My parents need a car for about £5-6k. They currently have a Nissan Primera 1.8 X reg which they've had for about a year and find a bit too big. Previously they've had Volvos (340, 440) which were fine, if a little "tank"y. Requirements:
£5-6k
About a 1.8, petrol or diesel
Image - don't care
15-20k countryside miles per year
Reliable
Bit smaller than Primera but no smaller than Focus
Also, how best to sell the Nissan? They paid £6k for it, but I fear they'll take a depreciation hit, especially from a part-ex, as it is a Primera and its yucky green too.
Cheers guys
Mattster
Boycott shoddy build and reliability.
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Ford Focus would be my suggestion, plenty of 1.8's about for that money, petrol and diesel, if they're not too fussed on mileage or spec they may be able to get as new as a 51 plate base model.
www.cargiant.co.uk have a few in stock, there's a nice X reg 1.8 Zetec in blue with aircon for £5699 with 76k on the clock - www.cargiant.co.uk/cars/search3.asp?Id=195629 just an example.
Have a trawl around AutoTrader using the quick search menu on the left of HJ's webpage.
Obviously a private sale would probably get them more for the Primera, even if it is a yucky colour!
PP
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Focus, Corolla, Astra, Almera - any of those would suit, probably in that order, depending on spec, condition and so on.
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Have thought of Focus, but they seem to be more expensive - if they're looking for a 2-3 year old car, the Focus's are either more money or high mileage. I think they'd shy away from a high miler.
Corolla good, Almera too (probably), what about a Mazda 323?
What's the reliability of the Astra like?
Mattster
Boycott shoddy build and reliability.
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323s are rarer but if you can find one then they're worth considering.
Astra reliability tends to be - you either get a good one, or you don't. Same with the dealers.
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If they were happy with the Primera (apart from its bulk) and there is a Nissan dealer handy then why not go for an Almera?
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Also the Focus won't be anywhere near as reliable as a Jap.
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I take it this is shorthand for Japanese brand rather than build? I have two Hondas made in Swindon and a Ka made in Spain (I think).
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Also the Focus won't be anywhere near as reliable as a Jap.
A neighbour of mine has had far more trouble from one nearly new Toyota Avensis than I've ever had out of 5 Mondeos!
I don't think the Japanese reliability reputation is quite what it used to be.
PP
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Second hand Honda Accord (previous model) - nice to drive, anonymous (read bland), good engine, not so boring in VTEC mode
;-) .
Oh yes, and its reliable. Always in the top 10 of proper (fleet) reliability surveys.
Lots of them on autotrader, and they can be bought from Honda directly.
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Did you read the original post spinner ?
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Er..........not completely (thanks for thoughtfully pointing this out) and as I can't delete the answer, amend it to:
Vauxhall Astra 1.6 or 1.8, both good, both reliable (more than Focus) rather dull but fine cars.
Honda Civic maybe, the UK built one (Swindon), the 1.6 is good the 1.8 is a VTi.
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The point above is well taken; it has to be made in Japan, not in a Jap offshoot in some other country. Otherwise, I have reason to say do not rule out Korea if "image" is not a problem.
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For reliability, British built 'Japanese' cars - Hondas from Swindon and Nissans from Sunderland - are generally very well built and reliable.
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