Budget has increased to £8,500 in view of current used car prices.

I would be tempted by a late Focus Mk2 but with the 1.8 Mazda engine and pocket the change. The 1.8 has a bit more grunt than the 1.6 (I've driven the former and own the latter) and also has the advantage of no cambelt. The 1.8 never made it into the Mk3 but the 1.6 did on the earlier versions. The 1.6 is a good engine but needs to be revved more.

I've put the proposed budget from the previous thread in the subject header here, people have the info together then.

It's a shame that not too many gen-3 Mazda3s with a 2L petrol auto in the SE or SE-L (Nav spec are available for that price, as it would be a decent alternative to the others. Perhaps a late gen-2 car in 1.6 petrol auto (or 2L petrol if you can find one - rare) form, preferably again a mid-spec model shod on 16in tyres for reasonable ride quality.

Otherwise I agree that the Focus in 1.8 petrol form (shame the Mazda 3s never used their own slightly larger engine!) is a decent car.

I suspect that, outside of the Toyotas and Hondas, the auto box stipulation is severely limiting availability of cars within the price range that is (still) in good condition - getting near to 10yo examples.

I experienced similar problems when trying to replace my (manual) gen-1 Mazda3 with a brand new (auto version*) a few years ago - very few 'showroom cars' with that same mid-spec with deals available mostly top spec Sport models.

Not sure if the gen-2 cars have it, but the gen-3 TC autos onwards has up/down shifting capability on the gearbox, whether on the stick or (Sport models) paddles as well. Not the end of the world if they don't.

Surely the early problems with the ecoboost have been sorted..?, it was the degas pipes that would fail, causing the engine to lose its coolant, causing the engine to overheat, most engines don’t take well to having no cooling..

As promised my feelings for the cars we tried out for size.

Citroen C3 Picasso - Airy feel, easy access, good dashboard layout

Nissan Quashqai - Rear quarter vision not good but reversing sensors help, good dashboard layout.

Honda Civic, - Spoiler across back window spoils rear view when reversing but either sensors or camera would help with this, well thought out dashboard, good boot space

Peugeot 2008- Light and airy, good boot size, nice design, good boot space

Toyota Auris Estate - Not that interesting inside but would be dependable, may be getting a bit too large for wife's needs

Ford Focus - Good driving position, with easy controls, good views

Vauxhall Astra - Similar to existing car just updated, but still on list. Good TC auto gearbox

Nissan Juke - Felt cramped in size, dark inside, rear vision not good.

This says pretty much the same as your first post, except that the Auris estate may be too big (so get the hatchback!).

(5) Good design.

(6) Not boring.

This could be tricky depending on exactly what you mean. From a design point of view (assuming you mean fitness of purpose rather than the whim of a stylist) the Honda Jazz is the best car in its class, yet most people who express an opinion consider them boring.

(7) Ideally automatic with option of manual control.

All auto's generally have some degree of manual control, that includes your current Astra, in which you will be able to shift manually using the selector on the centre console.

Not sure where you'd consider it on the boring scale, but the Hyundai ix20 and Kia Venga (same car barring some minor styling differences and dashboard layout) as previously mentioned are probably as close to hitting your other requirements as you'll get. Reliable and with a nice smooth t/c auto box, very spacious for the footprint due to their being tall. Post 2015 facelift auto's got a 6 speed box to replace the old 4 speed unit, worth going for one of those as it makes them nicer to drive out of town and slightly more efficient (still quite thirsty though).

Edited by badbusdriver on 05/06/2022 at 09:53