Advice budget 8-10 k Hatchback?

Rossdarragh1

Hi,

Have been trawling through posts the last few hours and am becoming more confused with all the info/opinions so I guessed the best way to give myself some direction would be to outline my details and hope people on here can give me some bit of direction. It must be noted that I'm clueless enough when it comes to whats good/bad spec but will give an idea of my needs.

Lady. Have previously owned an audi a3 that served me well but is now too old.

I do a mix of city/motorway miles , roughly 15-20 km a year so looking at a diesel. Want it to be relatively powerful without insurance implications as I don't have many years experience built up. Have looked at the various models mentioned on here and probably like the look of the a3, golf and astras best. I obviously want it to be in the lower tax band and have toyed with the idea of importing from the uk.

However I haven't looked into this yet as I don't want to wreck my head until I know exactly the make/model/spec that I'm looking for.

Hoping people on here can help me out, would be much appreciated.

colm_mcm

An A3 1.9 TDI would fall into the top end of your budget.
Plenty in the uk.

Rossdarragh1

Do you think there would be much saving in going to the uk for it? Is there different engines within the 1.9 model such as sport etc? Looking for something reliable too. Any particular a3 model/year to avoid? Thanks for reply

colm_mcm

Far as I know the ones in the uk are the TDIe engine which is around 105bhp, you'd have to go for the 2.0 to get more power.
Lots of them are the standard spec but there is a sport version too, but it's not an S Line, just slightly nicer than base.
There were a few versions of the 1.9 to avoid in the VW stable around that time, not sure if the A3 got them.

colm_mcm

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201610108622176?year-from=2008&fuel-type=Diesel&radius=1500&model=A3&seller-type=trade&minimum-mileage=25000&price-to=6000&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=bt39jp&sort=sponsored&make=AUDI&year-to=2011&maximum-mileage=80000&page=1

Rossdarragh1

Is there any other make or models you'd consider besides the a3?

colm_mcm

Loads! But I don't like Astras and you like A3's!
If you liked the last one, you'll like a newer one. They're a nice enough car.
People who like A3s tend to like Golfs as well.

Rossdarragh1

thanks for advice

bazz26

What about a Toyota Auris Hybrid?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201611119655567?make=TOYOTA&seller-type=trade&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&sort=sponsored&price-to=7000&advertising-location=at_cars&radius=1500&minimum-mileage=25000&body-type=Hatchback&postcode=bt39jp&maximum-mileage=80000&fuel-type=Hybrid&model=AURIS&page=1

Your annual mileage is not huge and it would definitely be more frugal around town and reliable over a diesel car. VRT is pretty low in hybrids too.

Rossdarragh1

Probably not an option, not mad on the aesthetics of it.

colm_mcm

Your budget might nearly get a Lexus CT200h

bazz26

Fair enough but you're probably restricted to the VAG cars you have already suggested yourself then. People who like those brands tend to stick with them.

colm_mcm

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201608166835896?make=LEXUS&radius=1500&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&sort=sponsored&advertising-location=at_cars&model=CT%20200H&price-to=7500&postcode=bt39jp&page=1

€8800 plus VRT which is €1200 Plus travel

Rossdarragh1

Those links are coming up as an error on auto trader page. Tried copy and paste, wouldn't work either.

Is there a civic diesel model besides the 2.2? Nothing but good reports on here about the civic but 2.2 has insurance implications and I don't want a petrol.

colm_mcm

There is a 1.6 diesel civic but it's way out of budget.

colm_mcm

Link for the Lexus
Lexus CT 200H 1.8 SE-I CVT 5dr
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201608166835896?make=lexus&model=ct-200h&utm_source=Email_a_Friend&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Email_a_friend_car