[Shominy]

MissChief said:

Focus mk3 Ecoboost 182? https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Octavia VRS an obvious choice, as it Golf GTI but the Skoda always seems way better VFM.

Edited by MissChief on Wednesday 12th September 13:18

A good shout. I had looked at the Focus before and had considered both the mk3 and the mk2.5 ST which by all accounts is supposed to be pretty nice with the 5 cylinder engine. Always thought that the non-ST Focus was a pretty poor spec and you have to bypass the Zetec and go to at least Titanium spec to get anything near the toys you get on a lot of other cars from lower down in their respective trim levels. The one you linked to is a very nicely specced one, mind!

Would you go with the mk3 or a nice mk2.5 ST? I imagine I could get a reasonable mk2.5 ST for a fair bit less than £10k?

[MissChief]

Shominy said:

MissChief said:

Focus mk3 Ecoboost 182? https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Octavia VRS an obvious choice, as it Golf GTI but the Skoda always seems way better VFM.

Edited by MissChief on Wednesday 12th September 13:18

A good shout. I had looked at the Focus before and had considered both the mk3 and the mk2.5 ST which by all accounts is supposed to be pretty nice with the 5 cylinder engine. Always thought that the non-ST Focus was a pretty poor spec and you have to bypass the Zetec and go to at least Titanium spec to get anything near the toys you get on a lot of other cars from lower down in their respective trim levels. The one you linked to is a very nicely specced one, mind!

Would you go with the mk3 or a nice mk2.5 ST? I imagine I could get a reasonable mk2.5 ST for a fair bit less than £10k?

You certainly will get a facelift Mk 2 ST-3 for less than 10k. One of the first I saw but go in with your eyes open with Mk.2 ST's. They have inherent issues with the engine, most of which are likely sorted already but might not be. They also have terrible economy, struggling to top 35MPG even on a long run. Compare this to the 1.6 Ecoboost 182 I linked to above. I have the 182 Zetec S and I have managed close to 45MPG on a long run down from Scotland to Silverstone and I wasn't hanging about as we left 3 hours early!

[Shominy]

MissChief said:

You certainly will get a facelift Mk 2 ST-3 for less than 10k. One of the first I saw but go in with your eyes open with Mk.2 ST's. They have inherent issues with the engine, most of which are likely sorted already but might not be. They also have terrible economy, struggling to top 35MPG even on a long run. Compare this to the 1.6 Ecoboost 182 I linked to above. I have the 182 Zetec S and I have managed close to 45MPG on a long run down from Scotland to Silverstone and I wasn't hanging about as we left 3 hours early!

Thanks. I'd heard that the fuel economy was far from brilliant. The difference would only be a couple of hundred quid over the course of a year with the miles I do but it's still something I'd consider. The Zetec S definitely looks the best; is there anything spec-wise that you miss? I'm not massively fussed about top, top spec but I would like to retain most of what I have now which includes auto lights and wipers, sat nav and bluetooth.

[MissChief]

Shominy said:

MissChief said:

You certainly will get a facelift Mk 2 ST-3 for less than 10k. One of the first I saw but go in with your eyes open with Mk.2 ST's. They have inherent issues with the engine, most of which are likely sorted already but might not be. They also have terrible economy, struggling to top 35MPG even on a long run. Compare this to the 1.6 Ecoboost 182 I linked to above. I have the 182 Zetec S and I have managed close to 45MPG on a long run down from Scotland to Silverstone and I wasn't hanging about as we left 3 hours early!

Thanks. I'd heard that the fuel economy was far from brilliant. The difference would only be a couple of hundred quid over the course of a year with the miles I do but it's still something I'd consider. The Zetec S definitely looks the best; is there anything spec-wise that you miss? I'm not massively fussed about top, top spec but I would like to retain most of what I have now which includes auto lights and wipers, sat nav and bluetooth.

About the only things I'd like on my Zetec S (And I did a Readers Cars post about it) are Climate Control, Cruise Control and maybe all round electric windows. The ZS only has them in the front and old fashioned windy ones in the back. Even my previous 2004 Leon Cupra had electric windows all round! Sat Nav would have been a nice extra but like many systems once it's 3-4 years old it's out of date.

