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Wed 28 Sep 2016 14:13

Used car suggestions ? - user111

Hi, i am looking for another car as my old 1.6l breadbin shaped civic is problem-matic and too revvy on fast roads.I do about 12k miles per year probably about 30% of that short trips and 70% long trips.I spend quite a long time on motorways and A roads.The car needs to be big enough to carry a mountain bike inside and have an average sized boot will do.My budget would be about 6k.Im looking for something petrol that will be much better geared for cruising and do >40mpg on a long run.Not fussy about performance rather have something economical. It also needs to be reliable, have an insurnace group rating <25 and not cost that much more for road tax than my civic does at the moment.I want to avoid civic's from now on because i have had so many expensive problems with them.Ideally somthing Jap/Korean or German.

Any suggestions ?

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Wed 28 Sep 2016 16:15

Used car suggestions ? - Metropolis.

Not sure about gearing on it but something like this would probably do you fine www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20160913772...9

Vauxhall tend to have longer gearing than most, must be a GM thing but they've always had that trait. www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20160718595...5

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Wed 28 Sep 2016 16:47

Used car suggestions ? - SLO76

Mk VI Astra is a good option. They're tall geared and the 1600 petrol is simple and reliable. They're built with fleet sales in mind and pounding motorways was in the brief. But steer clear of the Fiat 1.3 & 2.0 diesels, the 1.7 is an Isuzu and a good motor.

With the introduction of the Mk VII the earlier model has plummeted in value and is one of the best used buys on the market. But the boot isn't as big as your old Civic unless you buy the estate like the one linked above which seems great value.

I'm surprised you say you've had a lot of trouble with yours. We had one for years with nothing more than tyres and brake pads requiring. I'd normally recommend the chain driven Civic 1.8 which has a good reputation but you can't beat the Astra for value.

Edited by SLO76 on 28/09/2016 at 16:55

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Wed 28 Sep 2016 17:05

Used car suggestions ? - gordonbennet

I too am surprised that a Civic has given trouble, my daughters two 2.0S models circa 2004 have proved completely reliable despite being thrashed mercilessly for the entire time and high mileage she covers.

Her brother's 05 CRV has been equally trouble free, just replaced with a 2013 model.

Obvious alternative would be Auris, available as a hybrid version in the previous shape in budget (i would expect) for very economical motoring, also Kia Ceed/Hyundai i30.

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Wed 28 Sep 2016 23:26

Used car suggestions ? - Avant

I've never seen a car shaped like a breadbin! If you mean 'breadvan', there was a van-shaped Civic in the 1990s. If yours is one of those, its age might make the problems forgivable.

I agree, GB, about the 2.0 litre S model: SWMBO had one in 2004 and it was a great car. Plenty of oomph and totally reliable, although the fatter tyres on this model made for a tanker-like turning circle.

She decided it was too big for her and changed it for the firwst of several Minis: I should have taken it over from her at the point and run it for a bit, instead of getting the B-class.

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