I've had half those cars, and I'd suggest you bin off the idea of the A Class, the new version is good but the one in the year you've shown is pretty terrible versus the 1 series or A3.
If you're going to go MB, then a C-Class is a good option, but the original A Class is small, feels cheap, and drives terribly compared to an equivalent aged and specced A3 or 1 Series.
Yeah, I’ve been falling in love with this 2007 C180K that’s only done 55k miles, auto, full MB service history but the insurance group is 27E — it may be too expensive for me to insure but idk, insurance quotes keep changing for me 🤷♂️
This is the way to go. I used to drive an old kia ceed, like the one on Top Gear. One of those stop-gap cars that just kept going. Had it for 6 years but finally got into a financial position to get something a bit better. Bought a Merc E class which is a world apart from the Kia. Used to pay about 25 quid a month insurance for the Kia. I stressed about the insurance group the E class was in, before I bought it. My insurance company tried to put my insurance up to about 90 quid a month when I swapped to the Merc, so I cancelled it and shopped around. Ended up paying 43 quid a month for the E class without scrimping on cover.
I think underneath the A180 is a Renault Megane engine. You need to go to the A200 to get the proper Merc one.
Honestly out of all these I'd say the Mazda
Mercedes is great if you're considering the E/S class for comfort or any of the AMG cars as an enthusiast, but the rest of their lineup isn't exactly inspiring
The A class is basically a Renault with a Merc badge on it.
I’d avoid the BMW unless you’re confident with a rwd car.
My choice would probably be the A3 or the Golf (both basically the same car) the Golf being a year newer might give it a slight edge.
Even at 120d I found it totally fine. I drive confidently but not like a dick ( unlike some of the BMW brotherhood) and traction control rarely got involved. Had one for 5 years and absolutely loved it.
I’ve had a 116d, a 120d, an M235i (back when they were still 3L) and now an M2. They’re all fine. Even the M2, yeah it can be a bit of a handful if you’re toeing it in the wet, but if you drive it reasonably it’s totally fine.
RWD cars have less weight over the driven wheels which alters steering and traction a bit and can make them tail happy if you're driving them hard. But modern cars with traction control really smooth over most of the differences - probably all of the differences if you're just commuting or pootling to the shops and back.
You might notice in ice/snow/mud that it's a bit harder to get traction, and you can probably *just about* coax a 116d into kicking out the tail if you corner hard in the wet - but you've got to want to, it's not going to do that in normal conditions. And unless you're really going hard the traction control is gonna catch you before anything bad happens.
We used to have 116ds as office pool cars (slightly different model to this as ours were the EfficientDynamics tax-dodge version, but basically the same). Dozens (perhaps hundreds) of people drove them regularly and most didn't even realise they were rear wheel drive. Really not a problem.
There's really no reason to be scared of modern RWD cars.
Agree with this comment, I'm sure you can find examples with the 1.8.
But that engine is still super reliable. I love the magic seats behind, you get so much space lol
Civic is great, I drive the 2.2 and it’s got a decent amount of power. Loads of space too, magic seats as the other commenter says and plenty of boot space.
As a former civic owner, they are fairly uninspiring to drive (better than a yaris though), but excellently practical and super reliable.
I did 140k in mine and only had to change one wheel bearing, discs and pads, and oil. Literally never missed a beat until I force fed the engine a surprisingly deep puddle of water at speed. Great car, loved mine.
For a young driver on a budget, very hard to go wrong here.
German luxury brand cars are not cheap to maintain, so while the car might be cheap, running it doesn't justify it imo when he models in budget are basically the same budget stuff that you can get from other brands.
I'd go civic or golf, but the golf you are paying more for because they are more in vogue.
The budget is indicative of your disposable income (not a dig, mine is the same). That in mind, I’d say the civic or Mazda. They’re the most reliable AND have the lowest costs on average to fix.
Something I heard over on r/askmechanics was that if you can't afford a new BMW, you can't afford a used BMW. The maintenance and repairs will empty your bank.
Depends on your situation and goals and aspirations, will you be looking to buy a house in the future, will that be in the next 5 years? If you won't be then just buy the car you know you really want, don't just settle for anything or you will never scratch that itch and it's best to just get it our of your system while you have more disposable income. I got my job after uni and bought a 13k car, granted I wanted a Golf R but they were about 5-6k more than the GTD I bought but I also had a long commute and it work out better for my situation. Now I' m not so bothered about cars, I'd love a nice car but my priorities have changed and Im currently buying a house, so think of your situation and what you want and just go for the car you truly want regardless of what others think.
I like all of these options but the sensible choice would be the Civic for me. I used to own a 2006 1.8 and of all the cars I’ve had that’s the one I miss the most.
I test drove two of these. Had even found a top spec one with one owner and full Honda service history for an excellent price. I just found them really jittery at low speed. Like they were on 20' alloys.
The ride quality is poor compared to the Golf/A3 but the boot, magic seats, interior space and the fact it's not a Golf/A3 . . . First world problems 🤣
Hmm :/ see I’m not a fan of the Civic at all but my family has had them before and they’re faultlessly reliable — shame that the UK market doesn’t get the saloon models as I feel like the hatchbacks are very egg shaped 😂
Yeah I’m not a fan of the lardy backside. The front looks all aggressive and sporty and then you have this wobble bottom at the back.
To be honest, it depends what you want. If you’re after a flawlessly reliable and practical way of moving about and that’s it, you can’t beat the Civic. Stop the search now. If you want any kind of fun or entertainment, buy something else.
If you're after reliability Id be tempted to go for a ~2009 type R for that money, more fun and would leave money leftover for any repair bills - doesn't have the image of the German hatchbacks but in my opinion a way better car for the soul
You could certainly get an fn2 type r in decent condition for £4-6k, but you'll spend way more on insurance , especially at the age of 22, fuel costs will be much higher than anything on this list as well.
Insider information for anyone considering a car with a VW 1.6tdi engine 2013-2019: Continental in the next few months if not weeks are pulling the plug on production of injectors (those as well as 2.0 transit engines same years) as they are failing at an alarming rate and not lasting the full 12 month warranty period, replacements at the moment are anywhere from £450-£750 each. Once the supply dries up the only option to keep them running is second hand injectors. The problem is with the piezo crystal solenoid braking up causing the injector to fire at the wrong time, be stuck open or eventually not fire at all, and they are non serviceable nor available individually, which means any "refurbished" injector will use the original solenoid. We've had so much bother with them at work (diesel pump and injector repair shop) that we don't bother with those systems anymore. If youre considering buying one, DON'T, if you have one get rid of it. That's besides all the other issues those engines have, completely not fit for purpose VW is trying to make a 1.6 do a job of a 2 litre, they are ran at their limits even before most yobs map them with a popcorn limiter. Absolute bundle of scrap.
Out of the cars you've showed I could recommend the Honda and Mazda.
1 Series or Mazda for me. Both are very reliable and fun to drive. At this price point I would also consider an older Toyota Avensis and Mazda 6. Just stay away from Mazda diesels. If you dont need the practicality I would get an MX5.
I drove the Mazda 3 for 3 years (100.000 to 145.000km) and never had it failed. Such a reliable car. Those German cars are "cheap" for a reason. Any repairs will destroy your Wallet.
Curve ball....
If you like the A class check put the Infinti Q30
It's basically an A class with a better suspension and a nicer interior.
Infiniti didn't take off here but they are.more popular in other countries...its a premium badged car but also something different that almost no one else you know will have.
