£6k, 5 door, room for kids, 2007 or newer, fun to drive?!
Discussion
So I know long term I need a new family car, probably a large SUV because although most of our driving is local we do go to Jersey or Cornwall 3 times a year, so space is essential. So after a month of deliberating over lease or PCP for new I’ve decided there is no point as I won’t do a decent, long drive until next April when the West coast holidays start again. Until then it is local driving only, no point forking out £400+ for a car I’ll hardly use.
So now I am in a position where I need a petrol car to act as the second family car to our other car which is an old MAZDA 08 estate. I want something that has 5 doors as will do school runs but is still fun to drive. Happy to go back to 07 but the budget is £6k. Plan will then be to sell it next year when I go in for a PCP on a long term new family car.
I’m at my wits end thinking of what to go for. MPG isn’t that important. Any help from other PH’s would be greatly appreciated!
So now I am in a position where I need a petrol car to act as the second family car to our other car which is an old MAZDA 08 estate. I want something that has 5 doors as will do school runs but is still fun to drive. Happy to go back to 07 but the budget is £6k. Plan will then be to sell it next year when I go in for a PCP on a long term new family car.
I’m at my wits end thinking of what to go for. MPG isn’t that important. Any help from other PH’s would be greatly appreciated!
Focus ST-2
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009123...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009063...
More sensible but still a good steer.
Mondeo Titanium X Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009163...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009123...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009063...
More sensible but still a good steer.
Mondeo Titanium X Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009163...
tomwilliams0326 said:
you wont find one post 2007 for 6k easily
Not true, they are about 
. Only weakness on them is the water pump but not expensive if it goes wrong. Post 2007 (LCI) has electric PAS but slightly better MPG due to alternator setup. Prices aren't depreciating on those that are looked after, get one while you can
AnneTeak said:
Not true, they are about . Only weakness on them is the water pump but not expensive if it goes wrong. Post 2007 (LCI) has electric PAS but slightly better MPG due to alternator setup.
Prices aren't depreciating on those that are looked after, get one while you can
Think these are finally on the up? I'm considering selling mine next year but it's just too good and don't know what I'd replace with. Mine has HPAS rather than electric plus I've got the BMWP intake and exhaust which are lovely . Only weakness on them is the water pump but not expensive if it goes wrong. Post 2007 (LCI) has electric PAS but slightly better MPG due to alternator setup. Prices aren't depreciating on those that are looked after, get one while you can
narbles said:
Think these are finally on the up? I'm considering selling mine next year but it's just too good and don't know what I'd replace with. Mine has HPAS rather than electric plus I've got the BMWP intake and exhaust which are lovely
Definitely, you only have to look how long they last on AutoTrader for! Only two there right now and one has been on there for months. OP, worth trying out the BMW 125/130i if you can find one nearby before buying an Astra! You can't beat an N/A straight six at this price point and they're pretty bullet proof.
Nickgough1979 said:
Thanks to those who replied. I think I’m going for a cheap 10 plate Astra 1.4T SRi to see me through until February. A head over heart decision, bit boring but still not a slouch.
Don't do it! Listen to AnneTeak. Astra could be a lemon, a nice 130i is in your budget and as you said MPG is not a factor. It'll be good enough to drive (it's not a Lotus Elise...) and it's got that lovely straight 6 and "touch wood" they're pretty reliable aside from the known issues with plastic water pumps. Not that mine's ever been an issue.narbles said:
Think these are finally on the up? I'm considering selling mine next year but it's just too good and don't know what I'd replace with. Mine has HPAS rather than electric plus I've got the BMWP intake and exhaust which are lovely
I'd be interested to hear more about your car. Gone down to one car recently as the second one wasn't getting used. Will likely need something in the spring to tide me over for 12 months, and would love another 130i - they're perfect for what I need at the moment. aussieal said:
I'd be interested to hear more about your car. Gone down to one car recently as the second one wasn't getting used. Will likely need something in the spring to tide me over for 12 months, and would love another 130i - they're perfect for what I need at the moment.
Probably best not to hijack this thread but I bought it with 81k on the clock and a bit of a steal considering the BMWP parts on it. For the OPs price point I consider it to be the only choice for a petrolhead if you need something reasonably practical. I've had Megane RS250 which was probably at least 50% in terms of the cost (and a lot more in terms of running it ... things broke) and other cars but the 130i is the sweet spot. Feel free to PM if you'd like to know more.Thanks again. I’m based in Reading and don’t want to travel miles, also bear in mind I’m keeping the car for 6 months max as I’ll be selling it for a deposit on a new car. Only 130i I can see is 1 car up towards Sheffield. The Astra is £3.5k so should lose to much in 6 months, considering I’ll probably do about 2k miles in total.
Will check out the 125i though as seem to be a few of them about. Hope back seats are big enough for car seats!
Will check out the 125i though as seem to be a few of them about. Hope back seats are big enough for car seats!
LGriffiths88 said:
BMW 330i Touring? E91
This is what I went for. Mine is a 2006 manual and I've had it a couple of years now. I often think about changing it, but I enjoy driving it and can't think what else will be so fun, dependable, practical and economical for around the same money.
I bought an 06 plate E91 325i in 2018, but replaced it last year with a 55 plate E90 330i for a bit more oomph!
Both had the wonderful N52 engine and HPAS, but were in Band K for RFL.
I've also had two Z4 Coupes with the same N52 engine (but sadly EPAS). 2 of the 4 needed new electric water pumps, one didn't and one hasn't yet! But it's worth budgeting for as new pumps aren't cheap.
But I think the 3 Series got the N53 engine by 2007 so the only options with the N52 are the 125i and 130i.
Anyway good luck with whatever you buy OP.
Both had the wonderful N52 engine and HPAS, but were in Band K for RFL.
I've also had two Z4 Coupes with the same N52 engine (but sadly EPAS). 2 of the 4 needed new electric water pumps, one didn't and one hasn't yet! But it's worth budgeting for as new pumps aren't cheap.
But I think the 3 Series got the N53 engine by 2007 so the only options with the N52 are the 125i and 130i.
Anyway good luck with whatever you buy OP.
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