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Original poster

Help me pick a car?

80 replies

300years · 14/05/2021 06:54

Post separation from a 12 year relationship and trying to get on my on two feet. A car will really help with this.

My budget is £6,000.

I’m undecided. Do I go for something small, new, low mileage like the first option?

Or something larger older but still not lots of miles like the second option?

I have two children 5,10 year old.

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105122508913?advertising-location=at_cars&year-from=2018&maximum-mileage=35000&price-to=6000&postcode=G71%206TQ&page=1&price-from=5000&quantity-of-doors=5&radius=80&include-delivery-option=on&sort=relevance

Or

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103310825927?advertising-location=at_cars&price-to=6000&postcode=G720JH&model=JUKE&sort=price-desc&page=1&radius=80&make=NISSAN&include-delivery-option=on

Personally I prefer the second option, I feel like it’s more spacious and family friendly but I’d appreciate an outsider perspective and struggle for someone to ask.

OP posts:
Jongleurterre · 14/05/2021 06:57

Neither, especially the Juke, it’s boot is quite small.

Have you looked at Ford Fiesta’s to see if any in your price range?

Whattodo121 · 14/05/2021 06:57

I had an aygo for 5 years and loved it! Very reliable, sailed through its MOT every year and so cheap to run. The other car you linked to is 9 years old and I would be wary about running costs/repairs. What kind of driving do you do? Commuting and local or long distances on the motorway?

Original poster
300years · 14/05/2021 07:02

Thank you! I appreciate the feedback because I’m a bit clueless.

I drive locally, no commuting. Long drive maybe once or twice a year.

OP posts:
BikeRunSki · 14/05/2021 07:12

Are you planning to keep this car for a few years or more? Because 5 and 10 year olds are only going to get bigger, as are their bikes, cricket bats, sports kits, friends etc. At 12, DS is 5’8”, and DD is 4’10”. I don’t think we’d be very comfy in an Aygo for long. Having said that, a couple of years ago I turned down a Juke because the boot is was tiny.

FWIW, I’ve had a Skoda Fabia estate and a Golf estate in recent years and have liked them a lot. I’m not a petrol head at all, but they’ve absorbed us and our stuff quite easily and have been reliable.

Original poster
300years · 14/05/2021 07:18

Thank you. Yes plan to keep the car for the foreseeable future. 3-5 years definitely.

I’ll have a look at your suggestions.

OP posts:
CovidCorvid · 14/05/2021 07:27

I don’t know if Nissan jukes are that spacious....some of those style of vehicles look bigger due to the suv style but are surprisingly small inside.

How big a car do you think you need/what will it be used for? Obvious day to day ferrying 2 kids about and shopping....if it’s just that then pretty much any car is big enough.

Do you need a bigger car? When you do a longer drive how much luggage will you have?

Google reviews/reliability of any cars you like. Check mpg. Check tax disc band if the price of that is a consideration.

OP posts:
AnotherEmma · 14/05/2021 07:28

Neither. Especially not the Juke, they're hideous and impractical.

Get a used Skoda Fabia. It's won awards, excellent value car.
www.whatcar.com/skoda/fabia/hatchback/used-review/n808

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 14/05/2021 07:30

Agree about the Juke, it's deceptively tiny.

CovidCorvid · 14/05/2021 07:31

How about something like a Ford focus? Bit bigger for growing kids. Generally reliable and cheap to sort out if something does go wrong.

CovidCorvid · 14/05/2021 07:32

Remember if you buy privately you have no come back if there’s an issue with the car. With a garage there is.

mayblossominapril · 14/05/2021 07:34

I used to have a Honda Jazz. Very unfashionable but very reliable and very cheap second hand. I only swapped when I had child number 2 as double buggy wouldn’t go in the boot. With only one buggy it was fine. Get a 5 door car

ThankYouHunkyJesus · 14/05/2021 07:43

Ford focus would be perfect for you.

noblegreenk · 14/05/2021 08:35

I don't think either car is suitable. The juke is quite small inside for the size of it. The aygo is a fantastic car - i've owned two, it's my favourite car I ever had and DH loved it too. But the boot space is tiny and I couldn't imagine having two kids in one. I got rid of mine when dd was 6 months old. I agree with pp that you'd be better off with something like a fabia. For the money that you have to spend on a car a hatchback is your best best.

superduster · 14/05/2021 08:35

Neither look good value. Paying £6k for a small 9 year old car is mad.

Northernsoullover · 14/05/2021 08:42

I've always gone for Fords. Maybe not the wow factor of some other cars but I have had good reliability with them and if they do go wrong then its not costly to repair. I prefer a Focus over a Fiesta as its that little bit bigger. My 1.0 has more power than my old 1.6.

lockdownbreakdown · 14/05/2021 08:42

You want a fabia estate. Cheap to fix, very reliable with a decent boot. They go forever and are very good value. If not one of those then you want a ford focus. Also cheap to fix and reliable

EvilPea · 14/05/2021 08:47

Aygo or fabia.
Fiestas are too much money for what you get as they seem to be the small car of the moment that everyone wants (arguably the aygo is the better built car)

The fabia is a bit bigger than the aygo so more practical. I’ve driven a few, and they drive really nicely and are a little bit quirky and nice. May be worth checking car tax brackets before making a choice. One that’s £20 a year to tax over £120 may make your mind up.

Jukes have inherent gearbox faults and engine issues, even low mileage ones are known to fail.

Hyperion100 · 14/05/2021 08:47

Ford Focus
Honda Civic
KIA C'eed

Not particularly exciting but much better for your needs than your two initial options

EvilPea · 14/05/2021 08:49

@Northernsoullover

I've always gone for Fords. Maybe not the wow factor of some other cars but I have had good reliability with them and if they do go wrong then its not costly to repair. I prefer a Focus over a Fiesta as its that little bit bigger. My 1.0 has more power than my old 1.6.
The first focus’s with 1.0 engines are melting and needing replacing after a few miles have been put on them. I wouldn’t risk it
EvilPea · 14/05/2021 08:50

@mayblossominapril

I used to have a Honda Jazz. Very unfashionable but very reliable and very cheap second hand. I only swapped when I had child number 2 as double buggy wouldn’t go in the boot. With only one buggy it was fine. Get a 5 door car
They are expensive to insure now due to the cats being stolen. Which is a shame as they are great cars.
Lonelycrab · 14/05/2021 08:56

Mk9 Honda Civic will be possible on that budget. Better than a focus imo (had both) and very reliable, about as good as it gets in that respect.

EvilPea · 14/05/2021 09:00

Civic is a good shout, well built and interesting enough.
I would compare tax and insurance costs on that and the fabia to make sure the bit of extra room is worth it.

rosesarered321 · 14/05/2021 09:02

Whatever you get make sure it has a full service history. Ask for photos of the service book to make sure what they say is true before you view. I prefer a higher mileage and newer car as long as it had a full service history.

Donatella · 14/05/2021 09:02

Another vote for the Jazz, spacious and very reliable. You should be able to get a reasonable one for your budget

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