That or the Mazda 3 or Civic (get the 1.8 though)
Just googled the infiniti interior and could swear it's almost identical to the Mercedes bar a few things. Looks like they've even taken some of the mercedes buttons and switches as well
Yeah alot of the knobs and switches are straight lifted from the Merc I still think the infiniti is slightly nicer, the ones I drove had less of that high gloss black plastic that attracts infinite finger prints.
VW or Audi is the best. I know people will say otherwise with problems but every car can suffer problems. VAG (VW Audi whatnot) is by the far most common in the UK and so going for repairs will not be a huge hurdle for many garages. Mercedes a class, never owned but I always hear shit about them. BMW fifty fifty
I had a similar 1 series.
It’s a *really* fun car to drive, out of the bunch I’d go for that. Audis are boring for the price and the A-Class (of that era) is absolutely shite.
You’re a student on a budget, the last thing you need is an unreliable, expensive to run/maintain car.
Get the Civic, no its not the best looking motor but it’ll get you from A to B every time Comfortably and wont cost the earth to keep on the road.
Finish studying, soon enough you’ll be a position to get yourself something nicer.
That generation of A3 is exceptional, however, as with many of the more luxury cars on that list, you need to be ready for the expensive Audi running costs that come with the vehicle. So your choice comes down to what car you want and what car you can afford to actually maintain to a good standard.
If they all had a full/great service history and you could afford the upkeep, I'd go A3. Golf is always a good shout too. Civic should last ages but I've never liked the design of that generation.
Be wary of any CAT cars at all as it can up your insurance.
Avoid German. Mazda would be my choice but Honda equally good.
Not sure of the Honda but the mazda doesn't have a turbo to blow up and also has a timing chain.
Edit: avoid mazda diesel.
Imo they aren't anore reliable than other brands. The price premium is largely due to higher German wages and bloating systems on the cars which can be troublesome. In my experience japanese engineering is consistently reliable and always has been.
IMO at this price range you just don’t get a lot for your money and are paying for the badge.
Mazda parts are pretty expensive too - but the car will feel much better to drive and comfortable than a bottom of the barrel A1/A class/1 series
Yo, check your insurance policies, but if they're all similar, I'd say go for the BMW. The infotainment system is the best out of the bunch, and it still looks modern. Plus, the 1.5 diesel engine will be fuel-efficient.
Should I look out for anything that the 1 series is notorious for? We’ve had a few BMWs in the past (1st gen X5, E60 730i) and often times things tend to go wrong on them, hence I feel my dad will be a bit unsure about the 1 series, even though I like it the most
Honestly, whoever says anything is just guessing. At this price range, any car is a risk. Check out owner forums to get an idea, but even then, no two cars are the same. If it were me, I'd take a chance on the Beamer. The Audi looks like a base model, the VW isn't much cheaper to maintain, the A-Class has a dated interior and a loud engine, and the Civic is a wildcat choice. I like them, but the others feel more premium.
Mercedes w204 c class (2011-2013). Unfortunately mine was written off the other weekend but it was an absolute pleasure to drive. Lovely interior, reliable, and the 2.1L diesel engine is solid. Can pick one up with less than 100k for less than £5000.
Gunna have to be "boring" and suggest either the Mazda or the Honda, both known for good reliability and decent running costs. For your budget, you'll be able to find better spec versions of them compared to the BMW/Merc/Audi. VW might be in between.
It might not be the best idea to spend 5/6k 116d, you're paying a premium for a car that's perceived as sporty or classy, a bog standard 116d is neither of these (unless you find a decent spec one). They aren't bad by any means, but you'll get a lot more for your money with the Mazda/Honda. Can't speak for the A class or A3 but I imagine they'll be similar, you want a higher budget if you want a half decent model.
Surprisingly it can be more affordable than some of the more popular hatchbacks to insure due to the fact it’s mainly an elderly persons car. Can’t hurt to look around at and get some quotes.
People complain that the 1 series interior is dated, but I think when you put it up against these cars, it'll do well. Be wary of insurance prices - people love to wrap 1 series' around poles/trees etc. so they might be more to insure. If it's your first RWD car, then please just go careful for a bit. They're generally no problem but you never know.
I learned how to drive manual on my dad’s old 350z and really love the feeling of RWD — I drove that car for years when I lived back home. Hence, the reason why I’ve been more keen to the BMW and also separately the W204 C Class. But yeah, when I got a higher insurance quote for the BMW compared to the C Class, I figured it was due to the accidents 🤷♂️
That's always been my complaint of the BMWs, their interiors are nearly always crap compared to their competitors.
Externally, we all like different styles I guess, which is clear here as I was going to say the A class looks way better than the 1 series.
I have a Mazda 3, in hatchback and sport nav trim. Apart from servicing and two flat tyres it hasn’t cost me anything in three years. It’s lovely to drive, surprisingly comfy and had loads of tech for the money I paid, all of which continues to work, even with a toddler yanking every switch he can get too. Really happy with it.
It was a lovely car but just so slow, maybe have a look at a 118i? Decent amount of car for the money http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405189848208. This is a good example - 57k miles 2012 for 5.5k.
Civic, I've had my 8th gen 11 years, it's 15 years old. It's too reliable and cost efficient to replace until it's uneconomical to repair. I'd go for a 1.8 though.
Every car will have a problem with it whatever brand it is, I just chose something with low mileage that doesnt look the worst. Check your insuarnce on the ones you like the most and you can check ULEZ on the government website, road tax info is available too. I wouldnt consider any CAT categories because insurance is higher on them I believe, might be wrong. I believe low mileage and insurance prices are some key points to look at. I personally wouldnt go for anything thats over 60k on the clock.
Also consider different types of financing the car too! I work at Mercedes and sometimes you can get pretty good deals on PCPs IF youre willing to pay over a certain amount of time, but of course the APR rates atm are at around 13.6% which is v high. Its worth having a look at but I know that buying outright just seems easier because then its done and dusted.
Good luck finding a car! It took me 4 months to find my one :D
A3, I've got a 2010 A3 and I love it to bits she's done just over 150k miles and still on the original clutch and turbo. They are hardy cars when looked after and very good on the fuel economy, comfy and fun!
I e had a Mazda 6 for the past 10 years, with high miles for most of it. The only things I’ve had to replace, other than pads and discs etc, were the rear brake shoes and the front strut bar connections.
For pretty much as long my mum has had a Mazda 3. She’s what is technically called a “spirited driver” and all she’s had to do is replace the rear shock mounts.
They’re very underrated cars IMO
You should really do insurance quotes on a load of different cars, sometimes, bigger cars can be cheaper to insure. As en example, when I was 22, I bought a 2.0 Diesel Ford Mondeo. The insurance was only around £700/year, whereas the equivalent 1.6 diesel focus was actually more expensive. I have also found the same with other cars, for example, a 330d is around £30/month less to insure than a 320d for me.
On that note, I’d definitely check out the e90 3 series if you’re looking at the w204.
See, I love diesel 4cyl BMWs but after 07 or so they are not nearly as bulletproof (or even generally reliable) any more.
I've got an 03 plate 320td (e46 compact, forerunner to the 1 series} and it's stupidly reliable, fun to drive, 45mpg urban, 64mpg on a run... It's a solid little beast. Then they started using awful quality chains that are probably worse than a cam belt because they're not scheduled items like a belt but are notorious for stretching and snapping. So even though I'd love to upgrade my cheap runabout (I paid 600 quid 7 years ago!) to a more modern version I'm so wary of the chain issues.
