[Closed] What car for around 7k.

Blue one.

Wrong!

Dark Blue one

Black is where it's at

Are you bothered about the badge, or would you happily settle for something younger than the Beemer for the same money (dare I mention Mondeo?)

Quite tempted to suggest 5 or 6k on the car and the rest in the bank to pay for any big bills when buying diesel at that pricepoint - it's pretty much what I did, though only spent £4k on the car, when original theoretical budget was 8!

Isn't the standard answer on here a Skoda Octavia*??

*Don't get a Skoda, they're crap and people will think you are poor.

I thought diesels at that milage were barely run in? That said I know nothing about cars

In 1999 that was true. In 2014 not so , common rail injection with high pressure pumps , dpfs nd dmfs all mean diesels are not the workhorses they once were.

What journey's? What mileage a year? How many people? Need to carry bikes? etc etc

7k? You could buy a bike for that...

6k on the car and 1k on a nice bike for short, local commutes?

About 4 k a year max, mainly shorter journeys, not much in town however id think.

Needs space for bike kit, and ideally would like something comfy and reliable.

Should I be looking at petrol then?

Audi A6 or Allroad with >100k on it if you're not doing much mileage, FSH obvs.
or
XC70..

For that mileage I would avoid diesel, my experience of them is they are much happier with longer journey's. I would look at a petrol, Japanese and slightly lower mileage.

4k a year? Pick up a lovely cheap 5 series petrol.

7yr old diesel.....check out dmf's and dpf's. 😥

dmf's and dpf's?

our mileage is around the 4k - 5k figure - admittedly bulk of the time is spent on short town journeys - bit of school, lessons, shops; the longer journeys are fewer and further between - though take up majority of the miles.

We decided petrol was better for that level of miles / usage pattern. 4yo Skoda (!) estate, as allow a mileage on a car as I've bought, though above your £7k budget. Heaps of room (and this coming from a load carrying 900S) for family of 4, camping kit, bikes (once I get a tow bar fitted). I'd say it's a good motor to me, nothing too fancy, certainly not overboard on the gadgets and whizz-bang stuff that always feels like a big bill waiting to happen..

[url= http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/dual-mass-flywheels/ ]DMF explained[/url]

Should I be looking at petrol then?

dmf's and dpf's?

All you need to know is that they're expensive to fix and likely on an ageing diesel (especially doing short trips and low annual mileage).

Definitely buy a petrol for your requirements.

If you're worried about mileage, don't be. Even petrol engines are good for 200,000 + miles these days.

Just look for a well looked after car with documented service history and a folder full of receipts.

for 4k a year - i think id get a taxi 😀

Decent mk5 Golf GTi. No need for a diesel with the amount if miles you're doing.

Mazda 6 TS2 2.2 estate. job done (also more space inside than an a4)

For that mileage I would avoid diesel, my experience of them is they are much happier with longer journey's. I would look at a petrol, Japanese and slightly lower mileage.

^ he is right.

For that mileage definitely forget diesel, the extra cost in initial purchase even for a second hand diesel and extra cost of diesel at the pumps make it not cost effective. For 7k there's so much on the market that fits what you need, just go test drive some and choose the one that floats your boat and makes you smile!