Mitsubishi Colt - any good?
Discussion
I need a new car, but want something small, 3 door and slightly interesting not entirely boring whilst still having 5 seats, low tax, and a low insurance group.
I was quite keen on the Citroen C2 GT but having found it is a 4 seater, that's gone off the list. The Mitsubishi Colt CZ2 seems to be a decent amount of car for the money, anything I should know about? Budget is up to £4.5k.
examples I have found are: Link 1 / Link 2
I was quite keen on the Citroen C2 GT but having found it is a 4 seater, that's gone off the list. The Mitsubishi Colt CZ2 seems to be a decent amount of car for the money, anything I should know about? Budget is up to £4.5k.
examples I have found are: Link 1 / Link 2
Edited by aclivity on Friday 5th August 17:50
We've had a 5dr CZ1 in the family for 4.5yrs.
What can I say about it? It's been fine, needed nothing more than routine servicing, which is a little expensive at the dealer, but very comprehensive. Dealer servicing extends the pan-european breakdown cover so that more than makes up for the extra cost.
It was a cheap car new - we paid £7K for ours in a solid colour and that included a/c which was a £500 option. At one time you could buy the 3dr with alloys and stripes across it for £5995. IIRC the CZ2's were £1500 more.
So being cheap, they're cheaply made, especially the plastics. They're pretty noisy as not much was spent on sound deadening or door seals etc. But that's not a complaint, just a fact. In the 5dr version, if you want well-made then you could buy the very similar looking and size Honda Jazz but it's way more expensive.
I've driven 3 & 5dr and the 3dr does drive better - the body on the 5dr flexes too much. I think the older ones look better - the Mitsubishi front on the newer cars doesn't suit it at all.
It's generally reckoned the 3cyl 1.1 engine is better than the 4cyl 1.3. Don't really know why that should be, but the 1.1 is fine. They both use the Mitsubishi MIVEC valve system and certainly the 1.1 seems to enjoy having the b
ks revved off it. The gearchange on ours is quite obstructive into first, but girls have a habit of ramming cars into first if the speed drops below about 15MPH which I'm sure doesn't do it any good.
What can I say about it? It's been fine, needed nothing more than routine servicing, which is a little expensive at the dealer, but very comprehensive. Dealer servicing extends the pan-european breakdown cover so that more than makes up for the extra cost.
It was a cheap car new - we paid £7K for ours in a solid colour and that included a/c which was a £500 option. At one time you could buy the 3dr with alloys and stripes across it for £5995. IIRC the CZ2's were £1500 more.
So being cheap, they're cheaply made, especially the plastics. They're pretty noisy as not much was spent on sound deadening or door seals etc. But that's not a complaint, just a fact. In the 5dr version, if you want well-made then you could buy the very similar looking and size Honda Jazz but it's way more expensive.
I've driven 3 & 5dr and the 3dr does drive better - the body on the 5dr flexes too much. I think the older ones look better - the Mitsubishi front on the newer cars doesn't suit it at all.
It's generally reckoned the 3cyl 1.1 engine is better than the 4cyl 1.3. Don't really know why that should be, but the 1.1 is fine. They both use the Mitsubishi MIVEC valve system and certainly the 1.1 seems to enjoy having the b
ks revved off it. The gearchange on ours is quite obstructive into first, but girls have a habit of ramming cars into first if the speed drops below about 15MPH which I'm sure doesn't do it any good.Ford Fiesta Zetec S seems to meet all your requirements. Granted it's not going to set the world on fire but being reasonably good to drive, £30 tax and 55+MPG - it's got to be worth a look.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
aclivity said:
I need a new car, but want something small, 3 door and slightly interesting not entirely boring whilst still having 5 seats, low tax, and a low insurance group.
I was quite keen on the Citroen C2 GT but having found it is a 4 seater, that's gone off the list. The Mitsubishi Colt CZ2 seems to be a decent amount of car for the money, anything I should know about? Budget is up to £4.5k.
examples I have found are: Link 1 / Link 2
The latter RalliArt one gets a very good write up. http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/2353...I was quite keen on the Citroen C2 GT but having found it is a 4 seater, that's gone off the list. The Mitsubishi Colt CZ2 seems to be a decent amount of car for the money, anything I should know about? Budget is up to £4.5k.
examples I have found are: Link 1 / Link 2
Edited by aclivity on Friday 5th August 17:50
Earlier ones less so. Fine as a "utility" white goods car. But not really all that much fun.
If it's just practicality and a bit quirky on a budget I think I'd be looking at a CRD (diesel) PT Cruiser. Very practical layout and interior space, yet not hugely big on the outside.
markmullen said:
Have a look at the 1.5 diesel
Don't do this. Really, don't do this. In fact, do anything other than this. I was lured by the 'value proposition' of the diesel Colt and ended up running one for over two years. Yes, it saved me a lot of money over that period of time but it also came very close to utterly crushing my soul, leaving me a shattered husk of my former petrolhead self as I gripped the wheel each day on my daily commute; teeth clenched in a grim rictus of self-disgust; bones shaking along to Satan's own tractor-rattle from that infernal 3-pot oil-burner up front, whilst quietly muttering to myself, "The horror, the horror..."More thoughts here if you want an in-depth review of ownership and one man's journey into the heart of motoring darkness.
In fairness it could be said that the petrol ones are rather better. But then, it could be said that haemorrhoids are rather better than genital herpes. I would respectfully suggest that there are more desirable options for you to consider.
How about something like this. 45mpg+
Personally I reckon it'll be a nicer, more comfy place to be than the Colt and no worse on any other account.
2.2 CRD LIMITED 5DR FULL LEATHER TRIM (2005)
70,000 miles £3,490
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3070344.htm
For comparison:
As you can see, the PT Cruiser is a little longer than the Colt, but about the same width. But it's still smaller than a Focus.
Personally I reckon it'll be a nicer, more comfy place to be than the Colt and no worse on any other account.
2.2 CRD LIMITED 5DR FULL LEATHER TRIM (2005)
70,000 miles £3,490
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3070344.htm
For comparison:
| PT Cruiser | Colt | Focus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 168.8" | 150.4" | 170.9" |
| Width | 67.1" | 66.7" | 72.4" |
As you can see, the PT Cruiser is a little longer than the Colt, but about the same width. But it's still smaller than a Focus.
300bhp/ton said:
How about something like this. 45mpg+
Personally I reckon it'll be a nicer, more comfy place to be than the Colt and no worse on any other account.
Aside from it being utterly hideous in every way.Personally I reckon it'll be a nicer, more comfy place to be than the Colt and no worse on any other account.
CanadianScot said:
I know it's a 5 door, but Panda 100hp?
Fantastic looking things, and always great reviews.
This would be my choice. Fantastic looking things, and always great reviews.
Old Gregg said:
300bhp/ton said:
How about something like this. 45mpg+
Personally I reckon it'll be a nicer, more comfy place to be than the Colt and no worse on any other account.
Aside from it being utterly hideous in every way.Personally I reckon it'll be a nicer, more comfy place to be than the Colt and no worse on any other account.
300bhp/ton said:
If it's just practicality and a bit quirky on a budget I think I'd be looking at a CRD (diesel) PT Cruiser. Very practical layout and interior space, yet not hugely big on the outside.
Read this and thought 'what sort of person would actually actively suggest the hideous and completely useless PT cruiser, not to mention when OP is looking for a small petrol engined, low tax, 3dr supermini' then I saw the username and all became clear.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff