Best car for about £2000-£3000?

Another vouch for the 1.8 Civic. I have one that sits in traffic for hours a week and still returns 34mpg average over the last 5k miles

Things to look out for are creaking master cylinder (Just an annoying noise but there is a bulletin to replace with updated part) Front bumper sag, roof rust on prefacelift models (Not an issue with pan roof) Pan roof blind sticking

Think thats it. The 1.8 RSI engine is a quality engine, decent performance if you dont mind visiting the higher rev range and decent MPG
 
3K
Focus (ive owned for 2 years, and nothing has gone wrong so far, only done tyres because i had a puncture, no camebelt as its chain driven, and services and mots!)
Civic
Octavia
 
civic
mazda 3
focus
auris(might be a tight)
corrola(should be easy to get one)

are what comes to mind with that budget and that mileage.

300 is not that much I agree, so a decent size family hatch is fine.
 
Another vote for the 1.8 civic, I get ~39mpg on my 12 mile commute, can get it above 50 on a long motorway journey, comfortable, plenty of toys (considering the age), reliable, and obviously a matter of opinion, but much better looking and less generic than most modern cars
 
Ultra reliable our 2L has covered nearly 170k no major issues have come up during our 10+ year ownership, comfortable, chain driven so no cambelt to worry about, cheap to maintain & service, The auto is actually decent for it's age kick down is quite responsive or being a honda the manual will be excellent, if it's spending time on the motorway expect mid 30s MPG.

If you want one with all the toys look for the exec model which has heated leather seats, upgraded audio and so on.

The 2.2L diesel was also hailed for being one of the best diesels of its time, reliable and frugal.

My 2cents, the car looks much better with the optional spoiler.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...ONDA&maximum-mileage=60000&radius=1500&page=1
 
Scania said:
I’d get it MOT’d and see what it needs, you might be surprised and given it’s an old Focus, parts & labour won’t break the bank.

It’s often better the devil you know, especially with cars!
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Yesterday grating noise from rear so brake shoes have worn through. Perfect timing as no garages open and I don't have the time or the space to do them.

Got the shoes and the fitting kit....

I'll be gentle on the brakes as it's about 70/30 and use engine braking where I can. Slowly does it... Hopefully not wreck the drums but £45 from eBay or £60 from ECP worst case....
 
Uncle_Gravy said:
Ultra reliable our 2L has covered nearly 170k no major issues have come up during our 10+ year ownership, comfortable, chain driven so no cambelt to worry about, cheap to maintain & service, The auto is actually decent for it's age kick down is quite responsive or being a honda the manual will be excellent, if it's spending time on the motorway expect mid 30s MPG.

If you want one with all the toys look for the exec model which has heated leather seats, upgraded audio and so on.

The 2.2L diesel was also hailed for being one of the best diesels of its time, reliable and frugal.

My 2cents, the car looks much better with the optional spoiler.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201705085226162?onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&sort=price-desc&model=ACCORD&postcode=np445ad&price-to=3500&maximum-badge-engine-size=2.0&advertising-location=at_cars&make=HONDA&maximum-mileage=60000&radius=1500&page=1
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seems an awful lot of TAX for an old slow car and doesn't seem worth it to me (MPG doesn't look to good to me either)
 
not all about Engine capacity, for example, the Civic is a 1.8 is lower on tax, better on fuel, and faster
i know which i would rather have
 
ShiWarrior said:
seems an awful lot of TAX for an old slow car and doesn't seem worth it to me (MPG doesn't look to good to me either)
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TBH I'd rather have slightly higher running costs on something which is known to be totally reliable than some VW engine, which is cheaper but known to throw up huge bills.
 
I'd definately look at Petrol Honda's, i think they are very underrated cars, both the Accord and Civic a good solid cars to own and not bad at all to drive.

Cant go wrong with another Focus, and if you want dull and boring, then Astra or Auris would be a decent should. Ive always found the rest of the jap stuff like the Mazda 3, a bit cheap and plasticky inside.
 
Surely with a lot of the old, high mileage cars being suggested here you'd be better keeping that money for repairs on existing? Pending how uncomfortable you find the current car.

Do cars get a lot better at 3-4k? I was hoping for something tasty! (altho I won't be re-buying for a while I hope..)
 
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