[Closed] Changing the car - a nice hatchback?

4 door, petrol, hatchback you say?

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Sorted. Next?

Anyone bought something nice recently they'd recommend?

I ordered a focus estate titanium x 1.5 petrol at the end of last month, can't comment on it yet as I don't get it until March.

Got a very good price on it through drivethedeal.

Would add the Civic to that list for a look around. I've got the diesel and the smart seating options mean it's been a great load carrier. Can't get much more reliable than a Honda too.

If your happy with Golf/A3 size wise add Mazda 3 to list. Drive nice, roomier cabin & boot and more reliable in my experience. Mrs on 3rd one now, changing every 4 years. I've had a series of GTD company cars and I know what I'd be having if I was spending my own money.

Can't get much more reliable than a Honda too.

I've had an accord for 12 years and it's had quite a few faults outwith warranty, nothing that stops it working but niggly faults that would be expensive to fix.

You've got the Golf & A3 on the list.....but not considering a Seat Leon?

We have a current facelifted Golf as our work pool car and I cannot see why you would want anything more than that in a normal day-to-day car. It's a nice place to sit, the touchscreen is excellent, it's so easy to drive (it has radar cruise control, automatic handbrake etc) and it's all very nicely built.

I had an A Class as a courtesy car for a few months earlier this year and while that was also pretty nice it just wasn't as nice as the Golf. Which was a surprise as I've always fancied an A Class.

Neither are the last word in driving excitement, which is why I don't have one (but the Golf did have me looking at GTIs when I got my 208 GTi, unfortunately they were too much money). But for someone who just wants "a car" the Golf was excellent.

My dad has an A3 and I don't see why it costs more money than a Golf. And the screen is awful.

There's a new 1.0 TSI 110bhp in the VW group
Have you looked at a Seat Leon?

The A-class is tiny inside and if you're over 5'10 the B-pillar will obscure your side-view whilst driving

EDIT - some companies are doing a scrappage scheme at the moment. If you have an old car to get rid of, they sound like decent deals.

3008 Gti is highly rated.

There's a new 1.0 TSI 110bhp in the VW group

we have that engine in a new Q2. It is pretty decent

Mazda 3 hatch.
Comfy, all the kit, good deals, and roomy.
On my 3rd, no brainer for me.

Leon FR 1.8TSI

185BHP so quick enough without being silly.

40+MPG

Looks like this

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I looked at the leon ST and the spec was nowhere near as good as the focus. The focus I ordered is the 182ps so also reasonably quick. The leon is a nice car but not nice enough to pay a bit more money for a bit lower spec over the focus.

dcjay99 - Member
Mazda 3 hatch.
Comfy, all the kit, good deals, and roomy.

+1 for this.

I have the 165 PS petrol version. Handles well, suitably brisk and have averaged 43 mpg (calculated brim to brim, not on the car display) since the start of last month.

EDIT..

Also, its a N/A 2.0 engine so there's no turbo or intercooler to go wrong.

Not sure about the new ones, but iirc the old leons have no roof bar mounts, they have a special kit that clamps inside the doors I think - not good since the OP is specifically looking for roof mounted.

Mini Clubman is much bigger than you think, pretty much identical in size and space to a Golf and is bigger than a Focus.

Appreciate the look is not to everyones taste, though I particularly like them and great to drive.

I missed the Civic from my list, but to be honest after sitting in one of my friends' I didnt like it. This was 2 years ago (the new shape) but it just didnt do it for me. I think it would look weird with its sloped roof and roof bars too?
The Leon is interesting. Never thought of it. I think for me its between the Focus, A3 and Golf. The Focus sounds like a great drivers car but the inside looks really cheap; The Audi and Golf are going head-to-head, but is the A3 worth the increased price?

I wanted a second-hand GTD but the way the market is going, I dont want to be in the situation where I can't sell it on

Just a heads up but if you're buying new then you might struggle to get a petrol for a good few months. Manufacturers order engines a year in advance and Ford didn't anticipate the rapid switch from diesel to petrol engines so don't have enough engines at the moment, hence my 5 month wait.

