£6k quality hatchback
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm getting ideas for a friend who needs to move on from his current vehicle due to running costs and repairs. He and his partner have a 1-yr-old and are trying for a second, so they need something with 5 doors, decent back seats, and a buggy big enough to accomodate a decent-sized buggy. At the same time, they want as small an overall package as possible, and importantly, a decent level of comfort (they're coming from a larger car). The car must be capable of 35mpg mixed use and 40mpg+ motorway driving. I should state that the car will be used primarily for runs of 10miles or less, with a few 30miles+ trips per month.
Budget is £6k. The options so far seem to be:
- BMW 1-Series (1.6 or 2.0 petrol, or maybe smaller diesel engine)
- Audi A3 (2.0 FSI petrol or 1.9/2.0 diesel)
- Mercedes A-Class (A170 model)
- Honda Civic (1.8 petrol or 2.2 diesel)
These are all available as 2004-2006 models with less than 80k miles within the budget, and some (especially Civic and A-Class) can be had in high-spec trim levels with navigation and leather.
What opinions do the PH collective have of these cars?
Many thanks in advance.
Regards,
EYW
I'm getting ideas for a friend who needs to move on from his current vehicle due to running costs and repairs. He and his partner have a 1-yr-old and are trying for a second, so they need something with 5 doors, decent back seats, and a buggy big enough to accomodate a decent-sized buggy. At the same time, they want as small an overall package as possible, and importantly, a decent level of comfort (they're coming from a larger car). The car must be capable of 35mpg mixed use and 40mpg+ motorway driving. I should state that the car will be used primarily for runs of 10miles or less, with a few 30miles+ trips per month.
Budget is £6k. The options so far seem to be:
- BMW 1-Series (1.6 or 2.0 petrol, or maybe smaller diesel engine)
- Audi A3 (2.0 FSI petrol or 1.9/2.0 diesel)
- Mercedes A-Class (A170 model)
- Honda Civic (1.8 petrol or 2.2 diesel)
These are all available as 2004-2006 models with less than 80k miles within the budget, and some (especially Civic and A-Class) can be had in high-spec trim levels with navigation and leather.
What opinions do the PH collective have of these cars?
Many thanks in advance.
Regards,
EYW
Edit: just re-read your post regarding moving down from a larger car.
Out of the list you've provided I'd be looking at the A3 as I think it gives the most amount of space inside. From what I've heard the 1 series is somewhat limited on space on the inside? Girl at my work has an A3 and it manages to lug around all the odds and sods for 2 young kids.
Out of the list you've provided I'd be looking at the A3 as I think it gives the most amount of space inside. From what I've heard the 1 series is somewhat limited on space on the inside? Girl at my work has an A3 and it manages to lug around all the odds and sods for 2 young kids.
Edited by CurvaParabolica on Monday 7th May 12:26
From what I heard the boot space and rear passanger space of a 1 series is quite small compared to its competitors due to the FR layout?
They can probably get more/spend less if they went for some of the other VAG variants. My sister has a Leon FR TDI and I can really fault it. But for short journeys you'll probably be better looking at Petrol cars.
If I was him I'd probably be looking at Volvo S40's or S60's, usually full of toys and leather and IMO looks the part.
They can probably get more/spend less if they went for some of the other VAG variants. My sister has a Leon FR TDI and I can really fault it. But for short journeys you'll probably be better looking at Petrol cars.
If I was him I'd probably be looking at Volvo S40's or S60's, usually full of toys and leather and IMO looks the part.
Buy a petrol, get a later lower mileage car for the same money. Diesels don't deliver much fuel efficiency until they're up to temp anyway and that would take most of their 10 mile journey.
VW Golf or Golf Plus
Seat Leon or Altea
Audi A3
Volvo C30
Ford Focus
Skoda Roomster fits the bill perfectly
Ignore the Beemer (impractical), the Astra (not very good) and the Megane latest shape ok but big bottoms are trouble.
