Reliable and comfy hatchback - 2k

[anonymous-user]

Evening all,

Booked my DAS course up and providing all goes well I would have my licence early November. Unfortunately I'm not able to run a nice bike and car at the same time so I'm looking to sell up my FN2 Type R to release money for a bike.

Currently do 10k miles a year for commuting and fun so the bike will hopefully split the car miles up.

Requirements are as follows, in no particular order:

- Petrol
- Manual
- Air con
- Cruise control
- Radio
- Hatchback
- Comfy
- Reliable

Budget is 2k tops. Looking at Ford focus mk2 1.8 as they seem to be cheap and cheerful and a decent steer. Any other suggestions or advice from people who had a similar circumstance as mine?

[WonkeyDonkey]

I've never had many hatch backs but the Alfa Romeo 147 I had was quite a comfy car, although mine was a diesel.

Had all you're looking for plus heated seats, although I did swap my radio out for a DAB bluetooth stereo as I find FM radio quite limited now!

The diesel engines in these are known for being quite reliable, I haven't a clue on the petrol variants though unfortunately.

[Mr Tidy]

I'm a big fan of RWD and biggish engines, so when I was looking for a vaguely sensible hatchback in 2014 I bought a 52 plate BMW 325ti Sport for a fiver under your budget!

3 years later I sold it for less than £1,500.

It had all the features you want, including a CD changer and power-fold mirrors - but the best feature was the straight 6 up front.

[TwistingMyMelon]

I had the last model seat Leon for a few years , really liked it , no nonsense , well equipped , handled nicely and no issues .

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want a good comfy reliable hatch then the Alfa 147 Collezione spec is a great buy at this price point:

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

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

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

Other options but these will be no worse or better than the Alfa above:

1.8 Focus Titanium

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

Zetec

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

1.6T Astra SRI 180 (This is the one to pick if you want some go)

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

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

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

Mazda3 Sport

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

Civic Type S GT

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

Type S

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

[anonymous-user]

Thanks for the feedback all, it's much appreciated. The Alfa looks good but I'm sceptical of their reliability!

After seeing a few CLK 270 cdi threads I'm interested in those. Only issue is that I do so few miles and are they reliable?

[ZX10R NIN]

The Alfa is reliable that 1.6 N/A is pretty much bulletproof & the rest of the package on the 147 is reliable too especially on the later cars like I listed,

CLK wise I'd say go for a petrol:

CLK 240 Avantgarde

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

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

320

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

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

280 Sport (you'll have to stretch the budget though)

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

C230 Coupe (you need to make sure you get a 55 Plate or older otherwise it's £500 road tax)

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