I wanted a second-hand GTD but the way the market is going, I dont want to be in the situation where I can't sell it on

I've just swapped to a nice practical 4wd hatchback, petrol, v8 petrol right enough but i wanted one last hurrah before we're all forced to drive electric pencil cases 😉

Anyway for the OP - Golf estate, quite nice things.

Go slightly smaller? New Polo is golf mk4 sized and has grown in size compared to the previous (new version just launched)

Similar trend at most other manufacturers, you could slice 5 k£ off the purchase cost by stepping down the range)

The Audi and Golf are going head-to-head, but is the A3 worth the increased price?

No.

There's a brand new Civic out which is more conventional in shape but unfortunately doesn't have the flexible seating anymore.
Might be better with roof bars though.

There's a brand new Civic out which is more conventional in shape but unfortunately doesn't have the flexible seating anymore.

Aye, the roof load limit is something ridiculous like 35kg though.

Is there such a thing as a Golf-sized hatchback with roof rack hard points, rather than bars that clamp onto the door frame? Old Astra had them and it made getting bars on and off single handed a doddle.

The A3 is certainly a high quality hatchback (sportsback) but it comes at a price.

Personally I am against small engine turbos so would not consider anything less than a 1.8. I have serious doubts a 1.5 and certainly a 1 or 1.2 is going to last in what are these days quite large heavy cars (Golf etc)

As above I would certainly include a Leon and Leon Estate in your list, Golf Estate too.

Without opening the whole STW SUV can of worms I’d add the new Skoda Kodiaq (launching Jan 2018) to the list. From what I have seen it will be similar in load carrying practicality as the small estates above and much better than a Golf/A3/Leon hatchback

Is there such a thing as a Golf-sized hatchback with roof rack hard points, rather than bars that clamp onto the door frame?

A3 can be had with roof rails (may even be standard)

I have serious doubts a 1.5 and certainly a 1 or 1.2 is going to last in what are these days quite large heavy cars (Golf etc)

Wife’s Golf estate is the 1.4t and isn’t short of poke.

A3 can be had with roof rails (may even be standard)

Not quite the same as hardpoints though...

Leon FR 1.8TSI

Good call. As pointed out by Gary_M, lacks a few toys found in Focus Titanium X, but overall a better car to drive and the 1.8 is a great mix of performance and economy.

Company motor's a 65 plate Focus, albeit diesel - a lovely place to pass the time if you have a bunch of miles to do, lots of toys, too. Only a 1.5 turbo diesel, it's not a sportscar but plenty of oomph. Got no problem looking at the petrol equivelant when it goes back.

D2 version of this...
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What Jamesfts said.

Good call BTW.

I had a 1 series (m135i as it happens). I loved it, and would have kept it if I could. I can’t get excited about a Golf, even though I accept they’re perfectly fine.

I think the sensible money goes on a Golf, Civic or Focus?

Another vote for the Mazda 3. Ours is the fastback but the rear seats fold and I can get my bike in the back. Comfy and well equipped. In sports nav trim it's a very pleasant place to sit on a long journey. It also bucks the trend of small turbo charged petrols with a normally aspirated 2 litre yet still only costs £30 a year to tax (admittedly not the biggest cost of running a car!)

I'll 2nd (3rd?) the Mazda 3. I really like ours, which we bought new in 2014. We've got the 2l 120bhp 'Sport Nav' version which has all the toys you'd need (apart from a DAB radio for some weird reason, but I believe that's standard now). It can be a bit crashy over speed bumps but is a very decent car for the money and very frugal on petrol unless my wife is driving. With the full leather interior its a really nice place to be as well.

Frankly one of our main reasons for buying it was that it wasn't a Golf or a Focus.

Fabia Estate? It’s golf sized but with roof rails so better for bike carrying on the roof. Boot is huge and comes with all the same VAG toys if specced right. DSG, Auto cruise etc. Kind of a single car niche, I think Seat make a comparable car.

The Golf seems to be very black and white - some people love it and others detest it. Full leather in the Mazda sounds pretty sweet and should make it easier to wipe out the mud after a race...

