Other halfs runaround £2k

[coldel]

My missus is looking to offload her Megane and change the car - looking for something Euro 4 petrol, hatchback, boot space to be able to chuck a couple of large suitcases in or childs bike, cheap to maintain, 5 doors. So far been looking at mk5 Astras and mk2 Focus but just wondering if I am missing anything else obvious? She does drive pretty slowly so performance not a consideration but low insurance/VED etc. would be a bonus.

Edit: She is a mileage person unlike me so max 70k please also it cannot be silver!

Edited by coldel on Wednesday 24th April 09:16

[browna]

for £2k, you just want something to get through the next few MOTs with little hassle. so id say the cleanest Honda Civic you can find and tell her tough st if shes doesn't like silver/over 70k. at this price take what reliability you can get. lol.

[coldel]

Given I just bought a car and was adamant against it being silver, its going to be a hard sell telling her colour doesnt matter

But yes something reliable'ish cheap parts - not too fussed about mechanical costs as my father and brother are both mechanics and have access to ramps and an MOT centre etc.

[MrAverage]

If 2k stretches to a facelift mk2 focus then that is a good bet.

I paid 1k for my mk2 (non facelift) it's fine below 60 mph but becomes very loud above that.

As much as I have moaned about it, it has given me no issues in 20k miles. Always returns 35mpg, mine is 2 litre petrol.

[KomodoWagon]

I'd be thinking Skoda Octavia, Honda Civic, or Toyota Corolla/Auris personally. (Toyota Avensis too big?)

One of my SILs has an Octavia (hers is an estate, although even the hatch has an enormous boot). It's almost 20 years old, has starship mileage and they bought it for banger money (under a grand) but it's been very good.

[coldel]

I kept saying a Skoda but she grew up in the age of Skoda jokes, she refuses to listen when I tell her they are a bit better now...well, astronomically better!

[ElectricSoup]

Mazda 6.

[Jamescrs]

I'd definitely recommend a mk2 Focus, either pre or post facelift it doesn't really matter, both me and the wife had them in petrol guise, mine a ST hers a 1.6.

My sister and brother in law both have one too now and they are generally very good reliable cars, none of us have had any major bills from them in the years we had them. The wife and I have since moved on to other cars but if I was buying on a budget I'd definitely have another.

I have experience of the Astra as well and whilst it is equally capable I would point out the Focus boot is much bigger.

[brman]

Jamescrs said:

I'd definitely recommend a mk2 Focus, either pre or post facelift it doesn't really matter, both me and the wife had them in petrol guise, mine a ST hers a 1.6.

My sister and brother in law both have one too now and they are generally very good reliable cars, none of us have had any major bills from them in the years we had them. The wife and I have since moved on to other cars but if I was buying on a budget I'd definitely have another.

I have experience of the Astra as well and whilst it is equally capable I would point out the Focus boot is much bigger.

Or, as mentioned above, a Mazda6. Basically a bigger, better Focus
More kit (TS and above have cruise and climate), larger boot (great for pushchairs). Lots of parts shared with Ford (inc engine and suspension) but somehow also more reliable. As fun to drive as a focus but with a better and more comfortable interior.

Just make sure it is petrol and doesn't have rust on the rear wheel arches or rear of sills.

[Olivergt]

coldel said:

I kept saying a Skoda but she grew up in the age of Skoda jokes, she refuses to listen when I tell her they are a bit better now...well, astronomically better!

Here's a story for you...

13 years ago, we traded my 13 year old BMW 520i for a brand new Skoda Fabia (1.2HTP Petrol) , we wanted to fix our outgoings for a while.

Fast foward 13 years...

The Skoda Fabia is now on 170,000 miles, still returns around 50mpg and has only let us down twice:

1. Strange problem, I think it got flooded when it was started, moved 10 feet, stopped. Mechanic got it running again and no repeat of the issue.
2. Coil pack failed, replaced cheaply and back motoring again.

