20k a year, hatchback, pushchair friendly, 2010 onwards-£6k?

[mikeyr]

So this isn't going to be an exciting what car but...

Friend at work travels about 20k a year (weekday commute) and has the following requirements:

- Impressive real world MPG (diesel or petrol)
- Manual
- Reliable
- Less then 60,000 miles
- Built from 2010 onwards
- Trade only
- Something from the Focus sized sector, no saloons
- Budget preferably under £7k
- Anything with ISOFIX/DAB/Bluetooth is a bonus!


How it drives isn't that important, handling very much secondary consideration but it needs enough power to not make dual carriageway driving a drag. Servicing costs are not so important to them. They don't want to buy privately so trade only. Comfort not that high a factor either surprisingly, previously they ran the same journey in an older style Kia Ceed.

So far they like the look of the Focus, 308 and Astra diesels from around the 2010-2013 period - all of which seem to be in plentiful supply. Anything else worth making it onto their radar? They live fairly rurally so needs to be something mainstream so they can find local examples.

[ilikejam]

Alfa Giulietta 1.4TB for something a little more interesting

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

[ZX10R NIN]

The Astra is the VFM car to go for & in Elite trim they come loaded with pretty much everything you're looking for:

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

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

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

[mikeyr]

Thanks both. Alfa not for them sadly. Astra seen common and cheap (good thing) so easy to locate one.

Any thoughts on reliability?

Edited by mikeyr on Thursday 21st March 22:36

[ZX10R NIN]

mikeyr said:

Thanks both. Alfa not for them sadly. Astra seen common and cheap (good thing) so easy to locate one.

Any thoughts on reliability?

Edited by mikeyr on Thursday 21st March 22:36

Reliability is very good, the only thing I say to all potential buyers is to get an engine flush every other service as the pick up pipe can get clogged due to long service intervals, this isn't specifically a Vauxhall thing but they're susceptible to this.

[Red 4]

If they like the Focus then have a look at the Japanese Focus.

It's called a Mazda 3.

2.0 is a better drive than the 1.6 but relatively rare.

Chain driven, good build quality, all the toys on Takuya trim level and above.

2.0 Sport Nav would be my choice.

MPG isn't great though. Expect mid 30s for mixed driving.

[hyphen]

Get a small pram like a YoYo+, then every car is puschair friendly!

[mikeyr]

hyphen said:

Get a small pram like a YoYo+, then every car is puschair friendly!

Agreed but think the paraphernalia of daily life and need for tip runs etc dictates size to them.

Will add Mazda to list for them.

A five year fiat 500l has come up in budget with the 1.3 diesel, good spec and full history. Any good?

[mikeyr]

Just to bring closure they've just texted to say they decided to change plans and buy a Yaris! So that's that sorted.

[anonymous-user]

Surprised nobody has added an Octavia on to the list. As soon as you say hatchback, practical and ‘Focus class’ etc, only one car can boast a 500litre boot with seats up.

[Nickbrapp]

ZX10R NIN said:

The Astra is the VFM car to go for & in Elite trim they come loaded with pretty much everything you're looking for:

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

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

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

God no! I have a Astra as a company car and cover about 20k a year, it’s given me cronic hip and back pain, so bad I’ve had to hand it back and get something else.


I’ve had loads of cars in this segment, golf, Leon, focus, Astra, and a rental Ceed, the golf was the best for kit, but the focus was the most comftsble to drive, nicest seats, decent equipment and stereo.

The Leon was also decent, you could see where they had saved money over the golf though. No matts in the doors etc so stuff rattled around and crap central screen.

Is the Volvo v40 in the 6k bracket yet?

[DoubleD]

Everyone is different so he should still try the vauxhall

[nobrakes]

20k is a fair amount - better in a bigger car.

Loads of space will be more relaxing for throwing the kitchen sink etc into too.

Vectra/Insignia/Mondeo/ (or any other similar sized car) must be worth a look.


61 plate Insignia , ok its 62k miles but it’s only 6grand before a wee haggle

https://www.arnoldclark.com/used-cars/vauxhall/ins...

Edited by nobrakes on Monday 25th March 20:15

2011 Mondeo 1.8 tdi 48k miles £5800 on the screen

https://www.arnoldclark.com/used-cars/search?make%...

Don’t be afraid to travel for the right car (but don’t tell them your travelling far otherwise they’ll know you are keen).

Edited by nobrakes on Monday 25th March 20:22

Edited by nobrakes on Monday 25th March 23:16

[anonymous-user]

How about a newer kia ceed? The model development is quite impressive, I bet his budget would get him one unrecognisable from his current one.
This is nice, it's got a few toys and better seats too
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Edited by OpulentBob on Tuesday 26th March 07:11

[LarsG]

Focus estate.

[LarsG]

C-Max, reasonable sized boot takes a pushchair. Also easy to get the children into their seats, or clip the child seat in without being a contortionist or damaging your back. Traded my old 56 plate 2.0 diesel a couple of years ago for £1800 it had 146,000 miles on the clock. Fully serviced.

[DailyHack]

Reps favourite BMW E91 Tourer 2010-12...?

Safe, cheap, pretty robust reliability (if looked after), brisk and comfortable. Not a massive wagon either in comparison to others, just big enough for your needs I suspect (mines full of photographic equipment 24/7...swallows that well)

I have one '12 318d, and do 25k a year, bought at 50k, now just under 110k, nice and wafty on 16" wheels aswell, nice mile muncher.

[quinny100]

I'd be looking at the Hyundai i30 - either the hatch or the Tourer estate. 1.6 Diesel is reliable and economical, and these are pretty comfortable with decent seats and ergonomics.

[mikeyr]

mikeyr said:

Just to bring closure they've just texted to say they decided to change plans and buy a Yaris! So that's that sorted.

Hi all, appreciate the ongoing suggestions and fun to leave thread going in case others have similar criteria in the future.

They decided to switch plans and buy something smaller for running around in as a spare car. That was more than their original budget. Thus rendering the whole ideas thing a bit unnecessary.