Hatchback recommendations

irishlad.

Hello all,

I've recently decided to part with my Toyota Auris Hybrid due to the catalytic converter plague which I was targeted by over the Summer.

Looking to purchase a similar type of car such as a Hyundai i30, Opel Astra, Ford Focus. Does anyone have any bad experiences with any of these cars?

Austmcc

What year or engine are you considering? Or even price range?

You can pick fault with all depend on a lot of factors e.g. certain models of astra are known for catching fire randomly (there was a recall I believe but youd need to check this work has been done), fords have a good rep but many will advise against a 1.6 diesel. Interiors of older Hyundais dont stack up but could get much newer model for the same price as other brands...

irishlad.

Austmcc wrote: »

What year or engine are you considering? Or even price range?

You can pick fault with all depend on a lot of factors e.g. certain models of astra are known for catching fire randomly (there was a recall I believe but youd need to check this work has been done), fords have a good rep but many will advise against a 1.6 diesel. Interiors of older Hyundais dont stack up but could get much newer model for the same price as other brands...

Something between 171 up 191 i'd say, rough budget of 18k. Most of that would be covered by the trade in.

The interior if the i30 seems to have improved a lot from the 181 on.

I know well you can find faults in everything! Just as long as there's no big elephant in the room.

bazz26

Are you sticking with auto or considering a manual also?

Consider the Kia Ceed also, it's the sister car of the i30 but I think they are slightly better looking and the interior tends to be a little higher quality than the i30 also. Also unless you do big mileage the Kia 7 year/150k km warranty might work out better for you. Aim for the K3 trim spec as it offers the best value around spec and price. Autos are rare enough in both i30/Ceed here and any about could have been rental cars at one point so watch out for rough or tired ones.

For example:
https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2690877&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D39%26o%5B%5D%3D1126%26f%3D1%26b%3D2%26yn%3D2018%26yx%3D2019%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

irishlad.

bazz26 wrote: »

Are you sticking with auto or considering a manual also?

Consider the Kia Ceed also, it's the sister car of the i30 but I think they are slightly better looking and the interior tends to be a little higher quality than the i30 also. Also unless you do big mileage the Kia 7 year/150k km warranty might work out better for you. Aim for the K3 trim spec as it offers the best value around spec and price. Autos are rare enough in both i30/Ceed here and any about could have been rental cars at one point so watch out for rough or tired ones.

For example:
https://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=2690877&r=s.php%3Fm%5B%5D%3D39%26o%5B%5D%3D1126%26f%3D1%26b%3D2%26yn%3D2018%26yx%3D2019%26pp%3D50%26g%3D0

I'd be trying my best to stick with auto. Also looking for something with a 1.4 plus engine.

bazz26

Hyundai i30 and Kia Ceed have the same engine line up. Most of those cars have smaller capacity engines with a turbo fitted these days which are actually more powerful than the older engines but also more complex. The autos versions usually stick to the older non turbo engines but they never really sold well here outside the rental companies. Automatics in that class of car outside hybrids are still pretty small sellers unfortunately compared to manuals.