Think I'm going to need a new car - anyone want to help me choose?

[Tinker]

Think my car is dying. So, any tips on what to preplace it with?

Budget will be about £6000.
Don't want new but up to about 2 years old would be fine (or older if mileage low)
Bigger than Corsa size but smaller than Mondeo/Vectra size
Prefer Japanese but think they're too pricey
No people carrier things

Thank you

ahem

I get the hint. It bores me as well.

lol! I was going to suggest a Volvo V40 or similar, as I love mine, but it looks like you weren't looking for something that big!

Alfa Romeo 147 - 5dr hatch

oo, oo, oo some biters These sound a tad expensive though?

Nissan Almera v reliable, right sort of size. Not much poke though.
Loved my focus(just upgraded to focus cmax for extra space) - fun to drive and no probs in 4 years. Bit more ££ though.

Astra is very nice

So something Golf-sized then.

Seat Leon?
Skoda Octavia?

I'd get a used Astra - they get a v good name I hear and look quite nice too

snap blossomhill.

New Astras look quite good.
Love teh Leon but a bit pricey I think
Nissan would be ok

Should mention, want to keep engine size smallish for road tax purposes as well.

Toyota corolla - dull but reliable

Hmm. DH gave me a budget of £2K to replace cr'p bashed up 3-door Rover 200 for a 4 or 5 door car in order that I don't do my back in getting our immenent new born in and out of the car seat in the rear.

I came up with a 12 year old 3.2L Jaguar XJ6 Sport... I may not be the right person to post a sensible answer to your question.

Car within budget. Not sure DH will be too happy when he gets the bill for the first service. Or petrol, for that matter.

How about a Megane? Bigger than your existing car and a two-year old should come in more or less on budge I think.

Dull but reliable is ok

Any best sites for looking for one? Have used Auto Trader but any others?

I always found AutoTrader the most comprehensive for second hand. Try jamjar for new deals.

Auto trader is grand - bought both my cars through that. I had a Fiat Punto. Nothing went wrong with it (engine wise) but the build quality was appalling. Great to drive though! I then test drove loads:

Audi A2. Beautifully finished. More storage than you'd think. Drives like a rollerskate so is a total hoot. But, I'm 6'2" and it felt a bit cramped. Expensive servicing.

Seat Leon (last version, not current). Reliable, nice to drive. HUGE boot. But, dodgy plastics inside and when I was in the front seat no one could sit behind me... Cheap though.

Alfa 156. SWEET to drive, absolute joy. Loads of kit, really comfy. But, turning circle of a cruise ship and apparently unreliable (though not as bad as you might think). Quite cramped for those in the back.

Renault Scenic. My one broke down on the test drive - but it seemed nice. But that obviously put me off.

VW Mark IV Golf. Easy to drive, roomy, lovely build, built to resist nuclear war. Big boot, very safe. Dull to drive.

I bought a 1.6 Golf SE - air con, cd etc and fits all our and DS kit in boot. Dull to drive but was under 6k.
HTH
M

my mate Honest john (he of the Motoring supplement in saturday's Telegraph) suggests Ford Focus 1.6LX. You should be able to get an 04 reg for your money.

Get a toyota prius
We've got to start saving the planet somehow and ( I think ) it means you can drive and park anywhere in London for free

I'm going to start saving the planet when I can afford a second-hand Lexus hybrid. Could be some time...

Oh, lots more answers. Thank you people, will investigate

Would love to get a Prius but a) expensive and b) don't live in London

I have a toyota Yaris, Toyota are fab I want a Prius but don't need anything that big (so would be a waste of money )