Advice on a 3-4 year old hatchback needed ! :)

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Thu 10 Sep 2015 10:48
Advice on a 3-4 year old hatchback needed ! :) - evak2979

Hello everyone.
I'll start by saying - I have no clue about cars. I work in IT and I research gadgets, tech and cameras day and night, however I never spent enough time on cars :(
I am driving a 2006 Astra which has started to show serious signs of wear and tear and would like to 'upgrade' (Is that even a term in the car market? :).
I did a bit of reading here and there and I am led to believe that with a budget of approximately 8k, a Focus 2012-current model would be my best bet. I do plan to commute, and I do plan to do long drives on the weekends, so I am guessing an 1.2 engine or such wouldn't cut it for me.
However - which is the best multipurpose hatchback of 3-4 years I should be looking into? Furthermore, what's the best mileage to go for given my budget is pretty much stuck at 8k tops?
Many thanks and sorry if the question is incomplete, or silly for that matter.

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Thu 10 Sep 2015 12:16
Advice on a 3-4 year old hatchback needed ! :) - catsdad
Welcome to the site. if you want medium hatchback then a Focus is a good bet. Unless doing over say 15000 miles a year conventional wisdom is to buy a petrol model. You say you have no clue about cars then you might be best buying from a reputable local dealer than privately. And/or invest in an AA or similar report but only when you are otherwise sure you are going to buy as these reports are expensive. Other choices might be a Toyota Auris, Honda Civic, another Astra, or a Kia/Hyundai. A Golf is the ostensibly safe choice but they will be more than expensive for a given year than other mainstream options. Reading the car reviews on the home page of this site will youto pros and cons. If you haven't already done so also look at Autotrader online and set the search by £ and distance to see what around for your budget locally. This site has a lot of knowledgable contributors and I am sure you will have a lot of advice and opinions before the day is out!
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Thu 10 Sep 2015 12:56
Advice on a 3-4 year old hatchback needed ! :) - slkfanboy

if a 3 year old Ford focus it your want then look at the 1.0 echoboost 125bhp engine are amazing it will cut the mustard against most 1.6 engines non eco boost.

Cost around 8k for a low milage car. Look at an ex mobility car as it will be fully serviced and privately owned. The Zetec is a good spec.

Mostly likely the best value for money in the class (used) and few issues. Golfs etc are harder to find in petrol engines and low milage and are quite a bit more costly.

Kia/Hyundai will still have warranty, but I have seen rustly examples that are only 5 years old, so personally i think only a good idea if you don't intent to keep a long while.

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Fri 11 Sep 2015 16:02
Advice on a 3-4 year old hatchback needed ! :) - daveyK_UK

I wouldnt go near a Ford focus 1.0, a few issues and awful rear leg room and poor boot space (think it might have the worst leg room in the segment?)

I would go for -

Honda Civic

Toyota Auris

Hyundai i30/Kia C'eed (pretty much the same car)

While its not reliable, the Astra looks great and has plenty of kit and the prices are alot cheaper compared to rivals.

full service history is a must whatever car you go for.

Edited by daveyK_UK on 11/09/2015 at 16:05

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Fri 11 Sep 2015 17:19
Advice on a 3-4 year old hatchback needed ! :) - SteVee

You say that you have no clue about cars - does that mean that you have no interest in them either ?

As an alternative to buying an old car, take a look at Peugeots 'Just Add Fuel' offers. This will give you a new car at a low deposit, reasonable monthly payments, insurance etc. You just need to look after the car and add fuel. If you go to a dealer they can show you the cars & go through finance deals. Don't let them talk you into options that you don't want, and don't buy something that you don't like just because the finance looks good.

Other manufacturers will have similar packages (I'd look at the Auris and i30/C'eed as above). I only picket out the Peugeot offering because the offer is explained simply. I wouldn't recommend for or against.

I'm not suggesting that you should go for this option - just that you should consider it along with your second hand purchase plans. It can be a useful way to provide a car for people with no great interest in the car market (which isn't most people on this forum !).

I'd second daveyK_UK's comment on service histoory, this means receipts/invoices - not garage stamps in some book.

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Tue 15 Sep 2015 12:51
Advice on a 3-4 year old hatchback needed ! :) - steelghost

I owned a Mk1 i30 CRDi for five years, great car, comfortable, economical, reliable, and actually pretty enjoyable to drive. I sold it for £3.7k with 62k miles on it, so I imagine there must be a few cars of that sort of age and condition out there, gives you a few quid in the bank against any issues.

Alternatively your budget gets you into a clean and tidy 2-3 year old plate mkII base spec i30 with a 1.4 100PS engine, and a full service history.

For someone who has no great interest in cars but wants transport that stands a chance of being trouble free, the i30 is a good choice.

The Kia C'eed is its "sister" model so much of the engineering is the same, but I haven't owned a Kia so I can't speak from first hand :)

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Tue 15 Sep 2015 14:08
Advice on a 3-4 year old hatchback needed ! :) - oldroverboy.

Try a kia rio 1,2 2011 on,

I have a rio 2 1.2 with aircon and most of the toys, £7995 at 1 year old,

under warranty till sept 2020...

2nd year "service" (don't laugh) was £175 once it was properly done..

50mpg on a long run 40-45 locally.

I am 6' 2" and 95 kilos and plenty of room for me, and a huge amount od cargo room with rear seats folded.

review on hj owners reviews.

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Wed 16 Sep 2015 10:57
Advice on a 3-4 year old hatchback needed ! :) - retgwte

You could get a brand new Dacia Sandero for your budget.

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Wed 16 Sep 2015 12:34
Advice on a 3-4 year old hatchback needed ! :) - oldroverboy.

You could get a brand new Dacia Sandero for your budget.

Why have a bit of old tech...

OR a 14 plare kia rio 1.2 air..

With about six years warranty left...

Aside from my servicing "problems" now resolved I rate the car about 9 out of 10..

Edited by oldroverboy. on 16/09/2015 at 12:36

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