Four motors you can buy right now for under £10,000 – including VW Golf rival & ‘overlooked’ convertible
A CONSUMER expert has revealed a handful brilliant motors that can be bought right now for under £10,000.
This includes a Seat model that’s great for families and is considered a rival to the Volkswagen Golf, as well as an often overlooked convertible that packs a real punch.
In 2024, £10,000 gets you very little bang for your buck when it comes to buying a car – and you can simply forget it if you’re in the market for something new.
Thankfully, there are still a handful of second-hand bargains to be had – as picked out by a consumer expert from the Telegraph.
Seat Leon
The rather stylish Seat Leon has been favourably compared to the much-loved Volkswagen Golf – but with “more eye-catching looks as well as sharper handling.”
The Spanish-built motor represents incredible value, whether you choose to buy the Leon as a hatchback or even as estate, it’s described as “a brilliant family car.”
That’s thanks to the Leon boasting plenty of cabin space, great driving dynamics, and strong efficiency, with newer models even adding more tech into the mix.
As for credentials, the Leon is a previous winner of Autoexpress’ New Car Award, taking the Best Compact Family Car crown three times in a row in recent years.
Nissan 350Z (Roadster)
A certified modern classic, the Nissan 350Z – especially in its top drop, roadster form – is one of the least-appreciated fun motors on the road today.
They’re a bargain buy too, with the roadster form available for as little as £9,000 – even for an example in good condition.
The expert added: “Nissan’s brutish grand tourer is often overlooked in the annals of great sports cars, largely because early examples didn’t quite hit the mark.
“But what’s frequently forgotten is that mid-way through the car’s life Nissan brought out a range of upgrades that made the 350Z one of the most exciting affordable cars of the era to drive.”
With a 3.5-litre V6 engine, the 350Z offers speed and acceleration coupled with “pin-sharp steering and the excellent handling balance.”
Toyota Yaris Hybrid
The ultra-efficient Toyota Yaris Hybrid can help you drive further for less thanks to excellent fuel economy.
With its famed hybrid powertrain, the Yaris is especially great for urban driving, where frequent stopping and starting can allow its hybrid battery to recharge.
And the consumer expert added: “Don’t forget that a Yaris of this vintage can stay warrantied up to the age of 10 years, providing it’s serviced at a Toyota dealer.”
Seat Alhambra
Seven seats for under £10,000? It certainly can be done.
The Seat Alhambra is an safe bet for a family-friendly motor, and while it “isn’t going to win any prizes for fashion”, it does offers a capacious interior and a “brilliant balance between value and practicality.”
The consumer expert added: “Witness, for example, the seven full-sized seats, enabling everyone to travel in comfort and even adults to travel in the rear-most row.”
In addition, its boot is huge – especially with the rearmost seats folded down, while inside there’s plenty of cubby holes and foldable tables.
This comes as a luxury brand slashes £1,000s off the price of nearly every car in its line-up – including its entry level model which is now over £7,000 cheaper.
And for a real bargan, why not check out a little-known SUV that can cost less than £2,000 and once heavily praised by none other than Jeremy Clarkson?
Five tips to get the best deal when buying a used car
According Wheeler Dealers star Marc Priestley
- Look beyond the mileage – even low-mileage cars can have problems, especially if they’ve been in storage
- Check the tiny details – something as small as the rubber seals around doors and windows can be vital
- Have a look underneath – watch out for rust and corrosion on the underside
- Inspect the boot – watch out for damp and leaking water
- Check the papers – service history, MOT history, registrations documents