Best hatchback for 7-8k budget?

[finlawler]

Hi all,

I’m looking to replace my current car at the start of 2021 and my budget is around 8k. I would like a 5 door hatchback that is 5/6 years old at most with decent mileage.

Do you have recommendations for cars in that price range?

Thanks

[Thomo97]

I've been doing a similar search and however creative I try to get I keep on ending up back at a Golf (or Seat Leon if you want a slight variation on a theme).

[nuttywobbler]

Golf, or a Seat Leon if you need a cheaper / not as nice version.

[finlawler]

Thomo97 said:

I've been doing a similar search and however creative I try to get I keep on ending up back at a Golf (or Seat Leon if you want a slight variation on a theme).

Me too, I saw a 2016 Astra with good mileage that has since sold for 7.4k however I don’t know anyone who has owned one so naturally I’m unsure on them.

[Codswallop]

The current shape Astra had very good reviews when in came out in late 2015/ early 2016 and was often a test winner. Personally, I think those cars are much of a muchness in that they all offer safe, reliable, comfortable transport.

Go look at a few and decide which one suits you best. Personally I find the Golf dull so would either go Leon or Astra. Astra seems to offer better value for money, hence it would probably be my choice.

As a small point, I had a Mk7.5 Golf hire car recently with the 1.0tsi turbo engine and manual gearbox. I personally found the engine and gearbox combo underwhelming and not pleasant to use, so worth look for a 1.4 tsi. The VW group 1.5 tsi with a manual gearbox has also received a considerably amount of bad press, so maybe worth reading up on that and steering clear.

[ChrisH72]

What other things matter?

Super mini or family hatch size?

Performance or economy?

Image?

If you can give a bit more detail on what you’re after It’ll help narrow the choices down a bit.

[finlawler]

Codswallop said:

The current shape Astra had very good reviews when in came out in late 2015/ early 2016 and was often a test winner. Personally, I think those cars are much of a muchness in that they all offer safe, reliable, comfortable transport.

Go look at a few and decide which one suits you best. Personally I find the Golf dull so would either go Leon or Astra. Astra seems to offer better value for money, hence it would probably be my choice.

As a small point, I had a Mk7.5 Golf hire car recently with the 1.0tsi turbo engine and manual gearbox. I personally found the engine and gearbox combo underwhelming and not pleasant to use, so worth look for a 1.4 tsi. The VW group 1.5 tsi with a manual gearbox has also received a considerably amount of bad press, so maybe worth reading up on that and steering clear.

I think the Astra is my first choice, was looking at the 1.4T, thanks for the extra info will keep it in mind when looking.

[finlawler]

ChrisH72 said:

What other things matter?

Super mini or family hatch size?

Performance or economy?

Image?

If you can give a bit more detail on what you’re after It’ll help narrow the choices down a bit.

I’m looking for something similar to this, this has everything I want in a car and the Astra at the moment would be my first choice 👍🏻

[ChrisH72]

I think the Astra is a decent car. It certainly offers extremely good value for money and is a great all rounder.

The sharpest drive in that sector would be a Focus. Most stylish maybe an Alfa Giulietta. Then the VAG offerings (Golf, Leon, Octavia) are very popular. Then you have the Kia Ceed and Hyundai i30 which offer long warranties and are painless to own. Depends what’s important to you but all of those would struggle to match the value of the Vauxhall and there seems to be plenty around so it seems like a sensible choice to me.

[finlawler]

Thank you Chris, will look into all of these 👍🏻

[VR99]

How is the reliability of the 1.4T with a auto gearbox used by Vauxhall? I only ask as have read mixed reviews on the quality/durability? Agree on the value part though, some decent spec cars available in the £8k ballpark.

[finlawler]

VR99 said:

How is the reliability of the 1.4T with a auto gearbox used by Vauxhall? I only ask as have read mixed reviews on the quality/durability? Agree on the value part though, some decent spec cars available in the £8k ballpark.

I’m struggling to find many reviews however the majority that I have found have been positive so far, have you any links to sites with mixed reviews on so that I can take a look?

I’d just like to consider all options at around the 8k mark with specs similar to the Astra 👍🏻

[VR99]

finlawler said:

VR99 said:

How is the reliability of the 1.4T with a auto gearbox used by Vauxhall? I only ask as have read mixed reviews on the quality/durability? Agree on the value part though, some decent spec cars available in the £8k ballpark.

I’m struggling to find many reviews however the majority that I have found have been positive so far, have you any links to sites with mixed reviews on so that I can take a look?

I’d just like to consider all options at around the 8k mark with specs similar to the Astra ????

