Help me buy a new (used) car

[sleepingjiva]

Hi PHers! Long-time lurker, first-time poster, and having spent more hours than I care to count obsessing over what car to buy next, hoping you can help…

A bit about me: I'm 28, and currently drive an '03 Seat Arosa S (1L). It's a fun little car, but I've just started driving into work (around an hour, mostly in traffic, from Barking in east London/Essex to Kings Cross), and it's not the most comfortable or economical drive, so I'm looking for an upgrade.

I was originally looking at a Civic Type S – was actually just about ready to buy one – but have been put off by reports of a crashy suspension and poor rear visibility.

Here's my checklist – ideally it must be:
• Under £4k
• Petrol (at least Euro 4, ideally Euro 5)
• Comfortable to be sat in traffic in
• Not crashy over bumps
• Faster than my 1L Arosa (0–60 in 17.1 secs!)
• Insurance group under 20

Would a BMW 1 Series work? That seems to tick most of the boxes, but not sure how comfortable it is, especially over bumps/potholes.

Look forward to hearing your suggestions!

Cheers,

Jon

[2Btoo]

This is an awful suggestion but there is a tube line between Barking and Kings Cross. Maybe buy an oyster car(d)? Commuting that route is never going to be fun and you could swap your existing car for something fun for the weekend.

[sleepingjiva]

2Btoo said:

This is an awful suggestion but there is a tube line between Barking and Kings Cross. Maybe buy an oyster car(d)? Commuting that route is never going to be fun and you could swap your existing car for something fun for the weekend.

I did it today, actually. It takes as long as it does to drive and it's far less fun. Thanks for the suggestion, though!

[2Btoo]

Fair enough!

I'll leave the suggestions of cars to others as they will be better placed to comment than me.

[GreatGranny]

13 miles through the east end of London in rush hour fun? Bonkers!!

Use public transport then buy a nice drivers car which you can use in the evening and weekends.

[sleepingjiva]

GreatGranny said:

13 miles through the east end of London in rush hour fun? Bonkers!!

Use public transport then buy a nice drivers car which you can use in the evening and weekends.

It's not fun but it is more enjoyable to be able to just drive to my office than a bus ride to Barking station (20 mins), tube to KX (40 mins) and then a 20-minute walk the other end. It's the lesser of two evils, and I don't mind it.

[exelero]

Honda CR-Z?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[GreatGranny]

sleepingjiva said:

It's not fun but it is more enjoyable to be able to just drive to my office than a bus ride to Barking station (20 mins), tube to KX (40 mins) and then a 20-minute walk the other end. It's the lesser of two evils, and I don't mind it.

Ok no problem :-)

Good suggestion above.

Didn't realise they were around £4k.

That specific one is in Devon but I'm sure you'll find one nearer home.

[sleepingjiva]

exelero said:

Honda CR-Z?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

A CR-Z might not be a bad shout – should be pretty economical.

Unfortunately those back seats look next to useless. Could really do with a proper four seater…

[Johnny 89]

Perhaps a Mazda 3?

Or how about an Alfa? I'm not sure if a GT is too old for you? If so maybe a Giullietta? Is a 159 too big? Gorgeous car

[MorganP104]

If I'm going to be sitting in Central London traffic (I honestly couldn't think of anything worse, frankly), I'll be wanting to sit in something supremely comfortable, isolated from the numerous idiots on the road around me.

For this, I would require a barge, with an automatic gearbox. Get yourself over to this thread for ideas: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

FOOTNOTE: Just in case you think I'm someone from Cornwall who thinks terrible traffic is two sheep on the road, I commute from west of London to East London... Though I do it on the tube, because I'm not a mentalist!

[sleepingjiva]

MorganP104 said:

If I'm going to be sitting in Central London traffic (I honestly couldn't think of anything worse, frankly), I'll be wanting to sit in something supremely comfortable, isolated from the numerous idiots on the road around me.

For this, I would require a barge, with an automatic gearbox. Get yourself over to this thread for ideas: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

FOOTNOTE: Just in case you think I'm someone from Cornwall who thinks terrible traffic is two sheep on the road, I commute from west of London to East London... Though I do it on the tube, because I'm not a mentalist!

I would LOVE one of those – I bought an ’87 Chevy station wagon when I was last in the US – but I don't think it's going to work on the economical and cheap insurance front…

[ZX10R NIN]

You'll have to keep in mind that the Mayor will be trying to bring the T Charge extension in as soon as possible so Euro4's are out.

With this in mind I'd say some of these will fit your brief:

Alfa Mito Veloce 120-155 models

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

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

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

Clio 1.2tce GT Line

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

The above will be fun & comfortable for a small hatch.

Privilege these have softer setup than the GT version above.

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

To be honest the Vauxhall Astra is hard to beat in terms of spec performance (in 1.4T or 1.6 n/a form) & comfort:

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

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

All the above are group 20 or lower & a minimum of Euro5.

[sleepingjiva]

ZX10R NIN said:

You'll have to keep in mind that the Mayor will be trying to bring the T Charge extension in as soon as possible so Euro4's are out.

With this in mind I'd say some of these will fit your brief:

Alfa Mito Veloce 120-155 models

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

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

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

Clio 1.2tce GT Line

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

The above will be fun & comfortable for a small hatch.

Privilege these have softer setup than the GT version above.

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

To be honest the Vauxhall Astra is hard to beat in terms of spec performance (in 1.4T or 1.6 n/a form) & comfort:

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

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

All the above are group 20 or lower & a minimum of Euro5.

Thanks for the suggestions! I hadn't thought about a Clio – that might work. Was looking at Mitos originally, but I gather Alfas can be expensive to maintain and service.

On ULEZ, Euro 4s should be fine, though: the requirements are Euro 4 for petrols and Euro 6 for diesels.
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emissio...

My Arosa is Euro 3, and I accidentally went into the T-charge zone the other day, so got stung…

[ZX10R NIN]

Yes but the next cars to be targeted are the Euro4 then Euro5 petrols to bring everything into line, so why leave yourself open by buying a Euro4.

[ZX10R NIN]

sleepingjiva said:

Thanks for the suggestions! I hadn't thought about a Clio – that might work. Was looking at Mitos originally, but I gather Alfas can be expensive to maintain and service.

On ULEZ, Euro 4s should be fine, though: the requirements are Euro 4 for petrols and Euro 6 for diesels.
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emissio...

My Arosa is Euro 3, and I accidentally went into the T-charge zone the other day, so got stung…

The Mito's aren't expensive to service they have the same engine as Punto T Jets/Fiat 500's they're easy to service any decent garage will be able look after the car, they're only expensive when you go to the main dealers, who probably won't do as good a job as a good independent.