Sorry to start yet another what-car-for-x-budget thread*, but a friend is looking to replace her ageing Fiesta and needs help from someone with more knowledge than I can offer.
The budget is £3000 or perhaps a bit more. I don't suppose the (N-reg I think) Fiesta is worth a huge amount as a trade-in.
Criteria are: smallish, reliable, cheap to run, not too ancient, power steering (something the current car lacks), comfortable for driver and 11-year-old daughter, and likely to survive being used for frequent short journeys.
Her previous car was an Escort, and she doesn't want anything larger than that, so there's probably no point in recommending Mondeo-sized vehicles without a compelling argument to persuade her that such cars aren't significantly harder to drive and park than superminis. She also has an irrational (?) dislike of red cars and Corsas and really doesn't fancy another Fiesta. She'd rather buy from a dealer who offers a reasonable warranty than from a private seller.
From my own car hunting I'd say the best choices would be a Fabia (in my unbiased opinion) or Yaris but these would be at the upper end of my friend's budget, if not quite outside it altogether. She's currently finding herself drawn to Ford Kas and small Fiats. I've tried to steer her away from the latter.
Can anyone think of sensible options, or even cars to avoid to help her narrow her choice? My friend has been scouring Autotrader but the more choices she finds the more bewildered she gets.
If anyone knows examples of specific vehicles within travelling distance of Leicester, that would be even better.
*But not sorry enough not to do it ;-)
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I would second the Ford Ka.
The only problem with them is that they are available brand new for £4,999 and yet somehow they still fetch a small fortune when sold second hand, so you may have to do some digging to find a decent one within that budget.
It should be small and reliable enough for her, they drive very nicely and still look fresh after 10 years on the market, what more could you want?
Failing that, a Yaris would be a good bet, but would definately be a struggle within budget...
Blue
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The only problem with them is that they are available brand new for £4,999...
Yes, that would annoy me. When there's so little difference, not to buy new seems like spoiling the ship for a hap'orth of tar. I found this when I was looking at small cars for myself. I don't know if others see things the same way.
On the other hand, Motorpoint and Availablecar.com both have recent Kas for around the £4000 mark so it probably is worth looking round for a good used example.
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>> The only problem with them is that they are available brand >> new for £4,999... Yes, that would annoy me. When there's so little difference, not to buy new seems like spoiling the ship for a hap'orth of tar. I found this when I was looking at small cars for myself. I don't know if others see things the same way.
I agree. We set out to buy a 2nd hand Ka a couple of years ago, and ended up buying a new one. That said, your friend should be able to get one under £3000 with some warranty - which you can't say for many cars.
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You're right to avoid Fiats
She's looking at the right time of year, and IMO can be fairly agressive with dealers pushing for a good price on what she wants. The large dealers will not be turning over their stocks quickly at the moment.
Although I can understand the appeal of the Kas of this world I can't help thinking that the next size up will offer longer term durability. Hence I would look at the following:
Focus
Astra
Rover 25 (yes - good cars at very cheap prices)
Nissan Almera or other japanese varients
Peugeot 306
Citroen Xsara or even the Saxo if she can find one that's not been abused.
I would personally avoid VW after hearing so many tales here of poor dealership service. That is the only factor that stopped me looking at the new VW transporter van.
I would steer clear of Renaults due to reliability issues (he sais after buying a Trafic derivative!). The garage I use won't touch them. He even turned one down in favour of a Daiwoo!
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She's looking at the right time of year...
Yes, I was hoping that.
I would personally avoid VW after hearing so many tales here of poor dealership service.
Yes, I was appalled by the attitude of the salesman at the VW dealership I visited. I dread to think what they're like after making a sale!
I would steer clear of Renaults due to reliability issues...
Nice to have my prejudices reinforced. I once had a Clio as a hire car. I hated the driving position, the flimsy plastics, and the fact that it only had a lock on the passenger door. Very easy to park though.
Thanks for the replies.
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The budget is £3000 or perhaps a bit more. From my own car hunting I'd say the best choices would be a Fabia (in my unbiased opinion) or Yaris but these would be at the upper end of my friend's budget,
If anyone knows examples of specific vehicles within travelling distance of Leicester, that would be even better.
>>Re a Yaris. Try an Auto Trader search with £3K limit and up to 50 miles from the UNI (I am not local to you so I had to pick a post code)
Looks like there are just a few interesting ones on offer.
I regularly drive a V reg Yaris and am most impressed.
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Correction. Make the Autotrader input 60 miles
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Just spotted something that may interest you in the classified adverts on this site. Y reg almira 1.6 29K 2900 sound ok to me very under rated car and very reliable too...Before you ask, no the advert is nothing to do with me! Happy hunting
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Thanks again for the replies. My friend has settled on an 02 Ka Collection from a local dealer at £3195.
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good for her as it will come with a warranty, make sure the power steering rack is ok, as i keep reading that they are prone to failure and expensive for the k.
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You don't need to spend 3K. If you hunt around, you can get a still trendy, fun to drive, comfortable, reliable, rust resistant, easy to repair hatchback with one of the best diesel engines ever manufactured.
Peugeot 205.
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I've got a 205 STDT as a runaround and one thing i would not call it is reliable - mind you it has got 160k on the clock!
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