Reliable Daily upto 8k - Page 1 - Car Buying

the_bakerboy3685

Original Poster

74 posts

125 months

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Monday 9th July 2018

Looking for something that will do 50 miles a day plus a few extra trips on top with overtime I do, so around 15k miles a year. As title says my max budget is £8,000.

Basically I want something that will be reliable and last a good few years without having to fork out for repairs apart from usual maintenance. It doesn't have to be the most practical but would prefer a small family hatch size and also something that doesn't make me look 75 years old (so basically I don't want a Honda Jazz).

Also would prefer nothing older than 2010-11.

So far I am thinking:

Honda Civic (Mk 8 or 9)
Toyota Auris
Ford Focus (More fun to drive but will it be as reliable as Japanese?)
Mazda 3

If there is anything else people can recommend or if people can advise what they would choose out of the above would be much appreciated!

Edited by the_bakerboy3685 on Monday 9th July 13:38

ZX10R NIN

29,757 posts

145 months

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Monday 9th July 2018

nmd87

839 posts

210 months

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Monday 9th July 2018

Nissan Pulsar. Best in class for cabin noise and comfortable. Good spec on the N Tec. Reliable K9K diesel engine. You'll get a 3 year old with under 30k on the clock for around £8k.

the_bakerboy3685

Original Poster

74 posts

125 months

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Tuesday 10th July 2018

nmd87 said:

Nissan Pulsar. Best in class for cabin noise and comfortable. Good spec on the N Tec. Reliable K9K diesel engine. You'll get a 3 year old with under 30k on the clock for around £8k.

Heard bad things about these though in terms of reliability, finished bottom of the list on What Car.

https://www.whatcar.com/news/reliability-survey-4/

The Honda attracted me with it's reliability record but certainly the Focus is a good bet and prob a bit cheaper as more of them to choose from.

Jag_NE

3,276 posts

120 months

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Tuesday 10th July 2018

nmd87 said:

Nissan Pulsar. Best in class for cabin noise and comfortable. Good spec on the N Tec. Reliable K9K diesel engine. You'll get a 3 year old with under 30k on the clock for around £8k.

I know several people with relatively new Nissans and the general consensus is that the quality is awful.

OP - a diesel would probably save you in the region of 400 quid a year at that mileage but the general consensus is that you are more likely to experience a problem. If you took a 5 year view I think you would be unlucky if you incurred £2k's worth of diesel specific issues. At the same time, if you live month to month you may prefer to spend a bit more on fuel and not have to absorb an unexpected big bill. I think your list of suggested cars is sensible. Id try and get a main dealer one with a 1 year warranty just in case it the car has underlying issues, which at that age it may do.

ZX10R NIN

29,757 posts

145 months

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Tuesday 10th July 2018

Jag_NE said:

I know several people with relatively new Nissans and the general consensus is that the quality is awful.

OP - a diesel would probably save you in the region of 400 quid a year at that mileage but the general consensus is that you are more likely to experience a problem. If you took a 5 year view I think you would be unlucky if you incurred £2k's worth of diesel specific issues. At the same time, if you live month to month you may prefer to spend a bit more on fuel and not have to absorb an unexpected big bill. I think your list of suggested cars is sensible. Id try and get a main dealer one with a 1 year warranty just in case it the car has underlying issues, which at that age it may do.

I'd have to disagree with that if the OP is doing the miles & maintenance then he shouldn't expect to have more problems than a Turbo Petrol that would have 115k on the clock.

the_bakerboy3685

Original Poster

74 posts

125 months

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Tuesday 10th July 2018

There does seem to be a bit of a feeling looking at some of the used buying guides for different models, that a diesel may cause some more issues than a petrol.

I know the DPF can cause issues if not taken on a good motorway run, but not even sure if the cars I shortlisted all have them on the diesel variants?

I'm happy with either Petrol or Diesel but would be more tempted by the former IF there was more issues with a diesel engine over the petrol version.

I may also be tempted to step down a car size to something like a Fiesta if I can find a good one, want something with low miles really as I will be the one adding them on. I have an old banger which has given up after 18 months and 23,000 miles added to it, so now my budget is for something to last longer!

Trevor555

4,955 posts

104 months

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Tuesday 10th July 2018

Jag_NE said:

I know several people with relatively new Nissans and the general consensus is that the quality is awful.

What has happened to Nissan?

Is it their involvement with Renault?

I also keep hearing negative stuff, especially their vans.

To the OP, I'd suggest a Focus for 8k

Willy Nilly

12,511 posts

187 months

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Tuesday 10th July 2018

the_bakerboy3685 said:

Looking for something that will do 50 miles a day plus a few extra trips on top with overtime I do, so around 15k miles a year. As title says my max budget is £8,000.

