Newer AS?

[C1am]

My perfectly reliable and comfortable older car falls foul of my new company's ownership rules, so I'm reluctantly being forced into the market for something less than 7 years old. Maybe not natural AS territory but I would like to pick the brains of the community here assembled for what I should buy on a maximum Ã‚£7K budget (I do of course reserve the right to completely ignore any advice offered). 

 

I'll be doing mainly motorway miles, so ride comfort is more important than handling, and would prefer a hatchback, or a minimum of folding rear seats for a bit of practicality. I also want to continue doing my own servicing and repairs so don't want anything too complex.

 

First up is the MG6. Depreciation curve of a cliff face means early petrol versions can now be had for less than £7k. Anyone had any experience of one (even as a hire car)? Are they as bad as the reviews suggest?

 

Next, a Mk2 Prius. Obviously DIY servicing may be an issue, but having been in a couple they are a very relaxing place to be. 

 

Mk1 Hyundai i30? Reports say the ride is quite soft, and they seem well screwed together.

[vulgalour]

 

I believe this meets all criteria outlined.

[beko1987]

Citroen c-whatever the wafty hydro suspension one was that began with c

 

Wcpgw?

[DVee8]

^^That's it game over you work here is done

[Angrydicky]

Your company is forcing you to own a car less than 7 years old? That sounds horrendous, glad I don't work for them.

[Rocket88]

Skoda Superb...................shirley?

[Cavcraft]

This thread has been on for 16 minutes (at time of typing) and hasn't imploded yet, despite you mentioning the Prius. NEW WORLD RECORD.

[beko1987]

Your company is forcing you to own a car less than 7 years old? That sounds horrendous, glad I don't work for them.

I think I can claim the oldest car in our company title now! Keep meaning to not display my pass or some other bullshit reason and be included in the daily email of shame!

 

Think the second oldest is on an M

[chaseracer]

My perfectly reliable and comfortable older car falls foul of my new company's ownership rules, so I'm reluctantly being forced into the market for something less than 7 years old...

 

 

 

 

[sporty-shite]

Can't get Autotrader to post pics. This, however, will make you KING OF THE CAR PARK.

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201405304603966/make/ALFA%20ROMEO/model/159/postcode/bl52rf/radius/1501/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/quicksearch/true/page/1/advert-type/featured-listing/dealer/72363/usedcars

[chaseracer]

KING OF THE CAR PARK.

 

Because the JTD will eat itself.

[Angrydicky]

Unless someone takes a Model T or something into work tomorrow I suspect I'll have it in the bag.

[Alfamale]

Whatever you do avoid the i30. I had one as a courtesy car whilst the daily was being fixed and it was horrendous. The steering has no feel, the brakes feel like they are controlled by an on/off switch rather than a pedal, the gearshift felt like stirring custard and there is next to no room in the boot or rear. The drivers seat gave no support and the dashboard consisted of vast expanses of that horrible elephants-arse patterned grey plastic

 

This was on a 6 month old car with 2k on the clock, would hate to experience an example with more miles racked up!

[cms206]

Think I have the oldest with the 850, never mind the Council Estate; a colleague has a Honda Stepwgn which I think is the same age as the 850.

[Micrashed]

Buy anything.

Slap private plates on.

Tell company its 6.5 years old.

 

Relax.

[meshking]

Do you get an allowance for this car? I cant see it being fair if you don't get an allowance but they still tell you how old your car should be!

[Partridge]

Kia Optima? That's sure to hold its value like a Paint With Rolf book, and be in as much demand as cactus mouthwash when you come to sell it. There's some modern shite for you.

[sporty-shite]

Because the JTD will eat itself.

 

OMG ALL ALFAS ARE SHIT COZ MY MATE HEARD IT FROM HIS MILKMANS MATE.

 

Our JTD was ace. Never gave a problem, was economical and pulled like a train away from a horse.

[vulgalour]

What happens if you don't buy a newer car and carry on using the one you've got?

[C1am]

Do you get an allowance for this car? I cant see it being fair if you don't get an allowance but they still tell you how old your car should be!

 I'll get an allowance if I buy my own.

[meshking]

Fair enough. Just get a dacia, it's all you can possibly need.

[Dave_Q]

Skoda Superb...................shirley?

 

^This^. Looks like 7k will get you a 2010-12 plate that's done 100k, or this 6.5 year old beauty;

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-SKODA-SUPERB-1-8T-Comfort-4dr-Tip-Auto-/231133645255?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item35d0a389c7

[C1am]

^This^. Looks like 7k will get you a 2010-12 plate that's done 100k, or this 6.5 year old beauty;

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-SKODA-SUPERB-1-8T-Comfort-4dr-Tip-Auto-/231133645255?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item35d0a389c7

Looks nice but prefer 3 pedals, and don't want to break the habit of a lifetime as I've never bought car from a dealer. 

[Cavcraft]

Buy anything.

Slap private plates on.

Tell company its 6.5 years old.

 

Relax.

 

[Felly Magic]

Superbs can lead to severe pain in the wallet, not that well built, and of course VAG parts prices. Go Dacia, you have the warranty then if owt goes tits up, leaving you worry free

[overrun]

High spec Mondeo gets my vote every time. Lovely cars and suffer from epic depreciation.

 

I bought this Titanium X, two weeks back for only £3800, granted it was a lot cheaper than it should be, but ignoring that, it kicks the arse off any VAG offering, imo.

 

 

Can you guess what I have in store for it?

 

 

Had to be less than 5 years old to be eligible, so something like this is ideal for you.

You get a new enough car to keep them happy and you don't have to spend a fortune.

 

This drives great, has loads of cool toys and being a Ford, parts are cheap and they are easy to repair.

[Split_Pin]

Buy my weird Korean/American Daewoo/V4xhl* 2012 Chevrolet Aveo so I can get the Mrs the Dacia Duster she wants.

 

Nil marque provenance, shortly to be discontinued in the UK, depreciates faster than Rolf Harris's portrait of the Queen and is already uncommon in the UK.

[C1am]

Superbs can lead to severe pain in the wallet, not that well built, and of course VAG parts prices. Go Dacia, you have the warranty then if owt goes tits up, leaving you worry free

I think Sanderos are ace, but not for ploughing up and down the motorway. 

[overrun]

Or how about the Clio in my sig?

 

Cheap cheap and is used to trawling up and down the blue roads.

 

I HAZ ALL THE OPTIONZ

[C1am]

High spec Mondeo gets my vote every time. Lovely cars and suffer from epic depreciation.

 

I bought this Titanium X, two weeks back for only £3800, granted it was a lot cheaper than it should be, but ignoring that, it kicks the arse off any VAG offering, imo.

 

 

Can you guess what I have in store for it?

 

 

Had to be less than 5 years old to be eligible, so something like this is ideal for you.

You get a new enough car to keep them happy and you don't have to spend a fortune.

 

This drives great, has loads of cool toys and being a Ford, parts are cheap and they are easy to repair.

I've tried a Mondeo of the same age, good to drive and comfortable with a massive boot. Yours looks a superb buy. I've had three Fords as company cars in the past, and though they were all good, I could never bring myself to part with my own cash for one. Same goes for Vauxhalls.