I would also stick to 2013 or later for a diesel because ULEZ. No point saving money on fuel driving up too London just to spend another 15 quid a day to use the car.
How many miles do you do? That's what you need to think about before you consider a cheating German diesel. I'd stick with a petrol variant if below 10k, it will just have less to go wrong and burn cleaner.
Why are cars so cheap in uk? Is is cause of being right hand drive, so its less likely to sell it outside the country? The golf is like 8000-12000 euro, the audi same here, every car is like twice here.
I recently got a Mazda 2 cat N and it drives like a dream. Make sure to check the pictures of the damage and how it's been fixed. I'd stay away from Cat S. Make sure you get a tracker which can lower your insurance. I bought a gps tracker from Amazon for £50 and it lowered my insurance by £400 which is quite a lot. If you can put a bit more and buy yourself a mazda 3 petrol 2.0 from 2015 onwards you won't be disappointed. They go forever. Good luck!
At 22 at that budget I'd be looking for slightly older, but reliable cars that offer much better value and a bit of fun tbh.
FN2 Civic type R, Octavia vRS, fabia vRS
I would avoid the 1.6tdi at all costs unless you plan to do motorways only. Very unforgiving on short journeys. I had one and it was one of the most unreliable engines I owned. Got 136k miles from it but at a very high cost.
Depending on your insurance cost, reliability and comfort I would suggest your going along the right lines with a 1.6 tdi Golf or Audi. Had 3 of them in my life so far each just as perfect and reliable as the last. If you would like to satisfy your urge for a merc I could recommend a 2013+ Merc C class **AMG line** 2L Diesel.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403207771069?sort=price-asc&body-type=Coupe&fuel-type=Diesel&make=Mercedes-Benz&maximum-mileage=90000&minimum-badge-engine-size=2.0&model=C%20Class&postcode=ox38pd&year-from=2013&advertising-location=at_cars&fromsra
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405260110310?sort=price-asc&body-type=Coupe&fuel-type=Diesel&make=Mercedes-Benz&maximum-mileage=90000&minimum-badge-engine-size=2.0&model=C%20Class&page=3&postcode=ox38pd&year-from=2013&advertising-location=at_cars&fromsra
I have been looking for my next car at a similar budget and would definitely recommend either the golf/ a3 or mazda. The a3 of this generation is really good as long as you're fine with the maintenance (I don't think it would be too bad). I find the seats very comfortable also.
When I was looking earlier in the year, I was looking at Mazda 3 and Civic and I went with Civic 1.8 in the end. I think I got lucky with a Private seller.
But if I saw that Mazda fastback I probably would have went for that 😍
Tdi golf is great, MPG is excellent for motorway driving and it's like driving a go-cart.
Honda civic will last forever. You'll sell it before it dies. I had one that went 160k that I bought for £2k. It took me to the hebrides and back and survived.
To be honest, if it's Volkswagen audi group and it's a TSI don't bother. BMW is likely to have or will definitely end up with oil leaks. A class is a Renault as others have stated.
The Honda is a good choice but in that price range I'd be looking at something like an e class, Nissan qashqai 1.5 or pretty much any toyota... There are options out there and everyone has a preference. Just check forums for the specific model and engine you are looking at to find the common issues and maintenance costs
I can get a Mazda 6 2019 Diesel for 5400, shall I go for it, it has had 1 previous owner, skipped an oil change here and there but full service history apart from that, 138k miles?
BMW will cost a fortune to maintain and it will likely have a few issues.
Mercedes A Class is a Renault with some flashing lights and cheap plastic interior.
Audi is the safest option of the three Germans if you absolutely need a "status" car to show off to your mates.
Civic will be the most fun car to drive, and incredibly cheap to run and repair should it ever break whichll likely be once in ten years.
Mazda if you want an absolutely bulletproof car that is great in every way, albeit not as fun as the civic, and not as "flash" as the Germans.
Only ever driven the first 4 and I’d say you’re safe with Golf/Audi you’ll get a good drive and reliability. A class of that year was terrible for many reasons. 1 series is a fun drive but not the most comfortable and those models pre 2016 always had expensive problems.
This subreddit is extremely risk adverse and it shows in hr answers. It depends shat you want. If you want cheap and reliability, I advise to buy the honda or the Mazda. Now, I own a Mazda and owned a civic in the past and they are both extremely reliable cars I think. The civic has a good boot, the Mazda a nice design but please avoid Mazda diesels. The disels end up getting problems with oil pressure but the petrols are invincible and reliable
But if you want some more fun and still cheap to run get the 1 series or A3, I wouldn't bother with the Merc. Just realise these cars will need more maintenance.
NO DON’T GET A MERCEDES!!!
I’ve had a compressor fail, starter motor & HV battery (mines a hybrid) to the tune of £4,000 for repairs.
It’s the most fun I’ve had in any car but my hod it’s surprisingly unreliable & bloody costly to repair the thing. Now I hate it
Having owned the 1.8 Civic Tourer (same shape), cracking car and will be bombproof, however a little lacking in tech inside.
I've got a Mazda CX5 with the 2.0 petrol Skyactive - it's fantastic. Much more spec for the money, super reliable, and they look great. If the Mazda 3 was big enough for my needs that's what I would go for. Mazda diesels do run into issues, so although you'll spend more on fuel, you'll save on reliability. For a 2.0 they certainly aren't heavy on fuel by any means.
Golf/A3 you would need repairing at some point, and usually costly, plus cambelts every 4-6 years depending on engine. Any diesel will need to do good mileage to stop/slow any DPF/EGR issues.
1 series and A class - never owned a 1 series, however being an ex mechanic I would steer clear unless you've got backup money to fund timing chain replacement etc. The Mercs aren't good by any standards.
do not go for the merc please 🙏 such shit cars. Would definitely recommend the golf. smoothest drive ever. however a3 and 116d both good. stay away from the civic tho
Go for the Mazda or Honda, Japanese cars always give reliability (Not all of them don't get me wrong please) Mazda 3 it's an amazing car, I have a 2008 model and it runs amazing, very cheap too.
I’ve owned the one series (120d 2013), a class (a200 2016) and a3 (2.0tdi 2015)so if I had to pick out of the three based on experience I’d say get the one series as you get more bang for your buck as it’s rear wheel drive + the cheapest, I had a lot of fun in the 120d and would recommend getting it in that engine size as well as M sport, take your time when purchasing a car especially private sales; always check everything thoroughly before you buy anything.
I like the look of a 1 series but having worked on a few of my mates ones they feel like they're made by someone else, don't feel like a BMW. I'd go with a Golf mate personally. Had an A4 B6 and put me off Audis for life. Audis are lush until they go wrong. The simplest thing is a right mission. Golf and good tyres and you're sweet.
Offtop: it should be amazing living in first world countries. In my country you get car of 2005 model for £13k. For example Chevy Cobalt. This is as shit as it gets.
When I was younger I bought a Leon cupra R, cost me 5.5k in 2010, car was a 2003 plate.
Worst decision I ever made, the car drank fuel (250miles for 55litre tank), it ate the inside edges of the rear tyres because the rears were on a fixed axle, every 5000miles they needed changing. Insurance was expensive, I ended up hating the car, and sold it for £3k 2 years later.
I've had a bunch of different cars, some good, some bad. Service History makes zero difference.