Just to clarify on the roof mounts above - I suggested "on the roof" which covers clamps as well as rails :). I just find putting the bikes on top more convenient than wrestling with a tow bar

I'd love a Fabia VRS but unfortunately they dont exist and the Monte Carlo as beautiful as I think it is, only goes up to a 1.2 engine. That wont have enough grunt when I'm 3-up with cargo.

Fabia Estate?

What Cars small estate of the year 2017 i believe.

Im quite drawn to a Golf estate, but put off by the Tartan seats in the GT spec cars. I really wanted Leather in my next car.

Full leather in the Mazda sounds pretty sweet and should make it easier to wipe out the mud after a race...

I should point out, it's a cost-option.

Is there such a thing as a Golf-sized hatchback with roof rack hard points, rather than bars that clamp onto the door frame?

Our 1 Series has little flaps that slide out the way on the roof. Very tidy solution. Great cars too, comfortable and ace to drive.

Had a Focus in the past and like them very much. Some huge discounts about at the moment too.

Boss has a current Mazda 3 with full leather and it's a lovely option as the leather is decent quality.

Personally can't really see why you'd have a Golf over a Leon. If I was going for the premium I'd go A3 over Golf.

Passat DSG - not really punching through the excitement ceiling, but that's how I like my commute car. Went DSG when we moved work to Reading - J15 is a permaqueue. Can't really think of a down side - fair bit bigger than a Golf but I'd be surprised if it cost substantially more to run.

Our 1 Series has little flaps that slide out the way on the roof. Very tidy solution. Great cars too, comfortable and ace to drive.

If I hadn't been buying to fit a size gap between the wifes Golf and the T4 I'd have bought a 1 series - had one as a company car and loved it. Great all round, maybe just lacking a little on boot space (I didn't measure it so this might be hokum) compared to some but that's all I could fault it on.

Had a Focus in the past and like them very much. Some huge discounts about at the moment too.

Yes, think I got just under £9k off list price

Gary_M - Member

Yes, think I got just under £9k off list price

Bloody hell, who's that with?

Kryton57 - Member
I really wanted Leather in my next car.

Think carefully about it before you commit, I've had leather and prefer cloth now.

Leather = boiling hot, sticks to your skin in summer, freezing cold need heated seats in winter.

I have serious doubts a 1.5 and certainly a 1 or 1.2 is going to last in what are these days quite large heavy cars (Golf etc)

Wife’s Golf estate is the 1.4t and isn’t short of poke.

To be fair, he didn't say they were slow, he said he wasn't sure about longevity, and I can understand why, smaller engine working harder and all that. Not sure I agree personally, but turbos are likely to fail [i]eventually[/i].

Bloody hell, who's that with?

Through drivethedeal. Think they're about £1k more expensive than last month now but I guess the price goes down at the end of the quarter.

Our 1 Series has little flaps that slide out the way on the roof. Very tidy solution. Great cars too, comfortable and ace to drive.

Yeah, takes 5 mins to put a roof rack on its excellent.

If I hadn't been buying to fit a size gap between the wifes Golf and the T4 I'd have bought a 1 series - had one as a company car and loved it. Great all round, maybe just lacking a little on boot space (I didn't measure it so this might be hokum) compared to some but that's all I could fault it on.

Stop this. The more I read this thread the more I think I should just pay the settlement and keep my 120d / get another auto box 120d when the PCP ends.

Leather = boiling hot, sticks to your skin in summer, freezing cold need heated seats in winter.

Gah! #shattereddreams

Don’t most leather seat options come heated ?

Kryton57 - Member

Leather = boiling hot, sticks to your skin in summer, freezing cold need heated seats in winter.

Gah! #shattereddreams

I have full leather on one of my current cars, never had an issue with it. Heated seats in winter and air con in summer stops the issues you've mentioned. It's not something I'd bother upgrading to though, new car is part leather which is fine.

Yeah, takes 5 mins to put a roof rack on its excellent.

Same with the Astra J. But not the Astra K.

The Mazda 3 has heated seats with leather.

Personally I love leather as it's easy to clean and looks great, but then my car has heated and cooled seats, plus remote start to either cool up or cool down the car before you even get in 🙂 Yes, I'm spoilt.

Gary_M - Member

I have full leather on one of my current cars, never had an issue with it. Heated seats in winter and air con in summer stops the issues you've mentioned. It's not something I'd bother upgrading to though, new car is part leather which is fine.

