Hatchback advice - Budget €5k

shamrock122

Hi all,
I am thinking of upgrading my current car which I have had since I started driving. It is a 2004 Ford Focus 1.4 petrol. It has served me well for the past 4 years and has been reliable but I think it is time for an upgrade.

Most of my driving is stop start in nature across town and I have a 10 minute commute daily. Once or twice a month I might have a longer trip of 2/3 hours down the motorway. So a petrol is what would suit my needs I think.

I am interested in a hatchback and would appreciate any recommendations with a budget of €5k.

I have been looking at a few cars already and a 2010 Astra 1.6 in SRI spec has caught the eye so far. It has 110,000 miles on the clock and has NCT until 2021. The Sri spec is appealing with the parking sensors, cruise control etc.
Has anyone any opinions on this?

Or should I be looking at something else?

Thanks

shamrock122

With regards to the Astra SRI that I was looking at - I'm just thinking now would 110,000 miles (177,000 km) be high mileage for a car of this or could I expect to get a good few more years out of it ?

Mad_maxx

shamrock122 wrote: »

With regards to the Astra SRI that I was looking at - I'm just thinking now would 110,000 miles (177,000 km) be high mileage for a car of this or could I expect to get a good few more years out of it ?

It's a tad high for a petrol but how it was maintained is more important, you need to know if the timing belt is done for one

colm_mcm

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-civic-1-8-i-vtec-se-5-door-2010/20744161

I’ve had one of these the last 7 years and they’re as near to unbreakable as you’ll get.

James Bond Junior

Are you hell bent on changing the focus? 10 min commute across town would suggest you dont travel more than 3/4 miles which to me seems a waste of your €5k.

colm_mcm

One thing to note with the Astra is that it’s ridiculously heavy, it’s 1578kg in 1.6 petrol form.

To out that into context

1.8 Civic is 1205kg
1.4 Golf is 1150kg
1.6 Avensis is 1365kg

shamrock122

James Bond Junior wrote: »

Are you hell bent on changing the focus? 10 min commute across town would suggest you dont travel more than 3/4 miles which to me seems a waste of your €5k.

Thats true but I feel that the focus is on its last legs at this stage and it doesn't really owe me anything at this point. Has served me well but the mk1 hasn't aged very well in terms of aesthetics so something more modern is appealing

shamrock122

colm_mcm wrote: »

One thing to note with the Astra is that it’s ridiculously heavy, it’s 1578kg in 1.6 petrol form.

To out that into context

1.8 Civic is 1205kg
1.4 Golf is 1150kg
1.6 Avensis is 1365kg

Thanks for the advice, I had heard that it Astra is on the heavy side alright but acceleration/speed wouldn't be a major concern for me, I'd be more interested in comfort.



Fuel economy would also take a hit with the extra weight so I will have to keep that in mind too

James Bond Junior

shamrock122 wrote: »

Thats true but I feel that the focus is on its last legs at this stage and it doesn't really owe me anything at this point. Has served me well but the mk1 hasn't aged very well in terms of aesthetics so something more modern is appealing

Would stretching the budget for an electric car like a leaf work for you?

If not a prius or honda insight may suit your needs.

Old diesel

James Bond Junior wrote: »

Would stretching the budget for an electric car like a leaf work for you?

If not a prius or honda insight may suit your needs.

A nice Leaf is closer to 10 k.

And would still only be the 24 kwh (range not great).

marklazarcovic

I'll 2nd the Gen 8 civic 1.8