£3k-£4k Petrol Small - Midsized car?

[Hark]

Need to get rid of wife's Renault Scenic after recurring DPF issues. Just don't the journeys that she does suit it.

Would like to replace with a cheap petrol run about. Needs to be 4 door, to get a 6 year old in to her car seat in the back. Ten year old can generally travel in the front, but be good if he can go in the back when needed. This rules out really small stuff - Ford KA, Mini etc.

Thinking Focus, Golf, Astra? Not sure if Fiesta/Corsa have enough room in the back for short trips?

Where is the best value for money?

[PositronicRay]

Hyundai i20 is pretty bomb proof.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say look for the 1.4T Astra in SRI form:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208158...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209099...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208098...

[Eddie Twadds]

Buying a car in Cleckheaton - good luck with that....

[Skyrocket21]

Golf Plus https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207248... you could get a newer one than that, the 1.4 tsi engine from that era can have timing chain issues and the turbo actuator too.

Seat Altea is the cheaper alternative with more boot space, better dashboard from 2009 / 10 onwards

Skoda Yeti is well loved but retains residuals.

Toyota Verso if you want reliability but be a bit bland. The unheard of one is a Toyota Urban Cruiser which is smaller and based on a Yaris I believe.

[Hark]

Many thanks

[Bannock]

Best value for money is finding the newest car possible at your budget, I'd say.

Dacia Sandero/ Sandero Stepway:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208108...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202162...

I'd like to say FIAT Tipo, but those start at about £5k still:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208309...

Outside of those, for a slightly older car, I think the Astra presents the best value for money.

[Bannock]

PositronicRay said:

Hyundai i20 is pretty bomb proof.

Hyundai i30 too:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206016...

[Silvanus]

Thinking of a few left field options that when new were a difficult sell but make great second hand bargains and all in budget.

Skoda Roomster Scout, unusual looking thing but actually a great car with a huge interior. Touch of the Skoda Yeti about it but half the price.

Dacia Duster, just about pick up a tidy early car in budget. Very solid dependable cars, if a little agricultural in lower spec.

Kia Soul are funky things, decent size interior and they definitely stand out from the sea of grey boxes. Minus points for. smaller boot.

Mazda5, the bonus of sliding doors. Its also a good drive and one of the better driving MPVs.

Fiat 500L, huge inside compared to its footprint and can be had with some interesting engines and has a nice interior. Challenging looks however.

Chrysler Delta, essentially a rebadged Lancia, much bigger inside than rival hatchbacks and decent tried and tested Fiat engines. Rare as hens teeth.

[anonymous-user]

I currently run a diesel shed, but I have to get rid of it by next August as I am in the proposed ULEZ expansion zone. My price range is the same as the OP, and the car I keep coming to is a Kia Rio 2011 on, which is essential an i20. Probably the 1.4 as this comes with the six speed gearbox.

[PurpleTurtle]

I'd be looking at this Civic 1.8 VTEC.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209069...

(Suspiciously) low miles, heated leather seats, cabin is a nice place to be, great sized boot for this size of car, reasonably economical, good build quality, not much goes wrong on them

[Silvanus]

Bannock said:

Best value for money is finding the newest car possible at your budget, I'd say.

Dacia Sandero/ Sandero Stepway:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208108...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202162...

I'd like to say FIAT Tipo, but those start at about £5k still:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208309...

Outside of those, for a slightly older car, I think the Astra presents the best value for money.

Sandero Stepway is a great second hand buy. Can't help but think, other than the high miles, that Tipo could have issues, far too cheap

[anonymous-user]

Silvanus said:

Can't help but think, other than the high miles, that Tipo could have issues, far too cheap

Don't forget that back in 2017 they were selling these brand new in white for £9995. £5K depreciation in 90K miles sounds incredibly good to me.

[Bannock]

Nissan Note:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207137...

[Silvanus]

Joey Deacon said:

Silvanus said:

Can't help but think, other than the high miles, that Tipo could have issues, far too cheap

Don't forget that back in 2017 they were selling these brand new in white for £9995. £5K depreciation in 90K miles sounds incredibly good to me.

Its still a fair chunk cheaper than the next cheapest on autotrader. If its actually in good condition for the mileage it's a bargain. They are actually pretty decent cars for the most part, 95% of the population aren't the least bit interested in handling or steering feel. Perfect for whatcar readers rather than Evo

[TO73074E]

PurpleTurtle said:

I'd be looking at this Civic 1.8 VTEC.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209069...

(Suspiciously) low miles, heated leather seats, cabin is a nice place to be, great sized boot for this size of car, reasonably economical, good build quality, not much goes wrong on them

If the mileage is right on this one then it is a great buy. The leather seats don't look overly worn so they may well be true miles.

[BoRED S2upid]

Seat do a 4 door ibiza which is plenty big enough for a 6 year old and 4 up for short trips. 1.2tsi or 1.4 engines are frugal yet pretty responsive. I can think of worse cars. Not as cheap as some of the other stuff posted here.