What family car for approx 5k - Page 1 - Car Buying

davnav1

Original Poster

6 posts

90 months

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[news]

Monday 4th June 2018

I currently have a mk4 astra 1600 sxi, which is big enough for our family needs, it is now 16yrs old so i am looking for something newer.
These are the cars i have been looking at but im really confused, please can i have some advice as to what yous would buy if you were me.
Mazda 3 1600 petrol
Astra mk6 1600 petrol
Honda civic 1800 petrol
Audi A3 or A4 unsure what engine
Skoda octavia unsure of what engine
Car will be used daily but mostly only short trips such as school runs, shopping ect and family trips out and about.
Any other ideas of cars would be really appreciated, looking forward to some feedback.
Thanks for looking.

CJ1

468 posts

98 months

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[news]

Monday 4th June 2018

DONT go for a Diesel if you intend on doing lots of short trips around town, DPF will fail prematurely and clog up. Be warned the Audi/VW Petrols 2005-2011 are known to use a lot of Oil and need checking up on regularly.

ZX10R NIN

29,766 posts

145 months

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Monday 4th June 2018

davnav1

Original Poster

6 posts

90 months

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[news]

Friday 8th June 2018

CJ1 said:

DONT go for a Diesel if you intend on doing lots of short trips around town, DPF will fail prematurely and clog up. Be warned the Audi/VW Petrols 2005-2011 are known to use a lot of Oil and need checking up on regularly.

thanks petrol it is then.thanks for the advice.

davnav1

Original Poster

6 posts

90 months

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[news]

Friday 8th June 2018

ZX10R NIN said:

1 Alfa Giulietta Veloce I would panic buying one of these,never seen around much and would imagine parts would be hard to come by.

2 Megane GT dont like any french cars

3 Ford Focus Titanium really like them but most fords seem to be rust buckets

4 Kia Cee'd 3 will check them out but no nothing about them

5 Astra in Elite , se model and the sri all look good for my needs but some are saying heavy cars and slow ,im looking at the 1600cc models.If anyone has one can you let me know if their alright.

6 Mazda3 Sport and like the look of takuya

i think its down to a Astra SE or Mazda 3 takuya at the minute unless more advice on here.

really appreciate all the input massive thanks

ZX10R NIN

29,766 posts

145 months

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[news]

Friday 8th June 2018

davnav1 said:

1 Alfa Giulietta Veloce I would panic buying one of these,never seen around much and would imagine parts would be hard to come by.

No not at all parts are no more expensive than VAG/Ford & they're no less robust either, lots of them around my neck of the woods I've supplied a fair few the 1.4T engine is reliable to & has plenty of go especially in 170bhp form.

davnav1 said:

2 Megane GT dont like any french cars

Put your biases aside & drive one they've improved a lot.

davnav1 said:

3 Ford Focus Titanium really like them but most fords seem to be rust buckets

Unless you're talking about an old 80's Ford rust won't be an issue on any of the types of cars you're considering.

davnav1 said:

4 Kia Cee'd 3 will check them out but no nothing about them

Kia's are reliable just a good white goods choice.

davnav1 said:

5 Astra in Elite , se model and the sri all look good for my needs but some are saying heavy cars and slow ,im looking at the 1600cc models.If anyone has one can you let me know if their alright.

With the Astra you can get them in 1.6T form they're harder to find but worth seeking out.

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

The N/A 1.6 isn't to bad, test drive one to see what you think.

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

davnav1 said:

6 Mazda3 Sport and like the look of takuya

The Mazda is decent but the Focus it's based on is a better car, for me it has to be Sport trim.

davnav1 said:

i think its down to a Astra SE or Mazda 3 takuya at the minute unless more advice on here.

really appreciate all the input massive thanks

Foe me the Astra is best in Elite/SRI VX Line trim.

DickP

1,134 posts

170 months

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[news]

Friday 8th June 2018

Hi,

When I had a company car scheme, to begin with I had a hire Astra 1.6 petrol until my designated Astra Sports Tourer 1.7 Cdti (130) was available. The 1.6 petrol really only worked if you absolutely caned it as the Astra isn't that light really. The Sports Tourer with the 1.7 diesel was much much quicker for every day use, even if the book figures might not suggest it.

Ps. I still think the Focus mk2 hatch is probably one of the best looking "white goods" hatch backs around.

seadragon

1,137 posts

235 months

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Monday 11th June 2018

Skoda Yeti (petrol)

davnav1

Original Poster

6 posts

90 months

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[news]

Wednesday 13th June 2018

ZX10R NIN said:

davnav1 said:

1 Alfa Giulietta Veloce I would panic buying one of these,never seen around much and would imagine parts would be hard to come by.