Basically I want something that will be reliable and last a good few years without having to fork out for repairs apart from usual maintenance. It doesn't have to be the most practical but would prefer a small family hatch size and also something that doesn't make me look 75 years old (so basically I don't want a Honda Jazz).

Edited by the_bakerboy3685 on Monday 9th July 13:38

Have a look at an 8 grand Jazz before you dismiss them. I wanted a Civic, but never even bothered to drive one after testing the Jazz. Mine averaged just over 48mpg on a recent 1150 mile trip to Germany. Not everyone's cup of tea, but as a product they're bob on.

ZX10R NIN

29,757 posts

145 months

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Tuesday 10th July 2018

the_bakerboy3685 said:

There does seem to be a bit of a feeling looking at some of the used buying guides for different models, that a diesel may cause some more issues than a petrol.

I know the DPF can cause issues if not taken on a good motorway run, but not even sure if the cars I shortlisted all have them on the diesel variants?

I'm happy with either Petrol or Diesel but would be more tempted by the former IF there was more issues with a diesel engine over the petrol version.

I may also be tempted to step down a car size to something like a Fiesta if I can find a good one, want something with low miles really as I will be the one adding them on. I have an old banger which has given up after 18 months and 23,000 miles added to it, so now my budget is for something to last longer!

I'd say go for some test drives on the Ford/Alfa/Kia/Vauxhall all will last 5+ years with ease in either Petrol of Diesel as long as they're well maintained, which brings you back to test drives as once you've driven them your mind will be made up.

the_bakerboy3685

Original Poster

74 posts

125 months

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Tuesday 10th July 2018

Willy Nilly said:

Have a look at an 8 grand Jazz before you dismiss them. I wanted a Civic, but never even bothered to drive one after testing the Jazz. Mine averaged just over 48mpg on a recent 1150 mile trip to Germany. Not everyone's cup of tea, but as a product they're bob on.

Don't get me wrong as an everyday reliable car you prob can't get much better. However I think I would find it too dull to drive. I'm also just not sold on the looks as they are far more a case of practicality over style. I can certainly see why people would buy them though, found some for sale with incredibly low miles.

Wooda80

1,743 posts

95 months

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Tuesday 10th July 2018

I won't quote the OP but he asked whether a Focus will be more or less reliable than a Japanese car.

Problem with all of these situations is that, for example, this Focus over here will be more reliable than this Japanese car, but that Focus over there will be less reliable than that Japanese car.

You might have a Honda or a Volvo that hasn't needed anything replaced in 200000 miles, but it doesn't mean that I can go out and buy any used Honda or Volvo and expect the same. Equally I wouldn't like to buy your 200000 mile Honda / Volvo at any price as it sounds like everything will be due for replacement soon.

So OP, go out and buy the make and model that you fancy, the team that you support, but get it checked out, either by yourself or someone like AA / RAC. After that you can't predict whether you will be getting an ultra reliable Fiat or a Friday afternoon Toyota.

For guidance, if you value newness, either for vanity or perceived dependabilty, then Vauxhalls and Renaults are cheap by virtue of their ubiquity, and so are Alfa and Chrysler for completely opposite reasons.

If you value reputation and are prepared to trade newness and specification in order to get it then Japanese or VW are where to look.

As a balance between the two extremes then Volvo and Ford are good. If it's any help then with a similar budget 12 months ago I felt that SEAT offered best value.

nmd87

839 posts

210 months

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Wednesday 11th July 2018

Interesting to hear that on the Pulsar. My parents have a 64-plate Pulsar and apart from an issue with the air conditioning they've had no problems with it. Obviously this is based on a sample size of 1!

Edited by nmd87 on Wednesday 11th July 09:15

Willy Nilly

12,511 posts

187 months

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Wednesday 11th July 2018

the_bakerboy3685 said:

Willy Nilly said:

Have a look at an 8 grand Jazz before you dismiss them. I wanted a Civic, but never even bothered to drive one after testing the Jazz. Mine averaged just over 48mpg on a recent 1150 mile trip to Germany. Not everyone's cup of tea, but as a product they're bob on.

Don't get me wrong as an everyday reliable car you prob can't get much better. However I think I would find it too dull to drive. I'm also just not sold on the looks as they are far more a case of practicality over style. I can certainly see why people would buy them though, found some for sale with incredibly low miles.

It's actually a really nice little car to drive, the gear shift is nice and handles well but I'll knock a few points off for the ride. I've driven it back to back with a late model Cayenne and I thought it was a much better steer. Obviously, the looks are subjective but it's not an offensive design. I'd take some more power, but it has enough for the job it does, being a Honda you have to wring its neck to a degree which has it's pros and cons.

HayesDC2

286 posts

152 months

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Wednesday 11th July 2018

I have the same length commute-ish and with a similar budget I went for an E90 330d. Unless you are starting a removals company I don't think you would ever need a car with a bigger boot!