Family Car/Wife's Car Choice

[GreatGranny]

After wife's car was written off we need to buy a car which will double as my wife's commuter (25 miles per day) and the family car when journey too long for my Leaf.

It will seat 4 most of the time on family duties with occasional 5 (17, 15 and 10).

Budget is £9 - 9.5k.

5 door

Petrol

Bit of poke but will do 40ish mpg

Not crazy tax or insurance costs.

I would like a Golf GTI but wife is a little concerned about running cost.
Will they do 40mpg? (wife's commute is 900% A road with average speed of 40-50 mph with 10% 30 limit)

I really like the 159 but what is the petrol like (1.8TB)?

Also 3 series Touring is on the (my) list (318 or 320).

Any other suggestions?

[GreatGranny]

Thanks j532

The Edition 30 would be on my choice but unfortunately my wife wants a newer car than the MK5 so will have to be MK6.

VRS looks a decent alternative. Is it the same engine?

Think with the Beemer my budget will get a high mileage E92(?) or a lower mileage higher spec E90(?) such as this

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Says average 44mpg so should be able to average 40ish in the real world?

[Integroo]

The Civic 1.8 is relatively prompt (though it is no hot hatch) with a nice free revving engine, I average 39mpg with a relatively heavy right foot (I like to rev the nuts off it on small roads...) - can break 50mpg on long motorway runs if you're very sensible with eco mode on. Spacious with a huge boot and enough room in the back (though I don't think it has huge amounts of headroom in the back). 185 tax and relatively cheap to insure I think (certainly cheaper than a GTI). Get a well specced 2013 with under 25k miles for your budget. Or slightly newer/less well specced.

Edited by Integroo on Monday 11th September 11:26

[ZX10R NIN]

Here's a leftfield option but I've sourced a few for people & all were very happy with them so I'd say go & take one for a test drive, you'll probably have to go around £600 over budget but you get a very good car £220 tax:


You'll still have 4 years warranty left & you get a loaded 200bhp Focus sized car that's a (not as good as the Megane but nothing beats those) good steer:

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

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

Or you could get a 180bhp Focus Titanium X which are good but for the money the Kia would get the nod if it were me.

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

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Monday 11th September 11:31

[ZX10R NIN]

Forgot to say you can get a Giulietta in 170bhp Sportiva form in budget & that's another good car £135 tax:

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

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

[GreatGranny]

j532 said:

That is fair enough, although I wouldn't be worried about the age. Just to mention the MK6 is a face lifted MK5 (I prefer the MK5 though!). Yes the VRs has the same engine and apparently a little softer on the suspension. I think they are better value if you aren't in favour of a certain badge on the bonnet.

The only issue with the 318i/320i is they are a bit gutless if you can put up with it. Main weaknesses on that engine is they can be prone to injector/coilpack failures. I would go for a 6 cylinder if possible as they really are worth it, silky smooth, more reliable and better at pulling the extra weight of the touring. I think the E91 is a great all round package, rear wheel drive is brilliant and they have handy features like the split tailgate etc. As long as it has been well maintained and the service history is there I wouldn't be put off with age/milage, get rid of the run flats if you do buy an E91 as will improve the ride on the sport suspension.

Example Touring:
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Edited by j532 on Monday 11th September 11:00

Thanks, lovely car but the 1.8/2.0 will be fine :-)

ETA.

Civic is a good shout, not sure about looks but I will have a look.

That Kia seems good value but not sure I want to go over budget.
£9.5k is pushing it as it is.

Thought about a Focus but wife not keen.

Edited by GreatGranny on Monday 11th September 11:31