Well... sadly i've been thinking of changing my wee fez for something else whilst i can still get a good price for it. Its a great car and has been great for me but i think it has slightly more sentimental value than anything as its my first car (a great one at that) and i bought it with the money in which my dad had left for me after suddenly passing away 3 years ago. Him being a ford fan all his life and my brother and sisters first car being a fiesta i felt i had to carry on that tradition!

Whilst im still contemplating on which car i'd like to buy i thought i'd see what you guys have to say? And which cars you think are best on the market, ie value for money, cheap insurance (especially for still being in my teens!) etc etc..

Cars i've thought of recently..[list]
[*]Mini Cooper (05-onwards) Test drove one yesterday and was truly disappointed in it. The car was great dont get me wrong but changing gear... woah! I know the car has been sitting there for over a month so its barely been driven but you could move the gearstick to the left or right and it would stay there. I even had to get my mum to yank the gearstick right over to the left to get it in reverse! But surely there not all like that cause there's alot up here? After telling my boyfriend about this though he told me not to get one, but i still think there cute!!
[*]Seat Ibiza 1.4 Sport Coupe (08-onwards) This seems to be a winner so far with the other half!
[*]Vauxhall Astra (05-10) *awaiting stick * not so sure on this one anyway!
[*]VW Polo GTi (06-09) sadly insurance is the downside
[/list]
PLEASE add to the list! I'd prefer to get a car which is going to hold its value (and i know the vauxhall most likely wont) My budget is upto £7,000 so nothing to extravagant. Also something with little road noise as when we travel long distances we tend to take my car, so something with cruise control too would be a nice option.

Sorry for the long post but i hope you guys can help with other options!

Ford Focus Mk2.5

[quote name='mitch84' timestamp='1332690923' post='174395']
Ford Focus Mk2.5
[/quote]

+1

If you can get either a Focus or another Fiesta. Failing that with the budget you have you could even get a decent Mondeo ! Dont touch the Mini, People I know that have them have had nothing but problems. (its not a proper Mini anyway ! REAL Minis are half the size of the BMW rubbish!) The Polo is good but choose carefully, The boy racer brigade seem to be picking up on them for some reason recently so it may have been thrashed. Why not look for a Puma, Fiesta running gear, great handling and slightly more exclusive looks. A StreetKa is another idea, These little cabrios are comparitively rare so you'd definately have a "stand out from the crowd" motor! You could also go retro and get yourself a usable classic. A Mk 1 Fiesta XR2 or Escort XR3 springs to mind. Again shop around carefully as many of these have been trashed, crashed and mashed. If you can by from a specialist dealer rather than private as then if you have any problems you have somewhere to go back to. The insurance may be high so that may be a problem. You could look for the less "hot" versions and here you may be surprised. many of these are cars that were garaged and looked after so mileages can be very low. Its just an idea.

Just a further thought, Avoid French or Italian stuff. They look good but are usually plagued with electrical problems. If you want reliable think Japanese, Korean (Kia have a 7 year warranty and for £7,000 you would still get something with warranty left on it!) German cars are generally the best for build quality but if you want a combination of all three then look at Skoda. The Fabia and Octavia have won the Driver Power competitions for several years running and are superb cars. The hot VRS versions are very desirable and for your budget you should be able to get a decent Mk 1 Fabia or a Mk 1 or even a Mk 2 Octavia. Dont forget that underneath these share their chassis with the VW Polo and Golf but are far better cars and great value for money.

[quote name='dodgy-alan' timestamp='1332703182' post='174428']
Just a further thought, Avoid French or Italian stuff. They look good but are usually plagued with electrical problems. If you want reliable think Japanese, Korean (Kia have a 7 year warranty and for £7,000 you would still get something with warranty left on it!) German cars are generally the best for build quality but if you want a combination of all three then look at Skoda. The Fabia and Octavia have won the Driver Power competitions for several years running and are superb cars. The hot VRS versions are very desirable and for your budget you should be able to get a decent Mk 1 Fabia or a Mk 1 or even a Mk 2 Octavia. Dont forget that underneath these share their chassis with the VW Polo and Golf but are far better cars and great value for money.
[/quote]

skoda's from 2005 onwards also have volkswagon engines in them across the range, so their really a volkwagon with a different badge on the front, my mother and sister have both had skoda's and never had any trouble,

