Medium Sized Car Thoughts

LauraJ23

LauraJ23

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I would like to gather peoples opinions on medium sized cars, my neighbour has a 12 plate Vauxhall Astra 1.6 5dr petrol. He's not totally happy with it, things like all round vision her doesnt like, it seems to have coast a lot of money in the last year or so and just seems to be falling out of favour with it. It also doesn't seem overly economical.

Always had an interest in cars my self, though I can't drive (medical reasons) I have always liked to keep in the knowledge of whats decent. Hyundai I30's for example.

Would be a petrol veichle, he only drives a short hop to work each day, weekends would be further, but then his mileage drops off in winter, so driving style wouldn't suit a diesel engine.

So thoughts welcome and it keeps me up to date too!

Thanks In advance.
 
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Why not go to a smaller car like a Peugeot 108 - 60 MPG. You would get a higher spec car for the same price.
 
We'd need to know more details, what's the budget, mileage, any other particular requirements?
 
In that area you've got VW golf, seat Leon, Audi A3, Ford Focus, Mazda 3, Honda Civic, Peugeot 308, Skoda fabia.

I30 is ok, but built to a price is ok, it's competent as transport, but cars should be emotive as well. It comes below the others suggested above.
 
Same as Byker said, need more details. We have a Mazda 3 & it’s great.
 
We have a Merc A Class A150 automatic. Wouldn't have another! IMO its only positive is that it's practical as far as load space goes for a relatively small car. TBH, I'd rather have the old Citroen Xsara Picasso than the Merc, it's that bad.
 
Wife use she a Mazda 3 as a works vehicle. She loves it.
 
Byker28i said:
... it's competent as transport, but cars should be emotive as well.
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That's just your opinion though, not a universal truth. "Competent transport" is the start and end of what I look for in a car.
 
Depending on the budget I'd go 1 series BMW (rear wheel drive-fun), Audi A3, Seat Ibiza, personally wouldn't touch the Ford but that's just me, they're decent enough by all accounts I just don't like Fords. My wife has a DS3 and she likes that.
 
Probably around 10k mark for cost, Requirements are basically reliable, economical, he is not a very technology orientated person, so nothing really needed on that front. Better all round vision than this Astra, it's not the best is something he mentions. We all go out on visits to english heritage and national trust places alike, so something similar in size is what he likes, nothing bigger.
 
We have a Focus and a BMW 1 series.
The Focus is the better all-round car imho but the BM is more of a driver's car (over short journeys), however it drinks fuel like a fish on short journeys, we are talking high 20's to very low 30's.
It's an M sport with run flats so has harsh suspension for the passenger. The Focus is a diesel 2.0 and has been inexpensive to run, returning high 40's, sometimes 50's in town, much more on a run not sure how much the petrol variants drink. It's my second Focus and I would buy another in a heart beat for reliability and running costs alone but it's just such a good competent car.
Matt
 
Parker's guides seem pretty honest in their assessment of cars, especially Adam (Binnie), he's my son by the way and I think he tells it pretty straight and it's something endorsed all the way to the top, or so he tells me.
 
MatBin said:
We have a Focus and a BMW 1 series.
The Focus is the better all-round car imho but the BM is more of a driver's car (over short journeys), however it drinks fuel like a fish on short journeys, we are talking high 20's to very low 30's.
It's an M sport with run flats so has harsh suspension for the passenger. The Focus is a diesel 2.0 and has been inexpensive to run, returning high 40's, sometimes 50's in town, much more on a run not sure how much the petrol variants drink. It's my second Focus and I would buy another in a heart beat for reliability and running costs alone but it's just such a good competent car.
Matt
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Similar to this Astra, it has no fuel computer in it, but it's no more than 28 at best, maybe a little more on longer jouneys, but not a lot.
 
If you want economy then go hybrid. It works in town and on a long run
 
michael23 said:
How are they for economy and overall reliability? And which versions do you have?
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Unfortunately we bought a 2.2 diesel sport about four years ago. Actually like the engine and everything about it but we only use it about once a week now because they’re not good for short journeys. The only thing we have had to do is tyres and the breaks will need doing soon. It is really nice inside and has all the nice extras. I now have a company work van so will probably sell the Mazda soon which is a shame!

After chatting to an AA man, I was interested in a 1 series, but he said that he goes out to loads of them and mentioned to me about how good Japanese cars are. Looked at reviews and they are always top on reliability (Mazda, Toyota, Honda).

