Cheap but "nice"

Thomas. PLease. · 13 Oct 2020 at 21:48

My fiance works for several of the London hospitals but has now been asked to commute to Orpington, it's either a 2hr train journey (into London, then back out again) or a 35/40min drive. Obviously the drive wins it.

She really won't drive a manual unless it's a last resort, so wondering what recommendations anyone might have for a car around the £3-4k mark to cover commute miles. Automatic a must. She previously had a Mini One which she liked, so something similar would be good, maybe less asthmatic, and I'm not sure what they would be like as an auto? So not sure what else to suggest.

Anything old looking, or too basic is also a no apparently because it can't look overtly cheap...

Any ideas, suggestions?

Dis86 · 13 Oct 2020 at 22:00

Want's a 3-4k auto that doesn't look cheap...

Think you need to have a chat and explain budget vs aspirations.

BinnsY · 13 Oct 2020 at 22:11

Yea, this is a pretty impossible budget without going, old, or high mileage. I really dont think you could get anything considered "nice" at this price range.

I've tried doing an auto trader search with a max price of £4000, under 100,000 miles, and 2010 or newer, and this is probably the best I can find, which says a lot.......

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010134957298

Whilst part of me dies inside linking to an Insignia, I suppose it fits the bill. Decent power, a decent amount of kit, for someone that doesn't follow cars I'd argue it looks more expensive than some of the other tat at this price range. But I'd suggest spending more for something better or drop the auto requirement.

m@rty · 13 Oct 2020 at 22:12

Cheap and nice generally don’t go together when it comes to cars

Mr Oblong · 13 Oct 2020 at 22:27

Nissan Figaro? My childminder has one and she loves revving it in neutral.

Only joking! She does like it though.

Somnambulist · 13 Oct 2020 at 22:39

Civic or Accord? Old but at least it’ll be reliable and there are a load on AT <100k miles.

sigma · 13 Oct 2020 at 23:13

Easy.

Fiesta/Focus or Corsa/Astra.

Dis86 · 13 Oct 2020 at 23:15

sigma said:
Easy.

Fiesta/Focus or Corsa/Astra.

She said not cheap looking.

sigma · 13 Oct 2020 at 23:16

Dis86 said:
She said not cheap looking.

They might not look cheap to her.

Dis86 · 13 Oct 2020 at 23:23

sigma said:
They might not look cheap to her.

A 4k auto fiesta ain't gonna be making anyone think kaching.

sigma · 13 Oct 2020 at 23:25

Dis86 said:
A 4k auto fiesta ain't gonna be making anyone think kaching.

There’s a Titanium trim model with leather seats that’s £4250, presumably if one looks for long enough there will be one in budget. It’s probably the best that can be had within the requirements. The Civic is also a good shout.

m@rty · 14 Oct 2020 at 00:24

Dis86 said:
A 4k auto fiesta ain't gonna be making anyone think kaching.

Add some gold wheels

mccarf · 14 Oct 2020 at 00:38

Lexus IS? Bit crap on fuel but a shabby IS looks more premium than a shabby mini... probably

Calm · 14 Oct 2020 at 05:18

Old BMWs can be found cheap, looks wise they age pretty well, you'll find plenty of autos.

paradigm · 14 Oct 2020 at 07:17

Calm said:
Old BMWs can be found cheap, looks wise they age pretty well, you'll find plenty of autos.

And what you save on the purchase cost you'll likely spend on maintenance.

If you have a low budget and need to rely on the car for commuting, you don't buy old prestige.

Nasher · 14 Oct 2020 at 08:14

If you go cheap expect to have to spend extra on fixes.

I use a Twingo as my daily car. I got it dirt cheap because it was miss-firing badly. Just needed a new coil pack which is like £20 on ebay. I actually quite like it

Meatball · 14 Oct 2020 at 08:50

FN2 Civic like this. Look for a EX trim as it’s got a lot of nice features, the cars equipped with leather also have heated front seats. It’s not the most comfortable place to be; the suspension is fairly unforgiving but it should be reliable and the interior has aged well.

HoneyBadger · 14 Oct 2020 at 08:51

I’d be having a chat with her and stating that the top of the list should be reliability.

inflames · 14 Oct 2020 at 09:40

Nasher said:
If you go cheap expect to have to spend extra on fixes.

I use a Twingo as my daily car. I got it dirt cheap because it was miss-firing badly. Just needed a new coil pack which is like £20 on ebay. I actually quite like it

Not necessarily true, I have had cheap cars that haven’t needed much maintenance apart from general service, wear and tear items. The hard part of the OP request is the not to look cheap. What does that mean? I read that and think she wants something a like older merc or BMW, is she willing to have a car with higher mileage?

Raymond Lin · 14 Oct 2020 at 09:46

A Facelift C30, you can get it in Auto. It is not going light the world on fire but it is a nice place to be, comfy seats, reasonably quiet cabin.

The downside is servicing isn't cheap, not Toyota cheap, it's like around a BMW ballpark. And it will be old, the newest one is 7 years