Horses for courses, it looks better and you can wipe it clean, but other than that IMVHO cloth is better in every respect.

You don't slide about as much, you don't need heated or cooled seats, bare skin doesn't stick to it, it's cheaper, you don't have to condition it. I really have no idea why it's used at all let alone a 'premium' feature.

And yes the seats I had were heated and the car had A/C. Didn't have cooled seats though, how does that work bensales?

Luckily you can get the Integrale with lovely alcantara Recaros so shouldn't be an issue.

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My 120d has alcantara seats.

I was out in it after I posted on this thread yesterday, and - adding in my recent Stoicism dabbling - I found myself thinking that actually all I really need is an auto box for my comfort and sanity on my travels.

A decent 1 series isn't much different to a Golf part from drive layout and design in overall usage remit.

Alcantara FTW.

The main difference between the 1 Series and Golf is that the 1 doesn't make you want to smash your face in with boredom every time you drive it (GTI + R excepted). 😉

You don't slide about as much, you don't need heated or cooled seats, bare skin doesn't stick to it, it's cheaper, you don't have to condition it. I really have no idea why it's used at all let alone a 'premium' feature.

I don't get this, I've never noticed any sliding about, I don't drive with just my pants on, I've never conditioned the seats (which would be far easier than cleaning sweat soaked fabric from your bare skin). I prefer leather, wouldn't pay for it but have no negatives about it.

Gary_M - Member

I don't get this, I've never noticed any sliding about, I don't drive with just my pants on, I've never conditioned the seats (which would be far easier than cleaning sweat soaked fabric from your bare skin). I prefer leather, wouldn't pay for it but have no negatives about it.

Well, I'm not lying. Maybe your leather was nicer quality.

I don't drive in just my pants either BTW 😆 I'm talking about when your arm touches the side bolster when changing gear etc. Also I never get sweaty with fabric seats, only leather so that is a moot point.

Anyway I'm not saying don't buy it, I'm saying try it first - don't just assume because it's generally considered desirable that it actually is better.

bensales - Member

Full leather in the Mazda sounds pretty sweet and should make it easier to wipe out the mud after a race...

I should point out, it's a cost-option.

Standard on the 165 Sport Nav 😉 8)

For me the thing with Leather is the smell. I find it instantly relaxes me to the extent that I won't admit to having a constant supply of "Leather aroma" air fresheners in my current car...

Another Mazda 3 here, petrol Sport Nav, auto with leather seats. It has all the toys you could want and has been largely faultless over its first 5k miles.

But I'm not sure I like it. Nice to look at and comfortable, but not frugal (mid 30s average with a semi rural commute of c.20 miles each way driven conservatively). Beneath the cosmetics there is some clear cost cutting (the budget seems to have gone on the touch screen and rotary dial), and it just doesn't feel solid like our Skoda Superb or MiLs A3.

I went down the PCP route as I intended to buy outright anyway and Mazda's 0% finance made the overall cost cheaper, but I am not sure I will purchase it at the end of the three years.

It has 2.5 years to grow on me!

I looked at my Dad's new Mazda CX3 and I must admit I was a bit disappointed with the inside. Didn't seem to me much thought about where the switches go. Touch screen up high and volume control and rotary dial thing down the bottom. What's the point of a rotary dial thing if you have a touchscreen?

Quite a few bits of odd plastic in the dash as well.

I'm biased but my new Focus ST is nicer.

The touchscreen only works below a certain speed on our 3 I think, which is useful for putting in destinations at the start of a journey (it really just saves the extra time you spend working how to actually add a postcode, which is about as unintuitive as it gets!). Rotary is quite useful while driving, but its function is duplicated/triplicated by touch screen and steering wheel controls

Kryton57 - Member

For me the thing with Leather is the smell

I don't have leather seats in the car, but find wearing my driving lederhosen gives me that fresh leather smell.

I don't have leather seats in the car, but find wearing my driving lederhosen gives me that fresh leather smell.

Amateur, leather driving gloves are where it's at.

Leather used to be used for the driver's seat, because it was exposed to the elements. Cloth would be used for the passengers.