To be fair I was looking at the "problems/bad" section on honest john and basing it on general comments I've seen/heard but every car has its issues.
The one aspect that does appeal with the 1.4T is the performance, looks good on paper compared to rivals.
My other suggestion would be a Mazda 3, less engine choices and lower performance compared to the Astra and maybe slightly more bland. Kia Ceed/Hyundai I30 too.

[finlawler]

VR99 said:

To be fair I was looking at the "problems/bad" section on honest john and basing it on general comments I've seen/heard but every car has its issues.
The one aspect that does appeal with the 1.4T is the performance, looks good on paper compared to rivals.
My other suggestion would be a Mazda 3, less engine choices and lower performance compared to the Astra and maybe slightly more bland. Kia Ceed/Hyundai I30 too.

Thank you

[_Rob_]

I'm just coming to end of my lease with a 2017 1.4T Astra (150hp) although it has the manual rather than the auto. It has been brilliant for me over the past 3 years. I had the Elite Nav trim rather than the SRi as I wanted more creature comforts like the heated steering wheel. The SRi has a sport button but by my understanding it just makes the throttle a bit more responsive. I've done a few 300+ mile round trips and never found it uncomfortable or tiring, even 3 up with a boot full of luggage. There was a recall (sometime in 2018 I think) for an LSPI issue but this should have been done on most cars.

Pros
- Quite comfortable.
- Decent handling and chassis.
- The power was a lot better than I expected. Its plenty for around town and overtaking etc.
- Interior is a nice place to be. I prefer it over the golf.
- Just as practical as the golf.
- Servicing is fairly cheap and I found Vauxhall dealers to be great.
- Standard spec is brilliant on my car and I believe is also good on the SRi, especially if you go for the SRi (or Elite) Nav.

Cons
- Build quality isn't the best. There are a few rattles sometimes.
- I expected mpg to be a little better. I get around 35mpg average but a lot of my driving is in a city. I think it goes up to high 40's on the motorway.

Any questions let me know and I'll do my best to answer them for you.

[finlawler]

_Rob_ said:

I'm just coming to end of my lease with a 2017 1.4T Astra (150hp) although it has the manual rather than the auto. It has been brilliant for me over the past 3 years. I had the Elite Nav trim rather than the SRi as I wanted more creature comforts like the heated steering wheel. The SRi has a sport button but by my understanding it just makes the throttle a bit more responsive. I've done a few 300+ mile round trips and never found it uncomfortable or tiring, even 3 up with a boot full of luggage. There was a recall (sometime in 2018 I think) for an LSPI issue but this should have been done on most cars.

Pros
- Quite comfortable.
- Decent handling and chassis.
- The power was a lot better than I expected. Its plenty for around town and overtaking etc.
- Interior is a nice place to be. I prefer it over the golf.
- Just as practical as the golf.
- Servicing is fairly cheap and I found Vauxhall dealers to be great.
- Standard spec is brilliant on my car and I believe is also good on the SRi, especially if you go for the SRi (or Elite) Nav.

Cons
- Build quality isn't the best. There are a few rattles sometimes.
- I expected mpg to be a little better. I get around 35mpg average but a lot of my driving is in a city. I think it goes up to high 40's on the motorway.

Any questions let me know and I'll do my best to answer them for you.

Thank you for this review. I was actually looking at the manual gear box and wouldn’t purchase an auto. Seems like a great car for me! Thanks again

[Glosphil]

Just over a year ago I was looking to buy a (then) one year old car with auto. Test drove two Astras (Elite & SRi) & a Leon FR. All 3 had 1.4T (150) engines. I bought the Leon as I preferred the DSG over the Vauxhall auto.
If you choose the Astra try to find one with the optional 'special' sports seats. They were superb. The Astra had a better ride than the Leon FR.

[VR99]

Glosphil said:

Just over a year ago I was looking to buy a (then) one year old car with auto. Test drove two Astras (Elite & SRi) & a Leon FR. All 3 had 1.4T (150) engines. I bought the Leon as I preferred the DSG over the Vauxhall auto.
If you choose the Astra try to find one with the optional 'special' sports seats. They were superb. The Astra had a better ride than the Leon FR.

What did you prefer on the DSG over the Astra auto? Also how did the interiors compare for quality? I only ask as will be looking next month to replace my 16 yr old focus.

[ZX10R NIN]

The Astra has a conventional auto so the changes are a bit slower than the DSG/Powershift dual clutch gearboxes but at low speed the conventional autos are smoother.

For your budget the Astra in Elite Nav is a great pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

SRI Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Focus Titanium X 180

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

308 Allure 160

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

V40 T4 180 SE Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

T3 150 SE Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Giulietta Cloverleaf 235

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

Veloce 170

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...