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New car advice

nichorobnichorob
edited May 2010 in Not Sports Related
Morning,

Time has come to buy a new car has arrived. Got around £13,000 to play with, I do about 18,000 miles a year (70 mile commute a day), probably around 14,000 of those miles on the motorway and need 5 doors and a boot for family reasons. Needs to be cheap to run and maintain.

Been looking around and I know it's boring but I reckon my best option is a Ford Focus Zetec TDCi, there are hundreds about that are 1 year old with under 10k miles on the clock at the £13k mark, decent spec of toys etc. Would really like a VW Golf MK6 but seem to hold their value a bit better than the Focus and £13k will buy me a bottom of the range 2009 1.4 petrol. I also know 13k will buy me something like a 2005 BMW 330d M-Sport with 40k miles but that's not really practical is it.

I know the Focus is the best way to go but just seems so dull for something I am spending so much money on and spend so much time in. Somebody inspire me.
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Comments

  • AFKABartramAFKABartram
    With a similar budget I got a 3yr old nissan qashqui with 10k on the clock. That budget will get you one 2-3yrs old. Looks bigger than it actually is and drives very well. Only had a week but very happy with it. 1.6 petrol
  • nichorobnichorob
    Nissan will be the next manufacturer to go through autotrader, will take a look, cheers.

    I suppose at my budget I should give up the hope of buying something exciting and practical, the 2 words don't go together in this case.
  • randy andyrandy andy
    All those motorway miles I'd suggest an Octavia TDi. Mine used to average around 47mpg, on motorway runs it would comfortably achieve over 50mpg and the boot was huge.
  • nichorobnichorob
    The new Skoda's are basically rebadged VW's anyway arn't they like Seat? Another one to consider.
  • C.Walsh'sLoveChildC.Walsh'sLoveChild
    Seat Leon, very nice new motor. Would be able to pick up a decent new one for that money
  • Crusty54Crusty54
    Nothing wrong with the Focus. Had one as a company car.

    The build quality is much better than Fords used to be and the car has a responsive engine.
  • seth plumseth plum
    looked for a second hand mondeo, got one pre-registered with 28 (twenty eight) miles on the clock, basic spec which is still pretty good, for 10,000 plus my old mondeo worth about 2.5k....in Gillingham, searched the net
  • pork_piepork_pie
    Have a look at the Honda Civic 2.2 CDTi. Great engine, very economial, all the toys and hugely practial. Very reliable too.
    Nissans lately are just rebadged Renaults.
  • nichorobnichorob
    edited May 2010
    I used to really like the old model Seat Leon, this new one has a funny droopy front end, not sure if i'm keen.

    Honda Civic is a good call, although the looks of it are a bit marmite, looks like a space ship. Although performance wise, 0-60 is around 8 secs for that diesel engine, certainly would be a more exciting choice and it would be practical as well.
  • pork_piepork_pie
    Yeah the looks are an acquired taste but it grows on you.The 50-70mph will sway you.
    Also you can chip the 138bhp engine to something like 180bhp
    Does about 55 mpg too.
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  • nichorobnichorob
    You can pick up a year old one with around 10k miles for my budget as well, interesting...
  • billy cottonbilly cotton
    my boyfriend does a horrendous amount of miles every year so has just ordered a brand new vw polo blue motion, its around £13k but does 80 miles to the gallon. not due in till august but the vw garage in dartford is raving about it, says the polo is starting to outsell the golf now. might be a tad small for you though.
  • CAFCsayerCAFCsayer
    Honda Civic is a good shout...

    Alfa Romeo 159 JTDM Lusso is a good bet... reliable, pretty stylish and 5 door :))
  • TELTEL
    BMW 520D would be the best choice and value for money. 45+ mpg, and a beautiful ride and the arse doesnt fall oput them on depreciation like some of the picks here, failing that a 330D would be my second choice
  • SteboStebo
    Focus

    Focus - bigger engine

    Lancer

    Qashqai
  • Saga LoutSaga Lout
    I think Ford got it right with the Focus. I've had one for years. It's easy to drive, economical, cheap to service, handles well, etc, etc!

    Obviously, if money is no object there are much more exciting cars, but for what it is it's pretty unbeatable imho.
  • ashford addickashford addick
    Have had Fords all my life, Cortina, escort, Focus,(thnk the focus was probably the best), but fancied a change, and went for a new Kia Ceed, can't rate this highly enough, well pleased. Comfortable ride, economical, loads of extras, and reasonably priced.
  • CAFCsayerCAFCsayer
    The Qashqai is horrible...

    Lancer's a nice car
    ... If youre under 25, bit boy racery imo
  • nichorobnichorob
    Thanks for the suggestions so far. I'm 26 so still a bit of life in me yet, could still pull off the boy racer image. I think a BMW wouldn't be practical enough, I could afford to buy one but would struggle to maintain it / insure it etc. Polo is a bit too small for me, really like the new Polo's though, will check out the Alfa but I imagine that will be in a similar league to the BMW.

    Honda Civic leading the way so far.
  • BigmacBigmac
    What about a Skoda Roomster?
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  • nichorobnichorob
    I heard lots of good things about the Roomster but not too sure, looks a bit like the disabled van that my nan get's taken to hospital in.

    http://www.trade-sales.co.uk/search.aspx?Make=Ford&Model=Focus&Year=Brand%20New!&Srch=1

    Just stumbled across this. Seems to fit the bill, has sport pack so doesn't look so bland and the comms pack as well. Best of all it is brand new 2010 reg and within budget. Will enquire tomorrow.
  • TELTEL
    edited May 2010
    [cite]Posted By: nichorob[/cite]Thanks for the suggestions so far. I'm 26 so still a bit of life in me yet, could still pull off the boy racer image. I think a BMW wouldn't be practical enough, I could afford to buy one but would struggle to maintain it / insure it etc. Polo is a bit too small for me, really like the new Polo's though, will check out the Alfa but I imagine that will be in a similar league to the BMW

    high running costs are a bit of a myth regarding Bmw's. I've had Alfas Renaults, Peugeots and Mercs and been stung big time. Can't fault any of the Bm's Ive owned and Ive had quite a few.
  • CAFCsayerCAFCsayer
    [cite]Posted By: Bigmac[/cite]What about a Skoda Roomster?

    Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
  • BigmacBigmac
    Roomster is my dream car.....
  • valleyman1973valleyman1973
    I've got a 2.0 sport dodge caliber, does about 56 miles to the gallon urban driving, car tax only £150 for 12 months and car ins reasonable. I would recommend.
  • valleyman1973valleyman1973
    I've got a 2.0 sport dodge caliber, does about 56 miles to the gallon urban driving, car tax only £150 for 12 months and car ins reasonable. I would recommend.
  • nichorobnichorob
    I'm looking at a 2006 Honda Civic Type-R at the weekend! I have decided to lower my budget, go on a nice holiday and live a little whilst I can (or until the enemy pops out any more kids).
  • KetmanKetman
    My Cousin has just got a two year old BMW 320D M-Sport, have to say it is massive inside the four door version, drives well & he is getting about 45mpg at the moment.
  • addick16addick16
    Fords do not hold their vaule here in the US. Most reliable cars with greatest resell values are Hondas.
  • TELTEL
    [cite]Posted By: Ketman[/cite]My Cousin has just got a two year old BMW 320D M-Sport, have to say it is massive inside the four door version, drives well & he is getting about 45mpg at the moment.

    agree top motor, they go extremely well too, not much slower than the 330d I used to own. Just got an 04
    BMW 525, 48k full history and loaded for £8k shows that bargains are still out there. Miss the M3 though, I curse the bastard who stole it
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