Upsizing from a Ford KA (not hard I know!)

[pollypocket99]

After some suggestions for a new car please! I have up to £2k to spend.

Having previously had a Mini Cooper (modern type) and then changed to a Ford KA at the beginning of this year, I am beginning to tire of having such a small car. I have a 50 mile round trip to work each day - a mixture of country roads, A roads and dual carriageways. As much as the KA is cheap to run and easy to maintain, it's not the most comfortable for longer journeys.

I also suffer with neck and back pain and think a bigger car with better steering and seats might be a good idea. I'd also feel safer in a bigger car. And finally I don't have kids but do have two dogs - only small terriers - so whenever we go away anywhere (most weekends), it's a bit cosy

My DP thinks a Golf is the answer but am wondering what other options there might be? Something relatively stylish (no Nissan Micra suggestions please!) but also functional - is that possible?!

Toyota Corolla? Toyota are very very reliable and very sturdy.

Hyundai I30, its a tardis of a car and has a 5 year unlimited mileage warranty

Did you mean £2k or £20k?

2k - for a used car

Ok. You will get a decent car for that. Honestly, I think Toyotas are great. I have had my Celica for years it's 11 years old and is so reliable. Although it's definitely not practical for dogs.

You can pick up decent used Rav4s too.

The old Civics would be worth a look at too, imo the older shape Civic is much nicer than the new style.

I would always look at the top of range models too, you may have to go a couple of years older but you will get a much better spec.

Hmmmm. I think DP is on the right track, except I would see if you could get a Polo instead of a Golf. They have a good spec if you do not buy the smallest engine one and are more comfortable than a KA. Should be cheaper than a Golf to buy and run. If I am honest Japanese cars have never appealed to me and you need to be wary of some European makes which may not be particularly reliable at the age of car you will have to buy, although I agree that some of the Japanese/Korean ones will probably be reliable, if dull. I think I would also be checking that you are being sold a decent car for this money and that you trust the seller/garage. I would do as much homework as possible on the faults a car could have developed at this age and make sure what you buy is problem free, as far as possible.

I'd avoid any £2k VAG product and head firmly in a Japanese direction - Honda or Toyota.