Best reliable petrol car to buy for under 3k

[HYS95]

I’ve had nightmares with diesels, and want to buy a petrol between 1.2-1.4

Are vw polo any good if yes what engine

Renault Clio 2005-2013 ? Engine ?

Any other recommendations please advise thanks.

[Challo]

If you want a reliable petrol go for something Japanese. Toyota, Honda etc.

Also go for something N/A and avoid turbo's or superchargers.

[Haltamer]

As far as small naturally aspirated engines go, I can't think of any that are particularly unreliable, though I'm sure someone will be along with an example

Look at Japanese / Korean offerings, as the reputation for reliability is fairly well founded in most instances.

8G Civic 1.4 (Engines shared with the bulletproof Jazz) fits in the budget; The Corsa 1.2 is quite solid in my experience, and I'd expect Micra's and Aygos to be rock solid too (And less likely to have been thrashed by previous owners than the corsa )

[d_a_n1979]

HYS95 said:

I’ve had nightmares with diesels, and want to buy a petrol between 1.2-1.4

Are vw polo any good if yes what engine

Renault Clio 2005-2013 ? Engine ?

Any other recommendations please advise thanks.

What's the car used for usually (commuting or just every day road user etc)?

Another vote here for anything Japanese...

But the Ford Focus & Fiesta's are reliable enough, aren't they?

[A500leroy]

pick a colour a find a Toyota Yaris in that colour. Job done.

[daveco]

Toyota Yaris/Auris with the 1.4 100hp engine. I think the Auris gets a 6 speed depending on the year, which is handy for motorway driving.

Suzuki Swift with the 1.2 or 1.4 engine is very reliable and will drive better than the Toyotas but no sixth gear.

Honda Civic with the 1.4 is reliable but gearing is all over the shop and electronics not great.

Also consider the Astra 1.4 (H series) -it's their most reliable engine by far and drives nicely, but again it really needs a sixth gear for motorway driving.

[V88Dicky]

Toyota Yaris, Suzuki Swift, Mazda 2, Honda Jizz, Mitsubishi Colt CZ to name but a few.

Nissan are full of Renault electronics, try to avoid, although the Note is ok.

[TheLuke]

Swift Sport for me at that price range.

[blue_haddock]

If you were looking for something slightly bigger I'd suggest the Mitsubishi lancer.

It was warranty directs most reliable car and we have had two and they are remarkably reliable.

https://www.bristolstreet.co.uk/news/mitsubishi-la...

[The spinner of plates]

A fiesta or a Yaris with a non turbo petrol engine.

There’s a not a mechanic worth the name that doesn’t know how to maintain / fix them cheaply.

[HYS95]

The car won’t really be used on motorway, some times I might use the motorway but no often. So vw polo and Renault Clio a no no ?

[d_a_n1979]

HYS95 said:

The car won’t really be used on motorway, some times I might use the motorway but no often. So vw polo and Renault Clio a no no ?

I wouldn't touch either personally. VW parts aren't cheap and wouldn't touch French at all, that's my opinion though

Why are you set on those 2 in particular?

[HYS95]

Because of budget that’s why, but I haven’t considered jap before

[scoey1001]

If you read up on the clio 1.2 tce engine it's very well regarded.

[HYS95]

The spinner of plates said:

A fiesta or a Yaris with a non turbo petrol engine.

There’s a not a mechanic worth the name that doesn’t know how to maintain / fix them cheaply.

Which fiesta is good, engine and gear ?

[HYS95]

scoey1001 said:

If you read up on the clio 1.2 tce engine it's very well regarded.

I’m trying to avoid turbo engine cars

[Summit_Detailing]

Fiesta 1.25
Yaris 1.3
Mazda 2 1.3/1.5
Jazz

Cheers,

Chris

[SWoll]

MK7 Fiesta with the 1.25 zetec engine. Good fun to drive and whilst possibly not as reliable as some Japanese alternatives still very good and cheaper to work on.

[budgie smuggler]

SWoll said:

MK7 Fiesta with the 1.25 zetec engine. Good fun to drive and whilst possibly not as reliable as some Japanese alternatives still very good and cheaper to work on.

It's not a good engine, on the facelift at least. Very very low powered. I had the 1.25 in a mk5 and it was a fine little engine. In the mk7 facelift it was hopeless. I was dropping down into second gear for hills i'd normally drive up in fourth.

[JoshMay]

I vowed never to drive a Japanese plastic car until I bought a Nissan X-Trial - sometimes you just want a car that always starts!
You can pick one up for <£2k: https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11452151 - it's a sport model so get a crash helmet! ;-)