Alfa MiTo and the like.
Discussion
Had a look at most of these with a view to buy last year. The Mito interior doesn't really look so good close up, I much preferred the Grand Punto evo inside and out. The 500 is nice but much more cramped. The DS3 was the real surprise, beautifully detailed and nicely put together - much nicer IMO than a Mini. I had a string of Citroens a few years ago and they were all rugged, reliable cars. If they ever get round to making it though, I would really like a 500 Twinair estate.
Mind you, I ended up with a second hand Jeep Cherokee.
Mind you, I ended up with a second hand Jeep Cherokee.
va1o said:
New A-Class? Its leaps and bounds better than the old car, interior is on a par with the rest of the Mercedes range and reliability is significantly improved and among the best in class. I rather like ours. It's a class above the MiTo, MINI and A1 etc.
The in-laws have one - very nice but a bit unrefined (at least the diesel) and a rock hard ride.DS3, 1.6 HDi. Best engine of the lot, If she isn't fussed about the alloys, go for the DStyle 99g, for free disc. A couple of comedians did london to glasgow and back on a tank a while a go if I remember correctly.
Even if she is fussed about alloys, get a 99g and specify alloys! 90% of DS3s are built to order anyways.
Still worthwhile looking at the C3 Exclusive, thats a nice place to be too.
Even if she is fussed about alloys, get a 99g and specify alloys! 90% of DS3s are built to order anyways.
Still worthwhile looking at the C3 Exclusive, thats a nice place to be too.
Just back in from looking at the Mito, amongst others.
Check Autocar/Evo/Car for online reviews, seems early Mito's had suspension/gearshift and steering wonkiness that made them feel oddly mismatched, now improved (since mid '10 I think).
DS3 looks too contrived and fussy to me, but drives well.
New Mini is uglier than old one but what a hoot to drive and new interior - well, silver bits painted black - makes quite a difference to pereceived quality. The absolute pick if Mrs Batty likes to drive on the door handles.
Cooper S is faster than it has a right to be but big (2-3k) price difference compared to Mito.
Polo GTI is well built, capable and quick but boring to look at and be in. Might suit Mrs Batty coming from an A Class though.
My very shortlist, in preferred order, is:
Mito
Mini
Let us know what you buy.
Check Autocar/Evo/Car for online reviews, seems early Mito's had suspension/gearshift and steering wonkiness that made them feel oddly mismatched, now improved (since mid '10 I think).
DS3 looks too contrived and fussy to me, but drives well.
New Mini is uglier than old one but what a hoot to drive and new interior - well, silver bits painted black - makes quite a difference to pereceived quality. The absolute pick if Mrs Batty likes to drive on the door handles.
Cooper S is faster than it has a right to be but big (2-3k) price difference compared to Mito.
Polo GTI is well built, capable and quick but boring to look at and be in. Might suit Mrs Batty coming from an A Class though.
My very shortlist, in preferred order, is:
Mito
Mini
Let us know what you buy.
dpbird90 said:
I can vouch for the Panda/500, fabulous cars. Hmm £15k, have you considered the Audi A1? Or save a bit of cash, have a VW Polo/Seat Ibiza/Skoda Fabia?
I was in a similar situation about two months ago.I test drove the following:
Renault Clio RenaultSport 200 Cup (as a passenger, see below)
Alfa Romeo Mito 1.4 Multiair TB
Mini Cooper S
Ford Fiesta Zetec S 1.6
VW Polo 1.4
Seat Ibiza 1.2 TSI
The Clio was amazing. It earned a couple of thumbs ups from other drivers on the test drive. But since the dealer (Renault London West) wouldn't let me have a go at one (the salesperson drove it) I looked elsewhere. Another dealer said they didn't have any RS200s for test drives. So I looked elsewhere again. Then I looked at the MiTo. I was rather impressed with the it until 1) the engine light came on after 15 mins in the dealer's demo and 2) I drove a Mini Cooper S the next day (didn't cross my mind in the first place because I didn't like the 1st gens at all).
Well, no prizes for guessing correctly what I got myself in the end...
I used to have a MiTo and my girlfriend has a 500. The Alfa felt really well made and handled well - however the black paint work chipped like crazy, and the throttle response was awful. How i didn't notice this on the test drive i have no idea - it is something you become used to with time but still not nice. Also it was way overgeard for fuel economy, making it less drivable and 'nippy' than a good small car should be.
The best small car i've driven is the Suzuki Swift - i'm sure she could get a Sport for that money with change to spare and they drive so much better.
Cheers,
Rob.
The best small car i've driven is the Suzuki Swift - i'm sure she could get a Sport for that money with change to spare and they drive so much better.
Cheers,
Rob.
The mini is still leaps and bounds ahead in this Market, but the only stumbling
Block is usually cost. Having said that you will usually see the best residuals from them too. Soon I'll be looking at a car of this ilk for my gf and I. I imagine it will be a cooper-s as the others I have driven, the 500, fiesta, mito just can't match it's all round package.
Block is usually cost. Having said that you will usually see the best residuals from them too. Soon I'll be looking at a car of this ilk for my gf and I. I imagine it will be a cooper-s as the others I have driven, the 500, fiesta, mito just can't match it's all round package.
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