8k Budget for a good looking diesel hatchback

madtoady

madtoady

madtoady

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8k Budget for a good looking hatchback

I'm 23 and have been saving for a while and am looking to buy my first relatively decent car (Previous cars were 2x Citroen ZX 1.4 1992 and 1997). I drive 13-15k miles per year and am looking for a sexy "low mileage" quick diesel hatchback that won't explode my insurance premium.

Have been mainly been looking for something like this: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201305046599321

But am looking to broaden my mind and look at other alternatives.


UPDATE:

I have read and taken upon all your advice and my search options have opened up a little

Diesel or Petrol.
Fairly quick but not so fast my insurance sky-rockets.
Hatchback preferably but will consider alternatives that aren't massive.
Looks awesome.

Can offer good MPG when driving with fuel economy in mind.
Can stretch past 8k budget if car is worth that bit extra.


Viewed a couple of the 3 door Astras today and I love the look of the car but the interior is extremely boring just like Ben_Cole said.
 
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A bet you could get a VXR for that money.

The other things wrong with your first idea/choice are a) it's diesel and thus slow and b) it's a Vauxhall

Of course that's only my opinion.
 
Why do you want a diesel? Your mileage doesn't warrant a diesel.
It'll cost more to buy than a petrol equivalent, and there is more to go wrong.

Get a Golf or something.
 
The SkodaFabia VRS always look nice when I pass one, aren't they diesel?
Looks quite sporty too could be a case of looking sportier than they actually are tho.
 
13-15k miles means you're right on the cusp of whether it's worth getting a diesel or not.

Personally I'd stick petrol but that's your choice.

That Astra you've linked to is quite decent looking on the outisde IMHO but I hate the interiors on them. You should be able to get a much nicer car for your money.
 
Sexy is of course subjective, but I've always liked the Mito.

How about a Mini? A Cooper D if it "has" to be a diesel (which I question it does, given your mileage).

I think the Astra (along with the Golf, 1 Series and Focus) will never be considered sexy. Again, entirely subjective. The Megane? Certainly better looking.

The A Class (new, obvs) is the sexiest hatchback on the market :) << I know it's an irrelevant point in this thread.
 
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If you can go a little higher you are in Alfa Romeo Giulietta territory.

It certainly is quick(for a diesel), very sexy(for a hatch) and a sensible insurance group.

It is also meant to have outstanding build quality which is a first for Alfa.
 
How new does it have to be?

Mito's are nice and supposedly the 1.6 jtdm isn't bad either but not sure i'd want one. Then again I alike a lot of this forum am massively biased towards petrols.

Alfa GT in Jtdm form? Kind of a coupe more than a hatch back. 147? tbh this screams golf gtd as next to a mk2 focus or an astra of the gen you're looking at it's going to looks attractive. Whoever said the C30 probably has made a good shout too.

In fact does it HAVE to be a hatchback as that'll open up so many more opportunities.
 
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I have read and taken upon all your advice and my search options have opened up a little :D

Diesel or Petrol.
Fairly quick but not so fast my insurance sky-rockets.
Hatchback preferably but will consider alternatives that aren't massive.
Looks awesome.

Can offer good MPG when driving with fuel economy in mind.
Can stretch past 8k budget if car is worth that bit extra.


Viewed a couple of the 3 door Astras today and I love the look of the car but the interior is extremely boring just like Ben_Cole said.
 
Mk 5 Golf GTI? Quick, practical, not bad on fuel for the power, solid engine Insurance may be a struggle at 23 I guess. I had the A3 with the same engine at 24 though and insurance wasn't horrific. Intact the A3 2.0T is worth a look too, interior is much nicer than the Astra.
 
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madtoady said:
I have read and taken upon all your advice and my search options have opened up a little :D

Diesel or Petrol.
Fairly quick but not so fast my insurance sky-rockets.
Hatchback preferably but will consider alternatives that aren't massive.
Looks awesome.

Can offer good MPG when driving with fuel economy in mind.
Can stretch past 8k budget if car is worth that bit extra.


Viewed a couple of the 3 door Astras today and I love the look of the car but the interior is extremely boring just like Ben_Cole said.
Click to expand...

no doubt it's the xp ones you're looking at, if you do end up getting one then don't spend anywhere near 8k on one.
 
Seat Leon is a nice looking little hatch imo (at least i prefer it to an astra). In this case i would look at a 2.0 diesel maybe, there are a lot around for under 8k.

Have you considered an mx5?

Not too quick but great fun to drive. Economy is reasonable as is insurance. Its not a hatch but its defiantly small. There is a lot to pick from with an 8k budget too.
 
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