New help choosing a car @ £15k

[Valkirk]

Looking to downsize from current car and am stuck trying to find something "exciting".

Budget is around the £15k mark (could go higher for the right car though)
Looking at trade sales as need to PX
Realistically need something that can fit a buggy in the boot with couple of overnight bags minimum and room for Child seat in back with ISOFIX
Not too concerned with Fuel / Tax however can't be insane and nothing over the 225 CO2 mark although of course the more efficient the better!
Like toys!
Petrol & Manual
Reliable as will be a DD

So far looked at a new Suzuki Swift Sport but it struggles with the boot space (Although not totally ruled out), looking at a Focus 1.0 Ecoboost today but that most certainly isn't going to fit into the Exciting category! Citroen DS3? Again space I reckon will be an issue.

I am swaying towards a nearly new Focus ST but very few around, is there anything similar that would you would recommend?

[ashleyqprw12]

MX-5? No?

Could look at an R32 Golf.. if you get a pre 06 you won't get the tax increase although not exactlly economical.. a 5 door is easier to find i believe and will help with the baby seats..?

A3 Quattro aswell could be a shout? Think the S3 would be pushing closer to the £20k bracket

[David87]

A lightly used Mégane 250 should be within reach. It'll be a better drive than the Focus ST. A little extra cash would get you a Focus RS, however.

[Valkirk]

Sadly got to have rear seats to seat 2 adults + baby seat

Just looking at an R32 atm actually, it's 2009 so would be hammered by £500 tax but very nice car. Guess if R32 is down there should be able to get a <3yr GTI kitted up?

Had a brief look at the Audi's this morning, will dig further thanks!!

[Codswallop]

BMW 130i has a good blend of handling, pace and cheap(ish) running costs if you can live with the slightly small boot.

Clio RS 200 might be worth a look too.

[nonuts]

Codswallop said:

BMW 130i has a good blend of handling, pace and cheap(ish) running costs if you can live with the slightly small boot.

This, find an approved used one.

[Rich S]

I was looking for something like this for Mrs S

we went with a Clio RS200 Gordini with the cup chassis
found one with a little over 3k on the clock for less than your budget

Very pleased with the car , we had also looked at the Swift Sport , which we liked , but as you say is just that bit smaller

Very pleased with the Clio , I would even be tempted to take it on track

The Cup Chassis is on the stiff side , which I love , but Mrs S would I think have been perfectly happy with the std set up

[Valkirk]

I'll check out the Clio thanks; had a quick look for 130i but not much out there, there is a reasonable one (Albeit a fair trek away) £13.5k but 6 years old which seems a bit steep to me?

[Valkirk]

Looking at Renaults and saw this, seems like a lot of car for the money?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

[David87]

Valkirk said:

Looking at Renaults and saw this, seems like a lot of car for the money?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

Yep, told you so!

[LuS1fer]

A friend of mine went from a Mustang GT to an R32 and loves it. I had a brief sniff and it seems GTIs aren't much cheaper and tennd to be leggier and less well "cherished". VEL is a problem though. You can always buy a Mustang GT for that and only pay £215 VEL a year. Not sure about Isofix though as, even though I have one, I've never looked.

[ian2144]

Skoda vRS !!

[craig2003]

We have two kids, one at 6 and another almost 2 and have used the 5 door MKIV R32 as a family car for well over three years. No real issues with space, it was a bit tight when the youngest was an infant but absolutely fine now. We have managed to get the full holiday luggage in as well as a buggy

[Valkirk]

Thanks to all of you for your help (And David87 for picking the Renault )

The Skoda vRS does offer a very good price as well, Golf R32 although likely a superb car I just wouldn't want the VED (Same issue I have with mine now is £500 a year stings)

So far put down a refundable deposit on that Megane, phoned up and went for test drive at lunch. Just going to let the wife have a drive to check she is happy with it as well then if the figures work out might be the new car.

[sp222]

the Megane looks good value, but you may regret having 3 doors over 5 when trying to get a child seat in and out (particularly one of the type you use when they're newborn).

I was going to say a 123d has been good for my wife's car - and then I read you want petrol.. 130i would be good then as suggested above. We can get a fair bit in the 1er - it's not massive, but would be OK if you just have one child and a load of stuff - we regularly get 2 dogs in the boot of ours, but it did struggle if you get one of the bigger buggies on the market (get one of those folding maclaren ones if you have limited car space)

Cheers

[Valkirk]

It's a second car so it won't need little one in and out on a regular basis, just on the odd occasion we fancy taking this car instead. I tried to argue for a 2 seater but then if the other car is ever out of action it would mean we were stuck

Having said that though I was a little concerned about rear space so there is sill caveat on me fitting in car seat and checking there is enough room with baby in back and passenger.

[smoken]

SEAT LEON FR 170bhp TDI road tax 165.00 can be re-maped to 230bhp giving top speed 152mph pretty good for a TDI best all rounder. cheap tax' cheap insurance' cheap to run' massive spec' 350 torque 5doors.

Edited by smoken on Wednesday 22 August 21:10

Edited by smoken on Thursday 23 August 10:18

[David87]

Valkirk said:

Thanks to all of you for your help (And David87 for picking the Renault )

Glad I could be of service! I have to say, it makes my Focus RS look like rather poor value... I paid over £10k (!) more for a car that is essentially very similar. Blimey.

[Emeye]

Gotta be a mk5 golf gti. A five door. Was the perfect family car which was a blast to drive when I was on my own. Decent economy when cruising. Wish we had never got rid of ours, but when we had the second kiddy my wife wanted mores space. My bro had a focus st, and while is sounded better, the economy was terrible and it has rattled itself to bits by 60000 miles. I've had 2 Gtis and would have another if we were not having a third!!!

[PUA]

unless I'm missing something - surely 15k+ budget could get you something much better! eg a 2007 bmw 330i coupe would be less than 10k.