[quote name='mitch84' timestamp='1332690923' post='174395']
Ford Focus Mk2.5
[/quote][quote name='Lenny' timestamp='1332691262' post='174397']
+1
[/quote]

Trying to find a nice 3 door is proving harder to find than i thought up in Scotland. After searching through more than a handful of sites i only managed to find one!! A black 09 plate 1.6 zetec with a little over 40,000 miles for £6988 from Arnold Clark.. good price? Or how much cheaper are they down south?

[quote name='dodgy-alan' timestamp='1332702211' post='174424']
If you can get either a Focus or another Fiesta. Failing that with the budget you have you could even get a decent Mondeo ! Dont touch the Mini, People I know that have them have had nothing but problems. (its not a proper Mini anyway ! REAL Minis are half the size of the BMW rubbish!) The Polo is good but choose carefully, The boy racer brigade seem to be picking up on them for some reason recently so it may have been thrashed. Why not look for a Puma, Fiesta running gear, great handling and slightly more exclusive looks. A StreetKa is another idea, These little cabrios are comparitively rare so you'd definately have a "stand out from the crowd" motor! You could also go retro and get yourself a usable classic. A Mk 1 Fiesta XR2 or Escort XR3 springs to mind. Again shop around carefully as many of these have been trashed, crashed and mashed. If you can by from a specialist dealer rather than private as then if you have any problems you have somewhere to go back to. The insurance may be high so that may be a problem. You could look for the less "hot" versions and here you may be surprised. many of these are cars that were garaged and looked after so mileages can be very low. Its just an idea.
[/quote]
[quote name='dodgy-alan' timestamp='1332703182' post='174428']
Just a further thought, Avoid French or Italian stuff. They look good but are usually plagued with electrical problems. If you want reliable think Japanese, Korean (Kia have a 7 year warranty and for £7,000 you would still get something with warranty left on it!) German cars are generally the best for build quality but if you want a combination of all three then look at Skoda. The Fabia and Octavia have won the Driver Power competitions for several years running and are superb cars. The hot VRS versions are very desirable and for your budget you should be able to get a decent Mk 1 Fabia or a Mk 1 or even a Mk 2 Octavia. Dont forget that underneath these share their chassis with the VW Polo and Golf but are far better cars and great value for money.
[/quote]

I think a Mondeo is a bitty big for me right now, but i wouldn't mind an ST when im a bitty older and have a family. I think im going to have to drag myself away from Minis but i still think they're cute! My sister does have a 2003 cooper s and all shes had is problems since she bought it. (Maybe its my dads way of saying "I told you not to get a blimin BMW!" he was never a fan of them . ) I'd like to stick with something the same size or a bitty bigger than the Fiesta. As much as i love the classic fords i think i'd wait till i had the spare cash to buy one and keep it for weekends!
Don't worry their other cars i was brought up to avoid haha! I think i'll go have a good look through autotrader etc to see what catches my eye. And being a girl yes, picky can be my second name!

Is it bad that a test drove a different Mini yesterday and loved it? *awaiting hatred comments* but with this one the gearbox actually worked and no funny noises coming from the engine!

[quote name='fordieashx' timestamp='1334227618' post='177207']
Is it bad that a test drove a different Mini yesterday and loved it? *awaiting hatred comments* but with this one the gearbox actually worked and no funny noises coming from the engine!
[/quote]

Seeing as it's basically a baby BMW, nothing more to say on that subject..

owhh haha. It's a cute car though, bright yellow with a zebra print roof! Definitely made for me, as you can tell I like to stand out and be different! Don't worry i'll never drive like a BMW driver, i'm very courteous *ahem*

[quote name='fordieashx' timestamp='1334231589' post='177212']
owhh haha. It's a cute car though, bright yellow with a zebra print roof! Definitely made for me, as you can tell I like to stand out and be different! Don't worry i'll never drive like a BMW driver, i'm very courteous *ahem*
[/quote]

Sounds lovely,
Actually Audi drivers are fast emerging as the most arrogant on the roads.

