Replace Zafira with a £7k - 8k budget - help!

[maggiedog]

Hi I'm looking to replace my dying 55 plate 1.6 petrol Zafira B. with something preferably a bit more economical...

We don't need 7 seats anymore so I've been looking at the (not badly priced) Meriva but I test drove the 1.4 petrol and thought I'd get annoyed by it's powerlessness (mind you, my Zaf is underpowered so I don't exactly have high expectations for driveability).

I've been considering the Nissan Note, but put off by reports of unreliability... Also looked at Scenics but not sure how reliable they are?

I've been going round in circles looking at all the cars available. I liked the look of the B-Max but actually, why not just get a Focus or Note as the B-Max offers no real extra space. I was drawn to MPV shapes more than estates just due to the length of an estate. So I do want a decent sized car but it doesn't need to be massive.

I have £7.5k in the bank waiting to be spent, could stretch to £8k if needed. And for that I could get a 16 plate Meriva with about 5k miles, practically brand new! But I don't feel too inspired by that :/

Please help

[Scrump]

maggiedog said:

I've been considering the Nissan Note, but put off by reports of unreliability..
Please help

Mrs Scrump has been driving a Nissan note for the past 9 years and put 70k miles on it without any reliability issues. It is the 1.6 petrol version rather than the 1.5 diesel (which is a Renault engine). The note is not particularly economical but it is reliable.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd go up a size you can land yourself a nicely powered hatchback with a decent amount of kit, also they'll depreciate slower & you land yourself a nice reliable spacious car for your budget that might just keep you inspired.

Mondeo Titanium X Sport

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

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

Or if you really think the standard hatchback won't have enough space:

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

Or go for a Focus ST-3

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

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

Or if you want a nice Vauxhall with some pep then take a look at these:

1.4T Astra Limited Edition (a run out special that they loaded with kit)

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

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

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

1.6T Insignia SRI

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

2.0T Insignia Elite (this will have more than enough go)

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

[maggiedog]

Scrump said:

Mrs Scrump has been driving a Nissan note for the past 9 years and put 70k miles on it without any reliability issues. It is the 1.6 petrol version rather than the 1.5 diesel (which is a Renault engine). The note is not particularly economical but it is reliable.

Thanks that's useful. Also funny you say that as all the supposed "tech specs" give the Note as having better economy than most of the others I've compared to. Bound to see a saving on my Zaf though!

[maggiedog]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd go up a size you can land yourself a nicely powered hatchback with a decent amount of kit, also they'll depreciate slower & you land yourself a nice reliable spacious car for your budget that might just keep you inspired.

Mondeo Titanium X Sport

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

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

Or if you really think the standard hatchback won't have enough space:

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

Or go for a Focus ST-3

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

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

Or if you want a nice Vauxhall with some pep then take a look at these:

1.4T Astra Limited Edition (a run out special that they loaded with kit)

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

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

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

1.6T Insignia SRI

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

2.0T Insignia Elite (this will have more than enough go)

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

Thanks for collating all of these, very interesting to see such a range. I must say I think I've been a bit demanding in my search though as I've been filtering out anything with mileage over 40 or 50k and 5 years or younger. This will be the most I've ever spent on a car as I've always had old bangers, not through choice but through budget! But I do see the restrictions I'm putting my the results I get. I like the look of the Astra!

Should say (poss. not relevant) that I'm not a fan of the saloon shape of a car, might be cos in my early 30's and female I regard myself as too young

[ZX10R NIN]

maggiedog said:

Thanks for collating all of these, very interesting to see such a range. I must say I think I've been a bit demanding in my search though as I've been filtering out anything with mileage over 40 or 50k and 5 years or younger. This will be the most I've ever spent on a car as I've always had old bangers, not through choice but through budget! But I do see the restrictions I'm putting my the results I get. I like the look of the Astra!

Should say (poss. not relevant) that I'm not a fan of the saloon shape of a car, might be cos in my early 30's and female I regard myself as too young

I think you need to rethink that statement, so you'd rather be seen in a base model B Max/Meriva than a top spec Mondeo/Insignia because the former are cooler to be seen in? Lol

[maggiedog]

ZX10R NIN said:

I think you need to rethink that statement, so you'd rather be seen in a base model B Max/Meriva than a top spec Mondeo/Insignia because the former are cooler to be seen in? Lol

Ha yeah you're right... T. be honest I've gone full circle again and I've just got home from test driving a Honda Civic. I know some people don't like the look of these but it felt lovely to drive and very premium quality inside and out.... They want 8.5k for a 63 plate with 44k miles though. It's a 1.6 diesel with parking camera - 8k cash with my old Zafira part ex'd. What do you reckon? Full Honda service history etc... Having sat in a Honda I don't even want to entertain the Meriva it's just awful.

[ZX10R NIN]

How many miles do you do a year? If you don't do many you may not need a diesel & it'll end up costing you more than you save on fuel.

[Johnnytheboy]

maggiedog said:

Hi I'm looking to replace my dying 55 plate 1.6 petrol Zafira B. with something preferably a bit more economical...

ZX10R NIN said:

Or go for a Focus ST-3

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

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

[Red 4]

maggiedog said:

Ha yeah you're right... T. be honest I've gone full circle again and I've just got home from test driving a Honda Civic. I know some people don't like the look of these but it felt lovely to drive and very premium quality inside and out.... They want 8.5k for a 63 plate with 44k miles though. It's a 1.6 diesel with parking camera - 8k cash with my old Zafira part ex'd. What do you reckon? Full Honda service history etc... Having sat in a Honda I don't even want to entertain the Meriva it's just awful.

If you're now looking at a Honda Civic there are plenty of other cars in that segment.

Mazda 3, Ford Focus, Golf, etc etc.

A Civic would not be my first choice. I think Honda lost their way about a decade ago.

[maggiedog]

ZX10R NIN said:

How many miles do you do a year? If you don't do many you may not need a diesel & it'll end up costing you more than you save on fuel.

I only do about 9 to 10k maximum. I was looking for petrol really but I figured if I found a decently priced diesel I could still consider it, I drive on the motorway every day although only for about 20-30 mins each way. Plus there's the tax disc savings to think about (mind you my petrol Zaf is £230 a year)

[ZX10R NIN]

With that kind of drive you should be fine with a diesel, I still say test drive a 1.4T Astra road tax is £140 & you'll have a similar amount of go.

I also forgot to list these now they have a nice amount of go are very reliable & have a nice interior.

1.4T Alfa Giulietta Sportiva:

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

Veloce

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

Diesel Sportiva:

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

Kia Cee'd 4Tech as well as great spec you'll also get the balance of the Manufacturer's Warranty on these so in this case just over 18 months & you can extend it too, fit & finish will be on par with the Honda & from what you describe the spec will be higher on the Kia. Tax ix £30

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