What car shall I buy?

[foxtrotfoxtrotsierra]

Imagine you're me and about to buy a used car and have the following considerations:

Budget around £5000, but would go up to £6000 for the right one.

I don't do much mileage as it's mostly for driving around the city (I work at home so no commute). We usually use husband's car for long drives. I passed my test when I was really quite old and am still driving the car I bought to learn in which is so basic that it doesn't even have remote locking and has literally no functions and is not fun to drive. I'm ready to upgrade now.

Nothing super powerful (as am still relatively new driver and am fairly cautious), maybe 1.4 max (1.6 if diesel)

Must have 5 doors (to transport aged parents around etc)

I want it to look more interesting than the usual Polos, Corsas, Micras, which I can't get excited about at all. I know what I like the look of but find it quite hard to define so I've been looking at cars on the road and seeing which ones I find quite interesting-looking and stylish.

I'm shallow enough to REALLY care about the interior gadgetry, so the more in the way of bluetooth, touchscreen, digital readouts etc the better. Must be able to play music through my phone or similar. I love screens and gadgets and all that sort of stuff.

I don't want to settle for something I don't love then get bored and want to upgrade in a year. I'd rather hold out for the right thing and then keep it for years.

Have been looking at Kia Rio, Nissan Note and Citroen C3 Picasso, so it's the small MPV kind of thing that seems to be taking my fancy. But I've begun to tie myself in knots with options.


What else would you advise me to look at?

Edited by foxtrotfoxtrotsierra on Friday 5th October 17:16

[Nickp82]

(Just as an opening gambit) - Kia Soul?

[kieranblenk]

Nissan Juke
Citroen DS4
Kia Venga (or Soul, as another posted has mentioned)
Peugeot 2008
Seat Altea
Suzuki SX4
Toyota Urban Cruiser
Dacia Sandero Stepway
Fiat 500L
Mercedes A Class
Mini Countryman

[Frankthered]

If you're looking at the Note, you might as well look at the Toyota Yaris and Honda Jazz as well.

Maybe the Skoda Fabia or Rapid too. Suzuki SX4 as something a little different.

[ZX10R NIN]

You won't need a diesel for your usage.

My suggestion is the Alfa Giulietta Veloce, small 1.4T engine & a decent gadget count.

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

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

1.4T Astra SRI

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

1.6 Astra Elite

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

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

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

[foxtrotfoxtrotsierra]

This is so useful - thank you everyone who has chipped in with recommendations. Loads of ideas I would never have thought of so I'm off to have a little explore.

[Ash170990]

Personally id be looking at something like a E90 320i BMW, engine is a little bigger i think theyre 2.0 but not particularly power full.

[djt100]

Toyota Urban Cruiser My misses has one.
Has no touch screen but does have bluetooth, aux input, keyless entry and start, its a jacked up Yariz really, but very light so nippy and only a 1.3 engine. plus loads of room inside, sliding back seats, with flat floor to walk from side to side.

[Cap2018]

Hyundai i30! I recently picked up a 63 plate 1.6 CRDi Blue Drive Edition diesel and LOVE it.

Very smart inside and out, drives great too. £6250 on 55000 miles with 12mo warranty, fresh service and MOT. Has everything that you could possibly want inside.