If you had to buy a car for £3000...
 

...what would you buy??

My brother Dan is about to splash out on a car, and I'm struggling to think of something suitable/sensible.

Will be used daily for work commute and weekends for erm, driving around in? :lol:

Occasional 200 mile trip (to see dad).

It needs to have good build quality, good reliability and comfort.

Was thinking VW Golf??

I think he'd prefer something the size of a Golf or Focus.

I know you don't get much car for £3000 these days, but I'm not too hot on cars so thought you good folk would know.

Focus,every time.
I got me a '99 T reg.Drives very well and ultra reliable.The only thing that has gone wrong in the three and a half years Ive owned it is the wash/wipe switch.I got a new one from Ford for £35.(could have got one cheaper on ebay!)
Millions of them about so spares are plentifull.
Recommended.

I'd have said a new as possible TDi Golf in a nice colour. Buy a mid spec car. Great build quality, reliable and cheap to run.

I would guess on most items it will be similar to a Focus, but, the Golf will hold it's value better.

audi 80/coupe look at 80 tdi estate as well- probably pick up a good one for around 3 grand -- out of the same stable as the golf

As much as I love a Golf, the Focus is miles better to drive. £3k should buy a good'un with plenty of miles left it in.

I spent £900 getting my Saab, and J just bought a mint Mk2 Golf GTi for £650, so there's still plenty of bargains to be had.

Focus. Definately. More reliable than the Golf (believe it or not).

Get an Estate if you can find a good one as the boot space in the hatch is poor. Go for a TD (The early pre common rail diesel is still very good. TDCI will be out of your budget).

Enjoy throwing it around corners. The focus is the best handling car in its class.

Buy my Mitsubishi FTO GS for £2500 at the end of the month. Has on board pc with 7" screen Alpine head unit and Amp, full stainless system with C Bpass after market filter. just needs a new rear tyre and the drivers window looking at as its out of the runers and a service.

Selling as I get a van with the new job and will have no space and I cant be arsed to sort the bits out hence the price.

Do a search for Skoda Octavia on http://www.autotrader.co.uk/index.jsp and see whats available in your area. The Octavia is built on the MK4 Golf platform so your getting alot of car for your money, more room than in a focus and it beats the Golf in the JD power surveys (and most other cars in that size), only downside is the depreciation from new but that wont worry you. There are loads of VW inderpendant specialists around who can look after it for you aswell so no dealer servicing costs.
Loads of them are used as taxis (so must be good) so watch out for the ex taxi with moon and back mileage.
I'm on my second one :D

Darren

[Edited on 15-3-2006 by LesPaul]

Buy a good condition second-hand Aston Martin DB7 for that kind of money, or go for a two-year old BMW X5. This is the dilemma I've got at the moment.

Oh, you said THREE thousand, not THIRTY thousand! ;)

Damn cheap ass :lol:

You could always get a loan for the other £27000, couldnt ya?:o