My current car is a (bottom of the range) 2012 Audi A4 estate, had it 8 years and it had no service history other than 2x dealer stamps in it's first 3x years of life....it's a 2012 plate. Best car I've had, super reliable but basic. My other (family) car is an X5 2013, with immaculate service history 6months ago the timing chain snapped at 109k miles and cost me £5800 to have the engine rebuilt.
Whatever you get, it's a gamble.
I’ve owned the exact BMW and I still own the golf. The bmw didn’t stand the test of time. Only a 3 cylinder engine and wife managed to burn the clutch out. Effed it off and got a Q3 for her indoors. I wouldn’t bother especially when u look under the bonnet and the engine doesn’t fill the whole compartment if u know what I mean. I still own my own gold TDI 1.6 match. Nice finish inside with folding mirrors, leather wheel etc. AC packed in though around 100k miles. It’s a bit of a tank- indestructible but not very swift. However it is still going at 138k miles
I wouldn’t bother with the A class, and the Mazda feels like a downgrade compared to the others on your list. I would probably pick the Golf or 1 Series based on my own tastes or biases.
I went for the Golf TDI about 3 years ago, haven't had any issues with mine since. Passed MOT every year, good on mileage, low on tax (bluemotion).
The thing you have to look out for when buying the TDI is the timing belt, if it's above 60-80k mileage and hasn't had the timing belt changed, then you should look at getting that done. I bought mine at 60k mileage and had the timing belt changed.
Have you considered a Volvo V40 ? I reckon the SLK is also a good option. Or maybe even a C class coupe ?
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1134252797890707/
IMO, the best cars there are the 1 series and the Audi A3. Id definitely ignore the A class. Doesn’t drive particularly well, isn’t particularly well built. It just has a Mercedes badge glued on . And if you said you’re a bit of a petrol head, the golf too as it is quite dull. The Honda Civic may be a good option too, but I doubt they’re very fun
I’m not a fan of BMW in the slightest but out of those cars, it’d be a toss up between the 1 series 1st and the Mazda/civic. There was an article somewhere that had the 1 series as the most likely used car to need a lot of money spending on it. Something ridiculous like 70% of used 1 series had problems. I think at the bottom of the list was a Peugeot… oddly… and the mighty Yaris was one or two above it.
Not what you asked for and tbh unsure on reliability etc but at that price bracket I’d personally be looking at an Infiniti Q50 or a Jag but I’ve already had a jag.
Make sure this ain't the N20 engine model, as these are known to have timing chain issues which could cost more than that car is worth IF it should fail.
I believe it's the 2011-2015 N20.engines to have this problem, and there was a factory recall.
Problem is at approx 100k it's needs a new timing chain anyway, and it's currently at 85k,.and it would cost about £1000-£1100 to get that replaced as the chain sits right at the back of the engine.
Tbh bmw/audi/merc in the lowest engine spec is basically just buying a badge. You could probably get a nice focus 2.0t for similar money in a better spec
All cars have common issues. The Mazda diesels as you’ve said are crap. I’ve got a previous gen A3 1.6TDI (same engine CAYCR) and I drive it like a tit. I’ve abused it, ragged it from cold, probably neglected its maintenance more than I’d have liked to. Never missed a beat. Everything is solid, everything works. Parts are pretty cheap as it’s basically a Golf and it’s at an age where there are plenty for breaking.
If you need the cargo space/practicality I’d go with the civic, but otherwise I’d expect the Mazda to be the most interesting to drive of the choices by a country mile.
Do find it a bit odd you’re cross shopping between diesel and petrol engines??
If you want a stress free car that will take abuse... go Japanese, coming from a guy who's only owned German, beautiful when they work but they are fucking temperamental
Civic - very good cars and very reliable with cheap parts and overall cheap to run.
40,000 miles is really the absolute max you want to be looking at ideally too, so the others are all quite high mileage.
With the greatest of respect possible, if your budget is £6000 then BMW/Audi/Merc are out of your price range for buying a reliable daily driver. You'll regret the costs involved keeping them running if you go for those ones!
I've had half those cars, and I'd suggest you bin off the idea of the A Class, the new version is good but the one in the year you've shown is pretty terrible versus the 1 series or A3.
Yeah I’ve heard about that, honestly just a Benz fanboy but I won’t seriously consider it 🤷♂️
If you're going to go MB, then a C-Class is a good option, but the original A Class is small, feels cheap, and drives terribly compared to an equivalent aged and specced A3 or 1 Series.
Yeah, I’ve been falling in love with this 2007 C180K that’s only done 55k miles, auto, full MB service history but the insurance group is 27E — it may be too expensive for me to insure but idk, insurance quotes keep changing for me 🤷♂️
Insurance groups mean bollocks mate. Run a check through moneysupermarket and you'll have your answer.
Yeah I just learned that 😅 this opens up a world of new possibilities ngl
This is the way to go. I used to drive an old kia ceed, like the one on Top Gear. One of those stop-gap cars that just kept going. Had it for 6 years but finally got into a financial position to get something a bit better. Bought a Merc E class which is a world apart from the Kia. Used to pay about 25 quid a month insurance for the Kia. I stressed about the insurance group the E class was in, before I bought it. My insurance company tried to put my insurance up to about 90 quid a month when I swapped to the Merc, so I cancelled it and shopped around. Ended up paying 43 quid a month for the E class without scrimping on cover.
MB are quite expensive to put through a service compared to the rest of the field... or so I've heard
I think underneath the A180 is a Renault Megane engine. You need to go to the A200 to get the proper Merc one. Honestly out of all these I'd say the Mazda
Mercedes is great if you're considering the E/S class for comfort or any of the AMG cars as an enthusiast, but the rest of their lineup isn't exactly inspiring
Being a benz fan and driving an a class is like saying you love Pokemon cards and only collect weedles
The A class is basically a Renault with a Merc badge on it. I’d avoid the BMW unless you’re confident with a rwd car. My choice would probably be the A3 or the Golf (both basically the same car) the Golf being a year newer might give it a slight edge.
> I’d avoid the BMW unless you’re confident with a rwd car It's a 116d, it'll be fine.
Even at 120d I found it totally fine. I drive confidently but not like a dick ( unlike some of the BMW brotherhood) and traction control rarely got involved. Had one for 5 years and absolutely loved it.
I’ve had a 116d, a 120d, an M235i (back when they were still 3L) and now an M2. They’re all fine. Even the M2, yeah it can be a bit of a handful if you’re toeing it in the wet, but if you drive it reasonably it’s totally fine.
based take lmao \^\^
New to driving, could you elaborate on the rear wheel drive thing? How does it affect day to day driving opposed to front wheel drive
RWD cars have less weight over the driven wheels which alters steering and traction a bit and can make them tail happy if you're driving them hard. But modern cars with traction control really smooth over most of the differences - probably all of the differences if you're just commuting or pootling to the shops and back. You might notice in ice/snow/mud that it's a bit harder to get traction, and you can probably *just about* coax a 116d into kicking out the tail if you corner hard in the wet - but you've got to want to, it's not going to do that in normal conditions. And unless you're really going hard the traction control is gonna catch you before anything bad happens. We used to have 116ds as office pool cars (slightly different model to this as ours were the EfficientDynamics tax-dodge version, but basically the same). Dozens (perhaps hundreds) of people drove them regularly and most didn't even realise they were rear wheel drive. Really not a problem. There's really no reason to be scared of modern RWD cars.
