Which small car???? :?

[Akula]

After having the Vectra 2.2 dti serviced £157 :shock: its still doing around 30 ish to the gallon so I have decided on getting a new small car.. I have looked at the new
Suzuki Swift 1.5 ddti http://www.proauto.sk/images/modely/swift_black.jpg
http://www.parkers.co.uk/choosing/carreviews/gallery/?model_id=1374&category=Main%20image for 10 grande which gets a good write up OR the new

Fiat Grande Punto1.3 16v dt in black http://www.parkers.co.uk/imagecache/file/590/archive/Fiat/Grande%20Punto/F_1916.jpghttp://www.fiat.co.uk/GrandePunto/

for about £1200 less. Each do about 60 mpg (allegedly) on the roads ill be mainly using, just wondered if anyone had any other choices for about teh same amount.......

Akula

Martin

[Ed]

You could always buy my 02 reg red Clio 1.5dCi, 36750 miles, in perfect nick, just 36K serviced - yours for £4,250 or thereabouts ish.

It deffo does 60mpg. And it's not slow.

Ed

[tigersaw]

I had a Yaris a few years back, that did 55/60 to the gallon, 72 mpg when running in all cautious!
It was totally reliable, did the job perfectly. It had no performance to speak of, but that never bothered me, I finally replaced it because:

The stereo was **** and difficult to replace, one of those funny fit ones,
It did not have a proper spare wheel
You could fit bugger all in the boot

[northwind]

I do like the Yaris. Funny, they were absolutely everywhere for a while, now they seem much less common.

[tigersaw]

I do like the Yaris. Funny, they were absolutely everywhere for a while, now they seem much less common.

I've just been on the Toyota website, looks like they have blinged the Yaris up a bit since I bought mine, but the basic 'faults' all still remain. They just seem to have added more technology, and leccy windows - I hate leccy windows, I've bust two now by inadvertently using them on a frosty morning. They have kept that awful speedo as well.
I'll be looking for a new car myself in a couple of years, really no idea what to look for, had the economy cars, had the high performance cars, had a van, had a 4x4 truck, all dull compared to bikes!

[northwind]

I'll probably be getting my first car this year... No idea what yet. The sensible option would be something basic, cheap and boring, an Astra or something... But my idiot gland keeps on suggesting I get something daft. I need to be careful though, with my modification addiction if I get anything at all loveable it'll be financial death ;)

[tigersaw]

I need to be careful though, with my modification addiction if I get anything at all loveable it'll be financial death ;)

In that case get a 200SX! Cheap old clunkers, but mod mans heaven and rear wheel drive. My mate spends far too much time working on his, over 400HP at the wheels, flames out the exhaust - proper drift car :)

[embee]

I have a 2000 1.0 Yaris (GLS spec), 36k from new.

As said, 100% reliability, 50-60mpg is normal once fully run-in (i.e. after 20k miles), just service it once a year and add petrol. :lol:

Performance is adequate for what it is. It works. :lol:

Fine for longer distances, I did Austria several times.

New slightly bigger Yaris has the "new" 3cyl 1.0L engine (mine has 4cyl), which gives more torque and better economy! The Toyota 1.4 diseasel is what BMW chose to go in the Mini and is supposed to be decent engine, enough torque to pull stumps and 65mpg+. I've never tried one.

The small car from Toyota/Citroen/Peugeot (Aygo etc) is sadly expensive for what it is, just too small for me, though apparently quite fun and excellent economy. Use the Toyota 3cyl engine, all built in Poland in the same factory.

If money isn't the issue, look at the Honda Jazz, comes top in owners' surveys consistently, economy is almost Yaris levels despite being a bigger car all round. Ride is a little uncivilised compared to others but faultless reliability.

Steer clear of anything else French (except the Yaris is French built, and the Aygo variants don't count :roll: ) or Italian if you want any sort of reliability.

Skoda are easily the best VAG marque if that appeals.

Nissan Micra can be had much cheaper but only just competes. Older Micra is what I recommend to people wanting cheap reliable runabout, you can pick up very good examples for little over £1k now, don't give much problems especially compared to similar age Fiesta/Corsa etc.

[northwind]

I need to be careful though, with my modification addiction if I get anything at all loveable it'll be financial death ;)

In that case get a 200SX! Cheap old clunkers, but mod mans heaven and rear wheel drive. My mate spends far too much time working on his, over 400HP at the wheels, flames out the exhaust - proper drift car :)

Well, thanks for that. Temptation's exactly what I need ;)

[Akula]

I had a Yaris a few years back, that did 55/60 to the gallon, 72 mpg when running in all cautious!
It was totally reliable, did the job perfectly. It had no performance to speak of, but that never bothered me, I finally replaced it because:

The stereo was sh*t and difficult to replace, one of those funny fit ones,
It did not have a proper spare wheel
You could fit bugger all in the boot


I also need a fair boot, i liked the Swift because although its a small car it has got a huge boot, once you have lifted the seats back. The Grande Punto has also got a big boot, once the seats are sorted, although as you say the old italian reliability problem is their :(


Akula

[ivantate]

I imagine the Punto will depreciate slightly less. Especially being the new grand Punto. They should be doing some good clearance deals on the old one too.

