New car decision up to 20k

[richelli]

So in the coming months I’ll be due to purchase a new car for the other half to use. Probably around march/ April.

Budget up to 20k
Must be less than one year old.
Manual ,
5 door hatchback.

Havnt test driven anything yet. Sold my fiesta before any wet belt issue occurred, so don want to have that to worry about again.

I had first thought the Hyundai i20n line was ticking the boxes but now have seen the Seat Ibiza fr or anniversary editions they look a little nicer on the inside with seat trim and technology wise.

Anyone had either or recommend anything similar which I may be missing.

[jaydeeuk1]

Dacia Sandero Stepway extreme, around £15-16k a few months old.

Leaves £4-5k for something fun, or go to sleep soundly knowing you've not just blown £20k on a Seat.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd go up a segment as imo the interiors are a clear step up.

i30 N Line:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409224...

Ceed GT Line:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411086...

Mazda3 Sport Lux:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412016...

[richelli]

jaydeeuk1 said:

Dacia Sandero Stepway extreme, around £15-16k a few months old.

Leaves £4-5k for something fun, or go to sleep soundly knowing you've not just blown £20k on a Seat.

I didn’t think Seat had that bad a reputation but that’s what I’m on here for😂. The other half has just ruled out Seat, so that’s one less to think about.

[richelli]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd go up a segment as imo the interiors are a clear step up.

i30 N Line:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409224...

Ceed GT Line:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411086...

Mazda3 Sport Lux:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412016...

I think you’re right on going the next model up. Don’t like the Mazda but I’m going to have a better look at the i30 and hadn’t even considered Kia but that Ceed looks a nice car as well. Thanks.

[Silvanus]

jaydeeuk1 said:

Dacia Sandero Stepway extreme, around £15-16k a few months old.

Leaves £4-5k for something fun, or go to sleep soundly knowing you've not just blown £20k on a Seat.

This all day long. The latest Sandero is a very decent car. Dacia are now extended all their warranties to 7 years for cars serviced with them. The extreme trim is very well equipped for the budget.

[Phil.]

I’d support the Hyundai i30. They are mild hybrid and very efficient. Ultra reliable and low servicing costs. I have two and would only swap them for another

[ChrisH72]

I'm guessing you had a 1.0 ecoboost Fiesta?

For your budget you could always get the last of the mk8.5 ST3's. Still plenty around, most have 5 doors and the interior is a big improvement on the old mk7. No wet belt with the 1.5 ST either.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024101552...

[ChrisH72]

Alternatively if your priorities are reliability, fuel economy and ease of driving how about a Yaris?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024102555...

Edit: sorry, just noticed the manual requirement

[RayDonovan]

Manual?

Why?

[GreatGranny]

You're missing out on some great hybrid options wanting manual only.

Corolla

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412036...

Golf

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411226...

Clio

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411226...

[richelli]

Just had a quick check through the comments and there's definitely some ideas I hadn't even thought of so thanks for that. I'll have a better look through tonight when I finish work.

I only say manual as I drove an automatic once and just didn't like it to be honest but it was many years ago so maybe I should go and test drive one and see what I think now. Maybe just one of those stick with what you always know things.

Yes it was a 66 plate fiesta titanium eco boost I had before. I didn't realise they had made some without the wet belt later on. I kept that one for seven years so it was always in the back of my mind that it was going to cause an issue.

Thanks for all the comments so far it's definitely broadened my choices when I get to got a test drive some. That should be around march/ April time.

[GreatGranny]

Auto boxes have improved massively over the last 5-10 years.

They are normally 6, 7 or 8 speeds so pretty seamless changes.

No harm in trying one just to see what it's like.

[BoRED S2upid]

RayDonovan said:

Manual?

Why?

Why not? I’ve never had anything but manual many don’t.