What's the best value new car out there right now?

[kambites]

white_goodman said:

kambites said:

Obviously "value" will mean different things to different people, but if you don't count the badge as having any value and ignore resale values (which are heavily badge driven), I rather suspect it'll be something Korean. My parents have just bought a current model Picanto and I was amazed at how solid it feels. I believe you can get one for about £7k?

Doesn't the long warranty actually help residuals on Hyundai/Kia? i.e. you can buy a 3 year old car and still have 2+ years warranty left.

They certainly do seem to have decent residuals. I'm not sure if it's the warranty directly or the fact that supply of second-hand cars is so low because the people who buy them tend to keep them. The warranty and relatively low list price also means reductions are pretty much non-existent on new cars, which also makes the residuals artificially look stronger than the cars which people are buying new for 30% below list.

[Mercury00]

white_goodman said:

Probably the most fun new car for the money. Like it? My friend had a mk1 Swift Sport. I would be interested to hear what you thought of the new one.

I also had a mk1 Sport about five years ago. I like the mk2, it rides noticeably better and is a lot more refined at high speed as it has six gears - it's incredibly comfortable at 60mph for what it is. My only major complaint is that at three weeks old mine is full of rattles, in fact I'm taking the doors apart at the weekend to try and fix it.

Minor complaints: The seat backrest adjustment is one that moves in preset stages rather than having a knob for fine adjustment, and the notches are too far apart for me to be properly comfortable. The radio is crap, although I'm hoping that insulation in the doors when I fix the rattles will address that too.

I'm probably being too harsh on what is a very cheap and great value car. When I actually bother to drive it rather than fannying about with all this other stuff it's pretty damn good!

Oh, one other thing to mention is that pretty much all the reviews I've read in magazines criticise the manufacturers stated mpg and overly optimistic onboard computer. Well I've had 48mpg from mine, now down to 44mpg on this tank as I've started having more fun with it, and those are proper Fuelly figures rather than ones from the onboard computer. Suzuki's claimed mpg is 44mpg combined.

[white_goodman]

Mercury00 said:

I also had a mk1 Sport about five years ago. I like the mk2, it rides noticeably better and is a lot more refined at high speed as it has six gears - it's incredibly comfortable at 60mph for what it is. My only major complaint is that at three weeks old mine is full of rattles, in fact I'm taking the doors apart at the weekend to try and fix it.

Minor complaints: The seat backrest adjustment is one that moves in preset stages rather than having a knob for fine adjustment, and the notches are too far apart for me to be properly comfortable. The radio is crap, although I'm hoping that insulation in the doors when I fix the rattles will address that too.

I'm probably being too harsh on what is a very cheap and great value car. When I actually bother to drive it rather than fannying about with all this other stuff it's pretty damn good!

Oh, one other thing to mention is that pretty much all the reviews I've read in magazines criticise the manufacturers stated mpg and overly optimistic onboard computer. Well I've had 48mpg from mine, now down to 44mpg on this tank as I've started having more fun with it, and those are proper Fuelly figures rather than ones from the onboard computer. Suzuki's claimed mpg is 44mpg combined.

That's good real-world mpg for a sporting car. Unusual for the later version of a car to have a better ride too! My friend's only complaints about his mk1 were that he could do with an extra gear for motorway and the ride was pretty choppy. Other than that he loves it (possibly even more than the Ford Puma that he had before it)!

[PitmanJack]

white_goodman said:

My wife and I have a new 2014 Toyota Corolla...

How? Didn't thin they made those any more. didn't they get replaces by the Auris?

[white_goodman]

PitmanJack said:

How? Didn't thin they made those any more. didn't they get replaces by the Auris?

Not in Canada!

[miniman]

Skoda Superb has to be on the list I reckon. Effing enormous, well built, economical, lots of kit.

[PitmanJack]

white_goodman said:

Not in Canada!

Blimey. didn't know that!.. and my spelling was terrible in the last post ^ Oops.

[Troubleatmill]

Brand New Caterham Roadsport.
You will get 80% of your purchase price in 3 years time.

And probably 70% of your purchase price in 10 years time.

