which car

Griff7520

Griff7520

Griff7520

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Cheshire East
Hi guys...need some advice...need a new car and have got down to these 4 options....can anyone say which is the best option...they are all around the £3k price range.
1)Toyota Corolla 1.6 VVT-I T3 5DR 2003 53 plate, 63000 miles
2)Vauxhall Astra 1.7 CDTI 16V CLUB [100] 5DR 2005 107000 miles
3)Seat Ibiza 1.4 SX 3DR 2005 52000 miles
4)Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI GHIA 5DR [110] [EURO 4] 2005 107000

I like the look of the diesels but milage is high....is this an issue these days with them being diesel engines...the 2 petrol cars have less milage but not as economical....whats your thoughts...thanks in advance
 
not a lot of mileage...5 to 7k maybe...what i need to know really is has anyone got experience with these cars and are they reliable, cheap to maintain etc etc...just want a nice reliable car ...not to expensive ensurance and easy to maintain...I am 51 years old so dont need anything fast lol....my boy racer days are long gone ;)
 
Dont touch the diesels - your mileage is way too low

If you are picking from those cars only it'd have to be the toyota for me. Very boring but good solid cars, toyota aren't the cheapest for servicing but anyone can do it if you're not bothered about keeping dealer history.
 
none of them leap out at me tbh, Corolla is ok, but bland (tried one before I got my current car) and apparently the VVT-i engines can be oil heavy
A petrol Focus would suit you better, especially with the mileage you expect to do.
The Astra is OK (currently have one myself.....it solid enough, but typical Vauxhall), again the diesel would cost you extra in the long run.
 
malfunkshun said:
none of them leap out at me tbh, Corolla is ok, but bland (tried one before I got my current car) and apparently the VVT-i engines can be oil heavy
A petrol Focus would suit you better, especially with the mileage you expect to do.
The Astra is OK (currently have one myself.....it solid enough, but typical Vauxhall), again the diesel would cost you extra in the long run.
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The 1.6 is ok, it's the 1.8 vvti that has / can have oval bore issues (hence using oil)
 
I am suprised about the diesels...thought they would be better on fuel.....so people favour the toyota out of those 4....anyone suggest a similar type of car I could look at.

thx
 
I'd look at the Toyota. Small petrol engine. Few things to go wrong compared to a diesel, no embarrassing engine noise and being Japanese should last forever
 
Griff7520 said:
I am suprised about the diesels...thought they would be better on fuel.....so people favour the toyota out of those 4....anyone suggest a similar type of car I could look at.

thx
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They will get more MPG than the petrols but you pay more for the fuel.

At 5000 miles per year, the improvement in economy isn't really enough to offset the additional unit cost of the diesel.

Throw into the mix all the added complexities a diesel has like it's turbocharger that a NA Toyota petrol doesn't have to go wrong and it doesn't really make sense until you do a lot of miles.
 
found a Focus 1.6 lx, 43000 on clock and 04 plate....looks superb...not a mark on it and the engine looks spotless....whats the opinion on these

thx
 
a guy at work has one. uber simple to live with, he has had it for years and so far it has been zero effort. it is comedy slow though :D
 
[TW]Fox;23140166 said:
It has power steering, remote locking, air conditioning and electric windows. Basic I agree but the rest of the cars on his list hardly add Satnav and cruise control do they?
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The Focus in the OP is a ghia which would suggest that it's not hard getting a petrol equivalent in Zetec trim or better for the same price.
 
I have driven the LX and it was a nice car. Is there any difference in the engine in a zetec or LX or are they the same...is it just the extras/trim that make the difference
 
Zetec pretty much gives you alloy wheels and fog lights, and I think the suspension is a bit different but don't quote me on that.
 
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