What else is out there for £3k

JDMaverick

JDMaverick

JDMaverick

Associate
Joined
18 Jul 2011
Posts
698
Location
South Wales
Help me out please guys I'm pretty clueless with cars, as always been a biker so I'm not really sure what to shortlist. Just sold my GTI Golf to help with our house refurb.

The only car I've found which seems to fit my needs best is a 1.8 petrol Honda Civic. I'm hoping you can recommend me a few others or just advise me to stick with the civic being a solid choice.

Requirements...

- 5 door (Just to get the nipper in and out)
- Petrol (Annually do ~5k and work is only 2 miles away)
- At least 140bhp (Living in the valleys there are plenty of hills, anything less is too painful)
- No ridiculous running costs (This seems to be the killer as anything interesting falls here)
- 2006 onwards (I wouldn't wanna buy anything older than 11 years old)
+ Under 100k on the clock and full leather would be a bonus but not essential (Guess I've just been spoilt previously)

Thanks fellas
 
I had a Mazda3 Sport for a couple of years, the 2.0 was a bit thirsty and tax was expensive, but it was quite well-equipped with xenons, LED rear lights, full electric windows, Bose audio, climate control, cruise control etc. They do like to rust though.
 
Mondeo ST220 ticks every box op. Cheap to run, 220bhp, handles incredibly and is fun to drive, big boot, all have full heated leather, cruise control and they still look good.
Your age requirement of 2006 or newer does not make sense!
I sold my 2006 ST Focus and bought a 2003 Mondeo ST220 which has been looked after its whole life and is in better condition inside out and is nicer to own even though it's 3 years older
 
Mazda 3 is something I hadn't looked at. There are a few 2.0l sports with some nice extras after a quick glance.
I love the st-220 especially in that gorgeous blue but I think I'd be filling it up more than driving it! Looking for similar or better running costs than the Golf.
I should like the Octavia but I'm just not keen on the looks at all. Too plain? I dunno.

As for age I guess it's more of a mental block, I'd probably look past it if it was something tidy but generally they aren't.
Not that I need a big comfy saloon but what about an Accord? They look well equipped and plenty big enough. How are they regarded?

Thanks for the replies so far, really helpful giving me something else to look at :)
 
I'd say a 1.4 TSI Golf Mrk 5 or FN2 Civic best matches you requirements. Golfs seems a bit more hit or miss so would personally go the FN2 Civic route.
 
JDMaverick said:
Mazda 3 is something I hadn't looked at. There are a few 2.0l sports with some nice extras after a quick glance.
I love the st-220 especially in that gorgeous blue but I think I'd be filling it up more than driving it! Looking for similar or better running costs than the Golf.
I should like the Octavia but I'm just not keen on the looks at all. Too plain? I dunno.

As for age I guess it's more of a mental block, I'd probably look past it if it was something tidy but generally they aren't.
Not that I need a big comfy saloon but what about an Accord? They look well equipped and plenty big enough. How are they regarded?

Thanks for the replies so far, really helpful giving me something else to look at :)
Click to expand...

I had a mazda 3 2.0, they're nice cars to drive and kit is pretty decent! not amazing on fuel at all, 23mpg in london - my 3.0 z4 gets similar.

I'd say look out for rust underneath as mine has that issue and was slowly rotting away. Same with rust at the bottom of the tailgate near the handle, front wings and edges of the rear taillights(on the tailgate)


I did enjoy mine and Id love a 3mps in the future.
 
I have the FK2, which is the 5 door 1.8. It is very practical, the interior is very well arranged, the contact points are great and it has all the toys in EX trim.

The only major bad thing is the ride quality, which is a bit crashy and not as well damped as in a Focus or Golf. Performance is adequate. Running costs very low.

I can recommend.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom