Five-door hatch, please help me choose

tightfortime

My head is melted...help me choose a car.

I drive a good 60-70 miles every day, on a combo of crappy roads and dual carriageway. Several longer trips every month too. I would be fairly zippy and enjoy driving immensely. I don’t break too many laws but deffo don’t dawdle getting from A to B.

I need a car that’s sensible enough for the school run and commute, fuel efficient but also gives me some fun and can take a corner or two. So, five-door hatch it is.


I’ve had 1.4 Polo which I loved and 3 x Focus — a 1.6 that was great and two meh 1.4s

I think I’ve had enough Ford and no power.



So, am looking at Astra or Golf 2005-2007. Isn’t everyone?


I have done too much research and can’t make up my mind. I keep reading the following:


- that 1.4 Golf engine is crap. I ‘must’ get 1.9tdi apparently but they are often high in mileage and cost more

- that the electrics cause trouble and cost a fortune to repair

- that it’s not worth the extra you pay second hand for a lower year (my budget is 2005 Golf or 2007 Astra)

- most appear to be private sales, I would prefer to deal with garage and warranty


- Re Astra, few 1.6 around and 1.4 is slow

- The head gaskets keep going on them

- Crap on fuel (but aren’t all 1.4s if I drive them hard I guess?)


- Lower resale but that doesn’t bother me as this car will have to do me for years.

- So reliability? Fuel consumption? More for my money with Astra? Or is Golf the ‘driver’s’ choice? Plenty in my family swear by their Astras...

Many thanks if you’re still reading and for any replies....

Zcott

1.8 Civic? Looks great, handles not too shabby and there's loads of room in the back because the seats fold up as well as down. Good reliability too.

tightfortime

Yeah, I hadn't thought of Civic, not too many around second hand but worth a nose alright...ta

jme2010

Second the Civic with Zcott. So reliable, them Jap cars.

I'm never going to buy another European car again. You got it bang on about the electrics failing. Had a Renault and the only electrics that worked by the end was the driver side window.

Rose35

I have a 1.4 golf 2008, have it over a year now and never had any problem with it, I don't do much mileage so a diesel wasn't an option for me, wouldn't say it's the best on fuel but reliability is good and that's what I want from a car. Good luck with the search, and buy what you want to buy because in the end if you settle for something else you will never be happy with it.

tightfortime

Thanks Rose.

TBH I've always wanted a Golf but my head says to get more for my money and not 'risk' the expensive repairs.

My heart says that I love driving, spend a lot of time doing so and should get exactly what I want privately as the last car I bought was from garage, warranty etc and was a complete pup.

I do like the Civic though...

Zcott

What's your budget?

tightfortime

6k ideally but could stretch to 7 if it was worth it

Zcott

€7500 but you might be able to bargain them down. 1.8 petrol.

http://cars.donedeal.co.uk/for-sale/cars/4621392

The higher spec ones (ES, EX) come with panoramic roof and cruise control.

tightfortime

Yum but clearing me out financially and 1.8...I wouldn't need that much in that size car for the tax I'd pay.

And fuel? Lot of short distance driving too...

I think I'd rather a 1.9 diesel if I was going that way.

But I've never driven a Civic, so I should and see if I fall in love

Syllabus

Will be selling a 2004 ford cmax 1.8 ghia in the coming weeks if your interested. Will be the cheapest available

colm_mcm

Zcott wrote: »

€7500 but you might be able to bargain them down. 1.8 petrol.

http://cars.donedeal.co.uk/for-sale/cars/4621392

The higher spec ones (ES, EX) come with panoramic roof and cruise control.

There's an 07 ES on carzone for that kinda money.

tightfortime

Too old for me but thanks

tightfortime

Ok, so I need to check out Civic and I will but very few locally...

Any more feedback from current Golf or Astra owners?

colm_mcm

tightfortime wrote: »

Ok, so I need to check out Civic and I will but very few locally...

I have an ES model civic 1.8, really like it. Averaging early to mid 40s.
Reason I bought one over a diesel is reliability.
There's no way I'd change for a focus/astra/golf, they seem dull in comparison.

tightfortime

Dull, yeah but far more available out there!

Second hand new design Civics appear to be gold dust unless you have over 7k to spend and TBH I hate the look of the older style...maybe the new style is too new for me at this stage?

Autosport

I'm on my second Astra now and never had any problems with either of them. I went the diesel route as I do a lot of driving on a mix of roads. A full tank of diesel lasts me 2 weeks which is quite economical :-)

Compared to the Hyundai I30 the Astra has loads more extras for similar price.

JohnBoy26

Autosport wrote: »

I'm on my second Astra now and never had any problems with either of them. I went the diesel route as I do a lot of driving on a mix of roads. A full tank of diesel lasts me 2 weeks which is quite economical :-)

Compared to the Hyundai I30 the Astra has loads more extras for similar price.

An Astra may have more extras than a similarly priced I30, however if your after quality rather than quantity the I30 is a better car than an Astra.

tightfortime

Driving a 2005 1.9 tdi Golf later on...any advice or thoughts?

SEAN_DUB

I've had both in the last year.
The Astra I had was a 2005 1.4 petrol. I loved the car it was great to drive until the waterpump went and overheated the engine blowing the head. I threw wonder weld into her and drove to Roscommon and back a few times a week for a few months until I got the new gasket. The car wasn't too bad on juice either and I fairly go at it aswell. The problem with the Astra is that because there is a timing chain and not a belt, the waterpumps are not replaced when required causing them to fail. So it would be a good thing to look for.
The Golf I had was a 2007 1.9TDI. I loved that too but it broke my heart!!! The flywheel was on the way out at 100 k miles (common problem for vw diesels) and was quoted 1500 for a new one so decided to trade it in while the going was good. The car was a dream to drive and was an absolute miser on fuel. I would also recommend that you get them checked for flywheel/turbo trouble on the diesel verisons as they can be costly to put right.
My advice buy one that has full service history with vat receipts to prove the work was done, but both cars are great drivers if looked after properly although I have a slight favour to the astra. I get to drive all types of cars in my job but one of my favourites was an 08 astra 1.8 sri coupe so quick and comfortable to drive. Theyre as cheap as the 1.4's too!!!

tightfortime

That's a great help, thank you so much.

