Small to Medium size car - £3k

[rdb85]

Someone maybe coming to buy my Mini Cooper, after owning it for 2 years, I am looking for a change. I have enjoyed the car and its great fun to drive. Only major cost was the Clutch at £1500. But other than that, its been absolutely great.

So I am looking for a new car:

- Mileage per year is about 6000.
- Mainly stop start traffic of a morning and some a B roads
- Fuel - A full tank in my Mini lasts a month - so could go with the same engine, or maybe a little bigger.
- Decent build quality
- Not really fussed about road tax, currently paying £220, could go to maybe £300 ish.
- Holds its value somewhat - I know its not a lot of money but it is to me.
- 4 seats minimum
- Manual or Auto
- Decent amount of equipment

So what would you recommend?

Edited by rdb85 on Thursday 18th January 14:10

[ZX10R NIN]

I thought you were looking at 12k cars?

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[rdb85]

I was but, I’ve decided that I need to get a lot of work done on my home. Plus I’ve decided I would like more than one holiday. So I’ve reduced the budget to £3k.

[Benjijames28]

rdb85 said:

I was but, I’ve decided that I need to get a lot of work done on my home. Plus I’ve decided I would like more than one holiday. So I’ve reduced the budget to £3k.

Sensible. Cars are a huge waste of money for the lower and middle classes. Especially younger people.

[rdb85]

Benjijames28 said:

Sensible. Cars are a huge waste of money for the lower and middle classes. Especially younger people.

That is true. Not sure what to go for so thought I would ask.

[anonymous-user]

If you don't mind a hard ride I'd recommend a Civic Type S EP2. Bought mine off my friend as a shed for £500 on 165k miles. Everything works and its quick enough for traffic congested Bristol. Only downside is it ends up skittish on really bad road surfaces; then again that could be the knackered suspension! I think you'd be on to a sensible winner for pennies.

[rdb85]

AB57 said:

If you don't mind a hard ride I'd recommend a Civic Type S EP2. Bought mine off my friend as a shed for £500 on 165k miles. Everything works and its quick enough for traffic congested Bristol. Only downside is it ends up skittish on really bad road surfaces; then again that could be the knackered suspension! I think you'd be on to a sensible winner for pennies.

Honda is a great choice. I will see can I get a Type S or a Type R. I have put a price in AT and a sensible distance. A few that have come up are:

Toyota Celica
Ford Fiesta ST
Mazda RX8

I will keep looking.

[ZX10R NIN]

Simple if you want a low maintenance nice car then it has to be the Lexus IS200 preferably in LE trim :

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[rdb85]

Not a bad car those Lexus IS I quite like them. Anything else that you would recommend. The LE trim seems hard to get hold of. It’s the nicest spec. I was thinking Toyota as they are reliable.

[rdb85]

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Fastdruid]

rdb85 said:

Not a bad car those Lexus IS I quite like them. Anything else that you would recommend. The LE trim seems hard to get hold of. It’s the nicest spec. I was thinking Toyota as they are reliable.

Lexus *is* the posh Toyota brand.

[rdb85]

Fastdruid said:

Lexus *is* the posh Toyota brand.

Haha I like that. Whats the equivalent Toyota an Avensis?

[rdb85]

What about an IS250 they seem nice, bit of a newer shape. Not sure what they are like in terms of mpg and stuff.

[rdb85]

Would I be better with a manual or an auto. I’m used to a manual but always fancied an auto. I’m really liking the Is250. The celica looks like a good buy also. But I do think I am better going down the Japanese route. Any other recommendations in the small and medium category?

[S54Love]

rdb85 said:

Would I be better with a manual or an auto. I’m used to a manual but always fancied an auto. I’m really liking the Is250. The celica looks like a good buy also. But I do think I am better going down the Japanese route. Any other recommendations in the small and medium category?

Unless you get an early '55 model, the manuals are over £500 in tax. Autos are much more reasonable at the £300ish mark. Also, the manual IS' do get hate for being notchy etc. (ref: http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/46120... although this is a is220d)

[rdb85]

S54Love said:

Unless you get an early '55 model, the manuals are over £500 in tax. Autos are much more reasonable at the £300ish mark. Also, the manual IS' do get hate for being notchy etc. (ref: http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/46120... although this is a is220d)

Thanks for that. I will look at an auto. Found a few:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...

They are quite high mileage but I’m sure that it’s nothing to worry about

[Basil Hume]

I don't know the age or value of your current Mini Cooper, but if your budget is £3k it surely can't be a lot more than the value of your current car?

Why not keep it? If you like it and you've recently spent some money on a "one off" (clutch), then surely it's going to be less of a risk than swapping?

[Willy Nilly]

rdb85 said:

Fastdruid said:

Lexus *is* the posh Toyota brand.

Haha I like that. Whats the equivalent Toyota an Avensis?

The Toyota version is called Altezza. The Avensis is a nice car, but not very PH, I've been in several that were minicabs with huge mileages on them (300k+) and they were still whisper quite.

[rdb85]

Basil Hume said:

I don't know the age or value of your current Mini Cooper, but if your budget is £3k it surely can't be a lot more than the value of your current car?

Why not keep it? If you like it and you've recently spent some money on a "one off" (clutch), then surely it's going to be less of a risk than swapping?

That’s true, it is less of a risk. I’m just looking for something a little bigger, as I would like a decent boot, and can carry people if needed. Mini is work £3k so that’s my budget. But the model is a Park Lane. I’ve enjoyed it, I would rather move on, get some of my money back and buy something else. Rather than possibly spending money on it.

It’s not to say that buying something else, that it would be cost free, that’s the risks involved. I enquired about part ex but they only offfered still money, so it’s worth selling it private.

Edited by rdb85 on Saturday 20th January 13:57

[rdb85]

Done some reading and I am better with an auto. Now to try and find a decent one with a good spec for my budget.