The Volkswagen Golf is an off-roader that combines the right comfort, charming handling, enough space for as many families as possible, a high-quality interior and quiet handling. Of course, its clever styling and distinctive VW make it a desirable car, and that’s why it costs a bit more than some rivals. The new VW Golf Mk8 is now a regular on the second-hand market, but it’s still a good time to buy this Mk 7 model. Many other buyers have.
Do you want to get a lot out of the car for your money?Well, that’s precisely what the Vauxhall Astra offers, because it’s cheap. There’s a new 2021 Vauxhall Astra on the market lately, but if you buy one of the newer versions of this vintage car with advanced engines and technology, it’ll be a wonderful buy. We recommend opting for the nimble petrol engines instead of the noisy diesel engines, but overall the Astra is comfortable, spacious and quite fun to drive. There are also many of them out there.
The BMW 3 Series has been at or near the most sensible on our list of favorite executive cars, whether new or used, and it’s incredibly popular as a used purchase. This previous-generation edition is fun to drive, sleek and refined. . We’ll stick with a post-facelift edition (sold from 2015 onwards) for the revised 320d diesel engine, which avoids costly timing chain issues. Look for a car with the Professional Media package for enhanced infotainment.
We found: 2018 BMW 320d SE, 45,000 miles, £11,995
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The Volkswagen Polo costs more than most of its rivals, even in this previous-generation version, but you feel like you’re getting a lot more bang for your buck, making it hugely popular. It’s comfortable, offers a sleek ride, and a well-finished interior that mimics the bigger, newer Volkswagen Golf. Small turbocharged gasoline engines are the most productive options possible because they tend to be sleeker and quieter than diesel engines.
We find: 2017 Volkswagen Polo 1. 0 TSI SE, 53,000 miles, £69
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One of the SUVs of the first family and, in this second-generation version, still one of the most popular at second-hand service stations, is the Nissan Qashqai. It is quiet and comfortable, economical and well equipped in all its finishes. It’s also incredibly practical, and while it’s not as easy to drive as some of its rivals and suffers a bit from its combined reliability history, the Qashqai is still a big hit with used car buyers.
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