New Car Recommendation

HelpImAlive

Hi guys

I'm looking into purchasing a new car at the minute. I currently do about 16,000km per year.

I suppose the first problem is I'm not sure whether to go petrol or diesel. The majority of my driving is city driving, and then once a week a 35km round trip on motorway and then maybe once a month either a 300km round trip or a 400km round trip (not every month).

I'm looking at a 2011 upwards car and budget of approx 15,000.

Would ideally like a hatchback car, I suppose the ones the have been catching my attention so far are the 1.6 TDI Golf, 1.6 Kia Pro C'eed, Standard Kia C'eed.

Would like to ideally stay between a 1.4 and 1.6 engine size.

Anyone have any suggestions?

colm_mcm

I do not think your driving would be a death sentence to a diesel, but you probably won't save a massive amount by going diesel.
The problem is that your choices of cars are limited enough in petrol.

If I was doing your driving I'd probably get a Prius or an Auris hybrid or a Lexus CT200h (all basically the same thing only different)

These are a little above 15 but are asking prices.

Lexus CT
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Lexus/CT200H/-S-DESIG/201614437798796900/advert?channel=CARS

Auris hybrid
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Auris/1.8-AUTO/170114340173143420/advert?channel=CARS

Prius is a bit more difficult, I'd rather the new model like this one, but your budget would only get you a higher mileage example like to one, or a Japanese import (which I'd be wary of spending reasonable money on)
http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-prius-1-8-vvt-i-t-spirit-5dr-aut/10536894?offset=9

Of those I'd go with the Lexus.



Honda also do hybrids, but the gearbox isn't as nice, and there int nearly as much power as the tiyotaa stuff. You could look at an insight like this. Downsides would be the styling is an acquired tate and it just doesn't exude solidity. They are well priced though And you'd get a newer car.
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Honda/Insight/ES-HYBRI/201114406072338870/advert?channel=CARS

Then there's the civic hybrid. Mechanically the same as the insight but a more conventional shape. It is the oldest model out of all the choices but might appeal if you like saloons.
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Honda/Civic/IMA-4-DO/201114398113112540/advert?channel=CARS