Upgrading from a Micra K11 - Wildly Varying Budget & Lack of Focus

Kintarō Hattori

Hello Folks,

At the suggestion of Saab Ed I've started this thread in the hope that you may be able to help me decide what car to replace our Micra K11 with. I have no clear vision of what I'd like to get: it's varied from a Mk 1 Focus to an E60, from €1500 to €5000.

In March 2011 when we left the city centre and moved to a suburb we needed to get a car for her to get to work (I take the train). We settled on a Micra K11 as it was inexpensive, had a massive NCT and for a first car their reliability made it an obvious choice. So almost 2 years later and I'm looking to buy a replacement for her sometime soon but I have no idea what.

It turns out, as unlikely as it may seem, that the little K11 has turned her into an enthusiast. Originally she wanted an auto but I refused to get that and now gear changing is something she loves. Power, she absolutely wants something with more ooomph as the little 1L engine of the Micra lacks power on the motorway.

So, what does she want:

Economy - This is important to her. However, Colm the mod, posted a few days ago that a 90s Micra was probably giving about 40mpg- so once something's close-ish to this we should be good.

Reliability - This is REALLY important to her.

Power - I suppose we'd be looking at something with a minimum size of 1.6L as she really likes driving and most of it is on the motorway. She does about 22 miles each way, 4 times a week. I guess diesel is an option but I'm not fussed about it. Once we're getting somewhere around the economy of the K11 I'd be happy. I'm also happy to consider 2L engines. Neither of us smoke/drink much so it'd be nice to have a great car for at least a while.

Luxury - I'd like to get her as much luxury as possible. What that means to different people varies I suppose. Bare in mind that she's been driving a basic spec K11 for 2 years so pretty much anything is a massive upgrade from that. I have a hankering (whether it's a wise choice or not) for an S40 and the first gen with leather seats/fogs/alloys etc would be 'luxury', so we'd be easily pleased I guess.

Safety - She's my lady, I'd like her to be as safe as possible.

Budget - This is what I can't pin down. Looking in the bangernomics forum there are loads of fantastic possibilities and most of those are under 2k. We're not fixed on how old the reg is but I guess something around 2000 onwards and that opens up lots of potential bangernomics possibilities.

But maybe I should save a little longer and spend upwards of 5k- that'd open up lots of exciting cars though as I've said, coming from the Micra even a sub €2000 car would be a massive upgrade.

Car Choices - She's quite fixated on the focus, ideally looking for a Mk II but I think a Mk I could be a good best as A it'd be cheaper and I'd heard it said that the Mk II lost some of the mojo of the first.
The Focus isn't exactly luxurious so I had also been thinking about a Saab 93 as there seems to be lots of great value around at the moment. That said I'm open to all sorts of possibilities. It ideally can't be a large car... getting her to consider a 5 series was shocking but it's not something she's completely sold on the idea of. It just happens that she thinks it's a damn fine looking car.
I've also considered an E46, 7th gen Accord, Volvo S40 as mentioned and others.

Around €2000 I could buy towards the end of this month, more than that I'd need to save a little but with your help perhaps I'd have something to aim for.

Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Senna

What about something like a Corolla T Sport, would be economical if she is doing 22 miles each way on the motorway (35mpg at a minimum), 190bhp and very reliable.

Kintarō Hattori

Senna wrote: »

What about something like a Corolla T Sport, would be economical if she is doing 22 miles each way on the motorway (35mpg at a minimum), 190bhp and very reliable.

Never thought of a Corolla as I had thought them boring but the T Sport looks very interesting. May be tricky though to find one which hasn't been tinkered with?

Barry Barry

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

Never thought of a Corolla as I had thought them boring but the T Sport looks very interesting. May be tricky though to find one which hasn't been tinkered with?

I was looking at this one earlier today.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4554118

From the pictures, it looks immaculate. And with that mileage, its probably not clocked.

If it has recent service history it might be a decent buy.

Barry Barry

Few other suggestions,

2005 Volvo S40 1.8,
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4473302

Looks nicely spec'ed and has a very recent NCT. Can't comment on how economical these are or how reliable, but its powerful (well more powerful than a Micra), has a pretty nice spec, its safe (its a Volvo ), and within the budget albeit not too far over budget.

2005 Alfa Romeo GT 2.0,
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4405089

I think most people would agree its a gorgeous car, and would be a serious step up from a Micra. Spec'ed lovely. Can't comment on the important stuff like reliability, economy etc but I'm just giving you ideas on whats out there with your budget. Within budget but only just.

2002 Mini Cooper S 1.6,
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4524900

Lovely looking car and a hoot to drive, nice jump from a Micra. Small-ish engine so wouldn't be as harsh on the wallet when it comes to tax but insurance and juice will make up for that I guess. Just at the tip top of the budget too.

Most of these probably won't fit the bill, and they're at the top if the budget but it goes to show you've got a lot to choose from.