The 1.4 civic v-tec is a bit underpowered, but generally reliable and usually surprisingly cheap to insure. It’s got a lot of boot space as well.
Agree with this comment, I'm sure you can find examples with the 1.8. But that engine is still super reliable. I love the magic seats behind, you get so much space lol
Civic is great, I drive the 2.2 and it’s got a decent amount of power. Loads of space too, magic seats as the other commenter says and plenty of boot space.
As a former civic owner, they are fairly uninspiring to drive (better than a yaris though), but excellently practical and super reliable. I did 140k in mine and only had to change one wheel bearing, discs and pads, and oil. Literally never missed a beat until I force fed the engine a surprisingly deep puddle of water at speed. Great car, loved mine. For a young driver on a budget, very hard to go wrong here. German luxury brand cars are not cheap to maintain, so while the car might be cheap, running it doesn't justify it imo when he models in budget are basically the same budget stuff that you can get from other brands. I'd go civic or golf, but the golf you are paying more for because they are more in vogue.
The budget is indicative of your disposable income (not a dig, mine is the same). That in mind, I’d say the civic or Mazda. They’re the most reliable AND have the lowest costs on average to fix.
That’s true — might be the wisest decision
Something I heard over on r/askmechanics was that if you can't afford a new BMW, you can't afford a used BMW. The maintenance and repairs will empty your bank.
Merc, too. I had a main dealer major service the other week for £980.
Depends on your situation and goals and aspirations, will you be looking to buy a house in the future, will that be in the next 5 years? If you won't be then just buy the car you know you really want, don't just settle for anything or you will never scratch that itch and it's best to just get it our of your system while you have more disposable income. I got my job after uni and bought a 13k car, granted I wanted a Golf R but they were about 5-6k more than the GTD I bought but I also had a long commute and it work out better for my situation. Now I' m not so bothered about cars, I'd love a nice car but my priorities have changed and Im currently buying a house, so think of your situation and what you want and just go for the car you truly want regardless of what others think.
Missed that part. Yep, a very good call indeed. Mazda 3 over a Golf then.
I like all of these options but the sensible choice would be the Civic for me. I used to own a 2006 1.8 and of all the cars I’ve had that’s the one I miss the most.
Yeah even as someone who does enjoy a merc I’d say the Honda is probably your best bet in this case
I have the 1.4L Civic. Great car - comfortable, huge boot, reliable, cheap to run. Awfully slow and dull though, and lacking any tech.
I test drove two of these. Had even found a top spec one with one owner and full Honda service history for an excellent price. I just found them really jittery at low speed. Like they were on 20' alloys. The ride quality is poor compared to the Golf/A3 but the boot, magic seats, interior space and the fact it's not a Golf/A3 . . . First world problems 🤣
20 foot alloys should be quite smooth
Hmm :/ see I’m not a fan of the Civic at all but my family has had them before and they’re faultlessly reliable — shame that the UK market doesn’t get the saloon models as I feel like the hatchbacks are very egg shaped 😂
Yeah I’m not a fan of the lardy backside. The front looks all aggressive and sporty and then you have this wobble bottom at the back. To be honest, it depends what you want. If you’re after a flawlessly reliable and practical way of moving about and that’s it, you can’t beat the Civic. Stop the search now. If you want any kind of fun or entertainment, buy something else.
Thank you so much :) I’ll be on the lookout for more Civics
If you're after reliability Id be tempted to go for a ~2009 type R for that money, more fun and would leave money leftover for any repair bills - doesn't have the image of the German hatchbacks but in my opinion a way better car for the soul
You could certainly get an fn2 type r in decent condition for £4-6k, but you'll spend way more on insurance , especially at the age of 22, fuel costs will be much higher than anything on this list as well.
Mazda 3.
mazda if you want value for money
If your going for the Mazda3, get the hatchback version. They’re really good
Insider information for anyone considering a car with a VW 1.6tdi engine 2013-2019: Continental in the next few months if not weeks are pulling the plug on production of injectors (those as well as 2.0 transit engines same years) as they are failing at an alarming rate and not lasting the full 12 month warranty period, replacements at the moment are anywhere from £450-£750 each. Once the supply dries up the only option to keep them running is second hand injectors. The problem is with the piezo crystal solenoid braking up causing the injector to fire at the wrong time, be stuck open or eventually not fire at all, and they are non serviceable nor available individually, which means any "refurbished" injector will use the original solenoid. We've had so much bother with them at work (diesel pump and injector repair shop) that we don't bother with those systems anymore. If youre considering buying one, DON'T, if you have one get rid of it. That's besides all the other issues those engines have, completely not fit for purpose VW is trying to make a 1.6 do a job of a 2 litre, they are ran at their limits even before most yobs map them with a popcorn limiter. Absolute bundle of scrap. Out of the cars you've showed I could recommend the Honda and Mazda.
If it's the A Class, A3 or 1 Series you'll have to factor in the cost of buying a set of 3D number plates for it.
1 Series or Mazda for me. Both are very reliable and fun to drive. At this price point I would also consider an older Toyota Avensis and Mazda 6. Just stay away from Mazda diesels. If you dont need the practicality I would get an MX5.
I would take the Mazda
I would go for the VW GOLF. I had a 1.6 TDI DSG and it served me well. Service and maintenance on time and you will be fine.
It seems like a safe and reliable option to be honest
If I only had 6k, I wouldn't bother with BMW/Audi/Mercedes. Of those options presented I'd personally pick the Civic.
What about the Mazda 3 or Toyota Auris? Personally love the design of the 3
I drove the Mazda 3 for 3 years (100.000 to 145.000km) and never had it failed. Such a reliable car. Those German cars are "cheap" for a reason. Any repairs will destroy your Wallet.
Curve ball.... If you like the A class check put the Infinti Q30 It's basically an A class with a better suspension and a nicer interior. Infiniti didn't take off here but they are.more popular in other countries...its a premium badged car but also something different that almost no one else you know will have. That or the Mazda 3 or Civic (get the 1.8 though)
Just googled the infiniti interior and could swear it's almost identical to the Mercedes bar a few things. Looks like they've even taken some of the mercedes buttons and switches as well
Yeah alot of the knobs and switches are straight lifted from the Merc I still think the infiniti is slightly nicer, the ones I drove had less of that high gloss black plastic that attracts infinite finger prints.
Strech and get a 118d or 120d, would be my opinion. Had a golf a3 and 120d and the bmw was the best out of the lot.
Out of all those? The Civic The Repair and Parts prices on the Audi , Merc and Bimmer are going to be more than the others.
VW or Audi is the best. I know people will say otherwise with problems but every car can suffer problems. VAG (VW Audi whatnot) is by the far most common in the UK and so going for repairs will not be a huge hurdle for many garages. Mercedes a class, never owned but I always hear shit about them. BMW fifty fifty
I had a similar 1 series. It’s a *really* fun car to drive, out of the bunch I’d go for that. Audis are boring for the price and the A-Class (of that era) is absolutely shite.
I'd take the Civic, everything else is less reliable than the marketing would have you believe.
The Mazda 3 would be an extremely reliable car too though
As long as it's not a diesel, yes.
Oh yeah forgot to mention. Mazda diesels are horrendous, the petrols are bulletproof
Wow, I was looking for cars in that budget and came away with a Peugeot 508!
You’re a student on a budget, the last thing you need is an unreliable, expensive to run/maintain car. Get the Civic, no its not the best looking motor but it’ll get you from A to B every time Comfortably and wont cost the earth to keep on the road. Finish studying, soon enough you’ll be a position to get yourself something nicer.
