So, long story short, work are getting rid of the pool car I used for client trips and nursery runs on the way to said client trips, because covid and not really getting use...sooo I need a hatchback to get me from A-B for work (approx 15 miles each way mostly motorway and a roads) with the occasional stop off at nursery on the way. Oh and the odd trip to the train station (40 mile round trip)
my wish list is;
- has to have 5 seats and 5 doors (before mx5 gets suggested
) because car seat and possibly dog in boot on occasion too
- I’d like it to be a bit of fun if possible. My wife is all ‘just get a 1.0L’...no. I’m not talking hot hatch levels of fun (although that would be nice), but something with a bit of nip whilst still not drinking petrol like it’s on a Friday night binge after lockdown would be nice.
- petrol
- budget wise. We aren’t sure really. I think it would either be, cheap, high mileage banger unlikely to give too many/any expensive issues during ownership £2k or less...
OR
up to 8k for something with less miles/age to have it last a bit longer. Open to advice/opinion on either route
size wise, fiesta/polo or bigger. As an Up/fox/citigo type thing is just a bit small.
Do your thing tFB
Comments
Ticks all your boxes, 5 doors, seats, practical and plenty of choice out there.
Both are generally rated well for driving "fun" in that they handle well. Both will be Ford-cheap to run and maintain given the number of them on the roads. Just avoid the ST models or anything with go faster stripes.
Cheaper than the always-recommended VAG options, because they're the not-always-recommended option!
However, for your budget you're looking at something old or something slow, and most likely 3 door since the 5 door supermini concept is pretty new.
Cheap banger is a good way to go, though will likely be of an age where fuel economy wasn't a petrol engines strong point. As far as "unlikely to give trouble", if you're running a banger you basically have to decide if it looks like a well maintained example and then hope for the best
My mates Celica is a 2.0, shes asking £700 for it.. I was sorely tempted myself.
Mrs R has a 125bhp Focus and it's plenty of fun to drive.
Hedge your bets. If the £8k car goes bang expensively, you're stuffed. If a £2k car goes expensively bang, you scrap it, and put the £500 towards the next £2k car.
If you buy your £2k car with 12mths MOT, and have a reasonably informed look over it before you buy, then - with your relatively low mileage - you should be good for a year's motoring.
Picked up a 2004 1.6 astra for £650 this time last year. It's just passed its MOT with just an advisory on the front tyres.
I did previously have a 1.4 2012 astra, but left it with my wife when we split. That thing was no fun at all, it had no acceleration to speak of. The older one with the slightly bigger engine makes me feel like a proper boy racer.
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