New car recommendations £5k budget

[IndieSchmindie]

I've had a crappy Corsa almost from new which is now 10 years old. To be fair, it's done it's job really well. Over 90k now and no serious problems.

Anyway, I'm in my 30's now and insurance isn't going to be such an issue now. I'm fed up of the noise it makes on motorways, the lack of power and basically am looking for something bigger and better.

I reckon I could throw in around 4-5k plus whatever I'd get selling or p/e my old car.

Any suggestions?

 

[rossk26]

Probably need a bit more info. Are you into cars? Want something with power? Are you wanting something that looks flash? Or you wanting something practical and reliable?

 

[King4aDay]

I'd probably buy a Galant/Legnum VR4.

Or a 944 S2. Or something else stupid.

But don't do that.

 

[IndieSchmindie]

Nothing super powerful. Just better than a 1.2 Corsa!

Reliability is probably the most important thing.

I probably do about 10k miles a year but it's a real mixture of short trips to work and back and then longer ones.

Something with a bit of grunt would be good as I've never had anything with more than 1.4, but ideally nothing that's going to keep braking down and cost a bomb to repair.

 

[Matt82]

Size requirements?

 

[rossk26]

Just better than a 1.2 Corsa!

That's pretty much the whole car market then...

 

[IndieSchmindie]

Size requirements?

I normally only have a 1 passenger and not got kids so doesn't have to be 5 doors. I would like a "Bigger" car than my last one though. At least Golf/Focus size I'd say.

That's pretty much the whole car market then...

Pretty much

 

[wingman]

Auris 1.6? Acceptable economy, decent comfort and better performance. Reliability should be good. This one has a years manufacturer warranty left on it;

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...red-listing/dealer/11387/usedcars?logcode=flp

 

[eatcustard]

Focus 1.6 petrol

 

[MissChief]

Leon Cupra? Golf GTI? If you don't need four/five doors and don't have kids, do the two seater roadster thing before you do?

No idea about this one other than a quick search!

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/bmw/z4-roadster/bmw------------z4-2-5i-2dr/1247110

Could easily do MX5 for that as well.

 

[Buchanan0204]

Leon Cupra? Golf GTI? If you don't need four/five doors and don't have kids, do the two seater roadster thing before you do?

No idea about this one other than a quick search!

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/bmw/z4-roadster/bmw------------z4-2-5i-2dr/1247110

Could easily do MX5 for that as well.

He does 10k miles per year and reliability is his main requirement. I doubt a 10 year old BMW with 95k miles on the clock is a wise choice.

How about a Volkswagen Jetta OP?

 

[[TW]Fox]

This one has a years manufacturer warranty left on it

It odesn't have any manufacturers warranty left on it - it has the standard 12 month Approved Used warranty that any Toyota from a main dealer will have

 

[wingman]

Whoops! When did Toyota start their 5 year warranty deals? Must have been later than 2008.

 

[MissChief]

MX5 then!

 

[IndieSchmindie]

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

I've always liked Golf GTI's although I'd heard they weren't as good as they used to be.

MX5 is an great car. I am tempted with something like that!

Also, any ideas on a the sale/trade in price of a 10 year old Corsa SXI? That would probably go on top of the 5 grand.

 

[rodenal]

It will have no real value to them - depending on the car you're buying though you'll maybe get a grand for it

 

[MissChief]

On trade in I'd be surprised if you even get offered £500 unless it's immaculate.

 

[MissChief]

Less than 50k miles MX5 although dull colour
Nicer colour, even less miles

 

[Sonea Fifer]

If you're seriously looking at MX5's around the 5K mark then I'd personally be looking at the MK3's like this one

 

[King4aDay]

So many options at this sort of price really. Just go test drive a few different cars at dealers and see what you like the look of.