Which Small, Fun Hatch

[TheDetailDoctor]

For the next 5 years or so any notion of me buying an Elise are on hold as we are paying off or mortgage ASAP, thus, eventually leaving more funds for purchase/running a new car in addition to the commuter vehicle.

So I'm after a small, cheap to run hatch that meets the following criteria...

Less than 1 year old
40+mpg
£8000-10,000max
Cheap to run
Must be entertaining to drive
0-60 under 10s (under 8s even better)
Must seat 4min
Must have steering mounted audio controls (there is a good reason for this)

Thus far I have the following on a shortlist
Renaultsport Twingo
Fiat Panda 100hp
Citroen DS3 (should be a few sub £10k ones around soon, after all, it's a Citroen)
Alfa MiTo (may be a push to find one under £10k)
Abarth Punto

Edited by TheDetailDoctor on Friday 8th October 07:12

Edited by TheDetailDoctor on Friday 8th October 07:15

Edited by TheDetailDoctor on Friday 8th October 11:10

[900T-R]

I feel the probability of picking up a MiTo for that sort of money will be higher than a DS3 - the latter might be a Citroën, but its market reception has been a load more enthusiastic so far. Not that you'd want the MiTo for fun anyway. My vould would go to the Twingo - make sure you can live with its obvious Renaultness inside though (it's a bit Kindergarten in there, having said that it looks and feels far more 'serious' than the original Twingo).

Any particular reason that you're spending Elise Mk2 money on a nearly new starter hatch? TBH I'd go with an older car for a fraction of what you're about to spend and put the rest in an Elise account...

[FreeLitres]

I don't quite understand your requirement here -

So you want a 'cheap' car in order for you to direct your cash towards the mortgage, yet you are still looking at spending £10k on this small hatch?

£10k can buy you an Elise, no?

Is there a reason why you are not looking for an older, cheaper fun hatch?

[TheDetailDoctor]

If you notice I say leaving more funds for a NEW car. Suggesting a new Elise (or whatever I fancy at the time).

Lets not kid ourselves here, theres no way on this planet I'm going to cover 20k miles a year in an Elise as cheaply as a small hatch.

Or course, I could always just fit a supercharger to the 500......

[900T-R]

I think what we are trying to say is that you will never recover the cost of new car depreciation by virtue of somewhat lower running costs. Never in a week of Sundays. Not even with a 'cheap' new car.

[Somnophore]

Twingo RS 133, a hoot a drive, I wish I had one but dot have the spare pennies at the moment.

[300bhp/ton]

900T-R said:

I think what we are trying to say is that you will never recover the cost of new car depreciation by virtue of somewhat lower running costs. Never in a week of Sundays. Not even with a 'cheap' new car.

Very BIG + 1

If cost is an issue buy a £1k MKII Golf and an aftermarket stereo for it. In 4 years time it'll still be worth similar money.

Buy a £10k hatch, in 4 years time it'll be worth a pittance.

[Rich n Em]

My head would say the Panda 100hp - they're mighty fun to drive and very economical - plus a well sized cabin...

You'd struggle to get a Mito that meets your price criteria I think.

Being a fan of curveball cars - what about this, Ok, so it pushes your 1 year old requirement, but only just:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2122626.htm

Mmnnnn...

[jbi]

erm seriously... don't buy a car that new if your trying to save cash... lol

buy an old honda or toyota and start saving.

[300bhp/ton]

TheDetailDoctor said:

For the next 5 years or so any notion of me buying an Elise are on hold as we are paying off or mortgage ASAP, thus, eventually leaving more funds for purchase/running a new car in addition to the commuter vehicle.

So I'm after a small, cheap to run hatch that meets the following criteria...

Less than 1 year old
£8000-10,000max
Cheap to run
Must be entertaining to drive
0-60 under 10s (under 8s even better)
Must seat 4min
Must have steering mounted audio controls (there is a good reason for this)

Thus far I have the following on a shortlist
Renaultsport Twingo
Fiat Panda 100hp
Citroen DS3 (should be a few sub £10k ones around soon, after all, it's a Citroen)
Alfa MiTo (may be a push to find one under £10k)
Abarth Punto

Edited by TheDetailDoctor on Friday 8th October 07:12

Edited by TheDetailDoctor on Friday 8th October 07:15

Under 8 sec 0-60mph?? I'd have thought some of them would struggle to be single digit.

If you want some speed the Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart seems quite spritely. http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/2353...

7.4sec 0-60 would make it a lot quicker than the Renault.

[kambites]

You do know that a 10k Elise will cost you significantly less to run than any of the cars you mention, because they'll all be worth 10p in a few years time and the Elise will still be worth 8k.

If you need four seats and a cheap car, why not spend 3k on a 5 year old Focus/Fiesta?

