Not another ‘what car’ thread
Discussion
3 months ago I was unfortunate (or maybe foolish) to buy a used mk2 Skoda Octavia vrs estate that had quite serious and costly problems. I ended up having to cut my losses and get rid of it. I’m now left with the same requirements but with only £3k budget. (Or just over). I know this won’t get me much and I’ve been spending hours looking through classifieds but if there’s someone cleverer than I that can come up with a car idea that I haven’t thought of, it would be most helpful.
Preferably Estate or large hatch
Preferably auto box but will consider manual
As fast/fun as £3k will get me
As reliable as £3k will get me (I can’t afford a repeat of the last 3 months)
Will be family car/daily so not to uncomfortable.
I know I need to be realistic and compromise but does anyone have any ideas of what may suit?
Thanks
Preferably Estate or large hatch
Preferably auto box but will consider manual
As fast/fun as £3k will get me
As reliable as £3k will get me (I can’t afford a repeat of the last 3 months)
Will be family car/daily so not to uncomfortable.
I know I need to be realistic and compromise but does anyone have any ideas of what may suit?
Thanks
In the eternal fashion of recommending your own car... Mondeo 2.5T.
Fails at the auto hurdle but the rest passes well on.
Example: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203043...
Fails at the auto hurdle but the rest passes well on.
Example: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203043...
Edited by Fastdruid on Friday 4th March 15:01
Don't get too hung up on make or model (other than avoiding things known to be unreliable), at this price its condition that matters.
My suggestion would be a Mk2 Ford Focus, petrol with the 1.6 or 1.8 engines (not the 1.0 Ecoboost). There are loads available so you should be able to find a fairly decent one locally. They aren't quick, but do handle really well, and there's plenty of space in the boot even in the hatchback. If the max budget is £3k, I'd aim to get a slightly older/lower spec one for about £2k, and keep the rest of the cash for repairs.
My suggestion would be a Mk2 Ford Focus, petrol with the 1.6 or 1.8 engines (not the 1.0 Ecoboost). There are loads available so you should be able to find a fairly decent one locally. They aren't quick, but do handle really well, and there's plenty of space in the boot even in the hatchback. If the max budget is £3k, I'd aim to get a slightly older/lower spec one for about £2k, and keep the rest of the cash for repairs.
SkodaIan said:
Don't get too hung up on make or model (other than avoiding things known to be unreliable), at this price its condition that matters.
My suggestion would be a Mk2 Ford Focus, petrol with the 1.6 or 1.8 engines (not the 1.0 Ecoboost). There are loads available so you should be able to find a fairly decent one locally. They aren't quick, but do handle really well, and there's plenty of space in the boot even in the hatchback. If the max budget is £3k, I'd aim to get a slightly older/lower spec one for about £2k, and keep the rest of the cash for repairs.
Was always impressed how big the load area was in the Mk 2 Estates that we had as pool cars back in 2009-12 at Aone+ My suggestion would be a Mk2 Ford Focus, petrol with the 1.6 or 1.8 engines (not the 1.0 Ecoboost). There are loads available so you should be able to find a fairly decent one locally. They aren't quick, but do handle really well, and there's plenty of space in the boot even in the hatchback. If the max budget is £3k, I'd aim to get a slightly older/lower spec one for about £2k, and keep the rest of the cash for repairs.
SkodaIan said:
Don't get too hung up on make or model (other than avoiding things known to be unreliable), at this price its condition that matters.
My suggestion would be a Mk2 Ford Focus, petrol with the 1.6 or 1.8 engines (not the 1.0 Ecoboost). There are loads available so you should be able to find a fairly decent one locally. They aren't quick, but do handle really well, and there's plenty of space in the boot even in the hatchback. If the max budget is £3k, I'd aim to get a slightly older/lower spec one for about £2k, and keep the rest of the cash for repairs.
Yeah have thought about a focus. Good cars. But doesn’t the 1.6 engine have problems? Would prefer a bit more grunt of the 1.8 or 2L. But yeah good recommendation My suggestion would be a Mk2 Ford Focus, petrol with the 1.6 or 1.8 engines (not the 1.0 Ecoboost). There are loads available so you should be able to find a fairly decent one locally. They aren't quick, but do handle really well, and there's plenty of space in the boot even in the hatchback. If the max budget is £3k, I'd aim to get a slightly older/lower spec one for about £2k, and keep the rest of the cash for repairs.