Alanstrainor

Those tsport corollas are definitely good to go, only trouble is that most of them are completely shagged. Saw 3 last year, each and every one was in bits. I'm not saying there's not any decent ones about, just that they may be hard to come by.

Kintarō Hattori

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Those tsport corollas are definitely good to go, only trouble is that most of them are completely shagged. Saw 3 last year, each and every one was in bits. I'm not saying there's not any decent ones about, just that they may be hard to come by.

Is that because they were badly engineered or because of the type of driver that they attract?



http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4590227

Any opinions on the above? Rang the seller. Says it's NCT'd until March. I mentioned I'd be a serious buyer if they put it through the NCT and it passes. He's selling it for his daughter and will need to mention it to her, may call me back next week. Apparently she's owned it for the last 2 years and it's for sale as she's upgrading to something bigger.

kerten

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

Is that because they were badly engineered or because of the type of driver that they attract?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4590227

Any opinions on the above? Rang the seller. Says it's NCT'd until March. I mentioned I'd be a serious buyer if they put it through the NCT and it passes. He's selling it for his daughter and will need to mention it to her, may call me back next week. Apparently she's owned it for the last 2 years and it's for sale as she's upgrading to something bigger.

I would avoid any used car with bigger than normal aftermarket alloys unless it is a high performance model. Not good for life of suspension and tyre noise with larger tyres.

If you are fixed on MK 1 Focus, I recommend you to look for Ghia trim(price won't differ too much at that range and even difference in upholstery worth it) and factor in need for timing belt change. It should be 10 years or 100k miles if I am not wrong.

Alos 2002+ has slight facelift that looks better IMO.

Barry Barry

As far as I know, that generation Focus came with those alloys. A rare sepc though so may have a different suspension set up.

The above car does look clean but its overpriced considering the lack of a long NCT.

kerten

Barry Barry wrote: »

As far as I know, that generation Focus came with those alloys. A rare sepc though so may have a different suspension set up.

The above car does look clean but its overpriced considering the lack of a long NCT.

You may be right.I never saw them before but it may be an option for this model.

Kintarō Hattori

kerten wrote: »

I would avoid any used car with bigger than normal aftermarket alloys unless it is a high performance model. Not good for life of suspension and tyre noise with larger tyres.

If you are fixed on MK 1 Focus, I recommend you to look for Ghia trim(price won't differ too much at that range and even difference in upholstery worth it) and factor in need for timing belt change. It should be 10 years or 100k miles if I am not wrong.

Alos 2002+ has slight facelift that looks better IMO.

I think I have seen those alloys on a few cars on DoneDeal- a fair point though for general consideration.

A Ghia model would be great but it mainly seems to be found on the saloon model and when I do find it on a hatchback it's usually 1.4l

Barry Barry wrote: »

As far as I know, that generation Focus came with those alloys. A rare sepc though so may have a different suspension set up.

The above car does look clean but its overpriced considering the lack of a long NCT.

I agree it's overpriced considering but if they are willing to put it through the NCT and it passes I'll haggle with them. I like the fact it looks relatively clean, is 1.6, has alloys/fogs and the colour looks somewhat unusual.

skyhighflyer

Something with the VAG 1.8T engine might be good. A3/4 or Golf perhaps? All solid and definitely a step up from the K11. An Alfa 147 might work although day-to-day reliability is questionable. An E46 318i is well within budget, as is a SAAB 9-3. A decent 9-3 1.8t would be my choice, solid, reliable once looked after and very safe.

colm_mcm

The corolla t sport can move, technically. But it just feels all wrong.
I had one through work when they were current and I never got them.

Stheno

The alfa Gt might be a good choice too, they are not plagued with the reliability issues of older models, and are fun to drive.

colm_mcm

Only gt I ever drove was a 1.9 jtd which left me cold.

Stheno

colm_mcm wrote: »

Only gt I ever drove was a 1.9 jtd which left me cold.

What did you not like about it colm? I was thinking petrols, the 2.0 litre

colm_mcm

It just felt like a humdrum diesel hatchback. No sparkle,

Also I hated the way it drove, as in power delivery etc.

Was crushing as I really love how it looks.

ba_barabus

I have an E46 coupe which I'd highly recommend. Well able to shift and economical enough. Lots of space and good to drive.

Mine is nearly all sorted too. If you want one give me a PM and you can have a look at mind for an idea of what they are like.

I've already given another user a run throw of it

Idbatterim

how about something like the below?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4624615

or an e class? they have 1.8L supercharged engines...

Wicklowandy

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4270335

Surprisingly economical 1.8t, cheaper and far more practical than a golf gti, well equipped, safe but fairly sharp handling, an interior i like(not everyone does), pretty quick but usable even around town.

Cheap as they'll ever be now, a few around for sale, and some step up from a micra for the money. Had a 1.8 t slx years ago and used to average 35mpg mixed, better than a 1.6 that was in the family.