Fast 5dr Used Car for c£15k with at least 1yr warranty rem.

[dsimon]

Current short list:
- Vauxhall Astra 1.6i 16V Turbo 200PS
- Skoda Octavia vRS (found only high mileage examples within budget here...)
- Seat Leon Cupra 280 (found only high mileage examples within budget here...)
- Kia Ceed GT

Interestingly, I cannot find any 5dr offerings from Ford that fit the bill - I hope I'm not missing anything obvious?

Any other thoughts or ideas??? All contributions appreciated.

[Jdjd1]

No point buying ford because your car simply will not be outside in the morning

[mike9009]

I found these alternatives (dependent upon your definition of 'fast')

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

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

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

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

Mike

[Mo28]

Golf GTi?

[dsimon]

Many thanks for your suggestions mike - I had not realised a reasonably potent Volvo could be purchased within my budget.

much appreciated

[S54Love]

How big do you need the car to be? And is there any particular reason for the warranty? As you seem to state that the Cupra 'n VRS will have to be high mileage ones for your budget but they only have a warranty up to 60,000 miles so I hope that is factored into those choices.

Anyhow:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
This one is slightly more: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

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

hth

[dsimon]

Many thanks for your advice S54Love - the Peugeot 308 GTi interests me a lot - I am sorely tempted but concerned that the engine is quite highly tuned for a production roadcar (particularly the more powerful variant - more bhp/litre than a ferrari 360!) and may become expensive if it goes wrong....

Sizing I am happy to be reasonably flexible on - my partner outlined her requirements:
- isofix points and enough room for a couple of baby seats in the back
- 5 doors for easy access to the back seats
- Good reliability over the planned 3-4 year ownership period

I am trying to find something not entirely dull with a healthy turn of pace that fits the bill. The quicker the better!!

[ZX10R NIN]

Focus ST-3 (you'll get a years warranty if you haggle)

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

ST-2

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

It's hard to look past the C'eed GT (the Tech model is the one to go for)

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

If you take a look at Vauxhalls VXR offering (although I'm stretching the Hot Hatch bit) you can bag yourself a very good & often overlooked car:

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

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

I know it not comparing apples with apples but I'd take the Insignia everytime.

[Dolf Stoppard]

Definition of fast? Petrol or diesel? No point buying the latter if you're only doing low mileage.

[dsimon]

0-100mph somewhere below or around the 16sec bracket would be a ballpark target.

Annual Mileage 10-15k

I have no prejudices/preferences on fuel type - all potential candidates/suggestions appreciated.

[ZX10R NIN]

It's very hard to look past those Insignia VXR's as they both come with a years warranty.

Diesel options:

Mondeo Vignale

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

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

Or a Petrol Titanium:

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

The Insignia is hard to beat VFM wise as you can get a 2017 top of the range Elite Nav for your budget:

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

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

[Shrimpvende]

If you buy approved used from a main dealer you get a year's extra manufacturer warranty which will bring more cars into your budget.

I looked at a couple of used Octavia VRS's under £15k from Skoda before deciding it was easier just to lease a new one. Would something like this be suitable for you? It's got a year's Skoda warranty:

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

(suggesting this as I've been seriously impressed with mine since it arrived a couple of weeks ago)

Edited by Shrimpvende on Saturday 27th January 18:34

[dsimon]

Thanks Shrimpvende - I am learning lots on this site!

The main dealer warranty extension sounds great for peace of mind - one would assume any major gremlins would show up (or at least give a hint of their existence) in the first year of ownership. I've also noticed that many also offer a "cooling off" period (usually 30-60 days) in which they claim the buyer can return the vehicle for a full refund.

I have studied the Octavia, I must admit I am somewhat put off by all the reports of the stiff ride setup - I fear this could become tiring over the longer term. Out of interest, did you opt for the Diesel version or Petrol version of the new Octavia?

[Shrimpvende]

dsimon said:

Thanks Shrimpvende - I am learning lots on this site!

The main dealer warranty extension sounds great for peace of mind - one would assume any major gremlins would show up (or at least give a hint of their existence) in the first year of ownership. I've also noticed that many also offer a "cooling off" period (usually 30-60 days) in which they claim the buyer can return the vehicle for a full refund.

I have studied the Octavia, I must admit I am somewhat put off by all the reports of the stiff ride setup - I fear this could become tiring over the longer term. Out of interest, did you opt for the Diesel version or Petrol version of the new Octavia?

To be sold as an approved used car it has to pass a number of checks and they are normally prepped better - matching tyres, cosmetic stuff taken car of etc. You pay a premium for an approved used car over the equivalent at an indy dealer but you know it's been properly checked out, has guaranteed history and the warranty - worth the extra IMO. If any gremlins do show up you can get them sorted under warranty - my weekend car is an approved used Jag and I sent that back in after a couple of months for them to sort out the niggles I picked up on, the work was done without question.

I went for the petrol as I hate diesels, it's so smooth and quiet you really have to check to see if the engine's running. There's also a fair power difference between them so if you're after performance the petrol is the one to shoot for. Mine has the optional 19" wheels that everyone seems to say gives a harsh ride, but I've found it the opposite - it's well damped and not crashy. Although my other cars are an F type, a Z4 on runflats and previously a Vantage so my idea of a soft ride is probably a bit distorted!

[Camelot1971]

My VRS 230 Estate (2016) has a very harsh ride - it is on 19's which doesn't help. It's fine if the road surface is ok but it does bang through post holes and over rough surfaces. I expect having adaptive dampers would help (I think they were an option but mine is leased so I didn't add any).

[ZX10R NIN]

I can recommend the Mondeo as a IMO a better alternative to the Octavia, it's a better steer just as well built with a nice ride they're loaded with kit & have the performance.

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

If you want a soft ride get one with the smaller alloys & higher sidewall tyres:

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

The Skoda is a decent car but I'd buy the Mondeo every time, I can't fault mine (admittedly it's the 210 diesel) & have supplied a fair few of both & the Ford wins.

[andy43]

15k is a good healthy budget - but the warranty requirement is killing your options.

If you fancy being brave/stupid/insane/bankrupted (delete as appropriate) why not go older and keep a few grand back for either a warranty or emergency repairs? Before 2006 means cheaper tax. Less likely to get nicked due to the age. Probably less depreciation ahead - but add on pricier repairs, subtract modern diesel repairs, add on tyres, more fuel etc. They even pass as sensible family estate cars.

Rare 8 grand low miles 333bhp V8 estate


12k 4.2 quattro avant


13k supercharged 500 bhp estate that will make your knees go weak when you hear it (or fill it up...)


Just food for thought