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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:
Shmithecat2 · 14/05/2021 13:26

@300years

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011236390343?advertising-location=at_cars&maximum-mileage=70000&price-to=6000&postcode=G720JH&model=CIVIC&page=1&radius=80&make=HONDA&include-delivery-option=on&sort=relevance

Would you say this is a good option - Honda Civic?

That one looks good - but I'd double check whether it just has service history or full service history. A car only 6 years old with fairly low mileage without full service history would make me question how well it had been maintained. Also, it has less than 6 months left on the MOT. I'd be asking them to put a full 12mo/new MOT on it.
rosesarered321 · 14/05/2021 13:33

Good, but it only says service history not full service history, do check.

Lonelycrab · 14/05/2021 14:02

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104302022169

I’m not sure how close that is to you op

Original poster
300years · 15/05/2021 08:56

I think I am going to see the white Honda Civic. When you say ask for a full service details what should I be looking for? Once a year a stamp in the service book?

OP posts:
SomeCatsLikeCheese · 15/05/2021 09:25

We have a Seat Ibiza, which would be a brilliant fit for your driving needs. Runs like a dream, great town car. Has a bigger boot than the Aygo.

My only gripes are that the acceleration is not amazing (but we do more long distance driving than you) - however, it can comfortably handle a motorway. And now we are a family of four, it’s getting a little snug - it’s not the kind of car to comfortably take pushchairs, bikes and so on.

I would advise going slightly bigger than you think you need, if you can afford it. Definitely Seat Ibiza/Ford Fiesta rather than Toyota Aygo. Our budget was similar to yours in 2018 and we ended up with a 2 year old Ibiza with about 22k miles on it for just under £7k.

We looked at the Toyota Yaris but boot was smaller, and also at Kia Rio but didn’t like it.

OP posts:
OP posts:
Lonelycrab · 15/05/2021 10:21

I’m guessing you’re in Scotland from your earlier post, this ones not too far, slightly over budget but very low mileage.
www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103190322133

Id stress again that the difference between a 1.4 and 1.8 is the larger engine is reasonably quick. The 1.4 will be somewhat gutless. That may not be important to you though. I’d personally stay away from small engines with turbos, as they will be more highly stressed, but that’s just me, I’m in no way an expert.

minniemomo · 15/05/2021 10:23

Check the insurance costs too, if you were insured on your stbex's car some insurers will give you no claims. (Admiral gave me a very good rate)

Lonelycrab · 15/05/2021 10:43

This looks (on paper) like a pretty good deal for a Focus.
www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105062263993

Original poster
300years · 15/05/2021 12:55

Thank you so much. I appreciate it.

Yes I’m in Scotland.

Fortunately I have always been the main driver and he was always an additional driver.

OP posts:
Lonelycrab · 15/05/2021 13:13

Well I guess there will be less choice up there compared to say the south east where I am, so you might have to travel a bit for the right car but I think it’s worth it as it’s a fairly big purchase.

Service interval on a Civic is 12k, so that white one is not too bad. It’s obviously only done about 5k a year. I’m servicing mine every 12k not every year (it equals about 18 months for me) and i’v had no problems.

It may be best to narrow it down to a few models/makes rather than one specific car, and go from there.

Dealers will normally come down a bit on price (I haggled 500 quid off) so bear that in mind too.

Charlieandlola · 15/05/2021 13:18

A focus or Golf will cope with most things - big enough to fill for a tip run and enough legroom for big teenagers / young adults - and insurance is ok for them as learners too . If your mileage is low I’d go for a newer one with currently higher mileage than average - eg 3 years old with 60k or 2 years old with 50k ( with full service history ) so you can run it gently into the ground d over the next 10 years .

LeanneBrownsLonelyBraincell · 15/05/2021 13:23

I'd go for a focus. Practical (if a bit boring) reasonably tough and parts are plentiful.

Won't set your heart on fire but it'll do the job.

HunterHearstHelmsley · 15/05/2021 13:30

@300years (and anyone who has posted an auto trader link) - you might want to report your post to MN and ask them to edit - your full postcode is on there.

rosesarered321 · 15/05/2021 13:56

OP, yes you really want do a service every year, means the car should be well cared for and far less likely to go wrong.

RoseLavenderBlue · 15/05/2021 14:28

Reading with interest. I am looking at getting a new car in the next few months. Currently have a Qashqai which I’ve had over seven years (bought when was three years old) and have really liked it a lot but it’s starting to show its age a bit now. Contrary to a previous poster, I find the cabin is spacious (as the driver - not been a passenger in the back!).
I want something reliable with better build quality so am thinking of a Golf. It seems to have good visibility. I really am not a fan of a lot of modern cars that have narrowing windows towards the back, with large pillars.

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 15/05/2021 14:55

Get a Skoda, which is built on the same platform as a Golf. My Karoq has exactly the same features as DH’s Golf. The VW equivalent is the T Roc. Much more money for the same thing.

NanooCov · 16/05/2021 00:51

Another who would recommend Skoda. We have the Superb Estate and love it. Boot is massive. We had Audis for years and the Skoda is considerably cheaper and a brilliant car - less flash than the Audi but reflected in price.

InDeedyDo · 16/05/2021 01:56

Shamelessly following for tips. Not driven for 23 years and booked refreshers. Got a slightly lower budget of 5k. I've looked a lot at Hyundai I10 as insurance is low and economic to run.

InDeedyDo · 16/05/2021 01:58

There is an app called Vehicle Smart that gives the full vehicle history, mots etc.

OP posts:
CovidCorvid · 16/05/2021 08:01

I think at 12,000 miles I wouldn’t perhaps be too bothered about it being a private seller....it’s hardly done any mileage to develop any faults through wear and tear. It is however the 59bhp version of the 1.0 ltr engine so is going to be fairly underpowered.

www.autotrader.co.uk/content/car-reviews/skoda-fabia-review-hatchback-2014

Original poster
300years · 16/05/2021 08:06

Thanks for that.

I’m undecided as whilst I don’t love the way it looks it is the only Fabia within 70 miles from me under £6,000.

It is also fairly new compared to the Civic, Ibiza, C3s that I’ve been looking at with much less miles.

OP posts:
raeroe · 16/05/2021 08:13

Op have a look at motorpoint it's based in Glasgow. I got my last car from there and was really impressed with their service plus you can get a car shipped from anywhere in the uk if you look on their website. I've got a Fabia also and I love to drive it but I have the base model on pcp but I think I'm going to go for a higher up model next time as the seats are horrendous for marks and I want the buttons at the steering wheel for changing the radio 😂