Edited by Troubleatmill on Wednesday 16th July 19:46

[white_goodman]

Spanna said:

Fiesta ST-2 on Drive The Deal:



That's a brand new hot hatch, with Nav and part leather interior, for nearly £3K off list.

You could be right. I would wager that it is 90% as quick as the Focus ST in the real world, 90% as big (saw one parked next to a new Focus the other day and it looked nearly as big), as well as better looking and better handling (so I hear) than the Focus.

I didn`t even consider a Fiesta when we bought our car, as I thought that it would be too cramped with two small children but maybe I should have. Can you get a 5 door version.

[va1o]

white_goodman said:

Can you get a 5 door version.

We can't in the UK but they offer it in the States

[sleeky]

Agree with the Swift Sport, that's why I have just ordered one

Family hatchback wise, the Skoda Rapid / Seat Toledo seem very good value, nothing particularly exciting in the looks department, but a lot of practical car (huge boot) for not a lot of cash. I think Seat are doing £2k discount at the moment too.

Then, as also said, I think the MX5 wins for a cheap sports car. Although I guess you could argue the base Caterham fits the bill too!

[crostonian]

I always think the £30k execs such as the 520d, A6 2.0TDi, XF 2.2 and E220CDi look value these days - you get excellent engineering, a lot of metal for your money, generous standard equipment and all for only a couple of grand more than a specced up top of the range diesel Golf, A3, 1 Series or A-Class.

[bobfett]

Deerfoot said:

Mercury00 said:

OP, they do still make the Swift Sport. I bought one last month brand new for £11989

That appears to be fine value, what do they list at?

List is now £13999, but the "just under 12k" ones were Suzuki clearing out the last of the ones that didn't have the built in sat nav/tyre pressure monitoring/DRLs (that the newest ones have as standard).

£12k was slightly mental when you consider that's just over list of a bog standard Polo with air conditioning and 60bhp, the 0% finance Suzuki were/are running and the kit list that's as long as your arm.

Edited by bobfett on Thursday 17th July 09:21

[thiscocks]

va1o said:

I think something like the Audi S3/ Golf R/ BMW M135i would be a potential candidate.

erm.. no

[Bonefish Blues]

Troubleatmill said:

Brand New Caterham Roadsport.
You will get 80% of your purchase price in 3 years time.

And probably 70% of your purchase price in 10 years time.

Edited by Troubleatmill on Wednesday 16th July 19:46

In residual terms, absolutely. In value for kg terms - i.e. metal for your money, rather less so.

[Ecosseven]

crostonian said:

I always think the £30k execs such as the 520d, A6 2.0TDi, XF 2.2 and E220CDi look value these days - you get excellent engineering, a lot of metal for your money, generous standard equipment and all for only a couple of grand more than a specced up top of the range diesel Golf, A3, 1 Series or A-Class.

Unless you specifically want RWD a Mondeo will do the same job for a fraction of the price. Not saying the cars you have listed are bad, just that the Mondeo offers better value for money in my opinion.

[crostonian]

Ecosseven said:

crostonian said:

I always think the £30k execs such as the 520d, A6 2.0TDi, XF 2.2 and E220CDi look value these days - you get excellent engineering, a lot of metal for your money, generous standard equipment and all for only a couple of grand more than a specced up top of the range diesel Golf, A3, 1 Series or A-Class.

Unless you specifically want RWD a Mondeo will do the same job for a fraction of the price. Not saying the cars you have listed are bad, just that the Mondeo offers better value for money in my opinion.

Perhaps I should have just stuck to the BMW and Merc, the engineering that goes into these is on a way higher level than a Mondeo/Insignia.

[Tuvra]

Mr SFJ said:

GT86?
Abarth 500? (not 100% on pricing)

I wouldn't say the GT86 is outstanding value, certainly not at £25k or so.

I'd go with an ST3 Focus or ST3 Fiesta. £20k/15k respectively.

[krobbo]

For outright value this must be close to winning, no?

[crostonian]

krobbo said:

For outright value this must be close to winning, no?

Disagree, ancient technology, no in depth value. Yes it's cheap but it should be.