Help choosing a car for <6K

Ivefoundgod

Just looking for a bit of advice in picking a car. I'm looking to spend around 5-6K on a car, something like a Focus/Golf/Civic/Astra etc but if its possible to come up to the cheaper 08 tax rate I'd consider other smaller size cars. The car would be used very little, less than 7 or 8K miles a year and I'd like it to be a decent looking car with at least a small amount of power. Current car is a 2001 1.2 Clio so I'd like a decent upgrade on that.

Don't know a huge amount about cars so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Idbatterim

with the cars you are considering, they are mostly around the 1.6L mark, your not going to save much on tax, when the tax isnt much to begin with in the first place...

Idbatterim

now obviously the residuals will be higher on the 2008, but unless you plan on driving it for years 4 or 5 years, thats probably your break even point, and even at that, at that stage the car will be worth SFA anyway...

corsav6

I'd avoid diesel with such low milage, especially if its short runs as this clogs up diesel egr valves and inlet manifolds. I'd go with a golf for resale value, focus for driveability and astra for decent looks and a bit of poke.
With your budget you should be able to pick up a nice clean example. I would also avoid a civic as they cost more to insure, damn boy racers.

Ivefoundgod

So would I be better getting say a 06 or 07 Focus/Golf/Astra 1.6 than bothering to go up to an 08? Tax is around €500 on these right?

I hadn't planned on going diesel as I just wouldn't get the benefit, most of my trips would be small.

colm_mcm

I'd look at a Hyundai i30 1.4
Power wise it'll be close to most 1.6 rivals, and the deluxe spec has some nice toys.
These rarely go wrong and they're a nice drive.

This ones a base model but still has alloys, aircon etc
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Hyundai/i30/CLASSIC-/201350220360947/advert?channel=CARS

Tax is €390

cplwhisper

Kia Pro'ceed 1.4 petrol is 382€ to tax but 100 horses under bonnet

Ivefoundgod

So I've gone around to a few places to have a look at cars and have my eye own an 2007 Opel Astra 3DR SXi. Anyone have any experience with these cars? Things to look out for?