Buying a new car - budget £5000 (max)

[alpha channel]

Another reason to stay away from the megane in particular (if it's the one with the ugly bum, can't remember when the current gen came into service), aside from it's general reliability, I personally would'nt want to try and put a headlight bulb in one (you practically have to dismantle the entire front of the car to get at the headlight).

[usxhe190]

Thanks guy for all your help. Much food for thought. I think he might up the price to £7000 if he can get a loan approved which opens up lots of options. Especially a Honda Jazz which seems to fit his needs the best as babies need so much stuff!

[PetrolHead]

Honda Jazz is good call, my dad has one and they are very big inside, big boot and with the seats down it is like a van, being a Honda it should hold its value relatively well and be ultra reliable..

[usxhe190]

Hi everyone, many thanks for your help.

Further to all the discussions and the car choice, I believe my friend just told me he has finally got some financing in place for max of £7000. He is now looking at just heading to Cargiant (as he is based in London).

He will buy either a Ford Focus (5 door hatch or Estate) or a Volkswagen Jetta (because of the massive boot for his baby kid's things!). He had a look at the Jazz previously and while he liked it, he said it was expensive relatively to a Focus.

Has anyone had any experience in Cargiant? I heard they push you to but this extended warranty thingy. Would you think its worth it etc etc.

Thanks for everyone's help again!

[Jasp]

Something to watch for on the newer shape focuses is the power steering pump, my aunts got a 09 plate that has blown its at 30k miles, theirs a pipe that goes starves the pump of oil and kills it, cost her about £200 to get a new one at m8s rates, apparently its pretty common. Other then that a solid car.

Id have a second look at a Jazz also, theirs a reason their more expensive being a Honda owner myself you can see and feel the build quality in comparison to something like a Astra.

[bledd]

Ford Focus

It's daft to write off all cars by one manufacturer because 'you don't like them'