Economical/reliabele hatchback for commuting and occasional Motorway trips?

Gimpymoo

Gimpymoo

Gimpymoo

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Nottingham
Buying second hand.

No more than 6 years old.

My thinking is a 1.6l engine? No worrys about boot/passenger space. Will mainly just be me.

I have no idea so any pointers are welcome, thanks.
 
Hi fella,

There are a million possibilities so to help narrow down a short list let's get a bit more details :)

- Is it a long commute? (Will you need something a bit softer to cruise or a little nimble city car)
- Do you want any specific tech? (Cruise control, android play, heated seats)
- What's your budget?
- Do you have any cars in your history you really liked?
- How much space will you need? (Boot space, rear leg space)
 
Le Clandestin Brun said:
Hi fella,

There are a million possibilities so to help narrow down a short list let's get a bit more details :)

- Is it a long commute? (Will you need something a bit softer to cruise or a little nimble city car)
- Do you want any specific tech? (Cruise control, android play, heated seats)
- What's your budget?
- Do you have any cars in your history you really liked?
- How much space will you need? (Boot space, rear leg space)
Click to expand...

Thanks, yes, I know was a rather vague question so thanks for humouring me :)

- Is it a long commute? (Will you need something a bit softer to cruise or a little nimble city car)
Commute is 15/20 minutes on 40/50mph roads.

Infrequent motorway trips needed, which will be 4½ hour round trips in the same day so looking for something less "fatiguing" if that is a thing.

- Do you want any specific tech? (Cruise control, android play, heated seats)
Cruise control, deffo, I find it makes driving long distance much less tiring.

- What's your budget?
10k

- Do you have any cars in your history you really liked?
Only ever had jalopy's in the past or cheap "practical" cars.

My previous cars:
Vauxhall Astra (drove with provisional).
Hyundai Accent coupe
Ford Mondeo (was cheap and big enough for first baby and associated gear) :)
Peugeot 806 - Yep, more kids - timing belt failure
Peugeot 807 - What can I say, it fits a lot of stuff and no need for trailer/roof box when going on holiday.
Ford Focus MkI Estate, 1.6

They were all rather "basic" to be fair, nothing "stands out" as being "oooh, that was a nice drive", I was just happy they went uphill without bits falling off. Only getting a new car now (avoided it in the past as hate credit) but new job mandates a reliable car.

- How much space will you need? (Boot space, rear leg space)
I am 6ft2", as long as I am comfy, that is fine, car is just for me driving solo. No boot space needed.

If the option of squeezing 2 or 3 in the back is there to maximise the "function" as a "second" car, then great but it is not anywhere near a priority, I am looking for a car for me alone which is primarily economical, reliable and a "comfy" drive if possible.

Appreciate any help. Thanks.
 
To be honest, pretty much any standard petrol hatch back from the likes of Kia/Hyundai/Ford/VW/Seat/Skoda/Mazda/Toyota/Pug/Citroen/Vauxhall will ticks all those boxes.

That’s not particularly helpful but every day hatch backs are a much of a muchness so I’d say don’t worry about specific recommendations and just go and have a look around the various manufacturers and buy the one you like the most.
 
Gimpymoo said:
That size is fine. My only concern is 1.2 for 4 hours on the motorway. Much cabin noise?
Click to expand...
I find mine cracking. Lots of features like Android Auto, CarPlay, etc.

It sounds small but because it is turbo'ed it doesn't sound or feel gutless.

I don't overly notice any cabin noise but the audio covers it up pretty good.
 
Honda civic 1.5t, tenth Gen, biggest boot of hatchbacks, economic if driven sensible, has some beans when needed, very comfortable, lots of tech like parking sensors, rear camera. Try and get honda care with it and it's got vip AA cover anywhere, you just call honda care and they send someone to you within an hour, also includes free repair of anything that isnt wear and tear, even free tires if they pop.
 
Gimpymoo said:
That size is fine. My only concern is 1.2 for 4 hours on the motorway. Much cabin noise?
Click to expand...

The majority of 1.2 these days will have a turbo and perform like a larger engine from in the past (e.g. a 1.2 TSI will be somewhat equivalent to driving an older non-turbo 1.6 engine.)

