New (used) car - £12-£14k

[Buddah07]

Hi all,

I'm on the hunt for a new (used) car, my budget is around £12-£14k.

Currently driving a 2017 Seat Leon 2.0 FR TDI (DSG), but having issues with the DSG at the moment and deciding to cut my losses with it and move on.

I do roughly 10k miles per year, daily commute is 16mile to & from the office.

Would like to stay with diesel as I plan on going back to manual, I find it easier to drive (last two cars have been DSG). Although, would consider petrol if I found the right car/engine.

Have looked at VW Golf R-line but the market in N.Ireland isn't great.

Does anyone have any recommendations, ideally would like a car thats nice to drive and looks good.

Size isn't critical (Although, wouldn't like an SUV or Estate).


Cheers!!

[255SNK]

120d M-sport?..although ZF8 auto better than manual.

Or if you like the Leon apart from the gearbox what about an Octavia VRS TDI manual?

Focus ST Tdci?

[ZX10R NIN]

Firstly dual clutch gearboxes can be a bit jerky go with a conventional auto & you'll find it suits the diesel drivetrain.
Also if you look for cars on the main land & either fly over & drive the car back or just have it shipped across.

[ZX10R NIN]

225d:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503210...

508 GT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504040...

Q50 Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501087...

Q70:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503210...

425d:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504040...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503170...

E220d:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406100...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502108...

Previous gen:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503130...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503200...

C220d Premium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503200...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504020...

[Pickle_Rick]

You're in perfect EV territory if you have off road parking, though I'd avoid any VW because as you've found out, the quality has plummeted since around 2019.

BMW i3s might be my choice (plenty to choose from), not many interesting sub £14k EVs out there. Eg http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025032104...

Honda E Close 2nd
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025022093...

Edited by Pickle_Rick on Friday 4th April 19:52

[Buddah07]

Ideally I would like to stay away from dual clutches, and unfortunately don’t have access for charging.

I’ve come across a VW Scirocco (2016) with 55k on the clock. Manual with timing belt and water pump done.

Can anyone tell me if these are reliable and what to look out for?

I can’t post the link as I’m a new member and have to wait 14 days. Although you could find it on TheCarCompanyNi website.

[Buddah07]

Should also add that… R-line trim, 2.0 tdi

[Jiebo]

Pickle_Rick said:

You're in perfect EV territory if you have off road parking, though I'd avoid any VW because as you've found out, the quality has plummeted since around 2019.

BMW i3s might be my choice (plenty to choose from), not many interesting sub £14k EVs out there. Eg http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025032104...

Honda E Close 2nd
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025022093...

Edited by Pickle_Rick on Friday 4th April 19:52

You would be mad to buy an i3 for 14k, the tesla model 3 not far off. Even standard range blows the i3 away

[Pickle_Rick]

I agree, but PH is heavily anti tesla nowadays (I have a MY, so a tesla would be my choice too)