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Ive just withdrawn from a deal on a Fiat Stilo 3 door JTD because they kept putting the delivery date back and I would have waited over 5 months for it, so im back in the market for a new or pre-reg car. I commute 4 miles each way to work and do about 30 miles at the weekend, mostly country roads, pretty clear etc. At work i drive Diesels all day but im very flexible about what I get. Ive been looking at loads of cars, Fiesta, Focus, Fabia TDi, Polo TDi,prereg 323, octavia Tdi (import), Megane Dci 80, Almera 1.5, I dont have a family .I like diesels but my commute is short. I value comfort and a good driving position, and I like a bit of space, and I have a limit of around 10k to 10.5k tops.
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What about an 02 Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Ghia X?
Nice TDCi engine, frugal, powerful when you need it, and a lovely heated leather interior with all the toys.
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I'd sound like a broken record if I said to get a new Focus, Corolla or Mégane from a broker. I personally don't like the Civic at all, although I'll get shot down for saying that. I also like the Corolla least of those three to drive but it'll probably be the most reliale.
In each of these cases, if you're fixed on the £10k budget (and not a few hundred more) you're probably better off with a 1.6 petrol.
The Mazda 323 is likely to be a depreciation nightmare, although I'd recommend a Mazda3 if there were more discounted deals around. As for the Octavia - well it's a good car, but it's coming to the end of its life and I would be very reluctant to buy an import given the limited savings that are to be made. Plus, most imported Octavias aren't to UK spec.
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If you do a low mileage then why get a diesel. You like comfort so consider a large saloon, say a Volvo or Saab. Great deals on these sort of vehicles due to early high depreciation and you get a lot of car for your money.
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Ive just withdrawn from a deal on a Fiat Stilo 3 door JTD because they kept putting the delivery date back and I would have waited over 5 months for it, so im back in the market for a new or pre-reg car. I commute 4 miles each way to work and do about 30 miles at the weekend, mostly country roads, pretty clear etc. At work i drive Diesels all day but im very flexible about what I get. Ive been looking at loads of cars, Fiesta, Focus, Fabia TDi, Polo TDi,prereg 323, octavia Tdi (import), Megane Dci 80, Almera 1.5, I dont have a family .I like diesels but my commute is short. I value comfort and a good driving position, and I like a bit of space, and I have a limit of around 10k to 10.5k tops.
Do you mind me suggesting a completely different approach?
You do a very low mileage, and spend very little time behind the wheel. So how about buying a much cheaper car (say 2yo), which would save you lots of dosh on purchase and depreciation. If you wanted something with more space and comfort for the weekends, you could regularly hire your choice of exotica and still end up spending less money overall.
Just a suggestion!
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Please feel free to slap me down but according to your mileage estimates you will only be doing 70 miles a week (lets say 100 for sake of argument) Is it worth buying a new car for the sake of 5k miles a year max?
If you have the money and value reliability etc then fair enough.
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I think you need to think about whether you are looking for a car that meets your needs or one that meets your desires!
Your needs are fairly simple and basic, so loads of cars would do the job for only a small part of your budget as you don't really need a new or pre-reg car. However if new/pre-reg is what you want, I suggest you go and try lots of cars then narrow the options to say three cars that you really like, then ask the back room for their comments on the relative merits of those cars.
It does take time to go and try lots of different cars, but sometimes these things just have to be done!
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I 'bought' a pre-regd Civic from Jam Jar in Dec. It's diesel, it was under 10 grand and if I ever get it delivered I'll let you know what it's like.
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The Ford Focus Flight seems like a reasonably good deal to me, a good selection of features for the cost of an entry level Focus.
Blue
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I think Paul and a few others of you have got a good point, In terms of absolute need i simply just dont need a new car, indeed I currently commute the 8 mile round trip in a 11 year old Proton 1.5 MPi automatic saloon purchased when I was unemployed but its worth so very little in cash terms that the first major problem will see it withdrawn, however, Ive had it 4 years and done 30k in it and its passed each and every MOT test without even a "notification fault" I have spent less than £200 on it since I got it and its never yet broken down. However my humble but trusty car has become the laughing stock of the car park were i get plenty of remarks about running around in an "old mans car" and cries of "have you scrapped it yet" etc. Ive never had a new car and as they say you only live once..... (im 41), but the legal settlement I recently recieved has been attacking the lining of my pockets, LOL The car is trusty but not rusty...... but so slow I have been burned off by a Green Goddess (and that takes some negative doing). I think I get a lot of peer group pressure about it and that includes that from home as well.
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Out of your list, the Focus and the Fabia are probably the best (the Ford looks and handles better though). Try them out to see what you think. I don't think the Corolla is as good as the press makes out.
For those who like the Corolla, please stand up!
Also have a look at 1 year old cars, where the worst of the depreciation has happened, and some larger motors will enter the equation.
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Keep the proton for commuting and have something sporty for the weekend :-) Alternatively 10k would buy you a subaru impreza, toyota celica or early skyline gt-r 32..... You might find yourself taking a very long route into work!
teabelly
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2 of my mates have just bought Citreon C5's 6 months old with 8k on the clock, 1st was £8200 2nd was £7900, i've tried to find fault but I can't, they are just one very good bargain.
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