No not at all parts are no more expensive than VAG/Ford & they're no less robust either, lots of them around my neck of the woods I've supplied a fair few the 1.4T engine is reliable to & has plenty of go especially in 170bhp form.

davnav1 said:

2 Megane GT dont like any french cars

Put your biases aside & drive one they've improved a lot.

davnav1 said:

3 Ford Focus Titanium really like them but most fords seem to be rust buckets

Unless you're talking about an old 80's Ford rust won't be an issue on any of the types of cars you're considering.

davnav1 said:

4 Kia Cee'd 3 will check them out but no nothing about them

Kia's are reliable just a good white goods choice.

davnav1 said:

5 Astra in Elite , se model and the sri all look good for my needs but some are saying heavy cars and slow ,im looking at the 1600cc models.If anyone has one can you let me know if their alright.

With the Astra you can get them in 1.6T form they're harder to find but worth seeking out.

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

The N/A 1.6 isn't to bad, test drive one to see what you think.

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

davnav1 said:

6 Mazda3 Sport and like the look of takuya

The Mazda is decent but the Focus it's based on is a better car, for me it has to be Sport trim.

davnav1 said:

i think its down to a Astra SE or Mazda 3 takuya at the minute unless more advice on here.

really appreciate all the input massive thanks

Foe me the Astra is best in Elite/SRI VX Line trim.

Big thanks for your detailed reply, much appreciated

davnav1

Original Poster

6 posts

90 months

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[news]

Wednesday 13th June 2018

seadragon said:

Skoda Yeti (petrol)

Looks spot on but problem is most are 20 TDI and petrol are small 12 tsi also prices are high but thanks for your input

davnav1

Original Poster

6 posts

90 months

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[news]

Wednesday 13th June 2018

After going to a car sales place, I've checked, out lots of cars for size and practicability, and out all of them size and price the astra seemed the best, just need to test drive.
Also after checking out even more cars and reviews I'm now thinking about a approx 10 plate Nissan Qashqai 1600cc petrol any thought's on these as there seems to be plenty of room and same length as a new astra
Thanks

GreatGranny

9,519 posts

246 months

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Wednesday 13th June 2018

Good cars for what you want.

High seating position.
Plenty of room.
Not the quickest but then you're not buying it for that.

Just do normal checks, proper HPI, service history, receipts etc...

Bennyjames28

1,702 posts

112 months

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Wednesday 13th June 2018

I would be taking a ford focus over the astra.

ZX10R NIN

29,766 posts

145 months

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[news]

Wednesday 13th June 2018

davnav1 said:

After going to a car sales place, I've checked, out lots of cars for size and practicability, and out all of them size and price the astra seemed the best, just need to test drive.
Also after checking out even more cars and reviews I'm now thinking about a approx 10 plate Nissan Qashqai 1600cc petrol any thought's on these as there seems to be plenty of room and same length as a new astra
Thanks

The Qashqai is not a better car than the Astra I would look straight past one.

nunpuncher

3,606 posts

145 months

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Thursday 14th June 2018

100% the civic or any other Honda. You just cannot beat a Honda for 100% reliable hassle free family motoring. We've had 5 of them in the family (all different models), all driven to well over 100k miles in mixed driving and not 1 has needed anything other than routine servicing and consumables.

Mazda I'd avoid as they all rust before their time.

Astra I'd avoid as my dad's company used to run a fleet of Vauxhall's and they were always having issues.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

218 months

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Thursday 14th June 2018

S max
Honda Accord Estate

seadragon

1,137 posts

235 months

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[news]

Thursday 14th June 2018

davnav1 said:

seadragon said:

Skoda Yeti (petrol)

Looks spot on but problem is most are 20 TDI and petrol are small 12 tsi also prices are high but thanks for your input

Yes sorry, forgot about the pricing.

Maybe a Vauxhall Meriva or Zafira VXR

underphil

1,295 posts

230 months

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Thursday 14th June 2018

My wife had the Astra J 1.6 for many years, I drove it a lot - only thing it ever needed was a new thermostat which was pretty cheap

They are heavy so aren't the quickest with the 1.6, feels like a big solid car though - much more refined than most of the competition. The SRi is the pick as the sport suspension is way better than the SE/Elite but still rides well and the sports seats are super comfortable

They also did a 1.4T, which could be a good option if you can find one