'Boring' family hatch advice

[Adrally7]

Due to financial situation I'm on the look out for a 'boring' hatch. Used mostly to commute 15 miles a day in town, the odd trip out to the countryside and a couple of long motorway trips per year. I want to keep costs down as much as possible if I can.

Requirements-

Cheap as possible on tax
Cheap as possible on fuel
Cheapish insurance
Decent reliability
Some refinement and comfort if possible (low road noise)
Some usable poke would be nice but I know beggars can't be choosers
Reasonable boot and cabin space (need space for kiddie and stuff)
Prefer petrol

Budget £5k.

Been looking at cars like Hyundai i30, Skoda rapid spaceback, Seat leon, Vauxhall astra etc, but reviews on these cars seem inconsistent to one and other so bit confused about what to buy. Plus I don't have much time to go out test driving loads of cars.

Any advice on these models or other recommendations? Thanks in advance!

[paul_c123]

For 5k, they're all much of a muchness. Sure, you could buy a Golf but it would be older and higher mileage than others. Obviously you're in Ecoboom territory with Ford Focus. So I'd say from your list so far, Vauxhall Astra is the best. They seem to drive smoother than most and the gearchange is good, also its going to be cheap to run (relatively).

[anonymous-user]

Toyota Auris.

[Adrally7]

paul_c123 said:

For 5k, they're all much of a muchness. Sure, you could buy a Golf but it would be older and higher mileage than others. Obviously you're in Ecoboom territory with Ford Focus. So I'd say from your list so far, Vauxhall Astra is the best. They seem to drive smoother than most and the gearchange is good, also its going to be cheap to run (relatively).

Yeah I'm staying clear of fords. I like the idea of the Vauxhall. I've heard bad things about the 1.4. But the 1.0 turbo seems ok?

[a311]

When I was in a similar situation I just looked to see what was available without having to travel too far. I ended up with a one owner 116d for a fiver short of 4k. We've had it 2 years and it hasn't missed a beat. Does a short commute, my wife uses it mostly and has had it on the motorway. £30 tax a year and frugal on fuel.

[paul_c123]

Adrally7 said:

Yeah I'm staying clear of fords. I like the idea of the Vauxhall. I've heard bad things about the 1.4. But the 1.0 turbo seems ok?

Mileage and service history are important to check. With an Astra, there will be plenty available so look for full service history and the lowest mileage/newest. Sure there's been issues but they're not all disasters.

[drgoatboy]

I think as a311 says. Just keep an eye out and see what comes up locally. Not really worth big travels for a 5k family car. Auto trader at this sort of price seems to be overpriced a lot more than eBay / Facebook or even pistonheads. Keep an eye out for private sales to maximise bang for your buck.

Personally I would be looking for a Skoda Octavia although at that sort of age the choice of petrol engines is pretty limited.

[MC Bodge]

The Focus and the Ecoboost engine is good to drive, but budget for a timing belt change (only around twice the cost of a dry timing belt change) if it has not had one. There was a 1.6 non-turbo Focus too.

Having had a Focus and a non-VRS MK3 Octavia, the Focus is much nicer car all-round, especially if you enjoy driving, even if the boot is not as big. The Rapid seems like a stretched old Fabia and not very refined.

Edited by MC Bodge on Saturday 18th January 11:56

[av185]

paul_c123 said:

Adrally7 said:

Yeah I'm staying clear of fords. I like the idea of the Vauxhall. I've heard bad things about the 1.4. But the 1.0 turbo seems ok?

Mileage and service history are important to check. With an Astra, there will be plenty available so look for full service history and the lowest mileage/newest. Sure there's been issues but they're not all disasters.

1.0 1.2 and 1.4 Astra engines all tend to have issues not least crankshaft float and ips which is generally terminal. Check out the Vauxhall forums for accuraye and exact issues.

The 1.0 Ecoboom Ford engines fitted in Focus and Fiesta are generally a crap design and have many issues too.

Vauxhall 2.0 CDti 165 engine fitted in 2012 to 2016 Astras is good but it has a rubber timing belt which needs changing at 5 to 6 years. A few dpf issues but no more than other makes.

Best and most durable Astra engine by a country mile is the 1.6 T 200 16V petrol which is still used in the current hybrid
and for obvious reasons...it is well proven smooth economical and a good performer too as quick as a Golf GTi.

Earlier 2015 to 2017 Astra Ks 200 s were non gpf the later cars had gpf.

Available in SRi nav/non nav SRi+VX line(nav)and Elite (nav) trims.

Edited by av185 on Saturday 18th January 12:16

[ZX10R NIN]

The 1.6T Astra is a very good option:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412237...

The 1.4T's are pretty robust but the 1.6T is the pick as is the 1.5/1.6T Focus:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501158...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501097...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412247...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412046...

At this price point these two are the picks.

A bit bigger but the Mazda6 ticks pretty much all of your boxes:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412127...

Insignia:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501107...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501047...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404058...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Saturday 18th January 13:18

[Alfa Pete]

Look out for a gen 3 , (2014 onwards )Mazda3 with the 2 litre petrol.
Despite the engine size they are surprisingly economical , have a good reliability record and cheap to run and service .

[Normodog]

Alfa Pete said:

Look out for a gen 3 , (2014 onwards )Mazda3 with the 2 litre petrol.
Despite the engine size they are surprisingly economical , have a good reliability record and cheap to run and service .

We've had a 2015 '65' for four years. Despite the wife's best efforts, it's been totally reliable and hasn't cost a penny beyond servicing (which I do myself).