The Suzuki uses the Fiat diesel engine and Toyota petrol engines.


Test drive everything, take advantage of the fact you are wanting to buy a car.

[K]

Akula, I can recommend the Jazz on most fronts, the 'Magic Seats' in the back make the boot space like the Tardis, legroom in the back is fairly good too - and it's only available in 5 door (rather than being a more expensive version) so passenger access is good.
Fuel economy is usually Honda's downfall, they're simply not quiet as good as many rivals. That and servicing costs - They're not as bad as their reputation would make out, but they do come in at about 6% above the National average.
That said, they're very reliable.

Northwind, get a Mini (old school). I'm sure there's nothing you can't do to mod them :wink: , yet in comparison to other cars they're cheap to run, insure, mod...

... Hell, my DOG costs more to insure each year than my Mini! :shock:

[Red ones]

You should get better than 30mpg from the Vectra - how about being more gentle with your feet?

[TC3]

The new Punto is a nice lil motor and my cousin in italy has just got one in black :D I will give it a run in a few weeks when i am out there as thinking of trading wifeys corsa for one

[Viney]

Ford Fiesta - Still my fav small car
Old shape Nissan Micra - Handled well, and very nippy
Citreon C2 - Cheap and unusual
Audi A2 - Expensive and unusual, but great value secondhand
New Clio - I like this. A mini megane

I have a hate for fiats after almost being killed (Punto) in one and not to keep on Suzuki as a whole (Dad has one, silly expensive on servicing, hes just brought an Audi, and thats cheaper!!)

[Daimo]

Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 CDTi (although don't know the cost new). Brilliant little engine, superb on juice. Very cheap car to run.

Smart Car?

AS someone said, old skool Mini. Granted you may have little bits n bobs to sort out, but its a mini. They are so simple to work on.

Two friends have mini. Superb little motors. 1.0 drinks no juice, 1275 isn't that bad either.

[tricky]

Had a look round the Jazz whilst I was waiting to pick my Accord up a little while back.
Looked a decent motor, superb build quality.
Mrs Tricky is thinking about trading her Yaris in for one.
The only think I don't like about the Jazz is its looks.

[fizzwheel]

My brother used to work for a Honda dealer, he rated the Jazz very highly, he now works for a Toyota dealer and is full of praise for the Yaris, its about the only new Toyota he said he would buy, as he reckons all the other others are sh*te and you woudlnt believe the stories he tells about customers bringing new cars back for warranty faults.

Trouble is with the yaris that 2nd hand ones hold the price extremely well

[northwind]

Northwind, get a Mini (old school). I'm sure there's nothing you can't do to mod them :wink: , yet in comparison to other cars they're cheap to run, insure, mod...

With my record, I want something that crashes a little better ;) I'd like to not be killed as a school-run mum drives right over me in an X5 without even knowing I'm there...

[$i]

in my experience i have never bought french/spanish/italian cars and tbh, i have never had any problems :D . Allways go jap, go for a swift or yaris!

[K]

Northwind, get a Mini (old school). I'm sure there's nothing you can't do to mod them :wink: , yet in comparison to other cars they're cheap to run, insure, mod...

With my record, I want something that crashes a little better ;) I'd like to not be killed as a school-run mum drives right over me in an X5 without even knowing I'm there...

All that means is that your first mod would be a full rally roll cage! :wink:
I know what you mean about X5's though. When I still had my 4x4 its bonnet was at about the same height as the Mini's roof! :shock:

[Valman]

Well, I needed to buy a car too and after spending a few weeks looking at loads of different cars I put a deposit down for this:
http://www.motorplexuk.com/veloces/img/DCD023356A1E1D132644D75C30B9416C3211CF59.jpg

I so wanted something like a Ford Fiesta or a Toyota Yaris or a Vauxhall Corsa but I just coudn't sit inside those things without thinking how revolting the interiors were and how basic they all were. The interior and spec on the Alpha on the other hand was amazing - hand stitched Momo leather, heated seats, dual zone climate control, traction control, ABS, stability control etc., and all for the same price including a 12 month warranty 8) . It might only give 35-40mpg but I don't mind giving up a little if it means actually enjoying the drive at the same time, which I really couldn't in any of the others.