Another car recommendation thread!

Eoin

My wife is in the market for a new car following her 206 being written off last week. We want to get something that's a little bigger. She doesn't do much mileage, and her commute is all urban (start/stop stuff), so no need for diesel. Budget is around 3K.

She doesn't want to go above 1.6 and wants a 5 door hatch. Preferably 2003 or later and relatively low mileage. ISOFIX would be a bonus.

She really likes the look of the Ford Focus, Focus C-Max. The Almera seems like a good option too. I've spent a good while on carzone and donedeal and can't find many other options?

Here's a few we've found.


Focus C-Max



Nissan Almera


Ford Focus


I've a wanted advert if you've something suitable by the way.

MuppetCheck

The Almera is tiny in the back. I'd scratch that if you're throwing baby seats in. Loads of choice with a Focus for that budget and they are a decent bus. Spacious enough, reliable and comfortable to drove.

As another suggestion what about a civic 5 door? They are spacious making putting child seats in the back easier.

Eoin

MuppetCheck wrote: »

The Almera is tiny in the back. I'd scratch that if you're throwing baby seats in. Loads of choice with a Focus for that budget and they are a decent bus. Spacious enough, reliable and comfortable to drove.

As another suggestion what about a civic 5 door? They are spacious making putting child seats in the back easier.

Nice one, we'll strike the Almera off the list.

The Civic looks great, just very few ones within budget. This one looks OK though.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Honda/Civic/1.4-I-SE/201229209137445/advert?channel=CARS

I think the Focus sounds good too.

bazz26

Those 1.4 Civics suffer from gearbox bearing failure, something to be aware of.

A Mazda 3 is also within budget:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3895212

-Corkie-

Octvavia HB with a 1.6 engine..

blindside88

Would a Opel astra or a hatchback mazda 3 fit tue bill. The 3 is very comfortable and quite spacious

belcampprisoner

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-2151134/Top-reliable-used-family-cars.html

Eoin

-Corkie- wrote: »

Octvavia HB with a 1.6 engine..

Do they look like saloons, but with a proper hatchback rear?

bazz26 wrote: »

Those 1.4 Civics suffer from gearbox bearing failure, something to be aware of.

A Mazda 3 is also within budget:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3895212

The Mazda 3 is really nice, but just seem to be that little bit too expensive for us. She's not mad on the look of the Civic.

blindside88 wrote:

Would a Opel astra or a hatchback mazda 3 fit tue bill. The 3 is very comfortable and quite spacious

Cheers, I'll read up on the Astra

Thanks for all the suggestions

Bpmull

Have a look at the skoda octavia might be a bit big of a car but if you dont mind about size they are lovely. You would get a very nice petrol one for 3k. Also the Opel Astra is a lovely car specially the 2004 onwards model if you could get one. I have a 2008 diesel version and love it. Both cars are comfortable and reliable.

Matthewjohn

Nissan primera

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3535914#

Leonard Hofstadter

Ah Jesus Christ, this forum is obsessed with bloody Skoda Octavias.

The Focus is a far superior car in every conceivable measure bar that f---ing big boot. What about a Toyota Corolla (2002-2007 model), preferably a UK import with a bit of spec and a 1.6 litre engine? They're one of the few decent mass market cars Toyota made.

Eoin

Very few Corollas in that price range unfortunately.

The Focus is looking like the best option as there are more in the price range, but they're a little tired looking in general (and mostly hatches).

Is the Ford Fusion worth looking at? Or even the Opel Meriva?

166man

€3k would buy a nice Alfa 147. 1.6 in them too and its a peach. Not the biggest in the back though.

As another suggestion, what about a Mk 4 GTI? 1.8 and plenty of poke. Usually come with a good specification too.

Eoin

Thanks, but she doesn't want something sporty - just a step up from her 206 with decent room for a buggy and the baby seat. Also, I think Mark IV golfs are overly expensive in general. As much as I like the 147, I don't think it's the right choice.

166man

Eoin wrote: »

Thanks, but she doesn't want something sporty - just a step up from her 206 with decent room for a buggy and the baby seat. Also, I think Mark IV golfs are overly expensive in general. As much as I like the 147, I don't think it's the right choice.

Understand completely, the sporty 147 isn't for everyone. In general the Golfs are overly expensive but I have recently noticed good value in the GTi's. Circa €3k would buy quite a nice one.

Eoin

166man wrote: »

Understand completely, the sporty 147 isn't for everyone. In general the Golfs are overly expensive but I have recently noticed good value in the GTi's. Circa €3k would buy quite a nice one.

I think you're probably right; it's just not the right choice at the moment. Thanks for the suggestion anyway.