Edited by kambites on Friday 8th October 08:35

[cmackay81]

TheDetailDoctor said:

If you notice I say leaving more funds for a NEW car. Suggesting a new Elise (or whatever I fancy at the time).

Lets not kid ourselves here, theres no way on this planet I'm going to cover 20k miles a year in an Elise as cheaply as a small hatch.

Or course, I could always just fit a supercharger to the 500......

I think what people are trying to tell you, is that you're financial model sucks.

which is cool if you still want a car like that, but for the reasons given is pretty pointless.

You can buy a depeciationless small hothatch for £2k, or even one up to £4k that will not lose much value over a 2 year ownership. for these, the running costs would then be the only expenditure.
However a 10k car. well just by buying it, let alone owning for a year or two, the depreciation will be sizable, more than likely far higher than your fuel costs etc...

either rethink reasoning, or what car you want. I don't have a prob with either tbh, if you want a £10k hot hatch, then good on you, however it won't save you any money/

[TheDetailDoctor]

OK OK, forgetting the economics of it.

Which small "tepid" hatch should it be.

[Funk]

Suzuki Swift 1.6VVT Sport? They're quite quick for the money, and the car mags seemed fairly unanimous in their praise.

Edited by Funk on Friday 8th October 09:30

[300bhp/ton]

TheDetailDoctor said:

OK OK, forgetting the economics of it.

Which small "tepid" hatch should it be.

Didn't like the Colt then?

[Papa Hotel]

TheDetailDoctor said:

OK OK, forgetting the economics of it.

Which small "tepid" hatch should it be.

No, don't forget the economics of it. You want to save money, buy the Panda. Everyone is caught up chatting st about depreciation, get one a year old and it'll have lost a good chunk already. You'll also get phone connectivity that's missing from recent ones. Peanuts to insure, cheap tax, sips petrol. And tremendous fun to drive, you don't need a zillion horses.

fk me people, he could have gone to moneysavingexpery for financial advice.

[TheDetailDoctor]

Papa Hotel said:

TheDetailDoctor said:

OK OK, forgetting the economics of it.

Which small "tepid" hatch should it be.

No, don't forget the economics of it. You want to save money, buy the Panda. Everyone is caught up chatting st about depreciation, get one a year old and it'll have lost a good chunk already. You'll also get phone connectivity that's missing from recent ones. Peanuts to insure, cheap tax, sips petrol. And tremendous fun to drive, you don't need a zillion horses.

fk me people, he could have gone to moneysavingexpery for financial advice.

That was the idea, I did originally state up to a year old, no intention of buying a new one.

[jbi]

My recommendation...



http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

2003 HONDA Civic 2.0 i-VTEC Type-S

5 Doors, Manual, Hatchback, Petrol, 69,000 miles, Metallic Silver, MOT-08-2011. Remote central locking, Rear electric windows, PAS, Height adjustable drivers seat, Heated door mirrors, Front fog lights, Front electric windows, Electric door mirrors, Drivers airbag, Body coloured bumpers, Alarm, ABS, Air conditioning, Alloy wheels, Side airbags, Radio/CD. superb car drives very well in top condition with service history and all hand books plus spare keys,,half leather trim looks and sounds fantastic,,,,,CREDIT AND DEBIT CARDS ACCEPTED,CHIP AND PIN,,,123 enville street stourbridge dy8 3tQ,,,,

£2,890 p/x welcome

Okay it's not going to set the world on fire... but it's not dog slow and you save a packet

Edited by jbi on Friday 8th October 09:37

[HellDiver]

jbi said:

My recommendation...

Free Trilby hat and umbrella on the parcel shelf, too..

[TheDetailDoctor]

jbi said:

My recommendation...



http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

2003 HONDA Civic 2.0 i-VTEC Type-S

5 Doors, Manual, Hatchback, Petrol, 69,000 miles, Metallic Silver, MOT-08-2011. Remote central locking, Rear electric windows, PAS, Height adjustable drivers seat, Heated door mirrors, Front fog lights, Front electric windows, Electric door mirrors, Drivers airbag, Body coloured bumpers, Alarm, ABS, Air conditioning, Alloy wheels, Side airbags, Radio/CD. superb car drives very well in top condition with service history and all hand books plus spare keys,,half leather trim looks and sounds fantastic,,,,,CREDIT AND DEBIT CARDS ACCEPTED,CHIP AND PIN,,,123 enville street stourbridge dy8 3tQ,,,,

£2,890 p/x welcome

Okay it's not going to set the world on fire... but it's not dog slow and you save a packet

Edited by jbi on Friday 8th October 09:37

I've had one, and until you just mentioned it I'd forgetten I'd had one, it was that interesting!!!!!