Also more recently updated our smaller car and got a Toyota Yaris 1.3 petrol. Also a very nice little car.
 
Dacia Duster !
 
Matt- said:
Unfortunately we bought a 2.2 diesel sport about four years ago. Actually like the engine and everything about it but we only use it about once a week now because they’re not good for short journeys. The only thing we have had to do is tyres and the breaks will need doing soon. It is really nice inside and has all the nice extras. I now have a company work van so will probably sell the Mazda soon which is a shame!

After chatting to an AA man, I was interested in a 1 series, but he said that he goes out to loads of them and mentioned to me about how good Japanese cars are. Looked at reviews and they are always top on reliability (Mazda, Toyota, Honda).

Also more recently updated our smaller car and got a Toyota Yaris 1.3 petrol. Also a very nice little car.
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Thats a great engine though - we have the same in our 6 sports tourer. Enough poke, yet 45mpg on a run on french toll roads

Interesting about the Astra visibility, I refuse to take our company insignia if I can as the rear window design is poor and the A pillars for where I sit block all oncoming traffic at T junctions.
 
StewartR said:
That's just your opinion though, not a universal truth. "Competent transport" is the start and end of what I look for in a car.
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There's always a few :D
Cars tend to be the second biggest purchase and generally have a emotive factor about them, even if it's just the colour.
 
The fiesta is also worth a look, the new ford ecoboost engines are very good
 
michael23 said:
Similar to this Astra, it has no fuel computer in it, but it's no more than 28 at best, maybe a little more on longer jouneys, but not a lot.
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Surprised at that, my old 1.8 Astra (petrol) was really good on fuel.
 
I have not owned either of these cars but am also looking for a new car and this is just what I've picked up from research.

Dacia Sandero - bit rough round the edges but it is very cheap, even the highest spec model.
Skoda Fabia - bit more expensive but very well liked by just about every reviewer.

Dave
 
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Sandero dirt cheap as you day a but rough but oh so cheap and a 3 year warranty
 
michael23 said:
How are they for economy and overall reliability? And which versions do you have?
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Mazda 3 1998cc SE-L NAV.
Lovely trim and options.
I've driven it a few times and very impressed.
Been serviced twice since new, never had any issues other than put fuel in.
Economy pretty much meets spec in the booklet.
Given the opportunity, wife keeps the 3, and I would buy a 6
 
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reheat module said:
Mazda 3 1998cc SE-L NAV.
Lovely trim and options.
I've driven it a few times and very impressed.
Been serviced twice since new, never had any issues other than put fuel in.
Economy pretty much meets spec in the booklet.
Given the opportunity, wife keeps the 3, and I would buy a 6
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What year was yours. Ours is a 2013 and they had an issue with 6 months worth of 2.2D engines, due to incorrect hardening on the camshafts - wrecks the top half of the engine at around 30-35K miles. Fix under warranty provided you have one, luckily our went a week before the warranty was up, and whilst it was in for a service (the local dealer gave us it back shagged).
 
Sorry should add, fixed under warranty, apart from that, love our 6 tourer sportsnav
 
Byker28i said:
What year was yours. Ours is a 2013 and they had an issue with 6 months worth of 2.2D engines, due to incorrect hardening on the camshafts - wrecks the top half of the engine at around 30-35K miles. Fix under warranty provided you have one, luckily our went a week before the warranty was up, and whilst it was in for a service (the local dealer gave us it back shagged).
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2016, running now at just under 17,500 miles
 
Byker28i said:
Thats a great engine though - we have the same in our 6 sports tourer. Enough poke, yet 45mpg on a run on french toll roads

Interesting about the Astra visibility, I refuse to take our company insignia if I can as the rear window design is poor and the A pillars for where I sit block all oncoming traffic at T junctions.
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same in this astra, it blocks views. Rear screen is just terrible really.

We had a wander around available car a few weeks back, he seemed to like the hyundai i30's. Personally I loved the honda civic, comfortable, and surprsingly good view out the rear.

Thanks for the comments so far, much appreciated, if there are any i30 owners, would be great to hear opinions on them.
 
We have a 63 plate astra 2.0 diesel and a 64 plate qashqai and I really like both. The Nissan is better on fuel but it's a 1.5 diesel so not surprising. I would recommend either. The Nissan also feels higher quality just about everywhere but I get my boy racer rush from the astra. Haha
 
Suzuki Vitara 2015 onwards received 5/5 and is bang on budget.
 
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