5k Hatchback

[Macio]

Hi guys,

I’m looking for a small ish hatchback, 5k budget but lower the better, 99% of the time it’ll just be me in. The wife’s car covers 99% of family duties but I will need boot space for the occasional food shop for 4 people and 5 doors for access to a child seat in the back when she’s using her car.

I’d had my eye on a Mazda 2 Sport but the boot is too small.

Mileage wise I do around 7500-10k per year, but 20 miles each way on the motorway two or three times per week.

Requirements:
Reliable
5 doors
Isofix in the rear
Decent sized boot - enough for a weekly shop for 4.
Cruise control
40+ mpg at 60 on the motorway.
Not too fussed about power, but I did find my 1.2 Panda was a bit hard work on the odd motorway jaunt. So something closer to 100bhp would be nice.

Wants:
Ability to add Android auto/CarPlay
Petrol (had non-stop problems with a Mazda 6 2.2d)
ULEZ - my commute loops around the CAZ of Birmingham so not desperate.
Small ish - I’m happy not having something with amazing NVH and a long wheelbase.


Current thoughts are a Honda Jazz 1.4, but everything seems a bit boring. I have a bike for fun.

Thanks in advance.

[sunnyb13]

any requirements of gearbox being auto or happy with a manual?

[Macio]

Happy with auto or manual. Cheers.

[A500leroy]

fiat tipo.

[sunnyb13]

Ford focus 1.0T from the 2012-2014 era

[Defcon5]

sunnyb13 said:

Ford focus 1.0T from the 2012-2014 era

This. My wife and I have one each.

5k will get you something 2014/70k ish.

Set your search on autotrader for keyword ‘new engine’ and you can pick them up with brand new dealer fitted engines (they are replacing loads due to the degas pipe fault)

Both of mine have brand new engines in and for the money you can’t do better IMO

[georgeyboy12345]

Seat Toledo 1.2 TSI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304196...


For even more boot space, Skoda Rapid Spaceback 1.2 TSI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206096...


How about another Mazda 6 - don't worry, a petrol one this time
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202052...


Vauxhall Insignia 1.8 16V
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305026...


Nissan Note 1.6 16v
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209049...

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say a last of the previous gen Astra in 1.4T form.

Limited Edition:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305097...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304256...

SRI:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305046...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303295...

The above are reliable with a nice amount of go on the longer runs & they're also nicely spec'd too.

Auto wise the Giulietta is a good shout:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304126...

[Macio]

Thanks for the responses. Mazda 6 and Insignia probably a touch too big, although appreciate they’re nicer places to be. I’m off to look at a Focus, Astra and Giulietta this weekend.

[Vsix and Vtec]

Honda Civic. The Mk8 Civic is a little old now but still looks fresh, and is probably the most practical car you'll ever own. The boot is HUGE, the reliability is legendary (avoid the semi-auto though) and its frugal too. I owned a Type R For two years, and got 38mpg ownership average. My partner had a 1.4 Type S and her mpg was never below 50.

[Sycamore]

I bought a 2010 Honda Civic Type S 1.4 for £5k a few months back. 50k miles.

The boot is huge, and the rear seats fold flat into the floor so it's like a little van. Has been used to shuttle all sorts about.
I have a 3 door, but the 5 door has rear seats which fold flat, but also fold upwards too.

I only bought it because my car at the time kept having issues and was winding me up, so I searched autotrader for the nearest Civic and went and bought it right away from a main dealer. Was initially going to be a stopgap, but it's so reliable and useful I can't bring myself to sell it

[sunnyb13]

Sycamore said:

I bought a 2010 Honda Civic Type S 1.4 for £5k a few months back. 50k miles.

The boot is huge, and the rear seats fold flat into the floor so it's like a little van. Has been used to shuttle all sorts about.
I have a 3 door, but the 5 door has rear seats which fold flat, but also fold upwards too.

I only bought it because my car at the time kept having issues and was winding me up, so I searched autotrader for the nearest Civic and went and bought it right away from a main dealer. Was initially going to be a stopgap, but it's so reliable and useful I can't bring myself to sell it

I found the rear visibility of the civic to be quite poor. needed to retrofit a reverse camera.

[LightningBlue]

Vsix and Vtec said:

Honda Civic. The Mk8 Civic is a little old now but still looks fresh, and is probably the most practical car you'll ever own. The boot is HUGE, the reliability is legendary (avoid the semi-auto though) and its frugal too. I owned a Type R For two years, and got 38mpg ownership average. My partner had a 1.4 Type S and her mpg was never below 50.

My Civic Type S GT didn’t leave me stranded but was the most disappointing car I’ve owned and always had stupid faults like failed wiper motors, folding mirror motors, pano roof blind sticking, temp sensor failure, CD player failure…I could go on. The drivetrain might offer legendary reliability and the 1.8 economy was outstanding but my feeling was this generation was compromised by a radical design being done on the cheap. The facelift cars are probably much better, was it 2009?