ETA: Roomster not Yeti
VW Golf or Golf Plus
Seat Leon or Altea
Audi A3
Volvo C30
Ford Focus
Skoda Roomster fits the bill perfectly
Ignore the Beemer (impractical), the Astra (not very good) and the Megane latest shape ok but big bottoms are trouble.
ETA: Roomster not Yeti
Edited by HustleRussell on Monday 7th May 13:22
I owned a 1-series for 4 years. It was an excellent car in some ways; quick, fun to drive, well built and reliable, however I would not recommend the 1-series as a family car. The back seats are cramped, the rear doors are small which makes access a pain and the boot is small and narrow.
With a 6k budget, I would not be looking at German premium brands. I would suggest a Focus, Civic, Golf, Qashqai or Toyota Auris, all of which will be much more practical than a 1-series. They will also get a younger, lower mileage car for their budget.
With a 6k budget, I would not be looking at German premium brands. I would suggest a Focus, Civic, Golf, Qashqai or Toyota Auris, all of which will be much more practical than a 1-series. They will also get a younger, lower mileage car for their budget.
As a father of a one year old kid, i would heartily suggest looking for a small wagon, the extra 100-200 litres of boot-space are very usefull. I currently drive a 2011 Focus wagon and given the heap of stuff we need to lug around on family visits and such, doing that with a second kid and in a smaller car seems like madness, never mind going on vacation.
A focus wagon would be a dozen or so inches longer then a A3/1-series, but loads more practical. It might score less on comfort, but if you want a "premium" car, you pretty much end up with a 3-series, as the A3 sportback has no more bootspace then a regular golf, despite trying it's hardest to look like a wagon.
A focus wagon would be a dozen or so inches longer then a A3/1-series, but loads more practical. It might score less on comfort, but if you want a "premium" car, you pretty much end up with a 3-series, as the A3 sportback has no more bootspace then a regular golf, despite trying it's hardest to look like a wagon.
Ill say the Civic is very practical. It's got a good sized boot, an extra space underneath where the spare would normally be as it doesn't have one, split rear fold down seats that fold down completey flat which ive never seen before, space under the rear bench which i can't believe isn't done more, and the seats fold up from the front like a garden chair.
The 2.2 diesel has plenty of torque, and it's nippy enough for over-taking, not to loud, and it costs 115quid to tax a year, and i have been averaging 45-48mpg in my 3 tank fulls so far. Mines a 3 door, but you can obviously get a 5 door, and 16 inch wheels for better ride. The roof is nice, and it's got dual zone climate and cruise, and loads of cubby holes and storage inside the cabin.
The only gripe is the seats don't remember where they were if you get in the back, (but thats only on 3 door so won't be a problem for you) and the lack of a rear wiper, although it does seem to keep water/dirt off better than i expected. The rear spoiler isn't to bad at all, and it can help at night when people drive close with chav HID's as it tends to block some light i have found.
It's a nice place to be, although the plastic is easily stratched i have read.
The 2.2 diesel has plenty of torque, and it's nippy enough for over-taking, not to loud, and it costs 115quid to tax a year, and i have been averaging 45-48mpg in my 3 tank fulls so far. Mines a 3 door, but you can obviously get a 5 door, and 16 inch wheels for better ride. The roof is nice, and it's got dual zone climate and cruise, and loads of cubby holes and storage inside the cabin.
The only gripe is the seats don't remember where they were if you get in the back, (but thats only on 3 door so won't be a problem for you) and the lack of a rear wiper, although it does seem to keep water/dirt off better than i expected. The rear spoiler isn't to bad at all, and it can help at night when people drive close with chav HID's as it tends to block some light i have found.
It's a nice place to be, although the plastic is easily stratched i have read.
barky said:
as the rest are saying don't get a diesel if you're doing that kind of mileage ... a 2009 kia cee'd probably worth a look, german designed & far better than many expect ... and not massive
All of the customers from the hire company my wife works for that have hired the Cee'd love it, and always ask for the same again, when they come to re-hire - well built, comfortable, fuel efficient and ultra-reliable - they are the only cars that never need any warranty work done on them (Vauxhall's being the worst for going wrong and customer complaints, apparently..)Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff