£3.5k Hatch Ideas?

[J_Beaman00]

Looking for a car to replace the current motor. Rolling around in a Yaris T sport at the min which is on its last legs @125k
£3.5k budget.
Ideally hatchback possibly a coupe though
Must be manual
Ideally chain driven and petrol (wouldn't rule out belt/diesel but preference on the former)
Not fussed about mpg
Reliable as possible as it will be my daily, used for 15 mile round trip commute and weekends.
Must have 4 seats
Any ideas??

[browna]

I needed a super reliable, cheap family run about and got a late mk8 civic Si 1.8 petrol for £4k, its super reliable (crosses fingers) , very practical doesn't look too old and not bad to drive.

Edited by browna on Thursday 23 August 14:31

[Defcon5]

R53 Cooper S?

[Shiv_P]

EP3 Type R? Early focus ST are coming into budget

[ZX10R NIN]

My first suggestion is an Alfa 147 these are very reliable & can be bought for very little (due to Alfa's previous history) which means you can buy one service (cambelt as well) it & have a very nice car for your 3.5k:

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

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

Diesel: The 8v is pretty much bulletproof so is worthy of a look depending on your mileage.

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

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

Kia Cee'd 3

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


1.6T Astra SRI

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

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

Newer shape 1.6 N/A SRI

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

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

Mazda3 Sport

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

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

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

[J_Beaman00]

Defcon5 said:

R53 Cooper S?

Aren’t these known for having major trouble will this oil leaks and header tanks? Might be talking utter bull**** though.. definitely the kind of thing I’m after

[Defcon5]

Header tanks yes, but an easy cheap swap for a new one. Not sure about oil leaks, but PAS pumps and suspension bushes are also common issues. Bar that they are fundamentally reliable - lots of high mileage ones fir sale are testament to that

That said, there are better cars if you aren’t interested in the hot hatch style

[J_Beaman00]

Defcon5 said:

Header tanks yes, but an easy cheap swap for a new one. Not sure about oil leaks, but PAS pumps and suspension bushes are also common issues. Bar that they are fundamentally reliable - lots of high mileage ones fir sale are testament to that

That said, there are better cars if you aren’t interested in the hot hatch style

What’s the aftermarket support like for these on spare parts for things like the PAS pump? Or is that a waste of time & go genuine?? All in all, might go for one of these tbh

ZX10R NIN mentioned the 1.6T Astra which looks sweet enough too.
Ideally more hot hatch territory than the Yaris but nothing too crazy

[Defcon5]

BBA remanufacturing do the pumps, BMW still sell most stuff too. Plenty of aftermarket upgrades if that’s your thing.

[anonymous-user]

Shiv_P said:

EP3 Type R? Early focus ST are coming into budget

Show me some focus st's in OP's budget.

Not trying to cause a arguement but I am currently looking for a foci st, and I can't fine one that hasn't got mental mileage on it for less than 4K.

tia

[ZX10R NIN]

BAM225 said:

Show me some focus st's in OP's budget.

Not trying to cause a arguement but I am currently looking for a foci st, and I can't fine one that hasn't got mental mileage on it for less than 4K.

tia

Here's an ST with sensible miles for 4k

[Alex Z]

Plenty of Suzuki Swift Sports in budget with sensible mileage.

[ZX10R NIN]

J_Beaman00 said:

What’s the aftermarket support like for these on spare parts for things like the PAS pump? Or is that a waste of time & go genuine?? All in all, might go for one of these tbh

ZX10R NIN mentioned the 1.6T Astra which looks sweet enough too.
Ideally more hot hatch territory than the Yaris but nothing too crazy

If you don't mind warm hatches there are a few other options:

Leon FR

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

Megane TCE Dynamique these normally come up cheap on insurance they also look bland but pack 180bhp.

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

Or the better looking 1.4T Coupe (you'll have to haggle though)

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

A good leftfield but reliable option is the Alfa Mito which in 1.4T form comes with 120/140/155 or 170bhp:

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...

Volvo C30 T5

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

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

[Mr Tidy]

Well so far everything suggested seems to use a rubber-band!

I sold my E46 325ti Sport for less than half the OP's budget in February - chain driven cam, straight 6 petrol and RWD!

But he could find a facelift model with a 6-speed well within budget, or even better a leggy 130i possibly!





Good luck anyway!

[gweaver]

Mr Tidy said:

Well so far everything suggested seems to use a rubber-band!

Swift Sport is chain cam.

[J_Beaman00]

Mr Tidy said:

Well so far everything suggested seems to use a rubber-band!

I sold my E46 325ti Sport for less than half the OP's budget in February - chain driven cam, straight 6 petrol and RWD!

But he could find a facelift model with a 6-speed well within budget, or even better a leggy 130i possibly!





Good luck anyway!

How easy is it to change the lights to the same as the coupe/saloon, not a fan
Also just looked at insurance quotes and the R53 comes back at about half the price of everything else

[CalNaughtonJnr]

browna said:

I needed a super reliable, cheap family run about and got a late mk8 civic Si 1.8 petrol for £4k, its super reliable (crosses fingers) , very practical doesn't look too old and not bad to drive.

Edited by browna on Thursday 23 August 14:31

+1 - I believe these are chain driven also?

[The Voice]

FN2 Civic Type R.

Bullet-proof chain driven engine. Great interior / seats. Really reliable, and economical compared to things like Focus STs etc.

Better all-rounder than the EP3 and much more modern / far nice inside. Boot is like a van when you fold the rear seats down.

Looks good, and if you get a GT spec car it comes with climate control / cruise control etc. Great all-rounder.

[anonymous-user]

ZX10R NIN said:

BAM225 said:

Show me some focus st's in OP's budget.

Not trying to cause a arguement but I am currently looking for a foci st, and I can't fine one that hasn't got mental mileage on it for less than 4K.

tia

Here's an ST with sensible miles for 4k

Nope, can't see it.

[ZX10R NIN]

BAM225 said:

ZX10R NIN said:

BAM225 said:

Show me some focus st's in OP's budget.

Not trying to cause a arguement but I am currently looking for a foci st, and I can't fine one that hasn't got mental mileage on it for less than 4K.

tia

Here's an ST with sensible miles for 4k

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

Nope, can't see it.

Here you go:

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

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