That's a banger. If you want to buy something to drive around until it dies in a few months, it's OK, but avoid it if you intend to keep it for a year or more.

Unless you have a particular itch for something else, spend a few hundred getting the Fabia sorted and it will last you a lot longer.

Thanks.

I think you'd be better with your Fabia. The Mazda 3 is usually exceptionally reliable (with petrol engine anyway), but they can be a bit more susceptible to rust underneath than some. Also, there is only so much neglect the most reliable car can take before giving up the ghost!

If you say were you are in the country (and budget), I'd be happy to have a look on Autotrader for anything promising.

Thanks. I think I will stick with my Fabia. Or atleast see how much it will cost to repair.

I'm in West Sussex, looking for a automatic (not semi auto) hatchback for 3 - 4 grand max. Although I might just focus on keeping the Fabia on the road tbh. As long as it's not something too major.

If you have a drive and you don't do long journeys, maybe consider a Nissan Leaf.

I think you'd be better with your Fabia. The Mazda 3 is usually exceptionally reliable (with petrol engine anyway), but they can be a bit more susceptible to rust underneath than some. Also, there is only so much neglect the most reliable car can take before giving up the ghost!

If you say were you are in the country (and budget), I'd be happy to have a look on Autotrader for anything promising.

Thanks. I think I will stick with my Fabia. Or atleast see how much it will cost to repair.

I'm in West Sussex, looking for a automatic (not semi auto) hatchback for 3 - 4 grand max. Although I might just focus on keeping the Fabia on the road tbh. As long as it's not something too major.

Unfortunately for you, such cars of the size (and smaller) you're looking for - especially avoiding 'dual clutch' autos (wise given the clutch packs in them can fail just as much as in a manual car) - are in high demand at the moment, even in the current times with many people not wanting or being able to afford electric cars or new / nearly new (and complex) petrol / diesel ones.

That does mean what used to cost £3k or so back in 2019 may well now cost twice as much because demand is so much higher, meaning many people are looking at quite old cars - approaching 20 years old that have been part exchanged for something a few years newer, sometimes because they know the car was mistreated or just about to expire for one reason or the other.

Probably best to keep your current car (as you know it best and any 'issues' it has) for the moment, and just keep an eye out for replacements, either coming back here for suggestions or advice, or see if you can find a friend or relative you can trust who knows a reasonable amount about cars to help you, especially when viewing them, as many second hand dealers will be licking their lips if you admit to being 'clueless', because they think they can sell you a pup.