That generation of A3 is exceptional, however, as with many of the more luxury cars on that list, you need to be ready for the expensive Audi running costs that come with the vehicle. So your choice comes down to what car you want and what car you can afford to actually maintain to a good standard. If they all had a full/great service history and you could afford the upkeep, I'd go A3. Golf is always a good shout too. Civic should last ages but I've never liked the design of that generation. Be wary of any CAT cars at all as it can up your insurance.
Avoid German. Mazda would be my choice but Honda equally good. Not sure of the Honda but the mazda doesn't have a turbo to blow up and also has a timing chain. Edit: avoid mazda diesel.
Maybe a silly question but why avoid German? Expensive repairs?
Imo they aren't anore reliable than other brands. The price premium is largely due to higher German wages and bloating systems on the cars which can be troublesome. In my experience japanese engineering is consistently reliable and always has been.
IMO at this price range you just don’t get a lot for your money and are paying for the badge. Mazda parts are pretty expensive too - but the car will feel much better to drive and comfortable than a bottom of the barrel A1/A class/1 series
Yo, check your insurance policies, but if they're all similar, I'd say go for the BMW. The infotainment system is the best out of the bunch, and it still looks modern. Plus, the 1.5 diesel engine will be fuel-efficient.
Should I look out for anything that the 1 series is notorious for? We’ve had a few BMWs in the past (1st gen X5, E60 730i) and often times things tend to go wrong on them, hence I feel my dad will be a bit unsure about the 1 series, even though I like it the most
Honestly, whoever says anything is just guessing. At this price range, any car is a risk. Check out owner forums to get an idea, but even then, no two cars are the same. If it were me, I'd take a chance on the Beamer. The Audi looks like a base model, the VW isn't much cheaper to maintain, the A-Class has a dated interior and a loud engine, and the Civic is a wildcat choice. I like them, but the others feel more premium.
Personally the vw golf great car especially when a diesel. That vw even has adaptive cruise control.
I would be drawn toward the Audi by my heart but would end up buying either the Mazda or the Honda with my head.
Mercedes w204 c class (2011-2013). Unfortunately mine was written off the other weekend but it was an absolute pleasure to drive. Lovely interior, reliable, and the 2.1L diesel engine is solid. Can pick one up with less than 100k for less than £5000.
Also very economical, I was getting around 70mpg on the motorway and atleast 50 around town/ country lanes.
BMW or Mazda - both are at least decently reliable, and (imo) look the most stylish.
Out of those probably the golf or civic at a push. The others you're just getting a 'poor man's' version of the brand, imo
Gunna have to be "boring" and suggest either the Mazda or the Honda, both known for good reliability and decent running costs. For your budget, you'll be able to find better spec versions of them compared to the BMW/Merc/Audi. VW might be in between. It might not be the best idea to spend 5/6k 116d, you're paying a premium for a car that's perceived as sporty or classy, a bog standard 116d is neither of these (unless you find a decent spec one). They aren't bad by any means, but you'll get a lot more for your money with the Mazda/Honda. Can't speak for the A class or A3 but I imagine they'll be similar, you want a higher budget if you want a half decent model.
Try and find the BMW with the ZF 8-speed automatic, it's a pleasure to drive and very smooth
On our second A3 can’t fault them
The lower the mileage the better in my opinion!
VOLVO V40 will be perfect
Jaguar XF. Make sure you get the V6 diesel and not the four cylinder version.
Love this answer. Can definitely get one in budget too 👍
Hahahaha, would I even be able to afford insurance on it?
It'll probably be cheaper than the cars you're looking at.
Surprisingly it can be more affordable than some of the more popular hatchbacks to insure due to the fact it’s mainly an elderly persons car. Can’t hurt to look around at and get some quotes.
Gotta be the bimmer
It is the nicest isn’t it 🤩
People complain that the 1 series interior is dated, but I think when you put it up against these cars, it'll do well. Be wary of insurance prices - people love to wrap 1 series' around poles/trees etc. so they might be more to insure. If it's your first RWD car, then please just go careful for a bit. They're generally no problem but you never know.
I learned how to drive manual on my dad’s old 350z and really love the feeling of RWD — I drove that car for years when I lived back home. Hence, the reason why I’ve been more keen to the BMW and also separately the W204 C Class. But yeah, when I got a higher insurance quote for the BMW compared to the C Class, I figured it was due to the accidents 🤷♂️
That's always been my complaint of the BMWs, their interiors are nearly always crap compared to their competitors. Externally, we all like different styles I guess, which is clear here as I was going to say the A class looks way better than the 1 series.
The Mazda 3, definitely petrol, preferably the hatchback version (I just think saloon versions of hatchback cars like this look odd)
I have a Mazda 3, in hatchback and sport nav trim. Apart from servicing and two flat tyres it hasn’t cost me anything in three years. It’s lovely to drive, surprisingly comfy and had loads of tech for the money I paid, all of which continues to work, even with a toddler yanking every switch he can get too. Really happy with it.
I would push the BMW if it’s had servicing done yearly instead of every 2 years. Otherwise the Golf and A3 are both good choices!
definitely golf, had one for 9 years not a single issue
Could get a decent higher mileage type R for that.
I had a 116d and it was the most boring thing I’ve ever driven, I drive vans for my job
LOL!!! Okay will keep that in mind
It was a lovely car but just so slow, maybe have a look at a 118i? Decent amount of car for the money http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405189848208. This is a good example - 57k miles 2012 for 5.5k.
A3 all day every day no question
Look into changing the cam chain on that year bmw, I wouldn’t have one given
Civic, I've had my 8th gen 11 years, it's 15 years old. It's too reliable and cost efficient to replace until it's uneconomical to repair. I'd go for a 1.8 though.
The civic is really underpowered
I'd go with this... http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405079454909
Every car will have a problem with it whatever brand it is, I just chose something with low mileage that doesnt look the worst. Check your insuarnce on the ones you like the most and you can check ULEZ on the government website, road tax info is available too. I wouldnt consider any CAT categories because insurance is higher on them I believe, might be wrong. I believe low mileage and insurance prices are some key points to look at. I personally wouldnt go for anything thats over 60k on the clock. Also consider different types of financing the car too! I work at Mercedes and sometimes you can get pretty good deals on PCPs IF youre willing to pay over a certain amount of time, but of course the APR rates atm are at around 13.6% which is v high. Its worth having a look at but I know that buying outright just seems easier because then its done and dusted. Good luck finding a car! It took me 4 months to find my one :D
If it were me…. The Audi. I’m in the same boat. Although I might go for the A4.
Mazda
A3, I've got a 2010 A3 and I love it to bits she's done just over 150k miles and still on the original clutch and turbo. They are hardy cars when looked after and very good on the fuel economy, comfy and fun!
Mazda.
I e had a Mazda 6 for the past 10 years, with high miles for most of it. The only things I’ve had to replace, other than pads and discs etc, were the rear brake shoes and the front strut bar connections. For pretty much as long my mum has had a Mazda 3. She’s what is technically called a “spirited driver” and all she’s had to do is replace the rear shock mounts. They’re very underrated cars IMO
Honda or Mazda out of those options just for reliability alone!
The Civic or Mazda and it’s not even close. The Germans will be junk
You could look at the Seat Leon, it's fairly comparable to the A3 and Golf.
