Spec me a sensible car

[MikeHiow]

So my mind is made up, I want something cheaper, more economical, more comfortable and generally more sensible.

Before the usual crowd start digging into my finances and motives, there are none than simply me wanting the above, I want to focus on more important things than owning a fast car.

I have a few criteria;
4/5 doors - hatchback probably preferred but saloon or estate are considerations,
Upto £5k
Minimum of ~30MPG average when driven sensibly.
Reliable.
No larger than 17" wheels, the smaller the better here (I like the comfort large sidewalls offer!)
Reasonably new and tidy to look at
Ideally available in Silver so I can resist cleaning it every five minutes
Not a Mondeo


I've already looked at a few cars: A4s, Accord and Focus, although I'm not sure I could have a Focus again.

Mileage is ~10k a year, and I'll happily consider a noisy diesel if its one of the more reliable variants.

 

[paradigm]

330i SE?

Without the sport kit, and the larger 18" wheels, the ride is surprisingly supple.

 

[Relentless81]

Honda Accord 2.0 Sport 2003+
150BHP DOHC VTEC

You'll get one of those for that budget in good condition they came with 16's or 17" upgrade option which was popular, good looking cars, very reliable

 

[MikeHiow]

Yes, the Accord was the first thing that struck me as a decent match.

paradigm, Whilst I would consider an E46, I don't think the 330 meets my economy or sensible requirements I'd consider a 330d if they were in budget :/

 

[paradigm]

You could get a 330d in budget but it would be higher milage, not sure how that bothers you. The 330i will meet your economy wishes however, but you'd have to drive carefully.

 

[MikeHiow]

I don't want to drive carefully, I want that figure driving normally. I'm not fussed about mileage too much, but with 330Ds you tend to be getting down to 2000/2001 pre-facelifts under £5k.

 

[Berger]

No idea if you can get one in budget.

Mondeo ST220 or ST TDCI?

 

[Relentless81]

No idea if you can get one in budget.

Mondeo ST220 or ST TDCI?

Not a Mondeo

 

[MikeHiow]

ST220 doesn't meet the wheel size, comfort or economy criteria either

 

[Berger]

Its also a stupid criteria, why limit yourself to 5k and 30mpg.

Spend 4k and do 20mpg.

Or slightly more for more mpgzzz!!!!!!!

 

[eatcustard]

C5?

 

[MikeHiow]

Its also a stupid criteria, why limit yourself to 5k and 30mpg.

Because that is what I want to do.

Spend 4k and do 20mpg.

I'll have no need for a fast car, so why would I want to waste my money on more fuel unnecessarily? You also missed my points about comfort and wheel size. If I wanted an ST220, I'd just keep my ST and have a better car that is more economical.

Just to re-iterate, I don't want/need a fast, sporty car. This is the sensible car thread, if you can't contribute anything useful why bother posting? Take your trolling else where.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Oops, money run out?

If you don't want a Mondeo why not a 2002 on shape Accord?

 

[MikeHiow]

No. I've simply had a moment of clarity and realised there is other stuff I'd rather spend this money on. This was partially realised by driving a 1.8 for the last few weeks and not missing the power one bit - its a very rare occasion that I get to use it these days, and these occasions will become even more scarce once little one arrives.

I've already stated that I'm considering the Accord, I just wanted a few more suggestions to consider.

 

[Berger]

Skoda Octavia stinky diesel version.

 

[Participant]

So my mind is made up, I want something cheaper, more economical, more comfortable and generally more sensible.

Is that you iaind?

Iaind will probably be flogging his Honda in a matter of minutes as he has already owned it for at least three days, so if you hold out for that, you may get a bargain!

Anyway if you want a minimum of 30mpg no matter how you drive it, I'd be looking at 2.0 TDi Skoda Octavias also. Practical like a hatch but spacious like a saloon.

Also

- Solidly built
- Good value for money imo
- Pretty well specced from standard
- Reliable

E.g. http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1721460.htm listed at £5,600.

1 previous keeper, cam belt done, leather seats and super practical. That grey is easy to keep looking clean. Obviously it'll bore the crap out of you, but you state that as not being a problem.

 

[[FnG]magnolia]

Honda Accord 2.0 Sport 2003+
150BHP DOHC VTEC

You'll get one of those for that budget in good condition they came with 16's or 17" upgrade option which was popular, good looking cars, very reliable

What on earth is sporty about a 150bhp car that you have to rev the **** off anyway? Marketeers, grrr. Having said that, I'd get an Accord. Actually, I wouldn't - I'd spend less on the car and pay a little more on fuel but this is your criteria so ... Accord. The Octavia just looks like it's boring itself.

 

[Gribs]

Why not just get a normal 2l Focus (or even a smaller engined one) as you know you like the Focus and already find it practical enough for general use. A lot of them were speced to look like the ST inside as well.

 

[bledd]

Mazda 6

Wheels come in 16/17/18

Either drop down considerably to a Mondeo / Mazda 6 / Accord or just keep what you have

 

[MikeHiow]

Well the obvious choice would be a Focus, however I have one gripe with it. The 1.6 I had was horribly under-powered, it was unbearable. The 1.8 is better in terms of power, but I only managed to average 27MPG - which is acceptable, but for something that is pretty slow still, I wasn't impressed.

A friend (who owns one) has suggested I go back and look at the Octavia vRS again, he claims nearly 30MPG average consumption and it does meet most of the criteria - saving any moments of regret for buying something completely boring, that may occur in the future. The only downside here is insurance, but then a decent one can be had for nearly £1000 under budget, which should soak some of that up.