Small car for UK to central europe, 5k

[MadnessYourDadness]

I'm looking for a car that I could take into Europe, easy to park and drive, for 5k or under.

So far I've been looking at the Suzuki Swift, VW polo, Seat Ibiza, Toyota Yaris, might have missed something better.

As I'd be driving into Europe I think I'll need a decently sized boot, that's where I believe the Swift lacks.

Also for the long motorways I think cruise control will be handy, especially since I tend to speed unconsciously.

I live within the North Circular so I've been looking at petrol cars as diesel cars within my budget aren't usually Euro 6 or later.

I've been told German and Japanese cars are the way to go, I think reliability is important as I'm going to do thousands of miles on my trips.

So far I've been focusing on cars with 40k miles or under, am I being too picky?

Requirements:
4+ doors
Good boot size - space for one large luggage would be nice
Good mpg - 40+
Cruise control would be very useful I think
Manual preferred but can go for a good auto
Petrol unless diesel euro 6
£5,000 or under
Reliable
No crazy mileage

Thanks

[smithyithy]

Any particular reason it needs to be a small hatchback like those examples? There's probably a lot of really good candidates in the average-size that tick all those boxes.. If it's a parking issue (ie. tight European cities), I wouldn't worry too much as they tend to use their bumpers as parking sensors regardless of the size (and value) of the car..

[MadnessYourDadness]

smithyithy said:

Any particular reason it needs to be a small hatchback like those examples? There's probably a lot of really good candidates in the average-size that tick all those boxes.. If it's a parking issue (ie. tight European cities), I wouldn't worry too much as they tend to use their bumpers as parking sensors regardless of the size (and value) of the car..

Yeah I figured that in the small European cities a small car would be the way to go but if an average sized car would be better then I'm all ears. I guess it makes sense too, it would be far more comfortable to cover lots of miles in a larger car.

[Jag_NE]

I don’t subscribe to the view that German cars are particularly more reliable than others. I’m sure BMW were bottom of the JD Power survey for example. With your budget I’d be tempted to go French as you could get something newer, potentially with a 1 year main dealer warranty. You could get a 2014-2015 Renault Clio for example. Ideally stretch the budget into a 2016 car for a euro6 diesel which will pay back in spades in terms of mpg on the longer trips.

[MadnessYourDadness]

Jag_NE said:

I don’t subscribe to the view that German cars are particularly more reliable than others. I’m sure BMW were bottom of the JD Power survey for example. With your budget I’d be tempted to go French as you could get something newer, potentially with a 1 year main dealer warranty. You could get a 2014-2015 Renault Clio for example. Ideally stretch the budget into a 2016 car for a euro6 diesel which will pay back in spades in terms of mpg on the longer trips.

Aren't French cars relatively unreliable though, my biggest fear is having to shell out on repairs so I've been looking away from those.

I think you have a point about the bmws, my uncle had an alpina b10 and it constantly had something that needed fixing

[Jag_NE]

MadnessYourDadness said:

Jag_NE said:

I don’t subscribe to the view that German cars are particularly more reliable than others. I’m sure BMW were bottom of the JD Power survey for example. With your budget I’d be tempted to go French as you could get something newer, potentially with a 1 year main dealer warranty. You could get a 2014-2015 Renault Clio for example. Ideally stretch the budget into a 2016 car for a euro6 diesel which will pay back in spades in terms of mpg on the longer trips.

Aren't French cars relatively unreliable though, my biggest fear is having to shell out on repairs so I've been looking away from those.

I think you have a point about the bmws, my uncle had an alpina b10 and it constantly had something that needed fixing

These days, I don’t think so. Probably not up there with Japanese but you will get a newer French car for you money, pay your money take your chance! If you are doing a lot of miles something like a Renault dCi will use about 2/3 of the fuel and be a more relaxing motorway drive than a small petrol. Just my view and I’m sure some others will disagree!

Anyone recommended an Infiniti yet

[nobrakes]

How many times a year?

How many mile from (assuming) Calais?

Once a year it don’t matter much. More often and whilst a small car will do it, a larger will be much much more relaxing, and arguably safer.

Any car is likely to pick up a knock or parking ding. Smaller cars will squeeze through gaps and be easier to park, but it’s not that hard to park and it’s often easier to barge your way out a spot in a bigger car.

[smithyithy]

2010 Toyota Avensis 1.8 petrol manuel?

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Within budget, room for 4 with luggage, all the options, relatively economical, and I'm guessing pretty damn bulletproof?