I will meet Golf owner later asking for fsh, timing belt, water pump and flywheel/turbo updates.

You're the first to slightly favour the Astra, good to hear it's not all one-way either and I will look other engine sizes and drive them too.

JohnBoy26

tightfortime wrote: »

That's a great help, thank you so much.

I will meet Golf owner later asking for fsh, timing belt, water pump and flywheel/turbo updates.

You're the first to slightly favour the Astra, good to hear it's not all one-way either and I will look other engine sizes and drive them too.

What about a Hyundai I30 or Kia Cee'd? Both are great cars imo.

colm_mcm

Slim pickings

http://cars.donedeal.ie/find/cars/for-sale/Ireland/Kia%20ceed?filter%28max_engine%29=Max+Litres&filter%28max_mileage%29=Max+KM&filter%28max_price%29=7000&filter%28max_year%29=Max+Year&filter%28min_engine%29=Min+Litres&filter%28min_mileage%29=Min+KM&filter%28min_price%29=Min+Price&filter%28min_year%29=2007&multiFilter%28bodyType%29=Hatchback&source=all

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4816064

That's 5 ceeds and 1 i30 that's not estate 3 door or van on donedeal under €7k

JohnBoy26

colm_mcm wrote: »

Slim pickings

http://cars.donedeal.ie/find/cars/for-sale/Ireland/Kia%20ceed?filter%28max_engine%29=Max+Litres&filter%28max_mileage%29=Max+KM&filter%28max_price%29=7000&filter%28max_year%29=Max+Year&filter%28min_engine%29=Min+Litres&filter%28min_mileage%29=Min+KM&filter%28min_price%29=Min+Price&filter%28min_year%29=2007&multiFilter%28bodyType%29=Hatchback&source=all

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4816064

That's 5 ceeds and 1 i30 that's not estate 3 door or van on donedeal under €7k

Indeed you are correct, Just seen the op's budget now and it will be hard to get a good example of either for that money.

kawasaki1100

I wouldnt go down the 1.9 route as they will screw you in road tax. Dont rule out the Focus 1.6 diesel,bullit proof engine great mpg and plenty of poke!

JohnBoy26

kawasaki1100 wrote: »

I wouldnt go down the 1.9 route as they will screw you in road tax. Dont rule out the Focus 1.6 diesel,bullit proof engine great mpg and plenty of poke!

The psa 1.6 hdi engine in the Focus is far from "bullet proof"

colm_mcm

kawasaki1100 wrote: »

Dont rule out the Focus 1.6 diesel,bullit proof engine great mpg and plenty of poke!

Ah come on! (Maybe the mpg bit is true)

kawasaki1100

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

The psa 1.6 hdi engine in the Focus is far from "bullet proof"

I stand to be corected but i think they use the same engine as the 407 pug?

JohnBoy26

kawasaki1100 wrote: »

I stand to be corected but i think they use the same engine as the 407 pug?

Yes that is correct the 407 uses the same psa 1.6 hdi engine as the Focus. Many other cars also use this engine.

kawasaki1100

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Yes that is correct the 407 uses the same psa 1.6 hdi engine as the Focus. Many other cars also use this engine.

Hmmm, i wonder why??:rolleyes:

JohnBoy26

kawasaki1100 wrote: »

Hmmm, i wonder why??:rolleyes:

I can only put it down to pure laziness and cost of course as reasons other manufacturers use this engine. They hardly use it for it's (patchy) "bullit proof" reliabilty any way.

jme2010

tightfortime wrote: »

6k ideally but could stretch to 7 if it was worth it

With that budget I have 2 words: Honda Accord.



http://www.carzone.ie/search/Honda/Accord/2.4-TYPE/6613372664535960/advert?channel=CARS

It will cruise along motorways with ease and have lots of poke on smaller roads. That link is a 2.3L but I think they go down to 1.9. Something about that car just impresses me.

Have a look for the executive model with full leather and armrests 2004-2005 for 6-8K

jayok

Yeah, I've the 2.4 Accord TypeS (2354cc to be exact). Mile muncher, bullet-proof relability. The 2 litre exec is a nice place to travel.

Cons: Tax is €1080 per annum and mpg is about 32mpg - though the missus can get 37mpg (she doesn't do VTEC) :pac:

kawasaki1100

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

I can only put it down to pure laziness and cost of course as reasons other manufacturers use this engine. They hardly use it for it's (patchy) "bullit proof" reliabilty any way.

Well, i own 3 peugeot diesel hdi 1.6, 2.0, 2.2, and never had any engine problems (touch wood) so far so good. I would consider them very reliable engine wise.:D

SEAN_DUB

kawasaki1100 wrote: »

I wouldnt go down the 1.9 route as they will screw you in road tax. Dont rule out the Focus 1.6 diesel,bullit proof engine great mpg and plenty of poke!

I was told by a Ford Mechanic never to touch anything with a 1.6TDCI engine, they are notorious for turbo failures apparently.

Kev_2012

I have a 2007 1.6 petrol focus hatch for over 2 years and I'd be keeping it only for I'm moving abroad but at the same time.

I looked at astras and golfs too but I didn't think they were worth it and heard too many horror stories.