£5k (ish) hatch?

Fluke?

Fluke?

Fluke?

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South Glos
Hi guys,
looking to update our 2001 polo 1.4 8v (60ps), partly as we want a little more overtaking potential (ie above the zero we get atm) and also as we're starting to cover more miles over the year (~17k last year) and would prefer something somewhat newer and *hopefully* a little more reliable than our polo has been.

I've drawn up a smallish list and would really appreciate any input anyone has over these.

Honda Civic (1.8, 06, 60k, se spec)
140ps, big boot, bullet proof engine(?)

Toyotta Corolla (1.6, 06, 60k, Colour Collection spec)
Nice in darker gray, bullet proof engine, bit boring, end of life model.

Kia Ce'ed/ Hyundi i30 (1.6, 08, 30k)
Good Value, bland, and indicator stalk on wrong side! Still faster than my polo though.

Golf (1.6, 05, 75k)
Expensive and a bit boring but its a VW and we know VW :p

Polo GT/ Fabia vRS/ Ibiza FR (05, 80k+)
Quick and eco, fun, worry about repair costs on olderish deisals, expensive.

Seat Leon (1.6, 06, 80k)
Find these a bit meh for some reason.

Originally on my list but discounted..
Fiat Bravo, Fiat Punto (both tjet), Polo sport 1.4 100ps.

I know the Focus would be ideal but for some reason the missus has got her knickers in a right old twist about them and will not have one. That. Is. That. (And she is paying 50%)

Cheers guys and sorry for the long post.
 
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Kia Ceeds from at least 08 have the indicators on the "normal" side of the wheel now. I just bought (not picked up yet) an 08 1.6 Cee'd with 24K and FSH for £4992 from a big dealer ship not far from me. Its quite a nippy lthing and is only 6BHP or so less than my 1.8 Mondeo, quite a big of leg/head room in the rear quitee suprised at the overal package.
 
If reliability is your main concern then the Japanese contenders in petrol form, with s manual gearbox are where you should be looking - though be aware that Honda parts prices are extortionate should anything break.

The Koreans aren't bad either but I suspect your money gets you the old ceed if you're talking about indicators on the wring side. These are OK but below par compared to the focus, civic or even Toyota. If you can afford the newer (2007ish) car its a lot better.
 
Fluke? said:
Polo GT/ Fabia vRS/ Ibiza FR (05, 80k+)
Quick and eco, fun, worry about repair costs on olderish deisals, expensive.
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Fair assessment. The PD130 engine is pretty reliable, there is less potential for things to go wrong than with a more modern diesel with DPFs and clever injectors etc. That said one of the lads at work had the turbo fail on his vRS the other week at 75k. At that/age mileage unless you can find a low owner car with history you won't know if it's been thrashed or cared for. Will have had mine 8 years in a couple of weeks time, and no, I'm not selling it!
 
Thanks for the input chaps.

Mondeo - bigger than I'd want to go.
Mini - too small - less boot space than my polo
Astra - didnt think these were supposed to be any good?
Mazda 3 - not great reviews on Parkers.

I think its probably going to be down to the Civic or the Ceed/i30 so it really is going to be a case of if the drive and extra grunt of the Civic can outweigh the value bonus of the Ceed. Opinions?
 
Opinions? Stop your misses from being stupid and buy the best in class - the Focus.

My second option would be the Civic.

Actually, I would recommend looking at a Mondeo and see how you get on. Technically they are a hatchback, and you'll get a better car for the same amount of money :p
 
I should pick my 08 Cee'd up on Monday I could try and give some first impressions for you if you want. I tried a civic didnt like the styling inside and out and the back spoiler was annoying when looking out the rear. I only tried a 1.4 Civic and though it was a bit to slow for my liking. Focus is prob the best overall car in its class, but i wanted something a bit different and the 2yrs left of full manufactureres warranty was quite appealing.
 
msmalls74 said:
I should pick my 08 Cee'd up on Monday I could try and give some first impressions for you if you want.
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Thanks mate that would be good to see. :)

Re Focus. God only knows how but the after years of utter intolerance to these the missus seems to have finally changed her mind (and if you knew my missus you would be as floored as me).
Anywho, if we did look at Focus's we would prob be looking at a 1.6. Is there much difference in the 100ps and the 115ps apart from the 15ps, ie reliability/mpg etc?

Thanks again.
 
Fluke? said:
Mazda 3 - not great reviews on Parkers.
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Eh? It's for all intents and purposes its a Focus. Haven't seen any bad reviews on it either, and mines certainly not caused any issues at all over the last 3 years, and its now just over 8 years old, with 72k done. If your only reason for discounting it is Parkers reviews, your making a mistake.
 
As above the mazda 3 is just a focus so it'd be silly do discount it (unless you just dont like the looks of course).

R.e the focus engine - I could be wrong but think the 115ish 1.6 is pretty terrible on fuel for what it is. I've had a couple as hire cars over the last few years and got shocking numbers when compared to other run of the mill 1.6 hatches (I drive hire cars like hire cars to be fair - 21mpg in a 1.25 fiesta for example) don't think there are many reliability issues though.
 
msmalls74 said:
I should pick my 08 Cee'd up on Monday I could try and give some first impressions for you if you want. I tried a civic didnt like the styling inside and out and the back spoiler was annoying when looking out the rear. I only tried a 1.4 Civic and though it was a bit to slow for my liking. Focus is prob the best overall car in its class, but i wanted something a bit different and the 2yrs left of full manufactureres warranty was quite appealing.
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Did you get this in the end mate? How are you getting on with it?
I'm down to this (although there are'nt many about for sale on autotrader), the Civic (prob too expenisve for <60k) or Focus (most likely!)
 
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