Car Advice: medium sized car, cheap to run: £3000

[seekdestroy]

Hi guys,

I've been looking for cars for the past two weeks but can't decide what to go for. I've got a budget of £3000 and I'm looking for a nice petrol, which is cheap to run. I don't do many miles, but may use it to drive to France in the summer so it needs to be reliable.

I've had a Peugoet 106 1.1 Independence for the past 3 years and it managed quite well to france and wasn't expensive to run. But now it's given up and will cost more to repair than what I paid for it.

Due to the previous car being so basic, I'm looking for something a bit nicer. Definitely would like to go for a 5 Door, and air con and remote central locking. Apart from that, something reliable and nice to drive.

Let me know if you need any more info.

[Tc24]

Leon?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-02-Seat-Leon-1-6-S-...

Civic?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-HONDA-CIVIC-VTEC-EX...

Focus?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-FORD-FOCUS-1-6i-ZET...

Can't really go too far wrong with any of the above

[willmagrath]

wild cards??
Saab 9-3

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

BMW 3 series

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Sensible stuff

Ford focus

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

Sporty choice

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

Edited by willmagrath on Monday 27th January 19:28

[Stick Legs]

BMW 320i Touring E46. You will be surprised how economical and reliable these are.

[seekdestroy]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, will definitely check them out.

Just thought I should mention I'm 23 so I'm guessing the insurance on a sporty car may be a bit much. Also, I'm probably more concerned with MPG than speed, luckily I have a Radical clubsport for the track. So want something a bit more economical for the road.

I don't think I do enough miles to warrant the need for a Diesel. I'm going to be moving soon and I'll be about 3 miles from work near centre of city.

I've heard the Mazda 3 is a good car too.

[willmagrath]

dont let the whole 'needing to do loads of miles in a diesel' thing. Im 20 and used to have a ford focus 1.6 which was ok on fuel, but cost me too much for the short (8 mile) trips to uni and a few long journeys a month, couldnt get more than 45 to the gallon out of it. So i bought a used diesel (gets rid of the extra price over and above the petrol) and it costs me 50 quid a year less to tax and i get an extra 25 miles out of £20 of fuel!! And, compared to the focus, goes like s**t off a shovel!

[seekdestroy]

Yeah I like the idea of cheaper tax, especially with some of the newer cars. It's definitely worth it when the petrol car isn't that economical and has higher tax. For example if the car was a small engine with 40-50mpg. What diesel car did you move to?

[Vaud]

Honda Accord?

[seekdestroy]

I think the honda accord is too big and quite low mpg.

I've looked at some 1.6 petrol focuses:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

I quite like the 55 plate Ghia because it has all the extras like cruise control. What do you guys think? Am I just paying more for the focus than I would with other cars?

[chippy17]

I have had a 2004 Civic Type S 5 Door as a run around for a year now and think it is a great car for the money, fast enough, frugal (almost 40mpg) 5 doors and spacious and so far nothing other than a service, and completely under the radar:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

[Toaster Pilot]

I'm getting almost 40MPG out of a 200k mile Audi A6 1.8T so you don't necessarily need a small car for economy....

[roscopervis]

I did this about 2 years ago and got a 1.9 PD130 Seat Leon Mk1. Old enough diesel engine without DPF, and has been very reliable averaging about 50mpg.

I'd look to get one of the many cars with that engine in, from Skoda Fabia's to Golf Mk4's, to Seat's and Audi's - whatever comes up in budget.

[4sure]

2004 gen 2 Prius
They are great cars , comfy 5 seater,good air con 55 mpg real world mpg,forget all the green stuff and they are a tenner to tax for 12 months.
Honest try one !

[anonymous-user]

4sure said:

2004 gen 2 Prius
They are great cars , comfy 5 seater,good air con 55 mpg real world mpg,forget all the green stuff and they are a tenner to tax for 12 months.
Honest try one !

55mpg is at the top end and after driving one they offer a pretty limp driving experience. Worth a test drive but not everyone's cup of tea!