Advice needed. Budget of up to 6k

[keke5991]

Hi everyone I’m in need of some advice. Looking for a car that will mainly be used for town driving, 3 miles to and from work each day and the odd motorway drive every month or so. So petrol is a must I think. Coming from a 320d but will be downgrading because of insurance costs. Had my eyes on a Focus 1.6 petrol 125 bhp but I want some more suggestions. Has to be a 4 door. Thanks in advance!!

[Nickp82]

Focus is definitely a good choice and they are lovely to drive. For me personally, the engine feels flat and interior is decent but a tad cheap.

If it was my money I would go for a TSi engined (1.4) Leon as I prefer the looks and the engine has a nice turn of pace.

[DoubleD]

You can get a lot of astra for that kind of cash

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say look for the Focus Titanium in 1.6T 150 form the extra toque from the turbo engine makes it a sweeter drive:

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

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

The next option for me would be the Giulietta Veloce 170:

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

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

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

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

1.4T Astra Limited Edition 140

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

1.6T Astra SRI 180

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

[keke5991]

Nickp82 said:

Focus is definitely a good choice and they are lovely to drive. For me personally, the engine feels flat and interior is decent but a tad cheap.

If it was my money I would go for a TSi engined (1.4) Leon as I prefer the looks and the engine has a nice turn of pace.

I’ve had a look at the Leon’s but I don’t really like the look of the older shape and the newer shapes are out of my budget.

[ElectricSoup]

Mazda 3

[keke5991]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd say look for the Focus Titanium in 1.6T 150 form the extra toque from the turbo engine makes it a sweeter drive:

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

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

The next option for me would be the Giulietta Veloce 170:

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

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

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

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

1.4T Astra Limited Edition 140

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

1.6T Astra SRI 180

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

Don’t the eco boost focus’s have a major problem with something? (Can’t remember what now but it’ll come back to me later) And I do like the look of the 1.6t Astra but then again it’s a Vauxhall and I’m not too sure about them in terms of reliability

[ZX10R NIN]

keke5991 said:

Don’t the eco boost focus’s have a major problem with something? (Can’t remember what now but it’ll come back to me later) And I do like the look of the 1.6t Astra but then again it’s a Vauxhall and I’m not too sure about them in terms of reliability

The Ecoboost issue was with the 1.0T not the 1.6T, the Astra is as reliable as any Golf/Leon etc but the Vauxhall has the bonus (from you the purchasers point of view) of being newer better spec'd & having lower mileage which is a win win in my book.

The best/worst thing with the Vauxhall is badge snobbery.

[ilikejam]

ZX10R NIN said:

keke5991 said:

Don’t the eco boost focus’s have a major problem with something? (Can’t remember what now but it’ll come back to me later) And I do like the look of the 1.6t Astra but then again it’s a Vauxhall and I’m not too sure about them in terms of reliability

The Ecoboost issue was with the 1.0T not the 1.6T, the Astra is as reliable as any Golf/Leon etc but the Vauxhall has the bonus (from you the purchasers point of view) of being newer better spec'd & having lower mileage which is a win win in my book.

The best/worst thing with the Vauxhall is badge snobbery.

I agree that Vauxhall's are great value, but I've owned one and it was god awful. They've worked hard for their reputation IMO

[ZX10R NIN]

ilikejam said:

I agree that Vauxhall's are great value, but I've owned one and it was god awful. They've worked hard for their reputation IMO

You owned one of the Astra's & found it to be bad? I've supplied a fair few of these with this drivetrain & most have found them to be decent cars.

[DoubleD]

ZX10R NIN said:

ilikejam said:

I agree that Vauxhall's are great value, but I've owned one and it was god awful. They've worked hard for their reputation IMO

You owned one of the Astra's & found it to be bad? I've supplied a fair few of these with this drivetrain & most have found them to be decent cars.

Ive heard that this age of astra are well liked

[keke5991]

Stopped looking for a while and now I’m thinking I want a Golf instead. What should I be looking for in particular if I want decent mpg? Any known major isssues on any specific engines etc and what to avoid?

[keke5991]

Does anyone know which engine and year of the Golf has timing chain issues? Finding differing information online..

[ZX10R NIN]

May I ask what made you decide on a Golf?

[keke5991]

ZX10R NIN said:

May I ask what made you decide on a Golf?

I am not completely decided on a Golf and I’m still open to suggestions but I think they do look better than the Focus, Astra etc and they hold value better too

[ZX10R NIN]

keke5991 said:

I am not completely decided on a Golf and I’m still open to suggestions but I think they do look better than the Focus, Astra etc and they hold value better too

That's a common perception that's actually wrong the Golf's were more money new so they're actually depreciating at the same rate as say a Focus & depending on the model they're actually depreciating a little worse than the Focus, the Astra suffers badly from badge snobbery & heavy discounting when new which is why they're great buys used.

I'm not saying don't buy one but don't be fooled by the whole depreciation thing.

[TheJimi]

Aye but equally, if someone has, say, 6k to spend on either a Golf or an Astra, the Golf is much more likely to hold decent residual value as opposed to the Astra.

As a concept, that's more relevant to the buyer at this end of the market than whether or not the cars were over / under priced when new.

IMO

[ZX10R NIN]

TheJimi said:

Aye but equally, if someone has, say, 6k to spend on either a Golf or an Astra, the Golf is much more likely to hold decent residual value as opposed to the Astra.

As a concept, that's more relevant to the buyer at this end of the market than whether or not the cars were over / under priced when new.

IMO

The Vauxhall comparison is true but you get a newer better spec'd car than either the Golf or Focus, if you go Focus vs Golf they depreciate at the same rate there really isn't a difference worth talking about on the used market.

A Golf Match is a good comparison to the Titanium Focus & they're both similar money neither is a bad car I'd probably swing towards the Ford just because it's got an extra 30bhp.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Wednesday 27th March 12:58

[TheJimi]

But would the Astra, while better spec'd, actually be a better car?

I'm not being facetious when I ask that, because I genuinely don't know. My girlfriend is in the market currently, with a similar criteria and muggins here is doing the legwork. I'm wondering if an Astra is worth considering?

Her current car is an '07 Mazda 3 1.6

Edited by TheJimi on Wednesday 27th March 13:20

[ZX10R NIN]

TheJimi said:

But would be the Astra, while better spec'd, actually be a better car?

I'm not being facetious when I ask that, because I genuinely don't know. My girlfriend is in he market currently, with a similar criteria and muggins here is doing the legwork. I'm wondering if an Astra is worth considering?

Her current car is an '07 Mazda 3 1.6.

A better car, I'd say it's pretty much on a par with something like the Golf Matches below as a drive & ownership prospect:

1.4T Golf Match

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

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

1.4T Astra Limited Edition

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

SRI

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

1.4T Giulietta Lusso

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

1.6T Focus Titanium

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

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

All are (2012 or newer) pretty close (the Focus being the best steer) in terms of driving as well as reliability & will depreciate at the same pretty much the same rate.

After that it becomes about spec because at the end of the day you're going to be in it for the next few years so why not have some niceties which is why I'd say the Limited Edition Astra or the Giulietta are the pick from above.