[NotGotABimmer23]

Got a budget of 12-12.5k for a hatchback. Needs to be 5 doors and petrol, ideally I'd like an auto but proving to make life a lot more difficult.

Is the clear answer just getting a manual fiesta st line? Plenty of choice for 18/19 cars with 30-50k on the clock. Also considered seat Ibiza fr which I like looks wise and polos, but polos seem a bit underpowered and more expensive.

Any other decent options?

[Techno 9000]

Consider an Audi S1 Sportback?

[isleaiw1]

I guess it depends on the balance between age and kit / performance - I would probably go for a Mini Cooper S 5 door with auto, chilli, satnav, etc, but not sure what age that would be for that budget...

Edit: something like this (bit of budget creep but its forum rules...)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-det...ceDeposit=true

[boba-fett]

The 5 door and auto kills it!! But I’ll list a few good ones

Rs265
A Golf GTI has to be there
ST
S-works I think they do a 5 door but they are ugly!

I’d probably go for a nice 135i though.

[davyk31]

Looks rather heavy for a 2014 Mini.

[boba-fett]

Originally Posted by davyk31

Looks rather heavy for a 2014 Mini.

With the looks only a mother could love!

[Pond]

Mazda3 sport nav.

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by davyk31

Looks rather heavy for a 2014 Mini.

There are newer cars at similar money, just thought the spec and colour on that one looked good...

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by boba-fett

With the looks only a mother could love!

Looks are always personal. And you do have an Evoque convertible on your drive

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by boba-fett

The 5 door and auto kills it!! But I’ll list a few good ones

Rs265
A Golf GTI has to be there
ST
S-works I think they do a 5 door but they are ugly!

I’d probably go for a nice 135i though.

I dont think I read anywhere in the spec "fast and racy"..... my thought was more as a second car runaround and none of those would fit the bill for that except the Golf, and £12.5k wont buy much of that...

[NotGotABimmer23]

Yeah not really interested in fast and racy, would like convenient and reliable as a run around which can be parked and left without too much concern.

[XAlp]

Originally Posted by Pond

Mazda3 sport nav.

In that metallic red

[boba-fett]

Originally Posted by SpeedyPro

Yeah not really interested in fast and racy, would like convenient and reliable as a run around which can be parked and left without too much concern.

Oh ok, naturally thought you might want something with some go in it!

Dacia Sandero
Kia c’eed.

[boba-fett]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

Looks are always personal. And you do have an Evoque convertible on your drive

Fair point

[Sennen]

It might be a bit small but a 5 door UP GTI would be my choice........ I absolutely adore my 3 door

[JR1664]

Hyundai i20

Your budget should get you into a low mileage 2020.. they also do autos

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-det...ceDeposit=true

[moonshine]

Fiat Panda?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-det...02208269162532

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by SpeedyPro

Yeah not really interested in fast and racy, would like convenient and reliable as a run around which can be parked and left without too much concern.

Toyota Auris
Buy one and keep it serviced at a dealer annually (not expensive) and you'll get a ten year warranty. Had ours from new and it's now 9 years old and has been completely faultless.
(If £15k scrapes you into the next gen (Corolla) bracket, get one of them instead)

Mazda 3

Honda Civic

I wouldn't bother looking any further than this for a hassle free, cheap to run, runaround and I wouldn't bother with any tedious European nonsense.

[robbiep]

Originally Posted by SpeedyPro

Yeah not really interested in fast and racy, would like convenient and reliable as a run around which can be parked and left without too much concern.

If you're not interested in fast and racy, and want something that can just be left parked up without concern, then why bother getting something that looks identical to the 'fast and racy' versions (ST line) ?

A non-sporty version will do exactly the same, but be ~£1-2k cheaper and have smaller wheels (so more 'give' and cheaper tyres), and be less attractive to the average scroat

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by robbiep

If you're not interested in fast and racy, and want something that can just be left parked up without concern, then why bother getting something that looks identical to the 'fast and racy' versions (ST line) ?

A non-sporty version will do exactly the same, but be ~£1-2k cheaper and have smaller wheels (so more 'give' and cheaper tyres), and be less attractive to the average scroat

There is not being fast and racy but having some street cred, remember my wife speccing her ideal Mini, she didnt even mention the model or engine, but paint, wheels, stripes, all featured.

I guess an indication of size would be good, you will probably pay no more for a Focus sized car than a Fiesta sized one these days/ Which is better for your needs?

[Pond]

When I bought our Mazda3 back in March I settled on the same budget (up to 13k) and looked at everything in the price bracket. You can buy pretty much any 'ordinary' hatchback for that money, so I looked for the cars which were best VFM and had the most spec, lowest miles, etc.
The Mazda came out top, as they are slightly cheaper than other Japanese cars as a 'like for like', and has a massive spec. I have also leased two Mazda6 Sports tourers in the recent past, so know them quite well.

As it is used by the wife on a daily basis, the 'must haves' were parking sensors F&R, sat nav, decent headlights, seat 5 comfortably and have a decent sound system.
I was amazed how many cars in the price bracket didn't have all those TBH; some didn't have any!

[KRS_SN]

You can get from point a to b unnoticed.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-deta...?atmobcid=soc3