Reliable reccomendations for £2k-3k

[Third Opinion]

Wont that get you a focus in good nick atleast?

A focus may start and go everyday, however the rot that appears around the rear arches will probably cost a fair few quid to repair.

 

[Firestar_3x]

FAO Firestar_3x - When you press the boot release on the keyfob for your passat does the boot totally open or just 'click' up a bit so you can pull it up yourself? Reason I ask is my boot is incredibly stiff and I think its the gas struts that need replacing.

Mines an estate mate not the saloon

Don't think the saloon open the boot for you but i belive you can increase the power of the springs so it does

 

[ajgoodfellow]

I went from an MG ZR 120+ to an Astra Coupe 1.8 in Jan (due to the MG costing a fortune to run)

Despite having similar power and specs on paper, the Astra feels a lot slower

It's lacking go. It has no power below 3,500 rpm and runs out of puff at about 5,500 rpm. The traction control is very obtrusive and kicks in frequently. The suspension is too soft too

The heated leather seats and aircon are nice but I really regret selling the MG. The Astra is just rather dull

I'm not sure what to go for - there are a few Focus ST170s for £3.5k. It's not really enough for one of those though - perhaps a Focus 2.0?

 

[Muffin`]

The Astra is just rather dull

You never listen!


Get a mk3 mondeo, to both of you.

 

[Kappa]

Mines an estate mate not the saloon

Don't think the saloon open the boot for you but i belive you can increase the power of the springs so it does

no worries mate now where to buy them!!?!?! *goes off to hunt*

 

[Firestar_3x]

Really can't remember, it was during one of my random forum searching moments i came across someone who did it.

 

[[TW]Fox]

A private plate on a boggo 1.6 Leon is going to look utterly silly. But yea, I'd have the Mondeo.

 

[MarkDavis]

A Honda Civic is going to be reliable and have low cost of ownership.

 

[Firestar_3x]

Problem is the Civic seems to hold a strong secondhand value and won't offer as much for your money as a bigger car.

 

[MarkDavis]

For the amount of car and equipment you get for the money, then then Mondeo but if his key requirements are reliability and cost of ownership (given that nothing is going to go wrong and it will hold its value better come resale time), the Civic is worth considering. The Mondeo's also a deceptively big car - threading it through narrow streets and multi-storey car parks is an exercise in caution compared to Civic/Leon/Astra sized cars. Depends what he's looking really.

 

[russ9898]

If your looking at Astra Coupes, go for the 2.0 turbo option. 197bhp out of the box with scope to remap upto 220bhp.

Another option id consider unless needed a bigger car is a Clio 172. Youll struggle to have more fun for £3.5k

 

[Third Opinion]

If your looking at Astra Coupes, go for the 2.0 turbo option. 197bhp out of the box with scope to remap upto 220bhp.

Another option id consider unless needed a bigger car is a Clio 172. Youll struggle to have more fun for £3.5k

He said reliable, so I guess running costs are a factor. Not saying either of the above will be necessarily unreliable but the running costs will be substantially higher than a Mk3 Mondeo.

 

[ajgoodfellow]

Yeah - hence why I didn't get the Turbo. I needed a car that was cheap to run

One review I read said that the Turbo had firmer better suspension than the lesser models