Go to your nearest Kia dealer, and test drive the Pro_Cee'd, its the three door variant, and as was pointed earlier, anywhere up to seven years warranty left over that you can pick up, its a very good motor!

[quote name='Stoney871' timestamp='1334233249' post='177217']
Sounds lovely,
Actually Audi drivers are fast emerging as the most arrogant on the roads.
[/quote]

I don't think i'll part with my fez unless i get a good amount for it! I'll most likely cry the day i part with it haha!
Ooo awkward, my other choice was an A3
If i do leave the ford family, i wont leave the forum. I can tell you i'll definitely be back when i can afford the new fez ST

[quote name='jeebowhite' timestamp='1334233682' post='177220']
Go to your nearest Kia dealer, and test drive the Pro_Cee'd, its the three door variant, and as was pointed earlier, anywhere up to seven years warranty left over that you can pick up, its a very good motor!
[/quote]

Just had a looky on the web to see if there was any in Aberdeen and I can only find one 3rd petrol and its far to much out my budget! There is one down in Glasgow but i'd never buy a car from there, my boyfriend has bought a few of cars from down there and all had problems!! Lesson learned to never buy from there again.

Im so picky!!

apprently the skoda yeti is reckoned to be a brillient car.

[quote name='gregers' timestamp='1334257586' post='177282']
apprently the skoda yeti is reckoned to be a brillient car.
[/quote]

I remember that being on Top Gear being put through its paces, or was it the roomster? They look the same anyway! :L
Its not my kinda car tbh.

I have just traded up from an '07 MINI One to a '12 Ford Ka Edge. I owned the MINI for just over a year. I found it is really a two seater, has no boot room, when things go wrong they are expensive, no spare wheel. I find our Ka a really big car after the MINI. I am glad we bought the Ka.

[quote name='DaveD' timestamp='1334523721' post='177840']
I have just traded up from an '07 MINI One to a '12 Ford Ka Edge. I owned the MINI for just over a year. I found it is really a two seater, has no boot room, when things go wrong they are expensive, no spare wheel. I find our Ka a really big car after the MINI. I am glad we bought the Ka.
[/quote]

I just love the look and drive of the MINI, but i guess when it comes down to the cost for parts and the run flat tyres it is a bit £££. Even though my brother is a mechanic and could get parts cheaper my mum is trying to make me change my mind now As my sister has the 2003 (i think) cooper s and all she's had is problems since she bought it! I just love the bulk of the car feeling like its going to protect you, if you get me? haha. Another car my mum just suggested was the VW Beetle

If you really want a MINI the way to buy them is from new with a three year guarantee. I bought mine '07 plate last March with 21k on the clock. One month later the steering column failed and had to be replaced, luckily was warranty claim. My sons Cooper was ten days out of warranty and emissions failure cost him (me actually) £270. These cars arnt cheap to fix. My advice is steer well clear unless you can afford repairs, sorry.
Edit...Run flats are a problem all by them selves very expensive and cant be repaired (tire fitters will do anything NOT to repair them).

[quote name='DaveD' timestamp='1334604492' post='177983']
If you really want a MINI the way to buy them is from new with a three year guarantee. I bought mine '07 plate last March with 21k on the clock. One month later the steering column failed and had to be replaced, luckily was warranty claim. My sons Cooper was ten days out of warranty and emissions failure cost him (me actually) £270. These cars arnt cheap to fix. My advice is steer well clear unless you can afford repairs, sorry.
Edit...Run flats are a problem all by them selves very expensive and cant be repaired (tire fitters will do anything NOT to repair them).
[/quote]

Hmm, think i'm going to have to try and steer myself clear of the MINI until i'm a bit older and can afford to fix it if i still want one! Thanks for all the advice on the car though! Would much rather hear about the problems people have had so i know what to look out for etc.

I think you'll all be pleased to hear i might be hanging onto my fordy for a little while yet! Going to save up instead for something more reliable than a MINI me thinks (if i can!)