New car time - new/used/PCP/loan?

[doodab]

The base price of a Fiesta 1.0 ecoboost titanium is £15K. Chuck in some options and you are looking at £17K for a city car with a Ford badge.

Anyone else think that's a bit mental?

You could have 5 ageing Audi A4 Quattros for that, including a new clutch, brakes and a cambelt service.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

What tulip car? I'm looking at a 1 year old car (Focus/i30) in the region of £8-11k. None of the reviews out there (and there are loads) would suggest that either of these are tulip cars.

Auris reviews don't seem that great in comparison to a Focus/i30 etc.

Reviews of a new Focus will tell you how it drives, fuel economy, resale value etc. not how reliable and robust they will be 10 years down the line. Fords are decent, but that is all they are. I'd buy a ford rather than a French or Italian car but I'd never buy one over a German/Jap car. Still rolling in my 1.9 Golf TDI (54 plate). Engine runs as smooth as new.

[sasguru]

What tulip car? I'm looking at a 1 year old car (Focus/i30) in the region of £8-11k. None of the reviews out there (and there are loads) would suggest that either of these are tulip cars.

Auris reviews don't seem that great in comparison to a Focus/i30 etc.

I'm not going to say you're a bit thick, just that you clearly don't know how how the motor market works.
Reviews are done by journalists who get given brand new cars to test. All cars feel good new, Focuses drive well when new.
Reviews don't reflect a 6-7 year car old generally, how reliable they are, how much it costs to maintain etc.
Look for some data like JD Power etc - they'll tell you Fords are mid-position in terms of reliability and durability - Hondas come near top.
The one decent suggestion you've made, according to your own criteria, is the Hyundai i30.
FFS

[DimPrawn]

I'm not going to say you're a bit thick, just that you clearly don't know how how the motor market works.
Reviews are done by journalists who get given brand new cars to test. All cars feel good new, Focuses drive well when new.
Reviews don't reflect a 6-7 year car old generally, how reliable they are, how much it costs to maintain etc.
Look for some data like JD Power etc - they'll tell you Fords are mid-position in terms of reliability and durability - Hondas come near top.
The one decent suggestion you've made, according to your own criteria, is the Hyundai i30.
FFS

Are you trying to say that Swindonians are the best car makers in the World?

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

The one decent suggestion you've made, according to your own criteria, is the Hyundai i30.
FFS

I'm certainly not ruling it out. All things considered, it seems comparable to the Focus, has a bit more boot space, is well kitted out on even the basic model, will have double the warranty on a 1 year old car vs the Focus and will save us at least a grand. I need to test drive one though.

[original PM]

I'm certainly not ruling it out. All things considered, it seems comparable to the Focus, has a bit more boot space, is well kitted out on even the basic model, will have double the warranty on a 1 year old car vs the Focus and will save us at least a grand. I need to test drive one though.

probably not - driveability was not one of your criteria!

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

I'm not going to say you're a bit thick, just that you clearly don't know how how the motor market works.
Reviews are done by journalists who get given brand new cars to test. All cars feel good new, Focuses drive well when new.
Reviews don't reflect a 6-7 year car old generally, how reliable they are, how much it costs to maintain etc.
Look for some data like JD Power etc - they'll tell you Fords are mid-position in terms of reliability and durability - Hondas come near top.
The one decent suggestion you've made, according to your own criteria, is the Hyundai i30.
FFS

I already said something along those lines SAS. Stop stealing my thunder

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

probably not - driveability was not one of your criteria!

It's not necessarily the most important but I still need to like driving it.

The pros for the i30 do continue to line up...insurance is a bit cheaper compared to the Focus too. OTOH, the 1.4 petrol engine isn't going to be as efficient or eco-friendly as the Ford EcoBoost engine and will cost an extra £125 a year in VED. I can live with that though.

There are eco diesel engines on the i30 but they are pricier and I'm not sure I'll see the benefit with mostly small local trips and only the occasional long journey. Is that right?

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

It's not necessarily the most important but I still need to like driving it.

Go to:

Home - Car Reliability Index | Reliability Index | How reliable is your car?

see where Ford cars lie in the top 100. If you have your heart set on a ford then go buy one! Otherwise if you are looking for good value then you are barking up the wrong street IMO. Go to Toyota/Honda and see what they have on offer.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

It's not necessarily the most important but I still need to like driving it.

The pros for the i30 do continue to line up...insurance is a bit cheaper compared to the Focus too. OTOH, the 1.4 petrol engine isn't going to be as efficient or eco-friendly as the Ford EcoBoost engine and will cost an extra £125 a year in VED. I can live with that though.

There are eco diesel engines on the i30 but they are pricier and I'm not sure I'll see the benefit with mostly small local trips and only the occasional long journey. Is that right?

For local trips there is no point in diesel. Get a nice petrol car and you will be far better off.