13K - Open to ideas.

[Buddah07]

Hi all,

The time has come, to get rid of my unreliable DSG 2.0 Seat Leon FR (2017).
The car ran brilliantly up until 2 months ago, and has been plagued by DSG issues ever since.

I do around 8,000 - 10,000 miles per year, and my budget is around £13k.
Guys I work with, have put me off previous cars I have looked at, so am hoping you all can help!

General criteria:
- Manual (Would consider a reliable auto, DSG has broken me).
- Below 80,000 miles.
- No EV.
- Something easy on the eye, but not eye watering costs to maintain.
- Would prefer 4 door, but could live with 2 door.

I have looked previously at BMW 1 & 3 series, opted against as I was put off.
Have also looked at Golf R-Line but finding one has been an issue.

Currently looking at Peugeot 3008 1.5 GT, nice car but know nothing about them.

Appreciate the above is vague, but if you could point me in the general direction of a decent, reliable car.

[jamesbilluk]

I know you mentioned reliability, but How about an Alfa Giulietta? The 1.4TB is meant to be a great engine, and can be had in various states of tune,

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18387159

I had a 1.75 And was very reliable in my time with it.

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/17928059

Edited by jamesbilluk on Thursday 1st May 11:44

[ilikejam]

We had a 5008 1.6d auto when they very first launched the new style in 2017 and really liked it for the cavernous family bus that it was. Identical to the 3008 in the front row. Interior was lovely, nice and quiet, loads of kit in GT trim (heated massage seats etc). Wasn't particularly interesting to drive of course. I test drove a 3008 with the 1.2 petrol engine beforehand and it was fine for getting around town. Never tried it on the motorway but imagine it could get a bit wheezy.

I had a new 2014 1 series in 116i guise before that and I really liked it as well. Not fast but still nippy enough around town. Felt solid and never went wrong in 3 years. Certainly never heard of any persistent issues with them in my time owning it and would definitely consider a 1 or 2 series again. Also had a 2017 A4 Avant that was really solid and a nice place to spend the miles, if a little dull.

Other than you've mentioned, I'd be drawn to looking at the below:

BMW 4 Gran Coupe
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503220...

A high specced Mazda 6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504010...

[Heathwood]

How about an i30 N line?
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18325449

[blueovercream]

The car you have described is a Mk7 Golf GTI

I don't know where in the country you are but this one is even VW approved used

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504191...

Edited by blueovercream on Thursday 1st May 18:22

[Buddah07]

blueovercream said:

The car you have described is a Mk7 Golf GTI

I don't know where in the country you are but this one is even VW approved used

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504191...

Edited by blueovercream on Thursday 1st May 18:22

I'm based in Belfast, the car market isn't great to be fair, usually overpriced slightly.
I did look at the Golf GTI earlier, as I seen it mentioned in other posts.

Have a look at this, also VW approved, thoughts on mileage?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504191...

Edited by Buddah07 on Thursday 1st May 19:27

[Buddah07]

jamesbilluk said:

I know you mentioned reliability, but How about an Alfa Giulietta? The 1.4TB is meant to be a great engine, and can be had in various states of tune,

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18387159

I had a 1.75 And was very reliable in my time with it.

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/17928059

Edited by jamesbilluk on Thursday 1st May 11:44

A friend of mine works in an Alpha dealership, I've organised with him for a blast in one of these.
Will update once I've driven it, had the Mito after my first car packed it in, wasn't impressed

[ZX10R NIN]

Kia Ceed GT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504261...

Mazda3 Sport Lux:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504020...

Tech:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504040...

Giulia Veloce, you'll have to budget stretch & give a little on the mileaage but these are bloody good car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503200...

Civic T Sport Plus:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504171...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504251...

330e, yes auto but the ZF is pretty much bulletproof just budget for a fluid change.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503200...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503140...

125i M Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503250...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503120...

M140i:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504261...

T5 V40 R Design Nav Plus:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504201...

Cat N (do your checks) but a very good car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504211...

A step up in performance means you won't get a newer car but you'll get a cracking steer.

PS 308 GTI:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504261...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503290...

ST-3 Focus:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504121...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504040...

Jaguar XE S:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504141...

Astra GTC VXR:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504261...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502018...

[jamesbilluk]

Buddah07 said:

A friend of mine works in an Alpha dealership, I've organised with him for a blast in one of these.
Will update once I've driven it, had the Mito after my first car packed it in, wasn't impressed

Hope the drive goes well