2009 Ford Focus or Seat Leon

savemefrom

Budget to get a 2009 car.

Looking at a compact hatchback. Weekly mileage would be as low as 50 miles per week, walk to work.

Looking at a Leon or Focus, but would consider others like Auris etc.

Is it worth spending extra on a diesel given typical usage? thinking of a smaller engine size too.

Any advice appreciated on 2009 models.

colm_mcm

You'll find it hard to get a petrol Focus, they're relatively high tax too because of the emissions. With the Leon petrol you're looking at the awful 1.4 non turbo or the relatively risky TSI engine. Auris petrol will more than likely be the older pre facelift 1.4 which is well off being a nice car.

If you're going petrol in that class, the Hyundai i30 and Kia Ceed will give you 108bhp without a turbo and all the associated risk, while still being light on tax and very reliable.

I wouldn't bother with a diesel given your mileage. If you're concerned about mpg, a Prius will give you utter dependability, good mpg, autobox and good equipment levels.

Honda Civic 1.4 I-VTEC (not the I-DSI) very reliable and a bit different, but a bit weedy in the power department once you're on the open road.

JohnBoy26

Id Go for a 2010 auris facelift with the 1.33 dual vvti engine. This is €280 to tax per year. You can get a 1.33 2009 pre facelift with the 1.33 engine too but it will be a uk import.

colm_mcm

It'll all come down to budget I suppose.

savemefrom

colm_mcm wrote: »

You'll find it hard to get a petrol Focus, they're relatively high tax too because of the emissions. With the Leon petrol you're looking at the awful 1.4 non turbo or the relatively risky TSI engine. Auris petrol will more than likely be the older pre facelift 1.4 which is well off being a nice car.

If you're going petrol in that class, the Hyundai i30 and Kia Ceed will give you 108bhp without a turbo and all the associated risk, while still being light on tax and very reliable.

I wouldn't bother with a diesel given your mileage. If you're concerned about mpg, a Prius will give you utter dependability, good mpg, autobox and good equipment levels.

Honda Civic 1.4 I-VTEC (not the I-DSI) very reliable and a bit different, but a bit weedy in the power department once you're on the open road.

thanks will check out the Hyundai and Kia. Currently have a very old 2l Diesel and looking at making savings on road tax and insurance if possible with smaller engine.

savemefrom

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Id Go for a 2010 auris facelift with the 1.33 dual vvti engine. This is €280 to tax per year. You can get a 1.33 2009 pre facelift with the 1.33 engine too but it will be a uk import.

I'm actually very likely to buy in the UK. Have been doing sums with sterling and VRT.

€5k ish budget...can go a bit higher.

colm_mcm

Do the sums on whether spending €5k or whatever is a good investment in something you're aiming to save small money on tax/insurance on.
€5k would probably tax and insure your current car for 4 years.

savemefrom

colm_mcm wrote: »

Do the sums on whether spending €5k or whatever is a good investment in something you're aiming to save small money on tax/insurance on.
€5k would probably tax and insure your current car for 4 years.

paying €200 a quarter for motor tax currently.

the vrt on the auris is pushing it a bit beyond budget, but could probably get a Hyundai i30 2009 reg all in for around €5k.