What should I get? £3k

mjt said:
as above. golf 1.6 > tdi if you're only going 10 miles a day

this is the only model he should be looking at, no idea why you're bringing in the V5, V6 and GTI into the thread :confused:
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Worth mentioning as he could still pick them up for 3k and with the mileage he does it doesn't matter too much on fuel etc.
 
[TW]Fox;15275209 said:
Come on guys, 'Spec me a £3k car' threads require you to use your brain and select appropriate cars not just fire off random £3k cars.
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Sorry, just that nobody else had mentioned it and thought I'd chuck it in the pond :(
 
Maccy said:
Sorry, just that nobody else had mentioned it and thought I'd chuck it in the pond :(
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It offers no benefit to him over a smaller Clio - unlike the bigger engined larger cars the 172 is actually quite a highly sought after car and fetches a price premium. This means an older car for his money and he doesnt sound like a car enthusiast so why pay to run a 172bhp hot hatch?
 
[TW]Fox;15275341 said:
I would personally buy something like a Mondeo. I'll now explain why.

At this end of the market, everyone wants a small car. They are economical, cheap to run, low tax, and ideal for new drivers. As you've seen, £3k doesn't buy much Fiesta - its going to be quite old. The same is true of things like Golfs.

The most important thing about the car market is that car values are based on peoples PERCEPTION - what they THINK is the case, not what is actually the case.

It is perceived that a car like a Mondeo (Or a Passat, or a Mazda6, or whatever) is expensive to run, drinks petrol and is bigger than you need. This means demand for this sort of car is low - and as a result, so is price. You can pick up all manner of fully loaded cars of this type with leather seats, climate control, etc etc. They also have decent 2 litre petrol engines.

But you might say, I'm only doing 4 miles each way! I dont need a big engine!

Nope, you dont. But they are such great value why not have one anyway? Because you dont drive much the difference in actual money per month spent on fuel between a Fiesta and a Mondeo is pretty small. And a nice big comfy car is a nice place to sit whilst you are stuck in traffic.

Think about it like a promotional packet of cornflakes. You might not want 1Kg box of cornflakes but if Kelloggs were offering 50% extra free on your usual 750g box you'd take, it right?

Think of a Mondeo as a Fiesta with 100% extra, free!
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My mk3 mondeo averages 35.8mpg on a very short commute, tax is £210 (I think) and the insurance was very similar to a fiesta (and I'm only 18).

The only reason I would reconsider next time is that I parallel park outside my house and work everyday and reversing in a mondeo is a right pain in the arse because of lack of visibility and the size... hence why I suggested fiesta
 
Fox is spot on. Although my money would go elsewhere the best car for this situation by a mile is a car of Mondeo Ilk.

The money will also buy a Vectra C which is an alternative if you don't fancy a ford. I'd probably do that, much of a muchness though, both are reliable so there wont be much between the two in terms of ownership experience.
 
[TW]Fox;15278689 said:
He's not into cars, he's not a hot hatch fan, why would it be a good idea for him to buy a 90's Civic?
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Just saying it's what I'd get or at least strongly consider. It's not such a bad suggestion anyway they are really good cars even if you have no intention of driving fast. Car of 2 halves really, cheap and economical when you want it to be or a screaming revpot with a great chassis when you want it.
 
[TW]Fox;15278962 said:
He doesn't want a screaming revpot with a great chassis. He wants to go to work and back.
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That's just an assumption right, he never said he doesn't want a fun car, did he?

Besides, I can't think of many better things than a 1600 Civic for going to work and back reliably in.
 
Afternoon guys, sorry I've been absent from the thread for a while, I'm at work obviously.

Fox is right in that I don't want a screaming revpot. It's not that I wouldn't like a nice fast car, I'm just being realistic with what I can afford to buy and run.

To put it another way, I drove a P reg 2l diesel vectra for 4 years, so anything remotely better than that is going to seem amazing.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I really do need to weigh up the choice between a fiesta and a mondeo. I see good points on both sides.
 
Clarkey said:
I never suggested an expensive to run car, why compare it with a full size V8 BMW?
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You've suggested a car which offers him compromises - ie, a much older car for his money which will feel dated inside - in return for benefits (handling, performance) which has no need or desire for.

Therefore pointless.
 
[TW]Fox;15279198 said:
You've suggested a car which offers him compromises - ie, a much older car for his money which will feel dated inside - in return for benefits (handling, performance) which has no need or desire for.

Therefore pointless.
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He also said he wanted a small hatchback car, ruling out your Mondeo suggestion. That leaves what, a Focus? You'll be able to get a Focus 2 or 3 years newer, and frankly the interior will feel every bit as dated, mk1 Focus interior is fairly dire. Won't cost any less to run really, either.
 
I like the analogy of a Mondeo being a Fiesta with 100% extra free :)

It's a valid point too - I was looking for a Focus initially, when I realised I could get a newer, lower mileage and better specced mondeo for the same money. Only a few mpg difference, insurance is the same, as is tax.

The only downside to a Mondeo in a "city car" environment is parking - I often find spaces my car wont fit in but a fiesta would, plus visibility isnt great. Parking sensors would help with the latter point though.
 
Clarkey said:
He also said he wanted a small hatchback car, ruling out your Mondeo suggestion. That leaves what, a Focus? You'll be able to get a Focus 2 or 3 years newer, and frankly the interior will feel every bit as dated, mk1 Focus interior is fairly dire. Won't cost any less to run really, either.
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I really do need to weigh up the choice between a fiesta and a mondeo
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Nobody cares about old Jap hatchbacks except:

a) Honda enthusiasts
b) People buying £1k cars.

This guy is neither.
 
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