Need a run around...

Naan_H · 31 May 2014 at 18:42

Hi all, im need of a car for work purposes.

Journeys are mainly within London and along the A406 east/westbound- so basically lots of driving in traffic.

Has to be an Auto - driving the 350z along the A406 is fun when its clear - but thats a rarity.

Im thinking more Japanese than German - have had a celica before and it served me well, and the zed is still running like a dream. Driving my dads and brother's VWs in past have not left me full of confidence. Never driven a focus so open to any suggestions.

Budget is around £5k
5 doors
Saloon / Hatchback
Petrol (not enough miles to justify a diesel)

Im liking the Honda Civic hatchback at the moment - don't know anybody with one for an opinion. I hear Honda's are pretty much bulletproof.

Will be wanting to keep it for the next 5-10 years approximately.

sovietspybob · 31 May 2014 at 19:48

The main problem you'll have is finding something with a decent autobox, cheaper/smaller cars tend to either not have them or have very bad ones.

ZXSpectrum · 31 May 2014 at 20:02

If ya are not massively bothered about fuel what about a big jap cruiser like a Lexus is or gs?

Naan_H · 31 May 2014 at 23:17

ZXSpectrum said:
If ya are not massively bothered about fuel what about a big jap cruiser like a Lexus is or gs?

Are jap autos really that bad? i am not looking for performace etc - my 350z meets those needs.

My bro has the old IS - he has had it nearly ten years - still runs like a dream but is poor on fuel - the 350z drinks like a fish too so am looking for something a little more efficient on a day to day basis

snitcher · 31 May 2014 at 23:21

Have you considered the prius hybrid. Great reliable cars I hear even with the battery longevity.
There are a few civic hybrids well within that budget too

Hyburnate · 31 May 2014 at 23:25

snitcher said:
Have you considered the prius hybrid. Great reliable cars I hear even with the battery longevity.
There are a few civic hybrids well within that budget too

Can you pick up a prius without moon miles for 5k tho?

Naan_H · 1 Jun 2014 at 00:18

snitcher said:
Have you considered the prius hybrid. Great reliable cars I hear even with the battery longevity.
There are a few civic hybrids well within that budget too

Hyburnate said:
Can you pick up a prius without moon miles for 5k tho?

I have to admit - i loathe the way a prius looks! i havent checked the civic hybrid however - it could be an option

xs2man · 1 Jun 2014 at 01:20

Not exactly sure what you found so lacking in the VW's, but I like them. However, how about an Audi? Something like this :

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...ransmission/automatic/price-to/6000?logcode=p

2.0T, DSG gearbox, relatively low miles, 5 door. Will need a bit of bargaining to get it down to £5k admittedly, but would seem to tick (most of) the boxes.

However, I'm not sure why you would say you don't do enough miles to justify a diesel in one post, then say you're looking for efficiency in another.

Personally I wouldn't spend £5k on a car just for firing around town / traffic in though. I picked up my 2003 Passat for around £1k for daily driving duties, and that's fine. Spending much more than that, when you already have a nice "weekend" car, is just money sitting there. £5k is okay to spend if it's something nice, and something you would actually take a bit of pride in, otherwise, I would personally look at something cheaper. I've had a few mk4 Golfs now (albeit all GTI's or V6's, but in your position I'd be looking at the 1.9 TDI, as they are pretty bomb proof with no DPF's and the like), but they are a pleasant enough place to sit when you're only doing A-B daily driving stuff. And can get a good one for less than £2k.