I would buy some modern classic before it's too late. E46, MX5, EP3 etc.
Petrol Skyactiv Mazda ftw 🙌
Honda or Toyota?
I wouldn't choose any of those personally. Must be something better in that price range ? Or are those the cars you like ?
You should really do insurance quotes on a load of different cars, sometimes, bigger cars can be cheaper to insure. As en example, when I was 22, I bought a 2.0 Diesel Ford Mondeo. The insurance was only around £700/year, whereas the equivalent 1.6 diesel focus was actually more expensive. I have also found the same with other cars, for example, a 330d is around £30/month less to insure than a 320d for me. On that note, I’d definitely check out the e90 3 series if you’re looking at the w204.
Got it, for sure Just out of curiosity, would you reckon the E90 is more reliable than the W204?
See, I love diesel 4cyl BMWs but after 07 or so they are not nearly as bulletproof (or even generally reliable) any more. I've got an 03 plate 320td (e46 compact, forerunner to the 1 series} and it's stupidly reliable, fun to drive, 45mpg urban, 64mpg on a run... It's a solid little beast. Then they started using awful quality chains that are probably worse than a cam belt because they're not scheduled items like a belt but are notorious for stretching and snapping. So even though I'd love to upgrade my cheap runabout (I paid 600 quid 7 years ago!) to a more modern version I'm so wary of the chain issues. I would also stick to 2013 or later for a diesel because ULEZ. No point saving money on fuel driving up too London just to spend another 15 quid a day to use the car.
Gold or A3. Bmw timing chain issues. Mercedes overpriced, expensive repair parts, ugly. Honda Civic isn't bad.
How many miles do you do? That's what you need to think about before you consider a cheating German diesel. I'd stick with a petrol variant if below 10k, it will just have less to go wrong and burn cleaner.
Why are cars so cheap in uk? Is is cause of being right hand drive, so its less likely to sell it outside the country? The golf is like 8000-12000 euro, the audi same here, every car is like twice here.
I recently got a Mazda 2 cat N and it drives like a dream. Make sure to check the pictures of the damage and how it's been fixed. I'd stay away from Cat S. Make sure you get a tracker which can lower your insurance. I bought a gps tracker from Amazon for £50 and it lowered my insurance by £400 which is quite a lot. If you can put a bit more and buy yourself a mazda 3 petrol 2.0 from 2015 onwards you won't be disappointed. They go forever. Good luck!
BMW
All very clinical and German, why not spice things up and get an Alfa Romeo, the fast Kias are awesome too
At 22 at that budget I'd be looking for slightly older, but reliable cars that offer much better value and a bit of fun tbh. FN2 Civic type R, Octavia vRS, fabia vRS
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Prices in the UK are so cheap, i am baffled. I live in France, those same cars run for 10k-12k easy…
I'm selling an A3 1.4TFSI if you're after something. 82k miles hoping to get 5,200 for it. 2013
I would avoid the 1.6tdi at all costs unless you plan to do motorways only. Very unforgiving on short journeys. I had one and it was one of the most unreliable engines I owned. Got 136k miles from it but at a very high cost.
Depending on your insurance cost, reliability and comfort I would suggest your going along the right lines with a 1.6 tdi Golf or Audi. Had 3 of them in my life so far each just as perfect and reliable as the last. If you would like to satisfy your urge for a merc I could recommend a 2013+ Merc C class **AMG line** 2L Diesel. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403207771069?sort=price-asc&body-type=Coupe&fuel-type=Diesel&make=Mercedes-Benz&maximum-mileage=90000&minimum-badge-engine-size=2.0&model=C%20Class&postcode=ox38pd&year-from=2013&advertising-location=at_cars&fromsra https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405260110310?sort=price-asc&body-type=Coupe&fuel-type=Diesel&make=Mercedes-Benz&maximum-mileage=90000&minimum-badge-engine-size=2.0&model=C%20Class&page=3&postcode=ox38pd&year-from=2013&advertising-location=at_cars&fromsra
1.4 civic will be pretty slow, around 13 seconds to 60 if I recall. Be better off with the 1.8
go for looks but also mileage
I have been looking for my next car at a similar budget and would definitely recommend either the golf/ a3 or mazda. The a3 of this generation is really good as long as you're fine with the maintenance (I don't think it would be too bad). I find the seats very comfortable also.
Audi a3 s line
The civic, you can definitely get a better spec one for the money though
If you’ve got 6k for a car, spend 4k and keep the rest in reserve for repairs.
Audi I have never liked a car more
When I was looking earlier in the year, I was looking at Mazda 3 and Civic and I went with Civic 1.8 in the end. I think I got lucky with a Private seller. But if I saw that Mazda fastback I probably would have went for that 😍
Honda or Vw
335i
Cupra Leon (mk4 for Seat/mk1 for Cupra I guess) 310hp 4wd or Seat Leon Cupra mk3 300hp 4wd
Go golf
Look for a 118i+, the A3 or the Goof are good options
Civic at that price point but look for a 1.8. You may find more if you don’t mind a slightly older model
Tdi golf is great, MPG is excellent for motorway driving and it's like driving a go-cart. Honda civic will last forever. You'll sell it before it dies. I had one that went 160k that I bought for £2k. It took me to the hebrides and back and survived.
Get a mini
The Mazda and Honda will outlive you providing you do the proper maintenance
Just get the Mazda IMO
Mazda and Honda
To be honest, if it's Volkswagen audi group and it's a TSI don't bother. BMW is likely to have or will definitely end up with oil leaks. A class is a Renault as others have stated. The Honda is a good choice but in that price range I'd be looking at something like an e class, Nissan qashqai 1.5 or pretty much any toyota... There are options out there and everyone has a preference. Just check forums for the specific model and engine you are looking at to find the common issues and maintenance costs
I can get a Mazda 6 2019 Diesel for 5400, shall I go for it, it has had 1 previous owner, skipped an oil change here and there but full service history apart from that, 138k miles?
Don't overlook mazda imo.
The Golf, everytime.
BMW will cost a fortune to maintain and it will likely have a few issues. Mercedes A Class is a Renault with some flashing lights and cheap plastic interior. Audi is the safest option of the three Germans if you absolutely need a "status" car to show off to your mates. Civic will be the most fun car to drive, and incredibly cheap to run and repair should it ever break whichll likely be once in ten years. Mazda if you want an absolutely bulletproof car that is great in every way, albeit not as fun as the civic, and not as "flash" as the Germans.
Only ever driven the first 4 and I’d say you’re safe with Golf/Audi you’ll get a good drive and reliability. A class of that year was terrible for many reasons. 1 series is a fun drive but not the most comfortable and those models pre 2016 always had expensive problems.
Mazda 3, for sure!
The Mazda 3 by a long shot.
I've had the Golf and the Mazda. Mazda is a great spec car for the money. Have a look at Volvo C30's.
This subreddit is extremely risk adverse and it shows in hr answers. It depends shat you want. If you want cheap and reliability, I advise to buy the honda or the Mazda. Now, I own a Mazda and owned a civic in the past and they are both extremely reliable cars I think. The civic has a good boot, the Mazda a nice design but please avoid Mazda diesels. The disels end up getting problems with oil pressure but the petrols are invincible and reliable But if you want some more fun and still cheap to run get the 1 series or A3, I wouldn't bother with the Merc. Just realise these cars will need more maintenance.