Drives nicely returns 40mpg consistently and only £30 a year to tax.

[Alfa Pete]

Normodog said:

Alfa Pete said:

Look out for a gen 3 , (2014 onwards )Mazda3 with the 2 litre petrol.
Despite the engine size they are surprisingly economical , have a good reliability record and cheap to run and service .

We've had a 2015 '65' for four years. Despite the wife's best efforts, it's been totally reliable and hasn't cost a penny beyond servicing (which I do myself).

Drives nicely returns 40mpg consistently and only £30 a year to tax.

I have a gen 4 which is my second . Both have been great .
My son recently bought a gen 3 65 plate for £3800 and he loves it so far.

[defblade]

Had my 2016 Rapid Spaceback over 5 years now - the longest I've owned a car.

The biggest selling point for me it that there's enough room in the front for me at 6'4" without totally destroying the room behind and it is all-day comfortable. It has a very different (much better for me) driving position to a Fabia or Polo (I believe the chassis is Polo front end and Mk1 Octavia at the back).

Tax is £30-odd a year, I get 40-45mpg but my wife gets 45-50. I've got the highest spec engine - offically 110bhp IIRC, but usually test a bit higher by all accounts. It's a 1.2 but drives like a 2 litre so long as you keep it over 1200rpm.

Boot could be a bit larger, but I have fitted a false floor over the amplifiers, and pinched a bit of boot space for the sub, so that might be mostly my fault

It drives fine (Evo like them!) but it is simply capable/boring overall - a brain car, not a heart one.

However, despite the urge for something more fun over the last few months, I found I just couldn't bring myself to sell it and so there's a new convertible toy in the garage to fix and run for the summer rather than a proper new daily.

[Adrally7]

Normodog said:

We've had a 2015 '65' for four years. Despite the wife's best efforts, it's been totally reliable and hasn't cost a penny beyond servicing (which I do myself).

Drives nicely returns 40mpg consistently and only £30 a year to tax.

How do you find the infotainment system? I'm hoping to find something that has apple carplay. If a car doesn't have it I'm happy to put in an after market unit. Is that possible in the Mazda? I see in pictures the screen is on the top of the dash?

[Adrally7]

defblade said:

Had my 2016 Rapid Spaceback over 5 years now - the longest I've owned a car.

The biggest selling point for me it that there's enough room in the front for me at 6'4" without totally destroying the room behind and it is all-day comfortable. It has a very different (much better for me) driving position to a Fabia or Polo (I believe the chassis is Polo front end and Mk1 Octavia at the back).

Tax is £30-odd a year, I get 40-45mpg but my wife gets 45-50. I've got the highest spec engine - offically 110bhp IIRC, but usually test a bit higher by all accounts. It's a 1.2 but drives like a 2 litre so long as you keep it over 1200rpm.

Boot could be a bit larger, but I have fitted a false floor over the amplifiers, and pinched a bit of boot space for the sub, so that might be mostly my fault

It drives fine (Evo like them!) but it is simply capable/boring overall - a brain car, not a heart one.

However, despite the urge for something more fun over the last few months, I found I just couldn't bring myself to sell it and so there's a new convertible toy in the garage to fix and run for the summer rather than a proper new daily.

I've seen in some reviews that there is considerable road noise in the rapid spaceback cabin. Same with the Leon. Which is slightly putting me off both cars. If I'm having to get a dull ish car I want it to be as quiet as possible. 😅

[defblade]

Adrally7 said:

I've seen in some reviews that there is considerable road noise in the rapid spaceback cabin. Same with the Leon. Which is slightly putting me off both cars. If I'm having to get a dull ish car I want it to be as quiet as possible. ??

I'd say it's not terrible, unless I have the roof rack on as mine seems to generate a whistle around (possibly just one of, for some reason) the legs. While I have massively upgraded the volume of the stereo, sometimes I drive without it on at all, and it's fine.

If you're focused on road noise, remember that the only real way to damp that out is with more sound-deadening, thicker materials etc etc, which means a heavier car, which hurts mpg, performance, etc. Our mk1 Aygo did fantastic mpg from a tiny engine but was made of tin and was so loud, the MinL rang to say she thought the exhaust was broken the first time she drove it! So there's always going to be a balance/compromise.

[ZX10R NIN]

Adrally7 said:

I've seen in some reviews that there is considerable road noise in the rapid spaceback cabin. Same with the Leon. Which is slightly putting me off both cars. If I'm having to get a dull ish car I want it to be as quiet as possible. ??

The Mazda6 will be quieter than the cars from the next segment down & it's a car you can grow into space wise.

[MC Bodge]

Adrally7 said:

I've seen in some reviews that there is considerable road noise in the rapid spaceback cabin. Same with the Leon. Which is slightly putting me off both cars. If I'm having to get a dull ish car I want it to be as quiet as possible. ??

One of the reasons I would stay away from Skoda (other than possibly a Superb).

[Alfa Pete]

Adrally7 said:

Normodog said:

We've had a 2015 '65' for four years. Despite the wife's best efforts, it's been totally reliable and hasn't cost a penny beyond servicing (which I do myself).

Drives nicely returns 40mpg consistently and only £30 a year to tax.

How do you find the infotainment system? I'm hoping to find something that has apple carplay. If a car doesn't have it I'm happy to put in an after market unit. Is that possible in the Mazda? I see in pictures the screen is on the top of the dash?

My sons had Bluetooth but no CarPlay . He is looking to buy a unit from Amazon to add CarPlay functionality . I think you can do it for around £100.