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Smart looking car for 3-5K?
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Smart looking car for 3-5K?
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Tarmack

Original Poster:

50 posts

21 months

[report]
[news]
Wednesday 30th July 2025
quotequote all
A friend is looking to buy a used car in the coming months. He s not into cars though previously owned an R56 Cooper S, more for the look than anything else.

He only drives local journeys and more often than not doesn t require a car. Annual mileage would barely be a couple thousand. However he does want something for shopping and the odd trip away so is looking to spend 3-5K on a smart looking hatchback.

Likes the look of an A1 though doubt the value is good for a dressed up Polo. Doesn t really need any performance as above mainly city journeys of a few miles. Electric would be perfect if they were cheaper and he had a driveway. Suggested an Astra but not a fan of Vauxhall or Ford. Suzuki Swift is a contender

Edited by Tarmack on Wednesday 30th July 23:57

Tarmack

Original Poster:

50 posts

21 months

[report]
[news]
Sunday 5th April
quotequote all
Bump, so he s still looking for it which is probably telling of how much he doesn t require a car. However he still wants it for shopping and local journeys.

I suggested maybe a Nissan Leaf since his mileage is very minimal however he doesn t like the look. Seen a couple Honda CRZ but all rough locally. I suggested a Veloster or Proceed GT but not sure on reliability. Astra is smart but i think he wants something a bit different. Same with the Mazda 3 although the newer generation look contemporary to my eyes I think he finds it common. But on the other hand he wouldn t mind a Golf or A3. For this price it’s a Mk6 or 8P A3 which seem too expensive for the age, from same generation as his Mini. I thought maybe he could buy something even older with low mileage since he doesn t drive much. Seen a Ford Puma with around 50K mileage for about 3K, Daihatsu Copen similarly priced. Of course rust and condition are main thing to bear in mind with older cars.

Edited by Tarmack on Sunday 5th April 15:26

Pickle_Rick

751 posts

85 months

[report]
[news]
Sunday 5th April
quotequote all
Toyota IQ? Perfect city car.

I have a soft spot for the fiat 500, even if they're a bit crap.

Renault wind

Suzuki ignis.



Otherwise it's the usual suggestions of a Yaris or a jazz, but the above are more interesting

ZX10R NIN

30,213 posts

150 months

[report]
[news]
Sunday 5th April
quotequote all
Tarmack said:
Bump, so he s still looking for it which is probably telling of how much he doesn t require a car. However he still wants it for shopping and local journeys.

I suggested maybe a Nissan Leaf since his mileage is very minimal however he doesn t like the look. Seen a couple Honda CRZ but all rough locally. I suggested a Veloster or Proceed GT but not sure on reliability. Astra is smart but i think he wants something a bit different. Same with the Mazda 3 although the newer generation look contemporary to my eyes I think he finds it common. But on the other hand he wouldn t mind a Golf or A3. For this price it s a Mk6 or 8P A3 which seem too expensive for the age, from same generation as his Mini. I thought maybe he could buy something even older with low mileage since he doesn t drive much. Seen a Ford Puma with around 50K mileage for about 3K, Daihatsu Copen similarly priced. Of course rust and condition are main thing to bear in mind with older cars.

Edited by Tarmack on Sunday 5th April 15:26
You say he wants something a bit different but then consider a Golf/A3?

The Astra GTC/Kia ProCeed GT/Veloster all have rliable swift 1.6T drivetrains.

biggbn

30,894 posts

245 months

[report]
[news]
Monday 6th April
quotequote all
ZX10R NIN said:
Tarmack said:
Bump, so he s still looking for it which is probably telling of how much he doesn t require a car. However he still wants it for shopping and local journeys.

I suggested maybe a Nissan Leaf since his mileage is very minimal however he doesn t like the look. Seen a couple Honda CRZ but all rough locally. I suggested a Veloster or Proceed GT but not sure on reliability. Astra is smart but i think he wants something a bit different. Same with the Mazda 3 although the newer generation look contemporary to my eyes I think he finds it common. But on the other hand he wouldn t mind a Golf or A3. For this price it s a Mk6 or 8P A3 which seem too expensive for the age, from same generation as his Mini. I thought maybe he could buy something even older with low mileage since he doesn t drive much. Seen a Ford Puma with around 50K mileage for about 3K, Daihatsu Copen similarly priced. Of course rust and condition are main thing to bear in mind with older cars.

Edited by Tarmack on Sunday 5th April 15:26
You say he wants something a bit different but then consider a Golf/A3?

The Astra GTC/Kia ProCeed GT/Veloster all have rliable swift 1.6T drivetrains.
Veloster is a great shout.
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