Another Spec Me Thread

Sonea Fifer · 26 Jun 2021 at 13:01

In my defense this is my first spec me thread

My wife is looking to replace her 2014 Ford Focus Titanium X Sport with a budget in the region of 17K. The requirements are:

Newer than 2014.
Diesel - we're covering around 1800 miles per month and looking for 50+ MPG
Manual gearbox.
Just as many toys (heated seats / cameras etc) as the Focus

We are looking at reliability as the main contributing factor and we're aware with a budget such as this there's quite a substantial range to choose from however narrowing it down is proving problematic hence this thread . . . .

Dominic-Toretto · 26 Jun 2021 at 13:09

"In Spec" suggestion is a Honda Civic. They are well optioned, great value and very reliable. You can get one below your budget easily.

Just looking at autotrader:
Honda Civic 2018 1.6 EX Diesel Manual - £14,500 (28k on the clock)
61mpg combined
From a main dealer
Spec includes sunroof, android auto, apple car play, adaptive cruise, blind spot warning, reverse camera, traffic sign recognition, 11 speaker audio system, parking sensors, heated seats etc...

"Alternative Suggestion" is an E92 M3 would be a safe place for your money.
You could pick up an Manual Coupe for that money, and it should hold it's value well, so you might pay a little more in fuel and repairs, but you will save on depreciation.

rodenal · 26 Jun 2021 at 13:12

Squidward said:
I know you stated you will be doing 1800 miles per month, but an E92 M3 would be a safe place for your money.

You could pick up an Manual Coupe for that money, and it should hold it's value well, so you might pay a little more in fuel and repairs, but you will save on depreciation.

This is a very special response to the query posed

E92 M3 "a little more in fuel and maintenance".....than a diesel Focus equivalent, brilliant

[TW]Fox · 26 Jun 2021 at 13:16

Sonea Fifer said:
My wife is looking to replace her 2014 Ford Focus Titanium X Sport with a budget in the region of 17K. The requirements are:

Newer than 2014.
Diesel - we're covering around 1800 miles per month and looking for 50+ MPG
Manual gearbox.
Just as many toys (heated seats / cameras etc) as the Focus

We are looking at reliability as the main contributing factor

Squidward said:
I know you stated you will be doing 1800 miles per month, but an E92 M3 would be a safe place for your money.

You could pick up an Manual Coupe for that money, and it should hold it's value well, so you might pay a little more in fuel and repairs, but you will save on depreciation.

I know I like to make a joke of some of the ridiculous suggestions we get in here but this has to be an all time great.

Guy wants to replace his wifes Focus, wants something diesel, reliable and with a high level of modern spec to cover significantly high mileage in.

Somebody actually suggests a 13 year old M3.

Kenai · 26 Jun 2021 at 13:17

Why ruin the guys thread from the first reply by sending the thread off topic with a deliberately stupid suggestion?

Dominic-Toretto · 26 Jun 2021 at 13:26

Kenai said:
Why ruin the guys thread from the first reply by sending the thread off topic with a deliberately stupid suggestion?

Not my intention, amended my post to keep the thread on topic. Sometimes people are not aware of "alternatives" that may seem way out of spec, but could actually be viable.
Either way post updated with an in spec suggestion.

tom_nieto · 26 Jun 2021 at 13:27

Get a mapped 335d and it’ll be faster than an M3 anyway. And also fit the diesel brief…

Serious suggestion would be another Focus. I really like the new shape and found it excellent to drive when we hired one a couple of years ago. Not sure about engine options though.

[TW]Fox · 26 Jun 2021 at 13:29

Squidward said:
but could actually be viable.

A 10-15 year M3 with a V8 is not 'actually viable' as a replacement for a Focus diesel for his wife to do 1800 miles a month in.

Neither does randomly typing 'HONDA CIVIC' suddenly make the post useful

dlockers · 26 Jun 2021 at 13:30

Motors delivers.

[TW]Fox · 26 Jun 2021 at 13:30

Anyway to head back on topic, I'd be looking at something that combines efficiency with comfort for this sort of usage - a Skoda Superb in a reasonable spec will have the tech you need as well as the efficiency. If thats too big, the Octavia is a good alternative.

mjt · 26 Jun 2021 at 13:36

My aunt and uncle just replaced their Mk 6 Golf Estate with a Skoda Scala (whatever that is) and they seem pretty happy with it!

Sonea Fifer · 26 Jun 2021 at 14:11

Many thanks for all the replies so far guys

Obvious Trolls are obvious . . . . :cry:

Back in the day we did look at BMW M3's as we both liked them. However that was almost 20 years ago and circumstances have changed since then.

We had been looking at the Audi A3 / A4 and the BMW 4 Series but are unsure of the reliability or any known faults with these vehicles. Another Focus is a good shout and I believe the newer ST comes in a diesel variant.

Thank you [TW]Fox as we hadn't considered offerings from Skoda - we will look into these as well.

NVP · 26 Jun 2021 at 14:23

Also have a look at:
Volvo V40 D4
Golf 2.0 TDi
E-Class Coupe 220D

Somnambulist · 26 Jun 2021 at 14:26

mjt said:
My aunt and uncle just replaced their Mk 6 Golf Estate with a Skoda Scala (whatever that is) and they seem pretty happy with it!

Newish model for people that want something bigger than a Fabia but smaller than an Octavia.

Sonea Fifer · 26 Jun 2021 at 14:37

Squidward said:
Not my intention, amended my post to keep the thread on topic. Sometimes people are not aware of "alternatives" that may seem way out of spec, but could actually be viable.
Either way post updated with an in spec suggestion.

Thank you for the updated edit

Le Clandestin Brun said:
Also have a look at:
Volvo V40 D4
Golf 2.0 TDi
E-Class Coupe 220D

Thank you also for the alternative suggestions though I'm thinking a Mercedes within our budget would be a slightly older model with higher mileage. Given the mileage my wife is doing per month I'm guessing this wouldn't be an option.

NVP · 26 Jun 2021 at 15:10

Sonea Fifer said:
Thank you also for the alternative suggestions though I'm thinking a Mercedes within our budget would be a slightly older model with higher mileage. Given the mileage my wife is doing per month I'm guessing this wouldn't be an option.

One generation old perhaps, but not especially high mileage

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104281936936

[TW]Fox · 26 Jun 2021 at 15:19

Le Clandestin Brun said:
One generation old perhaps, but not especially high mileage

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104281936936

I figured it'd be this one - this is why I don't think the E220d Coupe is a particularly good suggestion. It's pretty dated and I'm not sure what the Coupe part of it brings to the OP.

You can probably get a current generation saloon for his budget... which is simply a better car and more practical.

NVP · 26 Jun 2021 at 15:47

[TW]Fox said:
I'm not sure what the Coupe part of it brings to the OP.

It was because it's for his wife

But yeh, if the new saloon with low mileage falls into budget that would be a better purchase.

ShiWarrior · 26 Jun 2021 at 16:35

Surely you can get a decent BMW 1 or 3 series in your budget ?

@[TW]Fox ?

MissChief · 26 Jun 2021 at 17:39

ShiWarrior said:
Surely you can get a decent BMW 1 or 3 series in your budget ?

@[TW]Fox ?

Loads of three and four series 330d and 335d in that price range.