Economical hatchback, £7k, any recommendations?

Cuchulain

Cuchulain

Cuchulain

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Wife has finally had enough of the Picasso and it's heading for major bill territory now. Just had a new clutch and it now it needs new timing belt and various other bits doing so she's going to get rid.

She wants an economical and reliable hatchback for ferrying the kids to and from school, around 50 miles a day. Budget is max £7k, happy with petrol if it's economical but would prefer diesel as some days she does 100 miles plus. Not people carrier sized as she hated the Picasso from day one and it must have some boot space, don't need to load prams etc up now as the kids are older but she does cart stuff around to sell at craft fairs.

Out of the entire list of cars she likes only the Skoda Fabia seemed to fit the bill despite it's lack of extras. I was also thinking perhaps a Focus, Civic (not sure on rear passenger room in them though) or even possibly a newer Fiesta (again, not sure on rear passenger space or boot space though).

Would appreciate your expert opinions before she goes and blows the money on a Peugeot and I spend all mine on Divorce proceedings.

Thanks :)
 
The Fabia is tiny inside (did you mean octavia?) - in comparison the civic is massive, especially in the back. You should maybe go and look at the cars you're considering, should be plenty of each about.

To be honest, at £7k you've got a decent amount of cash to buy a reasonably new car that will serve you well. I'd just look at an example of all of the main players, so Focus, civic, astra, octavia, Kia/Hyundai efforts/mazda3 etc.

I'd probably lean towards the octavia tbh, boot is usefully bigger with a slight sacrifice of rear room, but adults can be seated comfortably enough

Have a look at some bigger options too as you can sometimes get more for your money (Mondeo etc)
 
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I'd be happy for her to go for a saloon but she is set on a hatchback. (should have added, must be 5 door).

Kia Cee'd and Mazda 3's look the part, which model Hyundai should I be looking at? I10? And Astra's? Are Vauxhall worth considering now?

Edit: *blergh* no, not the i10, i30 looks ok.
 
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In regards to the Fabia, I would really rather have the mk1 VRS than the mk2 VRS. Both aesthetically (I just think it's a chunky looker) and engine wise with all the oil problems of the mk2 engines. The mk1 engine is a solid old coal burner that you can easily put 200k miles on (some have done so). Whereas Skoda were replacing engines or bits of engines on the mk2 VRS due to the things drinking oil for fun. Though you won't get a mk2 VRS at 7k, you're looking closer to 8 or 9. But 7k will get you very low mileage end of run mk1 (2007, so 7 years old). But you'll have to go to England or down South to get them. Half of that will get you a tidy higher mileage one if you shop around. But at the end of the day, it's now an 11 year old car from the earliest production runs. And the doors are notorious for holding water. Mine did. Had to unplug the drainage holes of grease. Also plenum chamber water ingress happens though it never happened to mine.

http://www.usedcarsni.com/2004-Skoda-Fabia-VRS-126899048

I would have that if I didn't need the space of the C-Max.
 
Cuchulain said:
I'd be happy for her to go for a saloon but she is set on a hatchback. (should have added, must be 5 door).

Kia Cee'd and Mazda 3's look the part, which model Hyundai should I be looking at? I10? And Astra's? Are Vauxhall worth considering now?

Edit: *blergh* no, not the i10, i30 looks ok.
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I10 is tiny again, i30 would be what you were looking for.

I honestly believe any of those cars will be suited, just pick the one that's the right combination of shape and looks for you.

If 7k gets you the latest astra its a decent car ( not sure of it will or not, 2009ish on). The previous one is crap
 
Great stuff, luckily we have Kia, Ford, Skoda, Vauxhall & Hyundai dealers within half a mile so I'll drag her down for a look, Mazda dealer is only half an hour away too.

Cheers.
 
Cuchulain said:
She's after the bog standard Fabia.
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In that case I'd be looking at something like the 105bhp 1.6 diesel (there's a 90bhp version to). Same power output as the 1.9 diesel, but £20 a year to tax to the £105 a year of the 1.9. Also, over 65mpg to the 55mpg or so of the 1.9. Only problem is finding one here within budget. Easier as I say on the mainland or down South. As rodenal points out though, the Fabia is very small. It's built on the VW Polo platform.
 
I'm really thoroughly confused - the OP was concerned about rear room in a Civic or Focus but people keep talking about the Fabia? It's tiny - the estate version has a reasonable boot but the back space is still not much use for anythign other than young kids
 
rodenal said:
I'm really thoroughly confused - the OP was concerned about rear room in a Civic or Focus but people keep talking about the Fabia? It's tiny - the estate version has a reasonable boot but the back space is still not much use for anythign other than young kids
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His mrs wants a fabia. There is no logic here as with majority of women. Peace and quiet, get a fabia. Plus they are pretty good cars
 
I get that and agree, basically just let her loose to pick an odd colour combo....but if they are worried about rear room in a bigger car it seems to be a recipe for disaster
 
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