[Shominy]

MissChief said:

About the only things I'd like on my Zetec S (And I did a Readers Cars post about it) are Climate Control, Cruise Control and maybe all round electric windows. The ZS only has them in the front and old fashioned windy ones in the back. Even my previous 2004 Leon Cupra had electric windows all round! Sat Nav would have been a nice extra but like many systems once it's 3-4 years old it's out of date.

Just checked out your reader's car thread, sounds like you were in a very similar situation to me now. I feel the same in that the ZS looks much better but misses out on a fair few toys. I'd definitely prefer climate control and cruise than not. Auto lights is what I'd miss the most if I didn't have them I think which sounds ridiculous!
It seems like prices have not come down at all in the 2 years it's been since you bought yours when it comes to anything petrol with a reasonable sized engine. They might have even gone up!

[MissChief]

Mine was a private sale and he'd reduced the price a couple of times already.

[MaxSo]

Watch out for timing chain tensioner problems on VAG 2.0 TSI cars - older TFSI may be a better bet - get an ED30 GTI.

[Alucidnation]

MaxSo said:

Watch out for timing chain tensioner problems on VAG 2.0 TSI cars - older TFSI may be a better bet - get an ED30 GTI.

Pre 2012.

[MaxSo]

Alucidnation said:

MaxSo said:

Watch out for timing chain tensioner problems on VAG 2.0 TSI cars - older TFSI may be a better bet - get an ED30 GTI.

Pre 2012.

Yeah £10k budget probably means only pre 2012 examples would be affordable I think - but could be mistaken

Ah, also, just rembered VAG decided to call the TSI in the Skoda a TFSI - just to confuse matters some more.

I'd think about a nice well looked after Ed30 OP - at 5k miles at year I cant see you losing much if any in depreciation on one of those.

Edited by MaxSo on Thursday 13th September 07:59

Edited by MaxSo on Thursday 13th September 08:00

[Shominy]

MaxSo said:

Yeah £10k budget probably means only pre 2012 examples would be affordable I think - but could be mistaken

Ah, also, just rembered VAG decided to call the TSI in the Skoda a TFSI - just to confuse matters some more.

I'd think about a nice well looked after Ed30 OP - at 5k miles at year I cant see you losing much if any in depreciation on one of those.

I do like the mk5 Golf GTI so that's definitely a possibility. At the moment it's really just a toss up between something newer with more toys but probably not as fun against something older, hopefully cheaper but will probably not much value. Just need to make sure I find something with a good history.

[Herbs]

Plenty of choice for that budget.

Personally i'd be looking at something a Mercedes A class, BMW 1 Series (not sure on boot size of these) or Golf as they will feel more premium than a SEAT and all drive well.

You're even into 3/5 series, A5 money if you wanted bigger.

[Shominy]

Herbs said:

Plenty of choice for that budget.

Personally i'd be looking at something a Mercedes A class, BMW 1 Series (not sure on boot size of these) or Golf as they will feel more premium than a SEAT and all drive well.

You're even into 3/5 series, A5 money if you wanted bigger.

I've been in a friend's 2017 BMW 1 Series a fair few times and, whilst nice, it's not really something I'd be willing to pay a lot more to get into. I'd still have one but I think the engine would be the deciding factor. A Class Merc just doesn't interest me.

I'd have something 3 Series sized but probably not much bigger. I've heard that the 4 pot petrols are not great and that 6 cylinders is really what you should be aiming for?
Audi A5 I don't like but the A4 I do like. Don't know if it's just me but the B8 A4s all seem really poorly specced compared to a lot of what else is out there for a similar price. A lot of it is paying for the badge I imagine but not having bluetooth audio streaming, parking sensors and even cruise control on some models is a bit poor for a premium saloon made from 2008 onwards if you ask me!

[Andy665]

Herbs said:

Plenty of choice for that budget.

Personally i'd be looking at something a Mercedes A class, BMW 1 Series (not sure on boot size of these) or Golf as they will feel more premium than a SEAT and all drive well.

You're even into 3/5 series, A5 money if you wanted bigger.

Having gone from an M135i to a Leon Cupra 4 months ago I can say without hesitation that the Seat is better built out of higher quality materials than the BMW