I've got �12,500 to buy a new car

[ramasus]

I've got �12,500 to buy a new car.  Must be 5 door.  Any recommendations?

[Shire]

I'd go for a Vauxhall Vectra, I've got a 1999 model, and it's been really good for the long motorway journeys I do most weeks.

[Impret-Sir]

Bit hard to give an informed opinion on so little information, what sort of driver are you? what will the car mostly be used for? do you want a good motorway mile eater or a performance car or a big load carrier or one thats very economical or........see?

[Impret-Sir]

Oh, and when you say 'new', do you mean new as in brand new, or just new to you?

[THEHULKSTER]

if you fancy a car which used to cost twice the amount you want to spend,have a look at the mg range. you can pickup something like a top of the rangezt model, which has a range to catereveryone's taste. a car which cost �22000can be found for the money you are wantingto spend. don't worry about parts andwarrenties: all mg dealers are honouringthe warrenties of cars under 3 years old.worth thinking about.................

[Cockney_si]

That much money can get you lots of Vauxhaul Vectras.

If you have kids get a Fiat Multipla D.Turbo, very practical.

[tali122]

very practical yes- but also very scary looking for the kids

[honkytonkman]

For reliability and excellent back up get a Toyota Corolla... bit dull like Valium on wheels, but recommended by someone like me who'd still misses his old VW Beetle... Plus you'd get some change...

[ramasus]

Thanks for all your answers, to enlighten you a bit more, I would be looking for a BRAND new car, or delivery miles only, and will be doing 60 miles a day to and from work, wilth about 6000 motorway miles a year, so it must be comfortable.  Big enouth boot for the kids things, and inexpensive to run.

[lethologica]

Does it have to be new?!

I'd suggest a mark 4 golf tdi, brilliant torque, 115ps gets approx 40mpg and that particular one has 6 gears as well which is useful for cruising up and down the motorway.  They're really comfortable, and have plenty of boot space.

Otherwise have you thought about a mondeo, I'm not sure how much they'd cost new, but fairly sure you could get a lowish spec one for �12500, however if you looked at used models then you could pick up a much better deal.

My local ford garage currently has an offer on ford kas with delivery miles only (on 05 plate) so it might be worth checking if one in your area is doing a similar offer on mondeos!

Another point, if you are going to buy new, then by waiting until mid July - early August you're likely to get much better deals on 05 plate cars as dealers will be looking to get rid of them in order to replace them with the 55 plate ones...

[catfood]

Skoda Vrs diesel and lots of fun.......don't be put off by the badge

[apex204]

It's worth considering a Seat Leon. It's a little dated now and due to be replaced shortly but reliable, built like a tank, still good to look at & discounts are readily available because of newer competitors. They're well within your budget and hold their value strongly, plus they're loaded with kit and arguably a better car than the VW Golf Mk4 it was based on. The Leon is 5-door only and because of the hot Cupra R models, it carries a fair bit of street cred too. Comfortable for cruising and fun for the twisty bits on your commute. Book a test drive.

[Thefixor]

I have used a mobile machanic now for many many years and he has a very high reputation within the motor trade.When I asked him the same sort of question as you asked he replied "By Japanese"