What to buy? £12-13k budget, Civic, Leon, Focus, Astra?

dwjoll

dwjoll

dwjoll

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Looking to buy my next car, a hatchback 4 doors, and could really use some helpful advice.

My shortlist is:
  • Honda Civic (new shape 2017 onwards)
  • Seat Leon
  • Ford Focus (2011-2018 really don't like the new shape)
  • Vauxhall Asrta (2015 onwards)
Some background:
  • Currently driving a Vauxhall Corsa.
  • I do around 5-8k miles a year.
  • Daily commute is around 30mins each way. Longer trips 5-10 times a year.
  • Budget of around £12-13k
  • South East England (Essex)
  • Would like something with a bit of grunt
I've only test drove the Honda Civic 1.5 Sport which I loved, but so far haven't found one in budget.

Any help appreciated.
 
I'm not sure you're anywhere close to affording the new civic with the engine and reasonable spec? They're good cars though and a bit bigger than the others listed if that's a good thing for you.

Wouldn't buy a MK3.5 focus now for £10k+ with the MK4 being out (but out of budget and I'd prefer the civic over it anyway).

I'd be tempted to either find a little bit more cash and get the civic, or go Leon / spend less and pick up say a 2015 Focus and pocket the change. The newer i30 is also a smart car inside and out for your money

Illuminist said:
2010 civic type r 2 litre mugen 200
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Guy/Gal wants a generic family hatchback.....
 
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nas said:
initial suggestion would have been a Golf MK6 GTI, but depending on what you consider to be grunt, I'd look at a 13/14 F20 118i MSport if you want something fairly newer that'll easily do the job.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202002277771320?atmobcid=soc3
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The 118 is awful. I've had a number as hire cars, including a 218, and each time it has been frustratingly slow yet ridiculously thirsty.

I don't mind slow and efficient or fast and thirsty but who wants slow and thirsty?
 
dwjoll said:
Here's a shortlist of the types of cars I'm looking at:

2017 Honda Civic 1.5 Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202003027910293

2017 Seat Leon 1.4 FR
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201911214614931

2018 Vauxhall Astra 1.6 VX Line
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202001246520471

2018 Ford Focus 1.5 ST Line
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202001246512752 (there are cheaper but I really want SYNC3 for Android Auto)
Click to expand...
Find similar cars locally and then test drive them and just see which you like best. To my knowledge there's nothing terrible about any of them and it will mostly come down to personal preference.
 
dwjoll said:
Here's a shortlist of the types of cars I'm looking at:

2017 Honda Civic 1.5 Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202003027910293

2017 Seat Leon 1.4 FR
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201911214614931

2018 Vauxhall Astra 1.6 VX Line
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202001246520471

2018 Ford Focus 1.5 ST Line
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202001246512752 (there are cheaper but I really want SYNC3 for Android Auto)
Click to expand...

I thought you wanted something with a "bit of grunt" :confused:
 
Renault megane GT nav? (not gt line, has the rubbish engine). Can get one with pretty much all the toys for that money and around a 17 plate so still 4 years warranty I beleive.
 
They're also all from 150-200bhp, not particularly out of line with the (utterly daft) Type R and (a bit less daft) Mk6 GTi suggestions.

For most normal motorists a turbocharged 200ish bhp car will feel pretty nippy for day to day running around.
 
Phoenix211 said:
Renault megane GT nav? (not gt line, has the rubbish engine). Can get one with pretty much all the toys for that money and around a 17 plate so still 4 years warranty I beleive.
Click to expand...
Great looking car but only 2 for sale on the whole of auto trader that's 2017 upwards! Rare.
 
dwjoll said:
Great looking car but only 2 for sale on the whole of auto trader that's 2017 upwards! Rare.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that surprised me. There were about 8 last time I looked. For ref, I got mine a year ago, 18k mileage for just under 14.5k (16 plate and the only extra it's missing is the sunroof) and the prices have been decreasing since then.
 
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