Wife refused to even look at it or drive it before we bought it, but has sung it's praises ever since.

Please don't be put off getting one, they are very good at what they do...

[A500leroy]

cmax?

[coldel]

Olivergt said:

Here's a story for you...

13 years ago, we traded my 13 year old BMW 520i for a brand new Skoda Fabia (1.2HTP Petrol) , we wanted to fix our outgoings for a while.

Fast foward 13 years...

The Skoda Fabia is now on 170,000 miles, still returns around 50mpg and has only let us down twice:

1. Strange problem, I think it got flooded when it was started, moved 10 feet, stopped. Mechanic got it running again and no repeat of the issue.
2. Coil pack failed, replaced cheaply and back motoring again.

Wife refused to even look at it or drive it before we bought it, but has sung it's praises ever since.

Please don't be put off getting one, they are very good at what they do...

I am totally with you! Its convincing a missus that wont budge on the subject thats more challenging!

[ZX10R NIN]

Alfa Romeo 147 these are very reliable robust & a very nice place to be in Collezione trim.

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...

Astra Elite (doh just remembered no silver)

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

2.4 Stilo Abarth

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

[Jamescrs]

brman said:

Or, as mentioned above, a Mazda6. Basically a bigger, better Focus
More kit (TS and above have cruise and climate), larger boot (great for pushchairs). Lots of parts shared with Ford (inc engine and suspension) but somehow also more reliable. As fun to drive as a focus but with a better and more comfortable interior.

Just make sure it is petrol and doesn't have rust on the rear wheel arches or rear of sills.

Surely a Mazda 6 is more of a Mondeo equal than a Focus?

A Mazda 6 is a very nice car, I had one as a courtesy car a good few years ago and I was quite sad to give it back to be honest

[coldel]

ZX10R NIN said:

Alfa Romeo 147 these are very reliable robust & a very nice place to be in Collezione trim.

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...

Astra Elite (doh just remembered no silver)

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

2.4 Stilo Abarth

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

5 doors a requirement unfortunately.

Thanks for all the posts everyone, will go have a hunt around including the Mazda option too.

[ZX10R NIN]

coldel said:

5 doors a requirement unfortunately.

Thanks for all the posts everyone, will go have a hunt around including the Mazda option too.

Ahh no problem here are some 5 doors:

147

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

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

Astra Design

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

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

Kia Ceed

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

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

[ElectricSoup]

I'd have a 147 if it was just myself (I am a dyed in the wool Alfanatic), but with kids? No. 3 star NCP crash rating only.

[GreatGranny]

Those seats on the first 147 look lovely :-)

OP, definitely buy on condition but obviously within your wives tight criteria :-)

A few more suggestions:

Corolla (bloody hard to find any NOT in silver with less than 70k miles)

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

Civic

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

C Max (IMO bargain cars)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mondeo too big? Immaculate low mileage example
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201... New&onesearchad=New&page=1&modal=photos

[brman]

Jamescrs said:

brman said:

Or, as mentioned above, a Mazda6. Basically a bigger, better Focus
More kit (TS and above have cruise and climate), larger boot (great for pushchairs). Lots of parts shared with Ford (inc engine and suspension) but somehow also more reliable. As fun to drive as a focus but with a better and more comfortable interior.

Just make sure it is petrol and doesn't have rust on the rear wheel arches or rear of sills.

Surely a Mazda 6 is more of a Mondeo equal than a Focus?

A Mazda 6 is a very nice car, I had one as a courtesy car a good few years ago and I was quite sad to give it back to be honest

Well yes. But everyone was recommending the focus, I was just trying to steer them away from Ford

[coldel]

Just as an update and really for a thank you to all that replied, we went out and got a 2009 mk2 facelift Focus with 74k on the clock. Traded in the Megane we had and negotiated some money off for a cambelt change so got it for £2.5k. Took a while, she got a blue one, but we got there!