Personally I would still say that the 1.2 TSI in the Ibiza will likely still feel underpowered as I believe it's only 89bhp or 104bhp, so you would probably be better off looking at a 1.4 TSI (123/138/148 bhp), particularly if you go for the slightly bigger (and heavier) Leon.
 
Armageus said:
The majority of 1.2 these days will have a turbo and perform like a larger engine from in the past (e.g. a 1.2 TSI will be somewhat equivalent to driving an older non-turbo 1.6 engine.)

Personally I would still say that the 1.2 TSI in the Ibiza will likely still feel underpowered as I believe it's only 89bhp or 104bhp, so you would probably be better off looking at a 1.4 TSI (123/138/148 bhp), particularly if you go for the slightly bigger (and heavier) Leon.
Click to expand...
Good qualification - mine is the 104bhp one so feels more than adequate; but if it was the Leon I'd be after the 1.4.
 
I wonder if a VW Polo Blue GT would be in budget? It would be the perfect car. My sister has one and it's great on both roads and motorways as well as being nice for city driving. I think my brother has the same engine in his Seat Leon Estate, very capable 1.4tsi engine. Size wise I'm 6'4" and fit nicely in the Polo, however the only issue I had were the seats being a little tight on my fat ass.

If you find one in budget I recommend taking a look :)
 
As I am looking at getting the car on PCP, the terms seem to be that all servicing is done at the dealer.

I do have a Ford dealer on my doorstep which would make things easier.

Any Ford's to be recommended?

I really liked the Honda but servicing would be a pain in the butt as not local.

Saying all that, servicing at dealer negates any savings so weighing up PCP or a regular loan.
 
Before signing up to a PCP look to get a personal loan, much better rate if you're able to get one.

I had a 2016 Focus 1.5 diesel Titanium and did 600 miles a week, never missed a beat in nearly 2 years and was a really comfortable drive, not sure of the petrol models available but maybe look away from the 1.0 ecoboost as there's some bad stories (although some people also swear this engine as well), our local Ford dealer gave 12 months breakdown cover with a service as well but not sure how good it was as I never needed it.
 
Any good deals with dealers for second hand at this time of year and January in what I would guess is a "quiet" time for car sales or do prices stay pretty much the same?
 
[TW]Fox said:
PCP is rarely anything other than a bad deal for used cars. Especially 5+ year old ones.
Click to expand...

I understand, and I agree.

Have decided to go the personal loan route, gives more flexibility.

My initial thought was "I do not want to own a car, I just need a car" if that makes sense? And PCP fitted that way of thinking.

The only cars I have had in the past are ones I can buy in cash for a few grand tops, anything less than 75k on the clock and I was happy.

The only other item I have "on tick" is my house, apprehensive when it comes to credit but just like the house, I cannot save that amount of money in any reasonable timescale, well, not as quick as the timescale I need the car in.

My thinking is (and please correct me if I am wrong), buy a nice, good car now, maybe 40k on the clock, no more than 4/5 years old in the hope I get a "good one" and after 4 years sell it and whatever I get for it goes towards another car but in theory needing a lesser loan as have the money from the one just sold.

Nightmare scenario is I get a lemon, engine blows up or something equally stupid and stuck with a loan but not much can do about that I guess other than research and buy as "good" as I can afford now.
 
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Gimpymoo said:
I understand, and I agree.

Have decided to go the personal loan route, gives more flexibility.

My initial thought was "I do not want to own a car, I just need a car" if that makes sense? And PCP fitted that way of thinking.

The only cars I have had in the past are ones I can buy in cash for a few grand tops, anything less than 75k on the clock and I was happy.

The only other item I have "on tick" is my house, apprehensive when it comes to credit but just like the house, I cannot save that amount of money in any reasonable timescale, well, not as quick as the timescale I need the car in.

My thinking is (and please correct me if I am wrong), buy a nice, good car now, maybe 40k on the clock, no more than 4/5 years old in the hope I get a "good one" and after 4 years sell it and whatever I get for it goes towards another car but in theory needing a lesser loan as have the money from the one just sold.

Nightmare scenario is I get a lemon, engine blows up or something equally stupid and stuck with a loan but not much can do about that I guess other than research and buy as "good" as I can afford now.
Click to expand...
That's why I suggested honda with warranty as it will cover engine exploding for as many years as you wanted as well as everything else. Courtesy car, aa vip, in sure Ford do similar also if bought from a licensed dealer
 
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