Which Car?

Why not get another Suzuki Swift?

 

Well I would suggest your usual's like Fiesta, Corsa, Punto but if you only need the two front seats really and not much else then a C1 or 106 or have a look at Ford Ka's or Fiat 500's. Plus on many of them you can get good PCP deals so you probably won't ever own the car but if you do low millage then paying a set price sometimes under £100 for a brand new car a month is worth it. Plus will be under manufacturers warranty should anything serious go wrong. Just a suggestion.

 

How about this one? Plus they say your name (kind of)

 

I'd go with something German. Possibly a polo or a golf.

Engine wise I'm usually inclined to go for as big as possible as the little engines are useless and are always ragged to within an inch of their lives. There is a reason why you don't find too many high mileage small engined cars. Plus something that you can overtake with safely is a big plus.

Depending on the sort of driving you do and and where you live dictates whether to go for a petrol or diesel.

Live in a city? Petrol... live in the sticks with lots of A roads then get a diesel.

 

Doris Bodgit bought a hardly used VW Polo, very nice but not cheap. I'm not sure you'd get one under 5 years old for £5k. They are very nice cars though, OH's model is the 1 litre turbo eco model, plenty of grunt, 60 MPG, 7 speed sequential/dual clutch gearbox so best of manual and auto worlds. Its a 5 door, we hate 2-3 doors as the doors need more space to open.

 

Very nice the Polo.

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Toyota Yaris would be my first (and only choice)!

I wouldn't go anywhere near a diesel for a next car. I'm truly sad that my beloved 2013 VW campervan is diesel ... so a DPF and EGR problem waiting to happen ... never mind potentially being excluded from some city centres, or having to pay huge amounts to drive in them.

 

I am another fan of the Polo. The small engines are incredibly good and more than adequate for general driving unless you are regularly traveling long distances.
But take a look at other members of the VW group - the Skoda Citigo is a great ‘wee’ car with lots of room in front and very similar to a Polo.
Also consider taking one on a lease which can cost little more than a mere £100 a month with option to buy after the period which I think is more than 3 years.

 

Agree, diesel is now unwanted and petrol engines have become so advanced with extra performance and great fuel efficiency compared to years ago.
Only go for a diesel if you get a bargain used one

 

Corsa? Pretty cheap to buy and cheap to fix if it goes wrong?

 

In short anything with a Japanese badge on it!

 

16 year old Lexus RX300 here, bought from new 02 plate, still runs smooth as butter.

 

Have had two 5 door Yaris as a courtsey cars,both very nippy condering one had a 3 cylinder 1ltr engine & other one was a 1.5 with 6 speed box.

 

Agree with above posts about Japanese cars - especially if built in Japan.
Reliability is the best.

 

Polo - built in Spain or South Africa
Golf - since 2014 built in Mexico

 

Have had 3 Golf's and 2 Polo's over the last 35 years all unreliable carp, several Astra's not much better now have a Honda 4x4....it wouldn't know what a garage is!

 

Yes, the Citigo is a surprise to drive in every way.
You should work out the expected costs of buying second hand vs taking out a brand new car with no worries.
I do like to fully own a car I must admit.

 

Get a defender. May not fit any of your requirements but job done.