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Original poster

If you had £5k to spend on a car....

80 replies

WhereIsBlueRabbit · 13/10/2018 21:04

....which of the following would you go for and why?

We're planning to buy a car in next couple of months. Looking for a 5-door hatchback with a good sized boot, cheap to run/insure, needs to be reliable and safe, mostly town driving/short trips but needs to be able to handle motorway driving as well.

We will buy outright (with a view to keeping it until it runs into the ground). I think we should aim for something under five years old with fewer than 100k miles on the clock.

My shortlist consists of the following cars:

Ford Focus - I think we would have to stretch our budget for this!
Ford Fiesta
Hyundai i20
Honda Jazz
Toyota Yaris

Secondary contenders are VW Golf, Nissan Micra and Kia Rio, though I think the last two may be too small.

Any thoughts? My dad is really sniffy about anything that isn't a Ford but I think we'd get more for our money with some of the other makes.

OP posts:
RedDwarves · 13/10/2018 23:04

My Husband always says German Cars are the Best

This is untrue, though. Japanese cars consistently outstrip German/European cars on tests of reliability (and often safety).

BlackandGold · 13/10/2018 23:05

VW all the way for me. Reliable and will give you thousands of miles on the road.

happyharmonica · 13/10/2018 23:05

Another vote for Kia Rio. I love mine. Only downside I've found is not enough leg room in back for adults but fine for kids. Boot space is great and lovely to drive

katycb · 13/10/2018 23:09

I have a i20 and used to have a Yaris. My car is getting a bit old now and I am in pretty much in your situation but don't know whether to get a newer I20 or a Yaris!!! My pluses for the i20 is that they warranty is great and you get quite a lot of spec for your money. My Yaris was a bit more stylish and felt a bit more "quality" but used to cost a lot to fix!..anyway I still haven't decided yet so not much help really but those are my thoughts!!!

thenightsky · 13/10/2018 23:15

Anything Japanese. Except a Jazz. I've had two and they've both been a nightmare.

BonnieF · 13/10/2018 23:21

From that shortlist, I would go for the Jazz. They have a very good reputation for reliability and durability. The Yaris is also an excellent choice.

I would also consider a Skoda Fabia. They are very closely related to the VW Polo, using the same engines, gearboxes, suspension, safety systems etc etc, but cheaper due to the badge.

SpanielPlusToddler · 13/10/2018 23:27

Check the price of the road tax too. My husband has a Mazda 2 and my mum has just bought a Skoda Fabia and their tax is only £20 a year, but the Honda jazz is £120 a year, sos big difference.

BlackStar7 · 13/10/2018 23:27

Where I live Honda Jazz's keep getting their catalytic converters taken off them in broad daylight for scrap. They then cost a lot of money to replace. That would put me off!

Leyani · 13/10/2018 23:27

Similar situation, bought a Focus. Ran well for a few years, no repair costs, cheap to run, but then at less than 10 years old and only 70k miles it developed a major fault and died on me. Had a micra I loved and which kept going forever.

Kool4katz · 13/10/2018 23:31

Any Japanese car, they're the best. I've had several and they've all been extremely reliable. I used to buy German cars, Golf, Polo etc. but swapped to Japanese cars a few years ago.
My current car is a Honda CRV, 12 years old, has an annual service and passes it's test every year without ever needing any additional work doing. I've replaced tyres, cam belt and a battery but that's all. He's done 70k miles and I keep thinking I should replace him but it feels like a friend. He's called Charlie.

midsomermurderess · 14/10/2018 00:23

A Fiat 500.

Fatted · 14/10/2018 00:29

Good God no, do not buy a Honda Jazz!

Out of your choices, I would go with a VW Golf, although the VW polo is actually the smaller model more in keeping with your other choices. If you don't want to pay for the name, Skoda Fabia and Seat Ibiza are the same car as the polo with a different badge. I've had 2 Polos now, absolutely fantastic reliable cars.

Honda are also great although I prefer the Civic (just sold mine! Sniff!) to the Jazz.

I don't have anything nice to say about Fords. Other than they are cheap. Usually for a good reason.

happinessischocolate · 14/10/2018 00:34

Similar situation, bought a Focus. Ran well for a few years, no repair costs, cheap to run, but then at less than 10 years old and only 70k miles it developed a major fault and died on me. Had a micra I loved and which kept going forever.

Same, the car is worthless now due to the fault, and there's was a programme about fords last week regarding the eco engines catching fire and ford are refusing to accept any responsibility, wouldnt go for a ford again now.

SpoonBlender · 14/10/2018 00:47

I got a Focus (2011, 32k) for £8k and put three years and 60k miles on it - it's been flawless, I'm expecting another 100k out of it tbh and I'm pretty sure it'd only be ~£5k now.

SpoonBlender · 14/10/2018 00:49

...Although as per Leyani, maybe only another 10k miles! Grin

Santaclarita · 14/10/2018 01:21

Good luck getting another 100k out of your focus. Grin

dontblameme · 14/10/2018 02:08

Yaris. My old Yaris lasted 15 years! Lovely car. I've got an Aygo now as wanted smaller than the new Yarises, love it.

bottleofredplease · 14/10/2018 02:18

Have you looked at the Kia Ceed?

HemanOrSheRa · 14/10/2018 02:18

Yaris. I've had mine for years. It's a 56 plate and was an ex company car. Good boot space as the rear seats move forward. I can pack ours for a fortnight away easily. Nippy around town and ok for motorway driving. Mine has got 3 seatbelts in the back seat. Not sure if that is standard? Very good for ferrying of teen boys though.

We also had a Toyota starlet, which I believe was the predessor to the Yaris. I had to give it away in the end as we all got fed up of it. Still had the original clutch ConfusedGrin.

MsFrosty · 14/10/2018 06:43

I would only consider something from the VW group. Ford's are not what they were. I test drove a focus and although great fun to drive, it was deteriorating considerably. Kia' S and skoda' S are usually budget friendly to the vw. I've has 2 octavia's and they've been amazing cars (currently have a Passat which is lovely on motorways but just dull).

MsFrosty · 14/10/2018 06:44

I'd also say that out of your selection the only car I'd choose is the yaris. Build feels quality and it's a nice drive but personally I think the boot space is way too small

Original poster
WhereIsBlueRabbit · 14/10/2018 09:08

Lots of positive reviews for the Yaris!

Comments about Ford are interesting - the Fiesta seems to be one of the best small cars on the market. Are the problems just around Focus or all Fords?

Clearly I need to be open-minded - had never considered a Seat but will look at Seat Ibiza.

Thanks again - this is super-helpful. Can you tell I've never bought a car before?!Grin

OP posts:
Unihorn · 14/10/2018 09:14

Definitely Skoda, especially because (huge generalisation ahead) they tend to have older previous owners who use them less. We bought a 5 year old Fabia with 32000 miles and regular Skoda services. I also bloody love a Skoda.

Callmecordelia · 14/10/2018 09:18

I agree, Skodas are good cars and excellent value.

LivingDeadGirlUK · 14/10/2018 09:26

Thanks for starting this thread, you have saved me a job lol.

We have a 2001 Yaris, bought for a few hundred after my partner passed his test last year (we are in our 30's honest...) looking to upgrade as cant get a stage 2 car seat that meets the safety checks. My partner wants a new Yaris but I think we need more boot space. However need to keep to group 2 insurance level as he is a new driver.