I might be wrong, but I think the C30 is a bit of a tarted up Focus, they share the same platform?

 

Yup think so, just with nicer styling and more premium quality interior

Not sure about diesels for an 8 mile drive, heard that it doesn't do them any favours?

 

try the diesel type-s

My mum had one and it did the job.

**** poor build quality though, but afaik that was fixed with newer model year cars (hers was a 56 i think)

 

Yup all stop start, traffic light and Gatso laden A-road... not fun to drive round here lol

 

Dad has a civic, nice car but for me it's let down by poor interior plastics. Shame you won't go Audi, you could get a decent A3 S-Line for similar money to the cars above.

 

Nothing against the car itself but can't stand the brand's image and general audience (yourself excluded lol)

 

Haha, I understand. Everyone has differing tastes anyway. If I was choosing out of those 2 though I would also go for the Volvo. Always quite liked the C30.

 

Personally I'd go for the Volvo.

 

I'd go for the Volvo because its not a Honda.

 

Vauxhall Astra Diesel 3dr.

 

Great shortlist - I'm a big fan of both. Quite different cars but both with merit. It boils down to how you find they drive. I'd expect the Civic to be sharper and the Volvo more comfortable.

 

We looked at both and then went and bought the Alfa Mito. Beats both hands down in just about every factor.

 

Of the two I'd go for the Volvo - its apparently not that good in several areas (the boot is tiny) but feels special.

Have you also considered the Focus (my wife's came with large alloys and blacked out windows and is a nice place to be as well as a good drive)
and the MINI (cue negative comments about suggesting a BMW product)?

 

I would go for the civic, fantastic cars, I miss mine (the ex got it in the split) I'd buy another in a heartbeat if I could afford to.

 

Volvo for me, too many issues with the civics, thin windscreens, water leaks in rear, and perishing seat fabric where the seal buckle rubs.

 

I've not tried the C30. The Lexus CT200h is, in my opinion, among the best cars in this class. Interior and styling are hard to fault, and I suspect that hybrid technologies increase engine longevity (i.e. reduces engine-wear).

Of the more mainstream products, I preferred the Renault Megan to anything offered by Ford. The Megan's interior is solid and the car's features for absorbing crash damage are excellent. However, I found its features for avoiding a crash were not very good (narrow tyres and light-front loses grip on tight corners - NCAP does not test this!)

 

The Lexus CT200h is, in my opinion, among the best cars in this class. Interior and styling are hard to fault

I wish more car makers would produce small luxury cars, don't see why I should have to buy a big lumbering salloon to have it.

 

As an owner of a 2008 Civic, if you are looking for better interior quality than an MG6 then look elsewhere!!

The Civic is awash with hard plastics and an instrument binnacle that scratches even if you look at the wrong way. Lots of people report rattles as well - although mine isn't too bad for that. Paint quality isn't stellar either - it has a very brittle nature to it, which means stones chips result in a chunk of paint coming off.

Ride quality is pretty jiggly with the torsion beam rear, but it is generally pretty good to drive.

The 1.8 is a super engine - 140ps + I average 40mpg+ easily in mixed driving. Likes to be revved.

I like the car, but it isn't the most refined small/medium hatch out there.

I'm planning to switch to an MG6 for the following reasons:

Interior space
Ride quailty
Value for money
Paint quality
Switch to diesel

 

Good point about the paint, milano red is especially poor, and very thin when measured with a paint depth gauge.

 

I did have a go on the 'build your own 1 Series' a year or so ago, a Cabby with all the options I would like to have came back at £33k. :bigeyes:


Pick up an M5 for that !