I'd like a car for under £5K

PMKeates · 24 Sep 2013 at 07:37

Begbie said:
Cheap to service and run?

Or was this an inside Motors joke?

What is the expensive aspect? Even a BMW dealer will service/disc/pad change an E46 330i for nothing, and the intervals are longer than on the typical Ford/Mazda. It's a fairly simple car, and pretty reliable on the whole. It's also infinitely better than a Mazda3 or a Ford Focus.

Also, take the Mazda3 linked above: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201307047647592/. Combined fuel economy of 35.8 MPG, compared to 31 MPG for the 330i. Over 12,000 miles that is about £325... to have a 3.0 litre straight six with 231 HP instead of a 2.0 litre 4 pot with 150 HP. That must be a tough choice? :confused:

rossk26 · 24 Sep 2013 at 08:10

5UB said:
So at the moment, the Ford Focus, and Mazda 3 are the two to choose from, any other cars which are similar or think that are better for the price and for what I will be using it for?

You should include the Honda Civic in the pool of cars too. They seem to have a slightly higher premium than the Focus/3. But they will be slightly better put together.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201308288506731

fiveub · 24 Sep 2013 at 08:28

rossk26 said:
You should include the Honda Civic in the pool of cars too. They seem to have a slightly higher premium than the Focus/3. But they will be slightly better put together.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201308288506731

You're right, I have been looking at the Type S versions, and they are harder to get within my budget, but a standard 1.8 petrol might be a nice choice to look at too.

fiveub · 24 Sep 2013 at 08:32

Actually the Type S is just the seats and wheels isn't it? I am not too bothered about that, the standard 1.8 Petrol Honda Civic may be a good choice as I really like the design and looks of them. I just need to test drive one to see if I like driving them.

acemastr · 24 Sep 2013 at 08:36

PMKeates said:
What is the expensive aspect? Even a BMW dealer will service/disc/pad change an E46 330i for nothing, and the intervals are longer than on the typical Ford/Mazda. It's a fairly simple car, and pretty reliable on the whole. It's also infinitely better than a Mazda3 or a Ford Focus.

Also, take the Mazda3 linked above: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201307047647592/. Combined fuel economy of 35.8 MPG, compared to 31 MPG for the 330i. Over 12,000 miles that is about £325... to have a 3.0 litre straight six with 231 HP instead of a 2.0 litre 4 pot with 150 HP. That must be a tough choice?

Not that you'll reach those figures in either car

27 is doable if you don't push it

PMKeates · 24 Sep 2013 at 08:53

acemastr said:
Not that you'll reach those figures in either car

27 is doable if you don't push it

Depends how you drive it. I have owned a 330i and a 530i Automatic and achieved well over 30 MPG on runs in both cars. Long trips in the 530i A could see 35 MPG, and Fox has seen near 40 MPG in his 530i manual.

There's no eco-trick skulduggery tech in either of the cars, so the combined figures are at least comparable.

rossk26 · 24 Sep 2013 at 09:06

5UB said:
Actually the Type S is just the seats and wheels isn't it? I am not too bothered about that, the standard 1.8 Petrol Honda Civic may be a good choice as I really like the design and looks of them. I just need to test drive one to see if I like driving them.

Wheels, seats body kit and probably harder suspension I think.

The Exec models tend to come with more kit as standard, and it seems you prefer that to the sporty looks?

fiveub · 24 Sep 2013 at 09:08

rossk26 said:
Wheels, seats body kit and probably harder suspension I think.

The Exec models tend to come with more kit as standard, and it seems you prefer that to the sporty looks?

I do really like the one you linked to.

PMKeates · 24 Sep 2013 at 09:13

Any reason why the 330i isn't a contender?

S@njay · 24 Sep 2013 at 09:14

Have you thought about a Kia Ceed or Toyota Auris?

The Kia would still have some of the 5 year warranty left.

My wife had an Auris, and much preferred it over the Focus interior, its not a drivers car, but was nice and relaxing.

fiveub · 24 Sep 2013 at 09:27

PMKeates said:
Any reason why the 330i isn't a contender?

All seem high mileage for my budget, they look like nice cars, but seem too expensive for me unfortunately.

NathWraith · 24 Sep 2013 at 10:03

Another +1 for the 1.8 civic

fiveub · 24 Sep 2013 at 10:04

NathWraith said:
Another +1 for the 1.8 civic

This does now seem to be the car.

Just the non-Type S version, there are quite a few to choose from which is nice. So hopefully I can find a good one in the area, and one I can test drive!

rossk26 · 24 Sep 2013 at 10:12

PMKeates said:
Any reason why the 330i isn't a contender?

Because no one is naive enough to believe you when you say it's not that much more expensive to run a 330i compared to a family hatchback...

Begbie · 24 Sep 2013 at 11:08

PMKeates said:
What is the expensive aspect? Even a BMW dealer will service/disc/pad change an E46 330i for nothing, and the intervals are longer than on the typical Ford/Mazda. It's a fairly simple car, and pretty reliable on the whole. It's also infinitely better than a Mazda3 or a Ford Focus.

Also, take the Mazda3 linked above: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201307047647592/. Combined fuel economy of 35.8 MPG, compared to 31 MPG for the 330i. Over 12,000 miles that is about £325... to have a 3.0 litre straight six with 231 HP instead of a 2.0 litre 4 pot with 150 HP. That must be a tough choice?

I would be under the impression that, tyres, vanos systems, suspension are all more expensive to replace/repair than that of a typical family car. Also you'd get a newer, less miles for a different type of car.

Uncle_Gravy · 24 Sep 2013 at 11:30

God rest my soul

Clio 182 - Trophy
Megane RS225
possibly a RS230
RS175DCI (if you want the "more" eco route)

As long as they've been looked after they should be reasonably reliable. (Check Cliosport for looked after RSs)

NathWraith · 24 Sep 2013 at 11:49

Uncle_Gravy said:
God rest my soul

Clio 182 - Trophy
Megane RS225
possibly a RS230
RS175DCI (if you want the "more" eco route)

As long as they've been looked after they should be reasonably reliable. (Check Cliosport for looked after RSs)

He isn't looking for a performance hatch though. Also I'm pretty sure a 182 is just as sparse as a MK1 Focus.

Oh he also said reliable too

jigger · 24 Sep 2013 at 11:57

£5000 should get you a nice 07~ fully kitted out Peugeot 407 coupe

Uncle_Gravy · 24 Sep 2013 at 11:59

If not performance then a DCI 175 is a good shout, good mix of performance and "eco".

NathWraith said:
Oh he also said reliable too

You boys with your japenese toys :rolleyes:

I've had my Clio for 4 years now, 11 years old, 83k on the clock, caused me no troubles at all, only small things recently like the coil pack, and an MOT failure due to ball joint that's it.

As long as they've been looked after you should have no problem with reliability.

Amos91 · 24 Sep 2013 at 12:01

NathWraith said:
He isn't looking for a performance hatch though. Also I'm pretty sure a 182 is just as sparse as a MK1 Focus.

Oh he also said reliable too

The trophy is sparse on toys. A normal 182 has leather/alcantara seats, auto lights/wipers, climate control, cruise control and 6 cd changer.

Depends on what toys you want though