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Its time to replace my car. I have a budget of between 5k to 6K. I'm not really into cars but I would like something at least 1.6 litre and a 4 door.
No idea as to where to start looking, I'm based in Shropshire, we have a few large car dealerships
I am thinking of going for an automatic for the first time, any reason as to why not to go for an automatic?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Advice: narrow it down a bit?
Or: Smart Forfour (is does not fall in with your criteria but I like them).
Golf TDi or Ferrari F40
Heading towards an estate or at least something with a large boot.
I do quite like the look of the Skoda's too.
Skoda Octavia estate 1.6
i spent £5K on a Mazda 3. It has 5 doors, a 1.6 engine and hasn't broken down yet. Bit slow though.
8/10, would buy again
Easy: Mazda 3 or Ford Focus.
Bought a Mazda 3 for 3.8k with 44000 on it. Now up to 105000 on it so far - highly recommend. Not fancy but it works. Moves when you press go pedal and stops when you press brake pedal!
Mazda 6 estate love mine
Japanese. Honda Civic (loads of room) Mazda 3, Toyota Auris. Dull but bombproof.
Japanese if you want faultless motoring.
Yeti, as you have to recvommend what you own, scout or VRS Octavia for something not bog standard, or just the plain old octavia for load hauling
mondeo estate, boots don't get bigger
I have a 61 plate Octavia Estate 1.8 TSi that's supposedly worth £5kish (actually more like £2k the state of my car as it's dented and keyed all over...), anyways not trying to sell it just saying it's a good model option to look at (not sure if they do an auto option though). It's dull as dishwater to drive but actually decent performance once the turbo kicks in, plenty of passenger room and a good sized boot. No reason not to get an auto these days IMO (as long as it's a half-decent one), if you're not intending to track it then why not let the car do a bit more of the work I say (I guess it will cost you a bit of fuel efficiency but doubt that's a concern unless you do loads of miles).
I'm in this boat myself too. I've just taken the plunge on a Mondeo estate, an 08 with an auto box. The only downside at the moment is the fact its a 2.3L petrol so the tax is £325 a year 🙁 but as neither of us car commute and we're a one-car family we are taking this on the chin. Basic googling says that the 6sp auto box seems reliable enough as long as it has the oil and filter done as per the service instructions. As far as I can tell it's nice enough to drive and not jerky or noisy going up or down.
Alfa 155
Saab 9000
Range Rover
Mercedes W123
Cadillac Escalade
Bentley Mulsanne Turbo
Ford Granada Scorpio
Volvo 242
All within your budget! Come with 4 doors and more than a 1.6 hamster 😉