£10k hatchback

[VR99]

Greetings folks, it's another "what car" thread but I'd like to think am closer this time to actually buying a car!
My trusty MK1 focus is getting a bit leggy and after a rust advisory, think it's time to move it on as don't have the time to begin trying to delay the inevitable.
I've got a list of cars that interest me but would be good to get others views/opinions.

Requirements: £10k max, 5 door, petrol only and auto. I do 4-6k per yr 95% stop start driving locally or across London on average so diesel is a no go. I will be keeping the car at least 5 years if not longer (current one owned 10 yrs), so long-term reliability and big bills borkage potential is a consideration.

Here are my initial list of potentials:
Volvo V40 geartronic: not the most roomy but I like how they look in R Design. I've seen grumbles about electrics and annoyingly they are quite rare in Petrol auto especially the T3 model,likely need £12k to get a T3 auto. Being a Volvo am I asking for trouble with potential big bills further down the line?

Golf TSI 1.4 DSG: I like their simplicity, interior quality (perceived) and good boot space. Should I be worried about the TSI/DSG combo long term?

Others: Seat Leon 1.2/1.4 TSI, Astra 1.4T (150bhp), Mazda 3 2.0

I admit some element of badge snobbery in my thinking but in my defence don't want a 1 series or a A class as not keen on either.
Head says the Astra 1.4T is best bang for buck and even in auto figures suggest quite nippy but having seen some shoddy build/reliability issues with my wife's vauxhall am a bit hesitant. Mazda 3 looks a bit bland, don't mind a Leon but again TSI/DSG combo..is it sensible for long term?

Thanks

[Rob_F]

I've driven quite a few different cars for work in this class and I really liked the Volvo and the VW. I also had a mk7 golf for two years which was probably the best car I've owned. I would suspect that the VW will be more efficient in the real world than the others and although all new auto/turbo cars have some potential weak spots for a long term ownership proposition id prioritise the one you like best as none of them should be that bad reliability wise.

I say Golf or Volvo. Both really nice.

[ZX10R NIN]

The Elite Nav is the pick of the Astra range:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008152...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008273...

DS5 Elegance

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007241...

The 308 has a normal Auto box & they're a nice reliable place to be;

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008052...

Alfa Giulietta QV Line

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202002287...

Mazda3 Sport Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008192...

[VR99]

Thanks for the input guys.

I think the Volvo is a bit out of budget, would probably need 12-14k to get a decent V40 petrol auto.
Golf still under consideration along with the Mazda 3. 308 looks a interesting alternative. I am stuck though...do I spend £10k on something fairly sensible or drop that budget to 5k and get something a bit more interesting (albeit older) to tide me over. Part of me wants something a bit older to enjoy before it all goes electric!

[ZX10R NIN]

VR99 said:

Thanks for the input guys.

I think the Volvo is a bit out of budget, would probably need 12-14k to get a decent V40 petrol auto.
Golf still under consideration along with the Mazda 3. 308 looks a interesting alternative. I am stuck though...do I spend £10k on something fairly sensible or drop that budget to 5k and get something a bit more interesting (albeit older) to tide me over. Part of me wants something a bit older to enjoy before it all goes electric!

If it still has to be auto & five doors you're options will be limited if you go down to 5K, I'd probably go down the route of going for a car that does both but it's a bit smaller than the Focus/Golf sized cars.

Clio RS 220 Trophy

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008132...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007111...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008182...

RS200

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008212...

Or if you don't mind stretching the budget I wouldn't be buying the Volvo I'd be buying this haggle hard & you should get near to the 12K.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201810261...

Megane GT Nav 205 is somewhere in the middle:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007030...

If you're looking for sensible then the Megane comes in Dynamique S 130 form:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008232...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008212...

[Rob_F]

Oh actually the Mégane is rather good looking.... My current one has been issue free for the 6 months I've had it thus far.