8k Hatchback help please

[Steve_Al]

Hi everyone.

This is my first post on here, I’ve been grazing around, and find it really informative so keep up the good work people.

I currently own an 08 Mazda 6 Sport 2.5 petrol, and after 5 problem free years, I’m finally looking to sell as my partner is using it more than I am now as I own a van for work.
It’s just too big for her.

Fuel costs and tax are also an issue now she uses it for work and school runs, around 12000 miles a year city miles and the odd trip to seaside on a weekend etc.

So I’m looking at a budget of 8.5k max, and I’m looking at hatchbacks, but not sure wether to go petrol or diesel, although having always used petrol would prefer I think.

Automatic would be a bonus as the other half never gets out of 4th which drives me insane.

I’ve been looking at the following

2015 Seat Leon 1.4 tsi (would like the FR but not sure I can afford)

2015 Focus Zetec S 1.0 Ecoboost

2015 Mazda 3 2.0 skyactive

2016 Astra Sri 1.0 T

2014 Audi A3 1.4 tfsi

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, and any other cars that I’ve not mentioned that I should consider thanks

Edited by Steve_Al on Tuesday 9th July 19:52

[Steve_Al]

Hi everyone.

This is my first post on here, I’ve been grazing around, and find it really informative so keep up the good work people.

I currently own an 08 Mazda 6 Sport 2.5 petrol, and after 5 problem free years, I’m finally looking to sell as my partner is using it more than I am now as I own a van for work.
It’s just too big for her.

Fuel costs and tax are also an issue now she uses it for work and school runs, around 12000 miles a year city miles and the odd trip to seaside on a weekend etc.

So I’m looking at a budget of 8.5k max, and I’m looking at hatchbacks, but not sure wether to go petrol or diesel, although having always used petrol would prefer I think.

Automatic would be a bonus as the other half never gets out of 4th which drives me insane.

I’ve been looking at the following

2015 Seat Leon 1.4 tsi (would like the FR but not sure I can afford)

2015 Focus Zetec S 1.0 Ecoboost

2015 Mazda 3 2.0 skyactive

2016 Astra Sri 1.0 T

2014 Audi A3 1.4 tfsi

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, and any other cars that I’ve not mentioned that I should consider thanks

Edited by Steve_Al on Tuesday 9th July 20:15

[The Cardinal]

Sounds like a hybrid could fit the bill. Prius, Lexus CT200h, Corolla etc?

Fuel and tax are very visible costs, but potentially a lower percentage of overall motoring costs than many people assume - depending on how much you spend on the car / how much it depreciates.

[oilslick]

At the risk of sounding like a Suzuki cheerleader, I've put 20k on a Baleno automatic in the last year or so and I'm really enjoying it. I'm a serial car-changer but this one's grown on me to the extent that I'm planning on keeping it long term. I'm getting around 53 mpg out of it and the tiny Boosterjet engine is very easy to live with. Auto is a 6 speed torque converter with flappy paddles if you want them (I think I used them twice then decided I'm not a racing driver and let the car decide what gear it wants to be in :hehe)

One here for a hundred and something quid over your budget - comes with DAB, NAV (it's crap, I use Google Maps through the head unit), Android Auto, Apple Car Play, climate control, adaptive radar cruise, reversing camera, automatic headlights. Only downside I've discovered so far is an annoyingly short 9k service interval.

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

ETA: 30 quid a year road tax too

[ZX10R NIN]

Steve_Al said:

Hi everyone.

This is my first post on here, I’ve been grazing around, and find it really informative so keep up the good work people.

I currently own an 08 Mazda 6 Sport 2.5 petrol, and after 5 problem free years, I’m finally looking to sell as my partner is using it more than I am now as I own a van for work.
It’s just too big for her.

Fuel costs and tax are also an issue now she uses it for work and school runs, around 12000 miles a year city miles and the odd trip to seaside on a weekend etc.

So I’m looking at a budget of 8.5k max, and I’m looking at hatchbacks, but not sure wether to go petrol or diesel, although having always used petrol would prefer I think.

Automatic would be a bonus as the other half never gets out of 4th which drives me insane.

I’ve been looking at the following

2015 Seat Leon 1.4 tsi (would like the FR but not sure I can afford)

2015 Focus Zetec S 1.0 Ecoboost

2015 Mazda 3 2.0 skyactive

2016 Astra Sri 1.0 T

2014 Audi A3 1.4 tfsi

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, and any other cars that I’ve not mentioned that I should consider thanks

Edited by Steve_Al on Tuesday 9th July 20:15

A good list but for me the bigger engined versions will be the better bet:

1.6T Focus Titanium Navigator

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

1.6T Kia Ceed GT

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

1.4T Astra Elite/SRi 150

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

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

Alfa Giulietta Sportiva Nav Auto/Manual 170

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

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

Peugeot 308 Allure

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

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