What would you buy?

[jayymannon]

Looking to upgrade my nearly-ten-year-old Peugeot 207.

Would ideally spend no more than 8k, could stretch and dip into the house deposit fund but I'd rather not as it's still someway short

My commute involves around 8 miles B road, 7 miles A road and 2-3 miles urban each way.

Ideally I'd want nothing older than 3-4 years and up to 30,000 miles. I'd prob run it for 5 years and add around 11,000 miles a year.
Preference is for Petrol and Manual, although I wouldn't automatically discard Automatic.

Something reliable would be great.

I've been looking at Seat Ibiza and Skoda Fabia.
I love the Madza 3 but it'd prob mean stretching the budget a bit, is it worth it?

What would you buy in my situation?
Thanks in advance.

[keo]

For me I would go for a Fiesta ST think one with higher miles than you would like might sneak into budget. I haven’t looked at them for a bit though.

[ZX10R NIN]

The Mazda3 is in budget admittedly only in 1.6 form:

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

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

Ford Focus in Titanium spec with the 1.6T engine (they all seem to be auto but that's not a bad thing)

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

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

Astra SRI (these are good value)

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

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

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

Another good car is the Alfa Giulietta

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

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

Kia Pro C'eed

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

The Alfa is hard to ignore but I'd probably go for the (the extra torque from the turbo engine would edge it for me) Ford or Kia but none of the above are bad cars.

[talksthetorque]

Save up and buy a house nearer work?
Is there anything wrong with the car you have?
Of course if you want a new car then go ahead, but for 8k will you be getting anything that's a refurbished kitchen and bathroom better?

[jayymannon]

Awesome, thank you for the replies.
The Mazda is the car I can't really get away from in my mind.
But you've given me food for thought now!
The Alfa does look good doesn't it...........

[ZX10R NIN]

They're very good cars the main dealers are normally not the best but find a good Indy & you really win't go wrong with one as I said the cars with the turbo engines will feel like they've got more shove but get some test drives in so you can see for yourself.

[Herbs]

How far off buying a home are you?

Buy the car you want and sell it when you want to buy a house and downgrade then if necessary .

Edited by Herbs on Monday 11th December 12:57

[Trevor555]

If you go the Fabia route then try to up your budget a little and get a 1.2se version, 2015 onwards, probably £9,000 worth.

The newer model is a vastly better car than the last one, and the 1.2 engine is very good, and £20 road tax.

Decent spec on the SE including auto emergency braking, leather steering wheel, rear park sensors, decent radio etc..

I've been in the motor trade for 30 years now, driven all sorts, and the Fabia really impressed me.

Fiesta for £8000 is a good small car.

I like Mazdas, but I've seen bad corrosion on some Mazdas that were only a few years old.

[jayymannon]

Trevor555 said:

If you go the Fabia route then try to up your budget a little and get a 1.2se version, 2015 onwards, probably £9,000 worth.

The newer model is a vastly better car than the last one, and the 1.2 engine is very good, and £20 road tax.

Decent spec on the SE including auto emergency braking, leather steering wheel, rear park sensors, decent radio etc..

I've been in the motor trade for 30 years now, driven all sorts, and the Fabia really impressed me.

Fiesta for £8000 is a good small car.

I like Mazdas, but I've seen bad corrosion on some Mazdas that were only a few years old.

Hi, Thank You for this, it ticks a lot of boxes and the engine was the one thing I was sceptical about. I think a test-drive is in order!

[MorganP104]

ZX10R NIN said:

The Mazda3 is in budget admittedly only in 1.6 form:

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

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

Ford Focus in Titanium spec with the 1.6T engine (they all seem to be auto but that's not a bad thing)

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

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

Astra SRI (these are good value)

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

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

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

Another good car is the Alfa Giulietta

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

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

Kia Pro C'eed

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

The Alfa is hard to ignore but I'd probably go for the (the extra torque from the turbo engine would edge it for me) Ford or Kia but none of the above are bad cars.

As usual, a great car buying post from ZX10R NIN.

I'd go for the Alfa. After a Pug 207, it will feel sooooooooo special.