Cheap hatchback

[macp]

Afternoon all

We need a cheap hatchback for about £1500 to 2000.Have the following cars on the list trying to keep within an engine size of 1.4 to 1.6 petrol engine.Would value your opinion many thanks in advance.

Renault Megane(facelift)2002 >
Vauxhall Astra
Ford Focus
Seat Leon
Nissan Almera

[vit4]

Out of that lot I'd go for the Focus. Reliable, comfortable, a good drive for what it is and if it does go wrong, the parts are generally very cheap to come by. However, avoid the 1.4 at all costs! My mum's got one (2002) with the engine and it really spoils the whole car, dreadfully underpowered and as a result not economical at all. 1.6 is meant to be a good engine but no experience myself.

[Matt UK]

My experience of Renault and Vauxhall reliability and general rubbishness in terms of build from the factory and mechanics willingness (or lack of) to work on them would mean I could never recommend one. Ever.
Ford Focus will be good to drive but I've heard you need to watch for rust as they age?
Nissan will no doubt be mechanically strong but very beige to live with.
A friend has a Leon and seems pleased with it, seems reliable, but it is tdi.

Also add the Honda Civic? They seem reliable and Honda make pretty class competitive engines.

Edited by Matt UK on Sunday 29th July 18:19

[macp]

Thanks yes I forgot to add Civic.

[AA88]

MG ZR? - just make sure it has had the upgraded headgasket..

[Matt UK]

eta, also add the Toyota Corolla to your list? I seem to remember that it was at some point the most populous car on the planet, so while no doubt quite good at everything and excelling at nothing, it will no doubt be cheap and painless to run.

[Raize]

Focus is what I'd go for, the petrol 1.6 is revvy rather than torquey though.

[barky]

I'd perhaps be aiming for skoda octavia in ambiente trim

BUT am on 2nd astra & never had problems with them

Edited by barky on Sunday 29th July 18:30

[macp]

[quote=barky]I'd perhaps be aiming for skoda octavia in ambiente trim

BUT am on 2nd astra & never had problems with them

Octy is a good suggestion buddy but too big for swmbo who will use it for the most daily.I guess we could stretch to a focus 1.8 I suppose it wont use much more juice than a 1.6.

[ohtari]

I have an 01 focus 1.6, and am very happy with it. True, the engine is revvy as opposed to torquey, but at 100bhp, what'd you expect? It's plenty powerful enough for most applications, just don't expect miracles from it. It is fantastically comfortable, even for someone of my size (6' 5", 195lbs). Mine needed a new clutch shortly after I got it at 108k miles, but I did it myself to save a few quid. If you're interested in modding the engine, 150bhp is attainable (same sigma block in the caterham), but if it's power you're wanting, just get the 2 litre (ford blacktop).

Mine does have some rust bubbling on the rear arches, but it spent 5 years by the irish sea. Otherwise, it's in remarkable condition for its age.

I'd recommend one in a heartbeat

[rb5er]

Focus

[Condi]

Focus.

Was the best car Ive ever owned.

[MH82]

We have a 2003 1.6 Focus and we are really impressed with it. It is up to 115k miles now and hasn't missed a beat. Mid 30s mpg round town and >40 on a run. Tidy handling and not a rattle in the cabin and still looks good imo.

Edited to add - we had a 1.8 before the 1.6, we sold it because we could make a bit of profit on it. The 1.8 wasn't much difference in performance terms but the mpg is better on the 1.6. Plus, as we are on PH, the 1.6 is all alloy and exceptionally light which as we all know aids performance!

Edited by MH82 on Sunday 29th July 19:43

[manitou]

astra for me have had vauxhalls on & off of a total of 10 years with very few problems & what little probs ive had were cheap & easy to fix the astra does what it says on the tin simple as that