Honda Accord 2.4 i-VTEC Tourer
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201101...
Mercedes C220 CDI Estate
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203043...
Saab 9-3 1.9 TiD Sportwagon
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203023...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201101...
Mercedes C220 CDI Estate
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203043...
Saab 9-3 1.9 TiD Sportwagon
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203023...
I'd say the Mondeo above is the pick but I do have a good leftfield but reliable option & it's the Laguna3 GT:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201191...
If it has to be Auto then the Dynamique S 170 is the pick:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112010...
Going fully leftfield there's the Hyundai Grandeur this was the precursor to the Genesis it's cheap but it is an extra £245 a year to tax vs the Mondeo:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111169...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201191...
If it has to be Auto then the Dynamique S 170 is the pick:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112010...
Going fully leftfield there's the Hyundai Grandeur this was the precursor to the Genesis it's cheap but it is an extra £245 a year to tax vs the Mondeo:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111169...
Adrally7 said:
What do people think of -
BMW 3 series 318/320i
Audi A4/A6 avant
Mazda 6
Saab 9-3 2L
Toyota avensis 2L
Vauxhall Astra Sri
Vauxhall insignia
Volvo v50/70
Out of that list at 3k, the main factor is buying the most well maintained with the least worn cabin, if if says BMW, Toyota or Vauxhall on the badge matters far less BMW 3 series 318/320i
Audi A4/A6 avant
Mazda 6
Saab 9-3 2L
Toyota avensis 2L
Vauxhall Astra Sri
Vauxhall insignia
Volvo v50/70
georgeyboy12345 said:
Honda Accord 2.4 i-VTEC Tourer
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201101...
Sorry should’ve mentioned needs to be petrol. Got to go through the ULEZ
Mercedes C220 CDI Estate
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203043...
Saab 9-3 1.9 TiD Sportwagon
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203023...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201101...
Sorry should’ve mentioned needs to be petrol. Got to go through the ULEZ
Mercedes C220 CDI Estate
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203043...
Saab 9-3 1.9 TiD Sportwagon
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203023...
I'm looking to change my car too.
Personally, I think any car down at the £3k level has significant risk attached.
The more upmarket the car, the higher the risk.
How long do need it to last for?
what miles do you anticipate putting on it?
Maybe it's time to set aside 'exciting' and just get the cheapest thing which ticks the boxes and save up for something better?
Minimise the risk of substantial bill for a bit?
When I needed low risk for a year, I bought a tidy mondeo 2 litre for a grand. Because I thought it looked sound and I could get it fixed easily if anything went wrong. What would you have to pay now for something which gave reasonable confidence?
Actually worked out well, it was a nice car to do long runs in, occasionally fun to thrash as well.
comfy seats and a good stereo. Could be worse.
Maintenance amounted to 2 tyres, a jubilee clip and a pot of power steering fluid.
Year's depreciation, about £400, as I had to sell it quickly due to parking issues.
I'd expect to pay a bit more now, but, there is a comfort in knowing you can afford to dump the current banger and buy another.
And/or, buy a motorbike.
Personally, I think any car down at the £3k level has significant risk attached.
The more upmarket the car, the higher the risk.
How long do need it to last for?
what miles do you anticipate putting on it?
Maybe it's time to set aside 'exciting' and just get the cheapest thing which ticks the boxes and save up for something better?
Minimise the risk of substantial bill for a bit?
When I needed low risk for a year, I bought a tidy mondeo 2 litre for a grand. Because I thought it looked sound and I could get it fixed easily if anything went wrong. What would you have to pay now for something which gave reasonable confidence?
Actually worked out well, it was a nice car to do long runs in, occasionally fun to thrash as well.
comfy seats and a good stereo. Could be worse.
Maintenance amounted to 2 tyres, a jubilee clip and a pot of power steering fluid.
Year's depreciation, about £400, as I had to sell it quickly due to parking issues.
I'd expect to pay a bit more now, but, there is a comfort in knowing you can afford to dump the current banger and buy another.
And/or, buy a motorbike.
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