To ask what car you would buy if you had 8k to do so?

[Greatly]

I've inherited 10k and desperately need a new car as mine has done 165k and is knackered. I drive a lot, probably 12k a year easily. So economical would be good.

I wish Mnet still had the Car topic!

If you’re not in ulez zone you will easily get a diesel yeti bargain. The Tdi engine is really really solid. That’s a really good shout they are a really good under rated car. Honestly, I’d consider travelling any dealer within the m25 will chomp your hand off at getting rid of anything non ulez at the moment. 8k is a healthy budget you’ll easily get a decent Tiguan, yeti, q3/q5 type for that. I cannot fault the tdi engine so my head is a bit stuck at a better alternative. I’ve seen them on 300k upwards. The vw petrol engines are good as well, but their prices have gone through the roof so id be taking advantage of the ulez.

fiestas are good, avoid the 1.0 the engines are chocolate and melt for cub. I do think they are a bit over priced when you compare them with some of the competition.

As someone who works in a garage I'd go Honda for my next car, they're just no bother. I've always driven seat and love those to

Honestly, I’d consider travelling any dealer within the m25 will chomp your hand off at getting rid of anything non ulez at the moment good shout 👏 thanks @VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji

I'd get a Qashqai. I've just had a look and can find several around the 2015, 40,000 miles, £7,500 mark.

I would buy a decent Ford. I have a Ford Mondeo and love it, for comfort, boot space and little extras. It's TDCI and super economical. But I have children, if I didn't I'd probably buy a fiesta or focus.

I'd also take advantage of the new ULeZ thing that's expanding this august. They are already installing cameras and people will be panicking and letting their cars go cheap. You could probably pick up a lovely diesel that isn't ULeZ compatible so they'd be keen to shift it.

It sounds like you’ve got a good one, hang on to it. qashqai and jukes have appalling reliability records with gearbox and engine issues at low mileage. Nissan just shrug and don’t care.

Honestly get yourself within the m25 you will absolutely have your pick of q3/x1/x3/ yeti/tiguan/ Rav4 etc. there’s even Range Rover evoques, porsche cayennes and discovery’s in your range - wouldn’t recommend the repair bills though.

Have a look at Dacia's.

We’ve just bought a 2015 2.0 engine Ford Mondeo TDCi estate with pretty much the exact same budget. DH racks up a lot of miles and we also have a dog to transport and felt this was a good choice economy-wise, size wise and (hopefully!) reliability wise!

I wouldn't be so sure, my (new) Range Rover is ULEZ compatible, just the congestion charge that you have to pay but that's for most cars.

Fiesta! Definitely. I really want one.

Another Ford Fiesta vote. They’re being discontinued so whatever you buy will hold its value.

I love mine!

I do about 56 miles per day in my fiesta they're very comfy and not tinny. Put back seats down loads of room for transporting stuff. Also cheap parts. Also even in a 1.6 automatic I'm getting very good fuel economy

I like my daughters Vauxhall Astra - it’s diesel, does 50ish to the gallon, 2017 plate and worth around £8k

i mean within ops budget. Of course new ones are ulez, and expensive as a result.

I hadn't heard this. We've had Qashqais for 13 years now, and never had in issue with them.

I have an old Audi a4 estate, 1.9 tdi. Bought it for 6k 4 years ago and I’ve never had a problem with it. Loads of room inside and really lovely to drive.

its a big problem, even really low mileage ones are having issues. We had one customer arguing with Nissan over a 20k 4 year old one, the gearbox has gone, nissan didn’t want to know. It’s a tale repeated over and over within the industry, they seem to have problematic auto boxes over manuals, although the manuals also are prone, just less common. With lots of the engines having issues.
Lots of car traders don’t touch them at auctions for that reason.

Brilliant car, that car will outlive you, your grandkids and great great great grand kids.
ive seen them on 250k upwards and driving like 40k cars. They are the sweet spot of manufacturing where they were really built to last. I’d add e46 320d BMWs to that list.

Honda Jazz is recommended as a Best Buy in Which? for a 2nd hand card of that size. My dad has one and loves it.

My personal favourite (and what we bought 2nd hand a couple of years ago) is a Mazda3. It drives beautifully and dh and I still get pleasure every time we go out in it. (We hated our previous car which was a Vauxhall Vectra which had replaced a much loved Mazda6).

Bought ds a 12 year old Mazda2 (for a lot less than £8000 ) a few months ago but it's probably a bit small for your needs.

Honda jazz’s are good, only downside I can think is they do like to rust for fun though. Good all rounder

mazdas, stay away from the 2.2 diesel. Great to drive but like to go bang.

on the Honda theme an HR-v might be worth a look.

Thanks to everyone who's posted here but @VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji your posts are really interesting thanks

@VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji - I agree about the rust (same problem with the Mazdas which is why we had to get rid of our beloved Mazda6 as we wanted to put a tow bar on for a bike rack ) but the newer models are much better and the OP's budget means she should be able to buy the age group where it's not such a big issue.

But absolutely, check the underside before buying.

Just to say: we have a 2l petrol Mazda3 TS2. We notice the difference in power with ds' 1l Mazda2 (as you would expect )