£8000 to spend on a car

[alnitak]

What should I get? My main priority is fuel efficiency and reliability. I have a really old Polo at the moment.

I mainly drive in London but with the odd motorway journey so do want something that feels safe on long drives and isn't underpowered.

I am looking at Skoda Fabias, possibly Toyota Aygo though not sure about long journeys with that. What else would be a good option?

Kia Picanto, Hyundai i10.

If there’s a chance you could get a half decent Golf or Polo I would 100% stick with VW. My son has a Fabia, it’s a decent enough wee car but compared to VW feels considerably less… substantial. I feel like you could break into it with a tin opener. I’ve had Golfs and Polos and despite trying different makes ie Ford Fiesta, Honda Civic etc, I always go back to VW.

100% a Toyota. Avoid VAG shit at all costs.

I work in the motor industry and I agree 'avoid VAG shit' at all costs. Our most problematic cars for warranty claims are VW, Land Rover (no surprise there) and Mercedes. My choice would be Toyota or Kia for reliability.

I have an Aygo and I’d recommend it. Easy to park and drive around a city. I’ve done long journeys in it and it’s been fine. Obviously it’s not massively powerful and the acceleration isn’t the quickest, but it’s perfectly fine once you get up to speed. And if you’re mainly doing inner city journeys rather than motorway driving, it will be good.

The Fabia is based on the same architecture as the Polo and all its parts have been developed by VW. You get a slightly higher quality trim with a Polo but in terms of value for money a Fabia is probably better.

A Kia in whatever size you prefer. You get so much bang for your buck and they are hugely reliable.

I have a Suzuki Ignis. Odd looking but I like the higher driving position and it’s a good size and economical.

Aygo for sure. Brilliant little cars. So fun to drive and they basically look after themselves. Alternatively a Honda Jazz, go for a sportier styled one. They're amazingly roomy and great to drive.

I have an i10! It’s compact and fairly comfy have done several 500 mile journeys in it. Cheap to insure, fill and service.

Perhaps a Toyota Yaris. Bigger than the Aygo, so it will feel more substantial.

Thanks this is really helpful. I think a Honda Jazz would be perfect but I live in an area with loads of car crime and I worry about the carburator being stolen.

What's the fuel efficiency like on an Aygo?

A mini. You can’t go wrong, would get a lovely one for that.

No carburettor on a jazz to steal!

We went for a Honda Jazz for that price. It’s amazing the shit we can fit into that thing!

My Dad always says only ever buy a German or Japanese car as they are the best engineers and thus their cars are most reliable.

What’s VAG?

Volkswagen Audi Group

Past the days of small cars, but I LOVED my skoda fabia, it was incredibly comfy and the most reliable car I've ever driven!

Sorry I meant catalytic converter

Volkswagen AG

I love my i10 and my sister has a picanto that she also likes.

I wouldn't want to do a motorway journey in an Aygo and i10 sized car, I don't think I'd feel safe driving one these days the size of everything else on the road. I'd stick with the polo sized cars - Corsa, Jazz, Fiesta, i20, Ceed etc.
Autotrader has a useful "high price" / "good price" rating which might be handy. There's some good older cars with very low mileage within your budget.
New & Used Cars for Sale - Autotrader UK

Honda Civic is your answer.

Dont buy any shite from VW (or ANY EU brand). Unreliable, ovepriced and dogshit specs. I'd rather walk that touch their crap.

We had a slightly higher budget and narrowed it down to a Hyundai or Honda (currently have a Ford focus). Settled on a Hyundai I20 23,500 on the clock 19 plate. We’re happy with it and did a drive to France last month with no issues.