Looking For A Car Any Recommendations?

[Booldawg]

Been looking around to change my car next years as its 10 years old and getting more unreliable.

I'm in the market for a 5 door hatchback, diesel around 2L engine size.

I've looked at the Astra, Leon, Civic and Mazda3. For the budget I have (7k) looks like I'll get something around the 10/11 plate around 50k miles.

Are there any decent cars in this range I've overlooked?

[cactusdriver]

If you would like to consider something a bit different you could look at the Skoda Roomster. Whatever you choose I'd advise avoiding anything fitted with a DPF. Happy hunting

[Khandro]

What do you do for spares,repairs & servicing? If you use 'a man 'round the corner' it isn't so important, but if it was me I'd be looking who was convenient. I am personally a great Honda fan and all things being equal, would go for the Civic.

[Booldawg]

Whats a DBF?

Yes, have a 'man around the corner' !

[Mamyalynne]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_particulate_filter

[Baldric]

Diesel Particulate Filter

[Booldawg]

ok, now 'Fammed up' on what a DPF is! will take that into consideration.

[Baldric]

If you drive the car properly a DPF should not be a problem, we have 2 diesels never had any trouble.

[cactusdriver]

Problem is with a second-hand car you don't know if it's been driven 'properly'.
DPFs are very expensive to repair/replace, out of all proportion to the value of the car - steer clear.

[TWR]

Whatever car you are going to look for, if you are not well up on the Mechanics take someone with you, a car is a lot of money so are spares if you buy a duffer, the D.P.F. give trouble if the car is used mainly on local town work, the cars with that type of filter need a good blast to clean out the filter, a mechanic will pick this up very quick when the engine starts it will be shown on the Instrument Panel, check the HPI History, check the service book, get the mechanic to see how much travel there is left on the Clutch Cable, look at the Clutch pedal Rubber, " Is it worn"? this may indicate a "Clutch Rider" check all the carpets, are they dry? If not it may indicate a window / floor seal plug problem, after a drev problem & has been sorted the car I have now is a 308 Peugeot, it has plenty of room, good on Tax, Insurance, 60mph, with good history, do your homework when you decide, never buy in the rain, do not "jump" at the first on you see, Barter Barter, If they will not Drop, walk away.

[Khandro]

^ 60 mph ?

[TWR]

MPG

[Iggle Piggle]

Stick with German / Japanese and you can't go too far wrong. Puegeot is ok at the right price. Always test the clutch wear on a diesel by putting the handbrake on, selecting 5th and letting the clutch out gradually until it starts to bite, note where the clutch pedal is - high up and the clutch is worn out, low to the floor the clutch is good. Clutch and flywheel both need replacing on most turbo diesels and they are very expensive.

[Khandro]

^ Or buy an automatic, and save all that palaver. Join the modern world, and enjoy driving, even in traffic.

[Prudie]

Are you not yet ready for something a bit more sexy?

[jomifl]

I bought a second hand citroen 2003 C5 six years ago. It isn't 'fun' to drive but it has been completely reliable the only problem being the interior front door handles breaking. I can get 50 mpg at 70mph on motorways and it is very comfortable.