Where have all the new cheap fun cars gone?

Where have all the new cheap fun cars gone?

Author
Discussion

greggy50

6,161 posts

190 months

Wednesday 16th April 2014
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Crafty_ said:
But that works both ways, in 2003 and 2007 the Leon and Astra were available for below list as you suggest.
List on my 2007 Astra was £22k or so, I didn't pay that.
A 2014 car with the same options (or at least as close as possible) is £30k or so.
I paid 16k, I think you could get the current car with the relevant options for ~£24-25k

So the point stands.
Don't think you could get much of a discount on the 03 leon at the time from what I have read before

I can see from a quick search a VXR with the big wheels etc... and 300 miles on the clock for under £21k so not that much of an increase imo for what is a far far better car

If want a more far comparison

2005 Fiesta ST = £14k
2014 Fiesta ST = £17k

For a car nearly 9 years newer it has only gone up about £3k which probably make the new superior car less to but if anything taking into account inflation.

I believe the only reason your example (The S3) has not changed much in price is the fact they used to be over engineered and had outstanding build quality inside and out whereas the new one comes very lightly optioned and also feels a bit cheap inside in places so arguably whereas rivals have stepped up quality brands like Audi have let it slip if anything.


iloveboost

1,531 posts

161 months

Wednesday 16th April 2014
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As others have said I think it's mainly inflation that is affecting judgement of current new car value. Also as someone else said I think since the nineties the market has become a bit less badge diversified in terms of quality and price. Hmmm I suddenly have the urge to buy a gold silk tie. biggrin
As the OP said it was a bit disappointing that the UP! GT didn't make production. A nice interior, a characterful three cylinder turbo engine, cheap and light for a modern car. I'm sure they will release a Renaultsport Twingo in a couple of years with a turbo 'TCE' 1.2/1.4 engine that will probably be good, light and cheap for a new car.

morgrp

4,128 posts

197 months

Wednesday 16th April 2014
quotequote all
Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR ACT - Can be had new for 15k - 140bhp, 50 odd to the gallon, 0-60 in 7.8secs and low road tax - whats not to like?

carmadgaz

3,201 posts

182 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
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nickfrog said:
Or a few months old Suzuki Swift Sport with less than 10k miles for £10k... OK, that's still a choice of 1 and not quite new but what amazing value considering how good it is to drive and how well equipped it is...

Most overlooked / under rated car on the market ?
Haven't had a go in the most current shape Swift but having owned a 2006 1.5 for 2 years and had a good test drive in an old shape Sport I must agree, fantastic little cars with plenty of toys for the money.

ukaskew

Original Poster:

10,642 posts

220 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
quotequote all
morgrp said:
Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR ACT - Can be had new for 15k - 140bhp, 50 odd to the gallon, 0-60 in 7.8secs and low road tax - whats not to like?
I looked at a newish Fabia VRS as they can be had very cheap on the used market, however a quick google led to me to the Briskoda site and horror story after horror story regarding the 1.4 TSI. There are some good ones out there, but it's like Russian roulette. The FR is not immune either, after a quick nose around.

I wouldn't touch one without a very significant comprehensive warranty, and as my budget is £10k, thus needing one a few years old, it's not on my radar.

MrBig

2,638 posts

128 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
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ukaskew said:
The Up/ Citigo/Mii are top of the list at the moment, particularly as it's mainly town driving, low on power but good fun. That aside were struggling to find any alternatives.
Just to reassure you, we have a Citigo and it is perfectly component at motorway speeds. Don't get me wrong, doing 90mph for 4 hours would probably grate, but cruising at 60-80 the car doesn't break a sweat.

ambuletz

10,690 posts

180 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
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Is the Ka not fun anymore? People hardly ever seem to mention the mk2 now. The Ka was so distinctive when it came out, its popularity seems to have gone down quite abit.

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
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ukaskew said:
I looked at a newish Fabia VRS as they can be had very cheap on the used market, however a quick google led to me to the Briskoda site and horror story after horror story regarding the 1.4 TSI. There are some good ones out there, but it's like Russian roulette. The FR is not immune either, after a quick nose around.

I wouldn't touch one without a very significant comprehensive warranty, and as my budget is £10k, thus needing one a few years old, it's not on my radar.
You mention the Swift second-hand at 10k - what about the Fiat 500 Abarth? Are they off your radar second-hand?

tali1

5,265 posts

200 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
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ambuletz said:
tali1 said:
AudiWurst said:
2 Wycked said:
AudiWurst said:
A Fiesta RS Turbo was £11k in 2001. 50% inflation in 13 years averages out at 3.1% inflation per year.
They didn't make a Fiesta RS Turbo in 2001.
Sorry, meant 1991. Makes the current Fiesta ST look even better value.
Are we ready to rumble ? Let's roll!
In 1991 it was actually £12460 or £22,652.28 today.Ford were verry greedy panchauds back in those days
In 1993 a Sierra 2.0i Ghia 4x4 estate was £19990 or ....£34,492.75 today -oh twadi!
Someone mentioned on here in a post that since it's creation in 1976 Ford had not made a single profit on the fiesta until about 2007-2008. Tried googling it to find out the source but had no luck.
How did they mange that ? were they hand building them ?
Ford had rip off prices and basic spec -so charging a lot for very little
And remember Ford were the ones who (apprently) calulated that BMC were losing money on every Mini made!

Crafty_

13,248 posts

199 months

Thursday 17th April 2014
quotequote all
greggy50 said:
Don't think you could get much of a discount on the 03 leon at the time from what I have read before

I can see from a quick search a VXR with the big wheels etc... and 300 miles on the clock for under £21k so not that much of an increase imo for what is a far far better car

If want a more far comparison

2005 Fiesta ST = £14k
2014 Fiesta ST = £17k

For a car nearly 9 years newer it has only gone up about £3k which probably make the new superior car less to but if anything taking into account inflation.

I believe the only reason your example (The S3) has not changed much in price is the fact they used to be over engineered and had outstanding build quality inside and out whereas the new one comes very lightly optioned and also feels a bit cheap inside in places so arguably whereas rivals have stepped up quality brands like Audi have let it slip if anything.
Regardless, the cars increasing by 40-50% in cost is not purely inflation.

And I disagree on the Astra - the new car has lots of downsides but I won't derail the thread with where they've gone wrong.. smile

ukaskew

Original Poster:

10,642 posts

220 months

Friday 18th April 2014
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s m said:
Or the Fiat 500 Abarth for £14,205
It's probably always been the case, but why does the 'Sport' model have to = loaded with toys? They are always near the top of the pile when it comes to trim, electric gubbins and unnecessary add-ons. If I could take a Suzuki Swift Sport at basic 'SZ1' Swift spec with no AC, wind up windows etc I would be all over it.

Maybe there just isn't a market for it, but if Fiat/Suzuki etc could take a leaf out of the Clio 172 Cup book, build the 'Sporty' version but raid the parts bin of the base spec standard car they could probably reduce the price by a grand or so and make it more profitable.

ambuletz

10,690 posts

180 months

Friday 18th April 2014
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People these days are more bothered about the toys added to their cars then the actual handling/trim level. I remember reading a topic on here where someone talked about the BMW/Audi forums. They're more bothered about having a 320d with tons of options, then a 330i with nothing ticked.

chris watton

22,477 posts

259 months

Friday 18th April 2014
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My idea of cool options are - upgraded engine, close ratio box with a 3.73 ratio diff with a Quaife LSD, Nitron adjustable shocks, a head unit with a USB socket, and plenty of windy B-roads to play one!

driving