What car for the OH?

[Andrew Coates]

After six and a half years of trouble-free ownership, the time has come to start thinking about replacing the OH's Honda Jazz. After much discussion, we seem to have narrowed it down to just a few cars:

Mazda 2 1.5 Sport
Suzuki Swift Sport
VW Polo 1.2 TSI
Ford Fiesta Zetec S (although she has issues with Fords for some reason)

Really, I would like opinions on which would be best out of these four because the OH is extremely picky on certain small things, such as badges and how old cars are (i.e new = better). Also, if there are any owners of these four, I would be interested to hear your opinions. However, if you think I have missed anything out, the criteria is:

Budget £10k-£11k
2010 or newer
Must have a good-sized boot
Petrol
Needs to be fairly quick (100hp+)
Good fuel consumption - driving will be mostly town work, so 35+mpg

Any opinions/suggestions welcome

Cheers

Edited by Andrew Coates on Sunday 4th September 09:34

[B.J.W]

1 year old Fiat Panda 100 HP. Evo Hero, practical, and you can go for an old school hoon in it when the OH is not around.

[Liquid Knight]

MX5

Chipped 330D

Rover 213S

[Xaero]

Not 100% on the Mazda, my parents had a Mazda 3 and it rusted badly (probably due to previous owner in a seaside location)
Swift is a bit of an old design now, even with a newer plate...
VW has the badge for the vain
Fiesta probably one of the better bets (my parents replaced their 3 with this and it seems fun to drive but plastics are a little dreary inside).

So for your mrs, go for the VW.

[Codswallop]

Liquid Knight said:

MX5

Chipped 330D

Rover 213S

By all counts;

• the MX5 would not be practical enough given the current shortlist

• A (mapped) 335d is preferable to a chipped 330d

• the owners of these can get a little fanatical

OP, have you considered a Renaultsport Twingo 133? Seem decent value, nippy and look quite funky (imo). As you said you OH is a bit badge concious, have you also considered a MINI Cooper?

Out of your current shortlist, I think the Swift is pretty hard to beat. Quite rare (comparatively), looks nice inside and out, and reputedly great to drive.

[STW2010]

I doubt it's suitable (boot is small), but how about the Fiat 500?

My OH wants a Swift Sport, but of your list I would suggest the Fiesta. There isn't much to separate your suggestions, however the Mazda 2 would be the last choice.

How about a Vauxhall Corsa? Or if you can extend your budget you could look at the Audi A1 (£14k ish).

[rb5er]

Out of your list the fiesta by a mile.

[missing the VR6]

Mazda 2 Sports are pretty good fun to drive and fairly nippy, quite enjoyed mine when I had it as a demonmstrator.

1.2TSI lovely engine, I've only driven it in the Fabia but the fuel economy vs performance is very good!

Was out in a mates Zetec S last Sat and was impressed. If it's anything like the previous shape it'll be a cracker.

No experience of the Swift, so no comment. Meant to be good though.

[Superhoop]

My mum has a 2 year old Mazda2 Sport, which she's had from new

It drives really well, and she gets high 30's to low 40's to the gallon

It's well spec'd, having A/C, cruise, DSC, and everything else you'd expect in that sector

Driving it is a real hoot, which I guess is helped by low weight (just under 1000kgs I think) and when she bought it, it was, spec for spec far cheaper than either the Polo or Fiesta that she also looked at

She's been looking at swapping it for another one, and she's been offered really strong money for it, so residuals are pretty good by all accounts

As for reliability, it's only ever been to a dealer for servicing, and that was pretty cheap too, at about £120 for the 1st year and she's just had the 2nd year service at about £150ish

[sday12]

Andrew Coates said:

Mazda 2 1.5 Sport
Suzuki Swift Sport
VW Polo 1.2 TSI
Ford Fiesta Zetec S

Mazda-Poor rep with small cars
Suzuki- You would part with your hard earned for a Suzuki?
VW - Dullness Inc.
Ford - Too many around, good but not great.
Audi = Knob


100 hp for me and pocket the change.

[Andrew Coates]

Thanks for the replies folks.

Panda - already suggested as it would be one of my first choices, but for her, too boxy and it's a Fiat. Same goes for the 500, which admittedly would be too impractical.

She would love to have a Mini, but it is not practical enough, and for £10k it would be older models.

A Twingo is a good bet, may have to suggest that one, although a Clio size would probably be better, and the French thing is a bit of a barrier.

She likes the A1, but would want the 1.4T which is out of budget unfortunately.

[Andrew Coates]

Quick update:

Went out yesterday, looked at all four of these cars as well as an A1, which naturally the OH preferred most but was out of budget.

However, I think it will be out of the Mazda and the Fiesta - had a test drive in a 2 and drove well enough, hopefully driving a Fiesta at some point soon.

I found these two local cars that look good, any thoughts on pricing - is that about right for spec/mileage etc?

Mazda - http://www.perrys.co.uk/mazda-2-1.5-sport-5-door/u...

Fiesta - http://www.thecarpeople.co.uk/find-a-car/car-detai...

[STW2010]

Save yourself over a grand here

[Hudson]

sday12 said:

Audi = Knob

Audi make door handles?

[stowey1984]

To me the Mazda looks the best and I've always fancied owning one for the other half (maybe next year).

If its just a work vehicle then another Jazz might be a sensible choice, seeing as you have an E43 M3 at home. Still reliable and massive inside as per the previous one. Quicker than the old Jazz and cheaper to run/service. And no I'm not on comission

Fiesta's seem good value and very stylish, never driven one of the newer ones yet though.