2011 Hyundai-i30 vs Kia Ceed vs Focus vs Mazda 3?

Sgt Pepper 64

so looking to get a 2011 plus diesel hatch, mainly for work commute (500 km a week) but then has to ferry the family around at weekends, currently in a mazda 6 petrol 2006 so should see some saving especially as it started needing regular oil top ups

savings will be only 200 tax, lower fuel consumption and insurance as newer car

budget is around 6k, i figure use it for 3 years and then change

plenty of nice examples around, 2011 onwards reasonable mileage from 60k miles up

currently looking at hyundai-i30 vs kia ceed vs focus vs mazda 3, maybe skoda Octavia, but they cost a bit more for the same year and miles, prefer a hatch as easier access.

wants
cruise control
electric windows
air con
mp3\usb



thoughts?

thanks

colm_mcm

I’d rule out the Mazda3, the 1.6 diesel is too much of a risk. Same story with the Focus 1.8 or 1.6, I’d also avoid the earlier 1.6 TDI Octavia.

It’s very hard to get cruise control on an i30, the mother has a Premium model which doesn’t have it. It’s available on the 2.0 CRDI Premium, but they’re very rare and not as reliable as the 1.6

The Kia Ceed EX model has cruise control as standard and is a very good car. I’d go with that.
There was a new model Ceed in 2012, but you’re looking more like €7500-8000 for one unless you import from the uk.

Renault Megane also worth a look.

bazz26

For slightly more you'd get a decent Renault Laguna which would definitely have cruise control, would be a bit more refined and comfortable too plus have a bit more room:


https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2084223&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D72%26o%5B%5D%3D618%26f%3D2%26b%3D2%26yn%3D2011%26yx%3D2011%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

awec

I have a 2016 Ceed with cruise control and bluetooth. Great car, I love it, but I am not sure it'd suit as a family car. The boot isn't huge and the space in the back isn't huge either. If you have a child still using a buggy then the buggy will pretty much take up the entire boot.

The ceed comes in an estate version too, I'd go for that if it were me.

I would avoid the 1.6 Focus, I had one and it broke my heart in the end. Too many problems.

kerten

awec wrote: »

I have a 2016 Ceed with cruise control and bluetooth. Great car, I love it, but I am not sure it'd suit as a family car. The boot isn't huge and the space in the back isn't huge either. If you have a child still using a buggy then the buggy will pretty much take up the entire boot.

The ceed comes in an estate version too, I'd go for that if it were me.

I would avoid the 1.6 Focus, I had one and it broke my heart in the end. Too many problems.

That's interesting. My parents have a 2013 hyundai i30 estate(same car essentially) and I find space in rear seats spacious for this class of cars and almost no shaft tunnel in middle. I wonder if Kia has different sized seats. And yes estate is good for family.

awec

kerten wrote: »

That's interesting. My parents have a 2013 hyundai i30 estate(same car essentially) and I find space in rear seats spacious for this class of cars and almost no shaft tunnel in middle. I wonder if Kia has different sized seats. And yes estate is good for family.

Ah it's not small in the back, but if there were 3 people it'd get annoying I think.

colm_mcm

kerten wrote: »

That's interesting. My parents have a 2013 hyundai i30 estate(same car essentially) and I find space in rear seats spacious for this class of cars and almost no shaft tunnel in middle. I wonder if Kia has different sized seats. And yes estate is good for family.

They’re the same size. For the class of car they’re spacious.

Sgt Pepper 64

awec wrote: »

I have a 2016 Ceed with cruise control and bluetooth. Great car, I love it, but I am not sure it'd suit as a family car. The boot isn't huge and the space in the back isn't huge either. If you have a child still using a buggy then the buggy will pretty much take up the entire boot.

The ceed comes in an estate version too, I'd go for that if it were me.

I would avoid the 1.6 Focus, I had one and it broke my heart in the end. Too many problems.

yes thank you, looked aone last night and the i30 and the boot size too small.
Back seats are fine, plenty of legroom for teenager and surprising head space

Now looking at skoda octavia vs renault fluence vs jetta vs mazda 6 but heavily leaning towards the octavia even though surprisingly pricey compared to the others for a 2001 with under 100k miles in nice condition

colm_mcm

Look at the Laguna as well they’re great value and very spacious and comfortable.

Consey

colm_mcm wrote: »

Look at the Laguna as well they’re great value and very spacious and comfortable.

+1 on the Laguna...