Modern, petrol, torque converter
Discussion
A friend of mine is looking for a 'new' (nearly new) car.
His ideal would be about a year old, petrol, torque-converter-auto, medium size hatchback (e.g. Focus/Astra) or similar-size SUV-crossover (e.g. B-max/Mokka) with rear doors.
He would like something that's not 'slow' but isn't a racer, so something that can reach 60mph in about 9-11s would be about right.
He doesn't want rock-hard 'sporty' suspension nor really low profile 'sporty' tyres.
His absolute top budget would be in the high-teens thousands.
He doesn't care about which badge is stuck on the front of his car, as long as it meets his needs.
He's struggling for ideas apart from Astra K 1.4T or Mokka 1.4T.
Can you help add to his very short 'shortlist'?
Thanks
His ideal would be about a year old, petrol, torque-converter-auto, medium size hatchback (e.g. Focus/Astra) or similar-size SUV-crossover (e.g. B-max/Mokka) with rear doors.
He would like something that's not 'slow' but isn't a racer, so something that can reach 60mph in about 9-11s would be about right.
He doesn't want rock-hard 'sporty' suspension nor really low profile 'sporty' tyres.
His absolute top budget would be in the high-teens thousands.
He doesn't care about which badge is stuck on the front of his car, as long as it meets his needs.
He's struggling for ideas apart from Astra K 1.4T or Mokka 1.4T.
Can you help add to his very short 'shortlist'?
Thanks
QuartzDad said:
Goodness me, BMWs are cheap to buy these days!I'll pass it on to him, thanks!
The Astra and 1-Series are decent choices. I'd also consider a Mazda 3 (2.0 petrol, 6-speed auto) for example:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
A new model is imminent though (I believe this is also the case for the 1-Series) so worth haggling hard.
The latest Focus 1.5 EcoBoost has a 10-speed torque converter auto, I think they're still in the low £20ks but it might be possible to get one for the top-end of your friend's budget. Otherwise the previous mk3 1.5 auto is a 6-speed torque converter.
Left-field option would be a Toyota Prius/Auris hybrid (or a C-HR if your friend can live with the styling) or Lexus CT200h, would be easily available within budget, very reliable and economical. Admittedly not a torque converter auto but a very smooth, easy drive nonetheless. The Auris has just been replaced by the new Corolla so don't overspend on one though.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
A new model is imminent though (I believe this is also the case for the 1-Series) so worth haggling hard.
The latest Focus 1.5 EcoBoost has a 10-speed torque converter auto, I think they're still in the low £20ks but it might be possible to get one for the top-end of your friend's budget. Otherwise the previous mk3 1.5 auto is a 6-speed torque converter.
Left-field option would be a Toyota Prius/Auris hybrid (or a C-HR if your friend can live with the styling) or Lexus CT200h, would be easily available within budget, very reliable and economical. Admittedly not a torque converter auto but a very smooth, easy drive nonetheless. The Auris has just been replaced by the new Corolla so don't overspend on one though.
carte blanche said:
.....I'd also consider a Mazda 3 (2.0 petrol, 6-speed auto)....
That looks a worthy contender, thanks!carte blanhce said:
...The latest Focus 1.5 EcoBoost has a 10-speed torque converter auto....
That's a lot of gears. Maybe outstanding for mpg but won't it result in the car endlessly shuffling up and down in real-world driving as traffic speeds normally fluctuate?Ron99 said:
That's a lot of gears. Maybe outstanding for mpg but won't it result in the car endlessly shuffling up and down in real-world driving as traffic speeds normally fluctuate?
Apologies, I've just checked and it's actually an 8-speed auto in the latest Focus, I think I must have been thinking of the 10-speed offered in the Mustang! In any case I've not driven one, so can only suggest a test drive to see how it performs in real-world conditions. AFAIK the gearbox has received positive reviews, though. It's worth noting that the 1-Series uses the ZF 8HP which is widely regarded as possibly the best auto transmission on the market, so I don't think lots of gears is necessarily a concern; the best gearboxes are able to exploit the best performance from an engine, besides economy.
Mr E said:
How far do they need to drive?
They average probably 12k per year but only want petrol.I think most of their journeys are local but they go on holiday a lot all around the UK and use the car for that.
So although the car spends most of its time and journeys creeping about in local town traffic, most of its miles are accumulated during their once-every-month week away or long weekend away.
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