New car, £4k budget, Civic?

Guy · 5 Nov 2013 at 10:55

Hi all, I'm currently looking out for a new car, as my Saxo is developing a few problems that will cost me more than the car is worth. Plus it's also getting the the point where I want a car with a bit more space and more economical as well. Edit: Should say that I don't really want to increase my insurance cost that much and would like a more reliable car.

I've got a budget of around £4k, and one car that has caught my eye is the Honda Civic 1.6 i-VTEC Sport, with the face lift. Always wanted a Type-R, but cannot justify the cost at all. It's just under 4k, with FSH, 36000 miles and 05 reg, but really not sure what a good price for these are.

Is that about right for this type of car or maybe have another suggestion for a car to look at? I've been looking at Mondeos as well, but I can't see being happy with a car that big, still like the hatch backs.

Cheers.

dandan556 · 5 Nov 2013 at 11:02

Could get a tidy MK1 Leon Cupra R with that budget.

rossk26 · 5 Nov 2013 at 11:05

The civic is a good car and very reliable. But when I was looking I found you could get a newer, higher spec equivalent sized car, for around the same money.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201311029630321

They also come as a hatchback, but I prefer the shape of the saloon.

Guy · 5 Nov 2013 at 11:07

I suspect that a Cupra R would push my insurance up a fair amount from the Saxo. Are they reliable?

rossk26 · 5 Nov 2013 at 11:38

Guy said:
Always wanted a Type-R, but cannot justify the cost at all

dandan556 said:
Could get a tidy MK1 Leon Cupra R with that budget.

Well done on not reading OP...

Howard · 5 Nov 2013 at 11:39

rossk26 said:
The civic is a good car and very reliable. But when I was looking I found you could get a newer, higher spec equivalent sized car, for around the same money.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201311029630321

They also come as a hatchback, but I prefer the shape of the saloon.

Came here to suggest the Mazda 3 also.

Guy · 5 Nov 2013 at 11:39

The Mazda does look nice, but again higher insurance and probably worse economically than my Saxo.

rossk26 · 5 Nov 2013 at 13:09

Guy said:
The Mazda does look nice, but again higher insurance and probably worse economically than my Saxo.

Have you ran an inurance quote? You sound young, so you'll probably get a shock when you start getting quotes for the Civic. They are quite popular with younger drivers, trying to make them look like Type R's and writing them off.

For me a 2.0 Mazda3 is cheaper to insure than a 1.6 Civic Sport.

Fuel economy will be minimal, and since like for like the mazda is much cheaper than the civic, it would take thousands of miles to come close to recouping that in fuel savings.

Guy · 5 Nov 2013 at 13:41

That's a fair point, I should really check what the difference is going to be. I would have thought that going from a VTR to a Civic would have been cheaper, as I would have thought that the VTR had a worse reputation with young drivers.

I'm over 25 now, but I do have a insurance claim within 5 years, so it's bumped up my premium.

MPG wise, I've just been using the figures given by Parkers and Auto Trader. If the Mazda is going to be very similar, I'll have a scan around to see what's for sale in my area.

rossk26 · 5 Nov 2013 at 13:53

Expect to get 35 average with the Mazda and 40's on a run. Civic would probably return low 40's average. So unless you are doing serious mileage per year, the difference is so minimal it's not worth contemplating.