Reduced my budget, what (boring) car for £3k?

GeX · 8 Sep 2018 at 11:12

Following on from https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/time-to-replace-the-car-with-an-octavia-vrs.18828087/ we've reduced the amount we want to spend on what will essentially be a run about.

I wanted something with poke, but it'll be my wife driving the car 90% of the time once she's back at work from mat leave. The car will be then left in a public car park, and I expect it to get doors bashed into etc. I'd just end up getting annoyed if it was a car I really liked and saw that happen to it. I'd still prefer 'not slow' (0-60 of around 9 seconds?).

I'm still not really interested in diesel. I'd like a car with a few options ticked, having had auto lights / wipers on cars French cars for almost 10 years I consider things like that standard these days!

For commuting, it'll be doing 5 miles each way per day in mostly awful traffic. Then popping to the shops, and some runs out to see family.
Looking back at current car's MOT history, we do around 6000-7000 miles per year.

Need space in the boot for pram, but car doesn't need to be massive. Mondeo sized seems too big, and estates are right out!

Cars I'm considering at the moment;

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201809060238975 (2008 1.8 Civic)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201808129412658 (2007 2.0 Focus Titanium)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201809050201504 (2008 1.4 TSI Golf)

radderfire · 8 Sep 2018 at 11:17

Seat Leon

Dis86 · 8 Sep 2018 at 11:21

Wait you need to put kids in it? You obv need a q7 or x5. At least according to certain members of this forum!

Failing that, and since you seem to be a reasonable fella, I think the civic is a really good shout. I would normally say focus but I'm noticing every one around that age atm is a rust box.

GeX · 8 Sep 2018 at 11:29

radderfire said:
Seat Leon

I like the 2012+ (5F?) but it's not in budget. The older ones don't seem as good value as I'd expect; https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201808229751455
iirc the 1.4TSI is a better bet that then 1.6. It's certainly more powerful and better fuel economy.

Dis86 said:
Wait you need to put kids in it? You obv need a q7 or x5. At least according to certain members of this forum!

Failing that, and since you seem to be a reasonable fella, I think the civic is a really good shout. I would normally say focus but I'm noticing every one around that age atm is a rust box.

Yep, I'm hearing a lot of reports of rust on them when looking

Flibster · 8 Sep 2018 at 11:54

Depending where you are, may be able to get a Mk4 Mondeo 2.0 Titanium X for around that.
Possibly even some early Focus ST's

GeX · 8 Sep 2018 at 12:09

If I were the primary driver, I'd consider an ST - but for our uses atm, nope.

Mondeo is bigger than we need and will just be more of a pain to park (we have no drive / garage)

Nasher · 8 Sep 2018 at 12:12

Jag X-type?

The Focus isn't all that much smaller tbh.

Jono8 · 8 Sep 2018 at 12:23

I just had to downsize cars to free up cash (moving house) and got a 2007 1.8 Civic for £2.5k. Seemed to be one of the best half decent family hatches for that sort of money.

They are not too slow, but certainly not quick. You have to rev the nuts of it to get the best from it as they have nothing low down in the rev range in high gears.

Fuel economy is great for a petrol though. Averaging ~45 mpg with mixed driving. 50-55 easily doable on a long run.

I think they still look half decent inside and out as well. The design has stood the test of time quite well.