£5000 budget, what car is most suitable for me?

[dxtrvns15]

I've been driving for just over a year now, and have been using a 1.6D Volvo C30 until recently. I was getting about 40mpg in it on average but I've decided that with the miles I do I need something better on fuel, and with the work I do something with a bigger boot. I was hoping someone could suggest something that is comfortable, averages around 50mpg and is under 140hp but not too slow. I have a 5k budget too. Thanks!

[KomodoWagon]

Might need a bit more info.

What annual mileage do you do? How much is motorway/dual carriageway/A-road? Any town driving? Do you drive through/in any LEZ or ULEZ triggering areas?

And what kind of stuff do you need to cart around in the boot? i.e. how much bigger than the C30 do you need?

It's just a bit hard to start suggesting anything without a few more specifics.

[WJNB]

I wish you well & that you will get some helpful advice here.
You seem grounded when it comes to practicalities, after all you are seeking a motorised appliance that is not too dull, a tallish order.
Don't be persuaded to go off-piste with odd-balls or aged premium brands.
Perhaps something like a bread 'n butter Ford Focus maybe in estate form. Comfortable & plenty around.
Most Japs.
Diesels so out of fashion they are now very cheap BUT can carry hidden worries & costs

[dxtrvns15]

Hi!

I do about 30k a year, with most of it being on A-roads, very little motorway driving or through built up towns/cities. I will more than likely not enter any LEZs all year.

I carry three 32 litre boxes with various essentials like files and protective clothing/equipment that requires me to keep the back seats down a lot of the time. It wouldn't have to be a massive boot but anything bigger would be an improvement.

[jay140285]

With the driving been mainly A Roads I dont think there is going to be a huge mpg improvement to be found.

But if you like the volvo what about a V50?

[KomodoWagon]

Got you.

Speaking for myself, I know that if I were doing that kind of mileage I'd be looking at diesel and decent seats. And probably an estate, for the extra room.

What's more important; mpg or extra space? See, I don't know if you're going to get much fuel economy improvement with primarily A-road driving. Even if you bought something super-sippy like a Polo Bluemotion. And it wouldn't solve your space issue. So I might be inclined to go a bit bigger, for the space and comfort, and aim for similar mpg to what you're getting now, which shouldn't be too difficult to achieve.

How about another Volvo? Not exciting but as suggested a V50 might fit the bill. The 2.0 D is perfectly decent and 136bhp. The 2.4 D is very nice but it's 180bhp. (The 1.6 D that's in your C30 might feel a bit underpowered in a V50.) 5k would get you something 2008-2010 I reckon.

Otherwise, I'd maybe look at a Focus estate or an Octavia. TBH the Octavia hatchback might actually offer enough room; the boot is massive. There's a decent selection of diesel Saab 9-3 Sportwagons for your budget, too (Saabs generally have very supportive seats), but I don't know how they'd be on insurance for you. You'd also want to make sure you were near a well-regarded Saab indie specialist for servicing etc.

Japanese... Honda Civic (not an estate, obvs) has a reasonable boot, and a very nice engine (2.2 diesel, 138bhp). The same engine is in the Accord Sport Tourer, which is massive inside and very comfy.

[Lukas239]

dxtrvns15 said:

I've been driving for just over a year now, and have been using a 1.6D Volvo C30 until recently. I was getting about 40mpg in it on average but I've decided that with the miles I do I need something better on fuel...

how on earth are you getting 40mpg out of that? I have a car with the same engine (PSA 1.6 was shared amongst citroen, peugeot, volvo & ford) and CANNOT get it below 50mpg no matter how hard i try. In the midst of winter i'm currently getting an indicated 62mpg (closer to 59 calculated).

a small (<2.0L) turbo diesel will likely be one of the most economical things you can buy so i'm not sure how much money you'll make back in fuel savings.

Regardless, something along these lines although wont be very entertaining; https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the Alfa Giulietta preferably in Veloce trim:

I know it's over 140 bhp but the fuel economy is good.

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

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

140bhp version

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

[Mo28]

The Skoda Fabia and Seat Ibiza can both be had in estate form if you're looking for a small car with a big boot.

[Ilovejapcrap]

this is a hard one as the cars with best MPG tend to be smaller.

1.4tdi polo
1.5 dci clio
etc

not sure what figures say but my mates Audi 2.0 tdi A4 derv with around the 140bhp mark does not get the fuel figures stated on the internet.

[nobrakes]

Passat or Mondeo estate.

Ok, you can get away with smaller cars, but these will be more relaxing for 30k miles and zero stress when throwing boxes in and out the back.

[GreatGranny]

I averaged near to 60 mpg in an S40 with the same engine so sounds like you either drive it in 3rd everywhere or there's something wrong with it.

I would firstly get the C30 checked out at a Volvo specialist then decide if it's worth keeping if it starts doing 50+ mpg.