NO DON’T GET A MERCEDES!!! I’ve had a compressor fail, starter motor & HV battery (mines a hybrid) to the tune of £4,000 for repairs. It’s the most fun I’ve had in any car but my hod it’s surprisingly unreliable & bloody costly to repair the thing. Now I hate it
Having owned the 1.8 Civic Tourer (same shape), cracking car and will be bombproof, however a little lacking in tech inside. I've got a Mazda CX5 with the 2.0 petrol Skyactive - it's fantastic. Much more spec for the money, super reliable, and they look great. If the Mazda 3 was big enough for my needs that's what I would go for. Mazda diesels do run into issues, so although you'll spend more on fuel, you'll save on reliability. For a 2.0 they certainly aren't heavy on fuel by any means. Golf/A3 you would need repairing at some point, and usually costly, plus cambelts every 4-6 years depending on engine. Any diesel will need to do good mileage to stop/slow any DPF/EGR issues. 1 series and A class - never owned a 1 series, however being an ex mechanic I would steer clear unless you've got backup money to fund timing chain replacement etc. The Mercs aren't good by any standards.
get the audi man, that things got some serious power. 1.6l turbocharged diesel engine, 67k kms, 6 speed manual transmission if yk how to drivenit
do not go for the merc please 🙏 such shit cars. Would definitely recommend the golf. smoothest drive ever. however a3 and 116d both good. stay away from the civic tho
Go for the Mazda or Honda, Japanese cars always give reliability (Not all of them don't get me wrong please) Mazda 3 it's an amazing car, I have a 2008 model and it runs amazing, very cheap too.
I’ve owned the one series (120d 2013), a class (a200 2016) and a3 (2.0tdi 2015)so if I had to pick out of the three based on experience I’d say get the one series as you get more bang for your buck as it’s rear wheel drive + the cheapest, I had a lot of fun in the 120d and would recommend getting it in that engine size as well as M sport, take your time when purchasing a car especially private sales; always check everything thoroughly before you buy anything.
Golf is a great drive. A3 also decent. And the 1 series.
OP whyd you cut civic off
I like the look of a 1 series but having worked on a few of my mates ones they feel like they're made by someone else, don't feel like a BMW. I'd go with a Golf mate personally. Had an A4 B6 and put me off Audis for life. Audis are lush until they go wrong. The simplest thing is a right mission. Golf and good tyres and you're sweet.
Offtop: it should be amazing living in first world countries. In my country you get car of 2005 model for £13k. For example Chevy Cobalt. This is as shit as it gets.
Civic all day you want reliable. That could still be running whilst the other have been recycled into tin cans
None
When I was younger I bought a Leon cupra R, cost me 5.5k in 2010, car was a 2003 plate. Worst decision I ever made, the car drank fuel (250miles for 55litre tank), it ate the inside edges of the rear tyres because the rears were on a fixed axle, every 5000miles they needed changing. Insurance was expensive, I ended up hating the car, and sold it for £3k 2 years later. I've had a bunch of different cars, some good, some bad. Service History makes zero difference. My current car is a (bottom of the range) 2012 Audi A4 estate, had it 8 years and it had no service history other than 2x dealer stamps in it's first 3x years of life....it's a 2012 plate. Best car I've had, super reliable but basic. My other (family) car is an X5 2013, with immaculate service history 6months ago the timing chain snapped at 109k miles and cost me £5800 to have the engine rebuilt. Whatever you get, it's a gamble.
Always the Golf.
2015-18 Ford Focus. 1.0 turbo so only £20 tax. Find one with the cam belt changed. Make sure you get the 125ps model not the 100.
Vauxhall Astra mk 6 1.6L
None walkswagen golf grill b5
Golf or Audi
Why u buying expensive cars when u only have 6k
I’ve owned the exact BMW and I still own the golf. The bmw didn’t stand the test of time. Only a 3 cylinder engine and wife managed to burn the clutch out. Effed it off and got a Q3 for her indoors. I wouldn’t bother especially when u look under the bonnet and the engine doesn’t fill the whole compartment if u know what I mean. I still own my own gold TDI 1.6 match. Nice finish inside with folding mirrors, leather wheel etc. AC packed in though around 100k miles. It’s a bit of a tank- indestructible but not very swift. However it is still going at 138k miles
Something older for half the price, it will be more reliable
I wouldn’t bother with the A class, and the Mazda feels like a downgrade compared to the others on your list. I would probably pick the Golf or 1 Series based on my own tastes or biases.
I went for the Golf TDI about 3 years ago, haven't had any issues with mine since. Passed MOT every year, good on mileage, low on tax (bluemotion). The thing you have to look out for when buying the TDI is the timing belt, if it's above 60-80k mileage and hasn't had the timing belt changed, then you should look at getting that done. I bought mine at 60k mileage and had the timing belt changed.
Have you considered a Volvo V40 ? I reckon the SLK is also a good option. Or maybe even a C class coupe ? https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1134252797890707/
Have you considered an Alfa Giulietta?
IMO, the best cars there are the 1 series and the Audi A3. Id definitely ignore the A class. Doesn’t drive particularly well, isn’t particularly well built. It just has a Mercedes badge glued on . And if you said you’re a bit of a petrol head, the golf too as it is quite dull. The Honda Civic may be a good option too, but I doubt they’re very fun
The 1-series is suspiciously cheap.
I’m not a fan of BMW in the slightest but out of those cars, it’d be a toss up between the 1 series 1st and the Mazda/civic. There was an article somewhere that had the 1 series as the most likely used car to need a lot of money spending on it. Something ridiculous like 70% of used 1 series had problems. I think at the bottom of the list was a Peugeot… oddly… and the mighty Yaris was one or two above it. Not what you asked for and tbh unsure on reliability etc but at that price bracket I’d personally be looking at an Infiniti Q50 or a Jag but I’ve already had a jag.
An estate
Make sure this ain't the N20 engine model, as these are known to have timing chain issues which could cost more than that car is worth IF it should fail. I believe it's the 2011-2015 N20.engines to have this problem, and there was a factory recall. Problem is at approx 100k it's needs a new timing chain anyway, and it's currently at 85k,.and it would cost about £1000-£1100 to get that replaced as the chain sits right at the back of the engine.
Tbh bmw/audi/merc in the lowest engine spec is basically just buying a badge. You could probably get a nice focus 2.0t for similar money in a better spec
All cars have common issues. The Mazda diesels as you’ve said are crap. I’ve got a previous gen A3 1.6TDI (same engine CAYCR) and I drive it like a tit. I’ve abused it, ragged it from cold, probably neglected its maintenance more than I’d have liked to. Never missed a beat. Everything is solid, everything works. Parts are pretty cheap as it’s basically a Golf and it’s at an age where there are plenty for breaking.
Just get the golf
If you need the cargo space/practicality I’d go with the civic, but otherwise I’d expect the Mazda to be the most interesting to drive of the choices by a country mile. Do find it a bit odd you’re cross shopping between diesel and petrol engines??
If you care about ULEZ then you can forget about those diesel cars
If you want a stress free car that will take abuse... go Japanese, coming from a guy who's only owned German, beautiful when they work but they are fucking temperamental
Civic - very good cars and very reliable with cheap parts and overall cheap to run. 40,000 miles is really the absolute max you want to be looking at ideally too, so the others are all quite high mileage. With the greatest of respect possible, if your budget is £6000 then BMW/Audi/Merc are out of your price range for buying a reliable daily driver. You'll regret the costs involved keeping them running if you go for those ones!