What would you buy for 5k?

I was looking for a reasonably modern hatch for up to about 7500 quid and I looked at the 1 series. I honestly couldn't see any justifiably reason to pay such a premium for them - the equipment levels on 9/10 are terrible.. Besides being RWD, they don't offer anything which something like a golf or civic doesn't. And I doubt a 118i is going to let you exploit the drive train anyway.

I ended up spending just under 6k on a 2011 mazda 3 sport, which is packed with kit and handles really well. I've always really rated them in this segment - the downside which didn't really matter in my case is that the petrol options suck so you have to accept the inherent risks of diesel engines - but the 2.2D is pretty good for a 4 cylinder oil burner
 
I had 5k to spend a few months back, I was going to get another Focus, at the time 5k would get a 2010 plate 40 - 45kish miles with one or two previous owners. I ended up also going to look at a Seat Ibiza out of curiosity. Similar spec to the Focus (same mileage, air con, age, condition etc)

Decided something smaller and different would be good for me, as I'd already had a focus and rarely have anyone other than the missus in the car. Is it as good a car? Not in terms of power or convenience but it drives beautifully, far nicer than my old Focus or the 2010's I test drove and I love being able to park everywhere :D (not that a Focus is too big)

Admittedly at the time I was also curious about Civic's and Mazda 3's, but couldn't find any that weren't too far. So it might be worth considering something a bit smaller if you aren't dead set on a medium sized hatch.
 
Last edited:
Jamesyboyjim said:
I had 5k to spend a few months back, I was going to get another Focus, at the time 5k would get a 2010 plate 40 - 45kish miles with one or two previous owners. I ended up also going to look at a Seat Ibiza out of curiosity. Similar spec to the Focus (same mileage, air con, age, condition etc)

Decided something smaller and different would be good for me...
Click to expand...


So what did you get?
 
LOL that 3.0i Z4 with Z4M badge on the back, and no thanks at that price or I'm seriously undervaluing my Z4.

The only one that really tickled my pickle from that list of AT links was the Jag S Type R, Really peaked my interest.

What are they like when it comes to maintenance and reliability?
 
S Type R. I actually was looking at these the other day, seems to be a few around the 5K mark out there. Or if you want a suggestion a bit more sensible and not with big bills possible, R53 Cooper S with change to spare?
 
Uncle_Gravy said:
LOL that 3.0i Z4 with Z4M badge on the back, and no thanks at that price or I'm seriously undervaluing my Z4.
Click to expand...

What a shame that car is - green under the spoiler suggests its been sat a while and the roof motor doesn't work!

It has the factory aerokit which is super rare and looks fantastic, shame to see it on an example like that.
 
The fella I got my Rover 25 from has some cars for sale atm.

1999 BMW 316i for £650.
2000 Golf 2.0 GTI for £500 which I'm interested in.
Citroen Xsara Piccaso for I don't care I hate it.
And another 2 I've not seen yet.

I'm not sure if I should cheap it out for another few years and buy his Golf or go with the original idea and spend up to £5k and get what I decided on from this threads input, a Honda Civic 2010+
 
maybe not your cup of tea but i recently paid £5k for a Mercedes 2007 E280 cdi Sport, it has 120k, 7g flappy paddle auto box, 18" wheels, its fast enough and returns 43mpg on the motorway.
 
esoteric said:
The fella I got my Rover 25 from has some cars for sale atm.

1999 BMW 316i for £650.
2000 Golf 2.0 GTI for £500 which I'm interested in.
Citroen Xsara Piccaso for I don't care I hate it.
And another 2 I've not seen yet.

I'm not sure if I should cheap it out for another few years and buy his Golf or go with the original idea and spend up to £5k and get what I decided on from this threads input, a Honda Civic 2010+
Click to expand...

The 2.0 Golf GTI of that era was absolutely awful, it's an engine that was first used 20 odd years ago and wasn't great back then, terrible fuel economy and nowhere near enough power to be in a car wearing the GTI badge
 
Frozennova said:
The 2.0 Golf GTI of that era was absolutely awful, it's an engine that was first used 20 odd years ago and wasn't great back then, terrible fuel economy and nowhere near enough power to be in a car wearing the GTI badge
Click to expand...

This. Do yourself a favour and just don't. If you want a golf GTI of that era, 1.8T or nothing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom