So now what for me - £3-4k cheap runabout

[Legend83]

Now the new family car is secured (see other thread on S Max) I need to start reducing our monthly outgoing by sadly moving the RX8 on and getting something cheap to run in the £3-4k bracket.

Needs to:
- fulfill my 12 mile round commute
- be cheap to fuel / preferably cheap to tax
- reliable (as reliable can be at this price range)
- comfortable seats and ride (this is high priority)

Yaris and Jazz obvious suggestions but I'm led to believe ride-quality is poor?

Do the 10-11 plate Clios have the squishy French seats?

[designforlife]

I own a Toyota bB which essentially an early 2000s Yaris T-sport, and yes, the ride is fairly firm.

[Lukas239]

1.9 TDI 130 in some form?

Golf, Bora, Leon, Passat, Octavia. All cheaper than 4K and not as small/tinny as singing like a jazz.

Alternatively, at that milage you could get away with something spunky. Swift sport, MX-5?

[ZX10R NIN]

This is an easy one:

Giulietta Veloce

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

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

Or the Mito Cloverleaf:

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

Corsa VXR

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

[ElectricSoup]

Hmm, dunno ZX10R. Comfortable seats and ride were the priority in the OP.

I'd go for a Citroen C4 2.0HDi.

[Legend83]

Yeah don't get me wrong on looks the Alfa stands out but can't imagine they will be overly comfortable. Most reviews say the driving position is very awkward.

Corsa VXR not the image I want to present really (just my opinion).

[DrFeelAverage]

I believe you can get the first-gen Kia Cee'd/Hyundai i30 for less than that. Been looking at the petrol ones myself for a ULEZ compliant cheap runabout, although I don't think they're going to set the world on fire when it comes to driving dynamics. I've read i30 has a better ride.

[bagusbagus]

Few days ago got a 2012 jazz , 55k miles, top spec, fresh mot - 2250 squids ( the car had lots of scratches,needed a lot of elbow grease, hence the price,but a very good car underneath)

Compared to mk1 Jazz I had previously , the Ride quality feels like you are sitting in a Rolls Royce! Very comfortable...
The mk1 jazz was very harsh indeed..

there is not a single ''small'' car that is as good as Jazz if you want easy to drive/cheap to run car which can swallow st-tons of stuff in its boot with seats down and is more practical than most of the estate cars! I have searched for a long time thinking what to replace my mk1 with...I couldn't find one! Most of the SUV's I looked at were much bigger on outside, but when you climb inside- they have as much space inside as the Jazz!

Just get the EX / SI spec as those comes loaded with everything you would want.

Yaris is ste car, barely any space in it, harsh & not very practical & toyotas usually have awful cheap interiors

Do not get the french/opel /ford ste , you are buying an used car - those are ''ok'' if you are buying it brand new and run it only the warranty period..After they become 3-4k cars you are only left with problems most of the time.


For that budget.. I have no idea how you can get a better car if you are looking for a workhorse and not a fast cool looking car.

My newly acquired one:

Edited by bagusbagus on Friday 14th June 12:59

[designforlife]

Only down side to Honda are the mental parts prices when something does break.

[bagusbagus]

designforlife said:

Only down side to Honda are the mental parts prices when something does break.

Got my first mk1 at like 100k miles, currently at a bit over 200k , spent maybe 50squids during that time on it apart from the tyre/oil changes, now sits in a garage abroad and use it for a few months a year when I go on a holiday.

2nd mk1 jazz , got like 3 years ago as a spare car ,purchased for 500pounds with new MOT , have spent 70squids on it on a new exhaust part and a wheel bearing during that time.

Even if something goes wrong I don't think they have mental part prices, ok a bit more expensive and some stuff harder to get, but than again you barely ever need anything.

[ElectricSoup]

Won't find anything much comfier than this. And below budget too.

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

[RallyeJon]

Seat Ibiza?

This one has all the toys, £30 tax, 50mpg and is even quite practical, chain driven too so no belts! all for under £3k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201906028579722

[Legend83]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions - Ibiza looks a good choice one of my mates has one so I'll have a look at his.

Think the Jazz is back on the shortlist if the Mk2 ride has improved.

[dontfollowme]

Golf GT TDI? MK6 for your budget. 140BHP, practical and comfortable.

[300bhp/ton]

Legend83 said:

Now the new family car is secured (see other thread on S Max) I need to start reducing our monthly outgoing by sadly moving the RX8 on and getting something cheap to run in the £3-4k bracket.

