What car would you say is the better choice?

I preferably want an 08 hatchback Astra or an 08 hatchback Ford Focus, anything under 60 k miles really… I need some help deciding from anyone that has or had one. I'm only spending about £2k anyway but I just want something reliable and I need it for about 2yrs, any ideas.

Trying to buy a good 08 car for £2.000 is almost impossible.8 years old and in great nick for peanuts? If you want reliability you need service history… And you want below average mileage motor for little money? Not gonna happen.both are good cars

At that age and price either could be the best choice depending on what is available to you at the time you go out to buy

Golf?

I would go for a Golf in that price bracket. The old Dubs were well made and last forever, the new ones have lost their way a bit.

Astra has torsion beam rear axle - less maintenance than Focus IRS. Don't buy on year, buy on condition and owner, nice people from nice areas sell nice cars. Budget seems a bit low for an 08. Older Vauxhalls have a better reputation on rust than older Fords. Budget VWs - SEAT and Skoda are VFM.

I would NOT support anything from GM! They have been sued OVER and OVER against for things like COOLANT and gasket leaks! They chose the CHEAPEST parts, and you are history usually at about 100k miles FORD is built better, but I would get a GOLF or AUDI before either one! They will NEVER RUST and keep their values HIGHEST LONGEST! GM may even file for BANKRUPTCY again soon! YOu can get a GREAT used AUDI for less than either of your choices hee! QUATTRO RULES the streets and the races as well! I can't trust GM at all! They make the same mistakes OVER and OVER again until someone stops them! They do NOT really care what happens to YOu after the sale either! They have MORE LAWSUITS around the world than there are peanuts in bowling alleys! With AUDI and VW< you get REAL steering and SUPERB handling! The FOCUS is the same way! Most GM engines will get DEXCOOL DILEMMA as the coolant eats holes in the GASKET materials that GM people have chosen! FORD would be a SECOND choice to AUDI/VW< SKODA, or SEAT! I salute PIECH for how he has worked the VW GROUPE into a FINE set of long lasting cars that do NOT rust! GM CARS begin to fail when the warranty is up! It is called PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE! ANY repairs made on a VW or AUDI is a GOOD repair! This means the money spent will keep it going LONGER! BYE NOW!

Get a seat Leon there a golf in Disguse

Something is wrong here! I think it's going to be Audi/Volkswagon that will file for bankruptcy soon! I wouldn't touch one of those with a ten foot pole! Every car has it's own set of problems, do your research, and maintain the vehicle per the service manual. Always use manufacturer recommended fluids and parts. Good Luck with your choice! FWIW, I had a 2008 Chevy Cobalt, one of the best cars I ever owned!

Get a seat

One of my uncles had a focus.
Terrible car, he had to spend a lot on its computing system.
The whole computing network got spoilt and ford dealer were charging a lot so instead he sold the car as scrap.

Go for astro