What car for up to ~£12k

tsinc80697

tsinc80697

tsinc80697

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Currently own a Fiesta 1.25 which my girlfriend uses to drive to work as I can walk from where we currently live.

We're looking to move further out which would be around 70-80miles a day to work and back. I was thinking of selling the Fiesta, and get something for around the £10-12k mark whilst my girlfriend will something for herself.

I've been looking at petrol/diesel prices and mpg on a few cars and I'm thinking that diesel will be the right choice for that amount of miles on motorways?

Any recommendations? Obviously something comfortable, as high mpg as possible and not too old. I've been looking at BMW 118D or 120D which seem to come in around budget but is there anything to look out for on them? Are there any other diesels which are better for the money?

I don't want something Mondeo sized but more Focus/1 Series 3 door sized.

Thanks! :)
 
There are a few 3 door 118d's about for your budget. Get an M Sport if only for the residuals.

Look at the 3 door A3 as well because a lot of people thing these look better. Drive both and see what you think. If you're not fussed about the M Sport thing then there are plenty of 3 door SEs in the AUC network.
 
Don't move 80 mile round trip away from work, you'll regret it in the long run as the cost of commuting continues to rise.

If you absolutely must, mind, buy something reasonable comfortable.

Do bear in mind you are going to quickly destroy the value of a £12,000 car.
 
The move just coincides with a new job which has a £5k pay increase.

What could you recommend then Fox? £12k was just a limit really and pointless spending it if the car is worth peanuts in 2-3 years but I assume adding 20k per year will destroy the value of most cars?
 
tsinc80697 said:
The move just coincides with a new job which has a £5k pay increase.

What could you recommend then Fox? £12k was just a limit really and pointless spending it if the car is worth peanuts in 2-3 years but I assume adding 20k per year will destroy the value of most cars?
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Start that again, big miles will kill the value of any car, but there's nothing to stop you buying a decent car and keeping it 5 years to get some value out of it.
 
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So ignoring or putting the mileage/depreciation aside, is a 120d a decent car for the money for 80miles a day? Will look at A3's as suggested in the post, anythin to look out for on them or engines to avoid?
 
tsinc80697 said:
So ignoring or putting the mileage/depreciation aside, is a 120d a decent car for the money for 80miles a day? Will look at A3's as suggested in the post, anythin to look out for on them or engines to avoid?
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If it was me i would get something bigger and more comfortable, anyway someone will be along soon who is an expert on 1 series :)
 
tsinc80697 said:
The move just coincides with a new job which has a £5k pay increase.
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You do realise that the cost of commuting will wipe out that £5k pay increase?

Thats about £300ish after tax if you are a 20% tax payer. You'll easily spend that on the additional costs associated with your commute, infact probably more if you take into account depreciation etc.

You are therefore effectively taking a pay cut, and trading your 5 minute commute for a 2 hours a day commute. So, longer hours and less money. Still think its a good deal?

What could you recommend then Fox? £12k was just a limit really and pointless spending it if the car is worth peanuts in 2-3 years but I assume adding 20k per year will destroy the value of most cars?
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I'd be tempted to spend half that and run it until it dies unless you particularly want a 1 Series.
 
The money isn't as much of an issue. The £5k pay increase is there to cover car costs really. The amount I'm on now is perfectly fine with me so earning pretty much the same as what I am on but with a decent car (coming from a 13 year old Fiesta) would be good with me.

I wasn't dead set on a 1 Series, but are the general thoughts on them good? What's available for £6k that would last 3+ years at 20k a year with decent mpg? I'm quite open to suggestions but wouldn't want anything much bigger than a 1 Series really.
 
I've done some pretty long trips in a 1 Series and never quite felt as refreshed at the end of them as I did doing the same trips in a 3 or a 5 Series. Whilst many people quite happily cover huge mileage in a 1 Series, I suspect most do this because they have to (Ie its the best thing on the company car list).

I'd certainly rather a 320d for this sort of job.

Be aware that these cars could well throw the odd significant bill your way.
 
[Corsa]Fox;17880206 said:
I've done some pretty long trips in a 1 Series and never quite felt as refreshed at the end of them as I did doing the same trips in a 3 or a 5 Series. Whilst many people quite happily cover huge mileage in a 1 Series, I suspect most do this because they have to (Ie its the best thing on the company car list).

I'd certainly rather a 320d for this sort of job.

Be aware that these cars could well throw the odd significant bill your way.
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I've done a few 2 hour trips in both a 120D Msport and a 320D ES (both latest models) and felt just as comfortable in both. The extra bit of power in the 120D and little less weight made 6th gear overtakes easier. I am, however, happy to also do several hour trips in my VX.
 
I just don't want anything bigger. I have no need for it and I'm sure in 10 years time when I have kids I'll need something that size. For now I'd love a hot hatch but as I'll be doing 70-80miles a day a diesel would be more economical.
 
tsinc80697 said:
I just don't want anything bigger. I have no need for it and I'm sure in 10 years time when I have kids I'll need something that size. For now I'd love a hot hatch but as I'll be doing 70-80miles a day a diesel would be more economical.
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I'm not sure you get the point in larger cars. Here is a hint - people don't waft up and down Motorways in something like an Audi A8 (Not that I am suggesting this) because they need the boot space or they want to seat 4 adults in comfort. Most larger cars are driven by one person with no passengers.

Why? Because generally speaking, the larger the car, the longer the wheelbase, the more relaxing and comfortable it is to cover long distances, the more refined it is, the higher the level of equipment, etc.

On the used market, prices tend to converge when cars get to a certain age such that you don't even pay more for larger cars.

Get rid of the idea that you only buy a big car when you have lots of stuff to carry or lots of people to transport.

I drive a nearly 5 metre long 5 Series and 80% of the time it's just me in it. And it beats the **** out of a hatchback.

You've probably got more of a need for a large car than most people here.
 
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