Needs to:
- fulfill my 12 mile round commute
- be cheap to fuel / preferably cheap to tax
- reliable (as reliable can be at this price range)
- comfortable seats and ride (this is high priority)

Yaris and Jazz obvious suggestions but I'm led to believe ride-quality is poor?

Do the 10-11 plate Clios have the squishy French seats?

Hope this doesn't come across as sounding mean. But as you have sorted a fairly boring family car out and are chopping a rather interesting car. Will you not find something like a Jazz or Yaris completely and utterly dull?


If you aren't wanting anything fun, then you'll get more for you money looking at Mondeo sized vehicles. They will all be more comfy and ride better. And with the right engine likely to be pretty frugal.


Do you need more than 2 seats?


Lots of fun or interesting cars available for the budget. MR2/MX-5 as 2 seaters. Celica 190 maybe for a 2+2 and a few others to maybe consider.

[Legend83]

dontfollowme said:

Golf GT TDI? MK6 for your budget. 140BHP, practical and comfortable.

Just not sure I need a diesel with the current low mileage I do - DPF is going to get clogged pretty quick with a 12 mile round trip...exactly what happened to my old Civic.

[Legend83]

300bhp/ton said:

Hope this doesn't come across as sounding mean. But as you have sorted a fairly boring family car out and are chopping a rather interesting car. Will you not find something like a Jazz or Yaris completely and utterly dull?


If you aren't wanting anything fun, then you'll get more for you money looking at Mondeo sized vehicles. They will all be more comfy and ride better. And with the right engine likely to be pretty frugal.


Do you need more than 2 seats?


Lots of fun or interesting cars available for the budget. MR2/MX-5 as 2 seaters. Celica 190 maybe for a 2+2 and a few others to maybe consider.

Hi 300, not mean at all a very reasonable question given I am a petrol head (have had 2 x MX5's and now this RX8 in my time). It comes down to cash flow really and having a) 3 kids to feed; and now b) a new family car to finance.

I told the wife that I would enjoy owning the RX8 for a year or two but that it would be expensive to run on a daily basis - this came with an agreement that my next car would be the complete opposite when it came to running costs. So I have had my fun for the time being and now the family comes first - being able to head to the pumps once a month rather than once a week will mean release some financial pressure.

As much as I would love a 2-seater we have found the flexibility of having two cars that will fit me and all the kids in useful (hence the RX8). So 2+2 would be doable.

[designforlife]

There is a Toyota bB up on FB for £2k as of this afternoon... bargain for someone. Tempted to buy it, but the wife says having two of the same car is overkill

[300bhp/ton]

Legend83 said:

Hi 300, not mean at all a very reasonable question given I am a petrol head (have had 2 x MX5's and now this RX8 in my time). It comes down to cash flow really and having a) 3 kids to feed; and now b) a new family car to finance.

I told the wife that I would enjoy owning the RX8 for a year or two but that it would be expensive to run on a daily basis - this came with an agreement that my next car would be the complete opposite when it came to running costs. So I have had my fun for the time being and now the family comes first - being able to head to the pumps once a month rather than once a week will mean release some financial pressure.

As much as I would love a 2-seater we have found the flexibility of having two cars that will fit me and all the kids in useful (hence the RX8). So 2+2 would be doable.

In that case, I think I'd probably be looking Mondeo/Insignia sized. Comfy and well specced for the money and likely newer than a compact/city hatch of the same value. A diesel will also be frugal in this size.

TBH I suspect something like a diesel 5 Series or Jag XF would be well within budget and potentially no more expensive to run overall as a Yaris.

e.g.

2010 520d manual £3495
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...




2008 XF 2.7TDV6 £3850
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[aka_kerrly]

designforlife said:

but the wife says having two of the same car is overkill

Haha no wife approval needed here, however the neighbours do think it's a bit odd having 3 vw corrados an at one stage 2 lexus is200s in the same colour parked outside. It does make a lot of sense, fault finding is easy when you have an identical car to swap bits with and better chances of at least one working.

Anyhow, OP if 4 seat coupes are an option then the Celica 2000-2006era is a very solid choice for running cost/fun/reliability 85% of an Integra R for a fraction of the cost and far less rust!!!!!!!!

E46 BMWs at 3-4k ought to be at the better end and not too doggy.

Mk5 golf gti, leon Cupra and Ep3 /FN2 civics can still do towards 30mpg and dont cost the world to run. Or go lower spec Civic type s/ FR

Has no one mentioned the Suzuki Swift sport yet??? is outstanding value for money fun and reliable!!!

Also worth noting that the mk2 Jazz chassis is somewhat of an improvement over the mk1 and with the 1.5 not just a granny carrier