£4k-£4.5 to spend - suggestions please

[downbylaw47]

I have £4k-£4.5k to spend on a used car - I'm looking for a 5-door hatchback, for pretty light use. It would be used in London & the South East for shortish weekend trips (very few long trips and no commuting). I know next to nothing about buying cars so would like to buy from a dealer.

I've mainly driven VW Golfs in the past which I like and would like ideally but I worry that Golfs in this price bracket may be a bit on the creaky side. I've seen 2004-2007 models for sale at around this price but worry that this seems a bit too cheap... I would expect them to be more than this.

Can anyone please advise me on the best options for this price range? Would I be safer going for something like a Focus or an Astra? (Both of which I'd be happy with.)

Many thanks.

[anonymous-user]

Have yo considered a "compact" estate like a 3 series touring or a Volvo V50? Good turbo diesel engines, loads of space, comparable build quality to a Focus and better than an Astra... Get the right spec and you will have a 6 speed box too which will make longer trips bearable. You are looking at 100k milers but for those sort of cars, that shouldnt be an issue and most I have seen in teh SW come with good service history.

[downbylaw47]

pablo said:

Have yo considered a "compact" estate like a 3 series touring or a Volvo V50? Good turbo diesel engines, loads of space, comparable build quality to a Focus and better than an Astra... Get the right spec and you will have a 6 speed box too which will make longer trips bearable. You are looking at 100k milers but for those sort of cars, that shouldnt be an issue and most I have seen in teh SW come with good service history.

Many thanks Pablo - I will check that out.