What reliable car for 3k? - Page 1 - Car Buying

Friday 12th June 2020

Need some help choosing a car for my sister.

I live in New York and I just came back to England as my father is ill and then talking to my sister seems her current car (150k mile ) focus is pretty much expired.
My retired parents are going to buy her a new one for her (around 1k) and my sister was thinking a pug 307.
However I thought I’d add another 2k to help her have something a bit better for a change.

The spec

So she doesn’t want another ford ( had escorts, Orion , fiestas and focus so it’s fair enough)
5 door hatchback
Reliable
Low cost on parts when it does go wrong
3k price

So not really a piston heads type of car, but due to my location, I don’t really know the U.K. market at all

Any suggestions and help would be really appreciated low running costs being important so nothing German please!

RizzoTheRat

28,764 posts

221 months

Friday 12th June 2020

As I say to anyone who's looking for cheap, reliable and practical while not bothered about image, look at the Honda Jazz. My wife's early Mk2 had about 100k on the clock when we sold it and I don't think it ever needed anything done beyond normal servicing, apart from a new battery after she left the interior light on for a weekend rolleyes

50mpg, ridiculously short bonnet and good turning circle make it easy to park anywhere, and loads of space inside.

Maracus

4,552 posts

197 months

Friday 12th June 2020

I recently bought a 2014 Toyota Aygo for my lad to learn in (50% contribution each).

5 door, working a/c, Gangsta rear tinted windows hehe

52k, £3000.

Small boot, but 50/50 foldable rear seats.

Very happy with it so far.

Countdown

49,207 posts

225 months

Friday 12th June 2020

Toyota Auris

or Honda Civic, or maybe a Yaris?

30,515 posts

154 months

Friday 12th June 2020

satans worm

Original Poster

2,464 posts

246 months

Saturday 13th June 2020

Thanks for the replies, the Honda Jazz looked good but seems to have a high insurance group for some reason?

The Toyota Auris also looks like a good suggestion

No votes for anything french like a pig 208 or something. Not sure on the quality , used to be crap but maybe improved?

MrGTI6

3,304 posts

159 months

Saturday 13th June 2020

Toyota Auris is well worth a look. Just avoid the 'MMT' automated manual. Also the Nissan Note is a very good car, although the average owner appears to be 100 years old.

30,515 posts

154 months

Saturday 13th June 2020

satans worm said:

Thanks for the replies, the Honda Jazz looked good but seems to have a high insurance group for some reason?

The Toyota Auris also looks like a good suggestion

No votes for anything french like a pig 208 or something. Not sure on the quality , used to be crap but maybe improved?

The Gen3 Megane is a good shout getting a nice one is a bit harder as they weren't so popular but there are nice ones out there:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Countdown

49,207 posts

225 months

Saturday 13th June 2020

OP did mention reliable - I'm not sure I would class either a Megane at that price point reliable. Even Astras can be hit and miss, whereas the Auris should be bullet proof.

30,515 posts

154 months

Saturday 13th June 2020

I'd disagree especially on the Astra, the Megane is pretty robust the weakness are the window regulators but this seems to be something most modern cars suffer with.

Any car can be badly looked after at this price point the OP will have to do his checks, most of the Auris's I've seen at this price point tend not to be looked after because they're supposed to be bulletproof.

For me Astra's have proved to be a very reliable choice at lower budgets & they're normally a bit newer with nice spec as well as not being costly to maintain.

XR

336 posts

80 months

Saturday 13th June 2020

Suzuki Swift

V8fan

8,480 posts

297 months

Saturday 13th June 2020

Echo the Swift. I've had a 2011 model for 18 months which now has 100k miles on it. Apart from an oil change, it's only needed rear brake shoes and front drop links in that time.

Surprisingly high insurance group for what it is though (not a Sport!)

SCEtoAUX

4,119 posts

110 months

Saturday 13th June 2020

A manual gearbox Toyota. Whatever petrol one you fancy at the budget.

CX53

3,025 posts

139 months

Saturday 13th June 2020

Something jap and petrol should serve her very well. However, parts on some Japanese cars can be a bit pricey.

I bought A 2012 Astra last August for £3k and I've completely abused it for 20,000 miles now. I hate the thing but it seems very robust. Looks fairly new, the interior is very hard wearing and parts are pretty cheap, as are tyres with a big squishy sidewall so it's comfortable too. It must be easy to drive because my Mrs doesn't mind driving it.

M4cruiser

5,119 posts

179 months

Saturday 13th June 2020

If she likes the 307 then there's nothing wrong with that, but £1K isn't a good pricing point. I'd add another 1k for her, and add some advice, and then use the next few ££s to pay for a few initial repairs or improvements to ensure future reliability, whatever it needs in your judgement. I speak from experience when a family member had set her heart on a Clio, so once bought I did (I mean paid for) the cambelt and an extra spare tyre and a garage service and the tracking and the First MoT for them.

Countdown

49,207 posts

225 months

Saturday 13th June 2020

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd disagree especially on the Astra, the Megane is pretty robust the weakness are the window regulators but this seems to be something most modern cars suffer with.

Any car can be badly looked after at this price point the OP will have to do his checks, most of the Auris's I've seen at this price point tend not to be looked after because they're supposed to be bulletproof.

For me Astra's have proved to be a very reliable choice at lower budgets & they're normally a bit newer with nice spec as well as not being costly to maintain.

Fair enough on the Astra but (much as I like Renaults) I think there's a much higher chance of them breaking in an annoying unpredictable fashion. I speak from painful experience going back to 18's, 9's, 11's, 5's, 21's and the 1st/2nd shape Meganes.

re: Aurises, its a case of looking for the cliche owner, somebody in their 60's doing 5k per annum and Toyota FSH. You'll pay more upfront but it's worth it for the peace of mind.

MOBB

4,547 posts

156 months

Saturday 13th June 2020

XR said:

Suzuki Swift

I think that’s a great shout

I test drove one at that price level for my niece and I thought it was great. Fancied buying one myself!

bearman68

4,929 posts

161 months

Saturday 13th June 2020

XR said:

Suzuki Swift

Are they still suffering the gearbox issues?

30,515 posts

154 months

Saturday 13th June 2020

Countdown said:

Fair enough on the Astra but (much as I like Renaults) I think there's a much higher chance of them breaking in an annoying unpredictable fashion. I speak from painful experience going back to 18's, 9's, 11's, 5's, 21's and the 1st/2nd shape Meganes.

re: Aurises, its a case of looking for the cliche owner, somebody in their 60's doing 5k per annum and Toyota FSH. You'll pay more upfront but it's worth it for the peace of mind.

I can understand why you'd say that but the Gen3 was a proper step away from the French car cliches & much more like their VAG counterparts as a sidebar I had a 21 Turbo for 6 months in early 2000's while I was having my cossie refurbed & rebuilt.

It was a fun surprisingly good car the one I bought had been fettled by Prima Racing & was showing 318bhp on the Dyno & the passenger seat properly reclined which was a winner with passengers on long runs.

heisthegaffer

4,269 posts

227 months