New car recommendations around 11k

IvanDobskey · 15 Jan 2019 at 12:37

New car time, but I'm a bit stumped what to get. I want something fairly nippy, I guess around 150bhp, with good fuel economy and running costs. Needs to be around 3 years old and no more than 30k on the clock.

Was leaning towards a Leon FR, which seems to tick all the boxes. Struggling to find a good one in my price bracket though, so wondering about alternatives.

IvanDobskey · 15 Jan 2019 at 13:22

Thanks for the suggestions so far...

Had considered the focus, but getting a bit long in the tooth now and can't afford the new one.

Same with the fiesta really.

Don't think I need more than 2 seats, hadn't really considered an Mx5. Still haven't forgiven Mazda over the way they treated me over my rx8 though.

IvanDobskey · 15 Jan 2019 at 13:53

Armageus said:
The current Leon is just as old though?

Leon was launched 2013 I think? Still the current model.

IvanDobskey · 15 Jan 2019 at 14:01

200sols said:
Nice car that, would be my choice over a leon.

Yes, pretty nice. Fuel economy isn't fantastic though. It's s 2.0 litre.

IvanDobskey · 15 Jan 2019 at 14:02

rhyswt said:
New Leon is out later this year though

Hmm, didn't know that. Will probably give the value of the outgoing model a bit of a kicking.

IvanDobskey · 15 Jan 2019 at 15:49

smilertoo said:
You want a honda jazz.

What's wrong with the Jazz

IvanDobskey · 15 Jan 2019 at 20:14

Still leaning towards the Leon FR 150, assuming a good one comes up in my price range.

Eyeing a black one up, but it's a long trek to go see only to end up disappointed.

Already been to Cambridge, Nottingham and Derby.

IvanDobskey · 15 Jan 2019 at 22:47

Think the facelift came in on 2017, so going to be too pricey for me unfortunately.

IvanDobskey · 16 Jan 2019 at 14:18

Armageus said:
Don't seem all that rare tbh:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201811052152076 (16 plate)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201812223442785 (16 plate)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201809270916517
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201809301012596

plus some others worth consideration:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201809210743985 (14 plate 140bhp version but nice colour)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201901093793777 (Estate)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201901023581766 (1.8 180bhp)

I have either enquired about or been to see several of those.

I think I must just be a little picky when it comes to condition. The blue 16 reg one for instance, was pretty good apart from a dent/missing paint on the rear wheel arch where it joins the bumper.

I guess I need to up my budget for a better example. But there's a limit to what I'm prepared to pay for this sort of car.

IvanDobskey · 16 Jan 2019 at 14:35

ShiWarrior said:
who ever took photos of the blue one needs shooting, no wonder why you didn't spot the damage before viewing !

To be honest, minor damage never shows up in photos anyway. So many cars have looked fantastic in the pictures then scruffy up close.

I went to look at a red one in Nottingham at pentagon seat and it looked excellent in the pictures and in a high res you tube video. When I got there though, it was obvious the drivers side wing had been dinged and the repair work was shocking. You could see and feel the paint overlap!

Salesman was a slimey toad of a man who sneered 'what did you expect? A new car?'. Felt like punching him

Currently looking at this one:

https://barlow-motors-wolverhampton...14-ecotsi-150ps-fr-stopstart-3-doorsc-s3budw3

But it's a long haul over there to see it and nobody seems to want to give me any assurances on its condition.

IvanDobskey · 16 Jan 2019 at 16:16

ShiWarrior said:
walk away

Unless someone gets back to me and gives me assurances, I'm leaving it on the back burner for now. Wolverhampton is best part of two hours away from me.

I'll wait and see what turns up.

In the meantime, there's a nice 15 plate one series 116i sport round the corner from me, so may take a look. Never been too keen on the one series styling though....

IvanDobskey · 16 Jan 2019 at 17:02

Armageus said:
That's been around since 2011 and due for replacement soon as well

I'll probably pass on that then

IvanDobskey · 16 Jan 2019 at 20:59

I really hate car hunting

So damn stressful.

Can never find exactly what I'm looking for.

It would be so easy if I was just after an astra, loads of those around. Shame I hate vauxhalls.

IvanDobskey · 17 Jan 2019 at 06:00

mjt said:
Can you get a decent Golf in budget, or will the miles be too high?

There is one down the road from me for sale, but it's only a 13 reg. Mileage is only 26k though.

http://www.robinsonsmotorgroup.co.u...248090-volkswagen-golf-1.4-tsi-act-gt-140-ps/

Nice car though.

IvanDobskey · 17 Jan 2019 at 10:27

MrRockliffe said:
That's just excusing rubbish/misleading photos. As a garage/seller, you want to be upfront and honest about the sale, so that you increase your chance of someone buying the car when they actually see it.

Had a similar issue with my mother's Focus - couple of scratches and stuff from the poor roads where she lives (dodging potholes only for hedges to scrape along the car etc), which I photographed and pointed out after I'd done my best to polish etc. We had fewer enquiries than I expected, but the first person that saw the car bought it, because it was, in their words "exactly as described"

As a consumer, we're most disappointed when our prior expectations aren't met - managing (and meeting!) these expectations before hand leads to better satisfaction and better viewing/purchase ratio

I completely agree, you are more likely to sell a car if you are up front on any imperfections.

But salesmen don't seem to see it like this. They believe if you are traveling a fair distance, you will just buy it anyway.

Very frustrating.

IvanDobskey · 17 Jan 2019 at 11:22

MrRockliffe said:
Maybe I'm just stubborn, but if a seller did this to me, I'd be majorly peeved, I wouldn't buy the car and I'd leave them a horrendous review

Yep, definitely. I was seriously cheesed off with the slimey guy at pentagon. Puts me off ever going there again.

Had a video presentation for the black one now, and it does look good.

I'll need a bit more encouragement to drive two hours to go and see it though.

IvanDobskey · 17 Jan 2019 at 13:05

Duke said:
I have that Golf and love it. A lot of features for your money and well built & quiet. Engine drives well and has the funky cylinder cut down when needed which saves even more on fuel. I think it should have Sat Nav but didn't see it listed.

Yep, it's a nice car, same engine as the Leon I'm after. I'd take a golf, but a 15/16 plate is out of reach price wise.

IvanDobskey · 17 Jan 2019 at 13:06

MrRockliffe said:
The dealer my mum bought her A5 from said he'd refund her train ticket if she felt the car wasn't as described - it was £70. Makes you feel more confident about buying it

Sounds like a good dealership, not many of those around these days

IvanDobskey · 18 Jan 2019 at 13:55

Ok, I have pushed the boat out a bit and reserved this:

Purchase subject to viewing.

IvanDobskey · 18 Jan 2019 at 14:22

mccarf said:
Looks nice OP

Cheers

Fingers crossed it's as good as it looks in the pictures.

Only 9800 miles on the clock, 14 months manufacturers warranty left, got all the toys and costing £11999.

Motorpoint delivering it to my local site to view and test drive next Friday. If I don't want it, I can walk away with my deposit refunded.