What medium sized hatchback should I get with £4000?

Question

We have £4000 to spend on a used car, and want to get a medium sized hatchback. We're going to pay cash for it, so no finance deals!

Basically we need something with at least a 1.4l engine, something that's got a good driving position, comfy ride, and something nippy ;)

It'll be mostly driven by my girlfriend, so it can't be too big (she has issues with judging how much space there is around the car!)

Also, it'll be doing trips of about 30 miles a day on A roads, so it has to be able to handle driving at 70 (ish) a lot of the way.

So, we're looking for something that's reliable, economic, reasonable to insure, and since it'll be driven by a woman it also HAS to look the part.

Anyone know of any super cars that'll meet our needs?

I don't want to see the words Fiat, or Punto appear in any replies please ;)

Answer 1

Fiat and Punto are what sprang to mind.

You could always pay a lot more for a lot less, I suppose.

Answer 2

1.4 golf they do 45 miles to the gallon on a run they are nippy ,a comfy ride and not to big  ,and for the money you are spending you should get one that is only about four to five years old ,also they hold there resale value .

Answer 3

Ford Focus,  My husband bought a 'V' reg about 5 years ago & just sold it with 176,000 miles on the clock!!!

They are very reliable, comfy & nippy (Trust me he proved they are nippy!!)

He had a 1.8 TDI

Hope this helps x

OR try the Smart FORFOUR

Answer 4

vauxhall astra

Answer 5

a vauxhall astra (new shape)they r cheap cars reliable and fast i would get 1.6 they r quite a low insurance group to for what they r.

Answer 6

Either;

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www...

or;

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www...

Answer 7

fiesta 1.4 tdci. 65 mpg and 35 quid a yr road tax. and congestion charge exempt.

Answer 8

I would say small hatchbacks go for 5 door 206 2.0litre Hdi engines are good and very confortable for the long journy each day. I would say the cilo but it has bonnet issues and on the motorways thats not any good.

Something bigger and i would say probably the Focus- let me explain if you get the POST 2001 which u should be able to then that is the facelift model in which u could get the TDCi  engines. I would really recommend deisel to u because of the mileage, it may cost u more now but will save u money after, trust me i know diesel if more expensive at the pump but will last u longer. I would say the Astra but the diesel engines are not particulary good. However u might if u are a little cheeky be able to get the new shape petrol 1.6 but it will probably have high mileage.

The last alternative i would give is the Golf 1.9 TDi good cars last forever if u maintain them. Although u do get more "bang for the buck" with the focus but the VW will give u a better resale value but if u don;t car about that then go for the focus.

Just make sure you get full service history because it is one of the most important things. Good luck