Clio 1.2 Vs Polo 1.2 Vs 1.4 C3

[paykanti]

Got a simple decision to make, any views, opinions or wisdom shared would be appreciated. Just looking for something reliable, obviously speed and fun is not much of a factor in my decision as you can tell.

2007 1.2 Clio Campus Vs 2005 1.2 Polo (55 or 65 bhp versions available) Vs 2004 1.4i C3 Desire

Cheers

[M4cruiser]

My choice would be 2005 Polo 1.4.

Oh sorry, that's not on your list?!

The Polo 1.2 is a bit whiny.

The Campus is the old model, i.e. old design (1997 ish).

C3 wouldn't be for me - too uncomfortable and poor reliability record (but the others aren't great at reliability either).

[paykanti]

Ah geeze, not what I wanted to hear.

Any recommendations for reliable hatchbacks for under £3.5K which are big on fuel economy?

[Disco You]

If you absolutely must get a polo 1.2, get the more powerful version. It will cost about the same and is less crap.

[iwantagta]

Old Fabia VRS.
Although someone more knowledgeable than I will likely correct me on reliability. (Mine was not reliable but think I may have been unlucky).
Good fun though I found.

[Disco You]

iwantagta said:

Old Fabia VRS.
Although someone more knowledgeable than I will likely correct me on reliability. (Mine was not reliable but think I may have been unlucky).
Good fun though I found.

Theyre a PD110/130 aren't they? Massively reliable.

[paykanti]

What about the 1.2 Petrol Fabia? There's a 2004 available that could work its way into the reckoning.

[stupidbutkeen]

Disco You said:

iwantagta said:

Old Fabia VRS.
Although someone more knowledgeable than I will likely correct me on reliability. (Mine was not reliable but think I may have been unlucky).
Good fun though I found.

Theyre a PD110/130 aren't they? Massively reliable.

Mine put me off vag group for life (maybe not a bad thing)

[ScoobyChris]

paykanti said:

What about the 1.2 Petrol Fabia? There's a 2004 available that could work its way into the reckoning.

You'd be better off with the 1.9 100hp TDI than the 1.2 imho. Same economy, but much more refined.

Saying that though, if reliability was part of the criteria, I'd be avoiding VAG and heading for Japanese metal

Chris

[paykanti]

What sort of Jap stuff am I looking at for that budget? I can't stomach a Yaris and Civics seems a little thirstier than the others, no? Jazz's aren't up to much looks-wise either.

Am I also correct in that I should be looking to avoid Diesel at this sort of price-range given it would only offer high-mileage diesels? Diesel is a new territory for me and I'm somewhat scared off by it, even though I could really do with the fuel economy.

[igiveup]

What about a Fiesta with the 1.25 engine, in Zetec trim ?

[Defcon5]

What's your budget?

[Mr2Mike]

igiveup said:

What about a Fiesta with the 1.25 engine, in Zetec trim ?

That would be the obvious choice for my money.

[paykanti]

The Fiesta's a great shout, decent motor then I presume? There's a good few around my area too so should be a viable choice.

Defcon5 said:

What's your budget?

£3K

[Defcon5]

Suzuki swift? Mazda 3?

[poing]

Fiesta would be first choice but I'd be tempted by a Mini like this one:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

[paykanti]

Mazda 3s in the price range seem a little rare but I have spotted a Swift.

2007 Swift 1.5 GLX (80K on the clock) Vs 2006 Fiesta 1.25 (30K on the clock)

The low mileage on the latter is attractive but the former's performance and looks are, too. What would you choose?

[poing]

paykanti said:

Mazda 3s in the price range seem a little rare but I have spotted a Swift.

2007 Swift 1.5 GLX (80K on the clock) Vs 2006 Fiesta 1.25 (30K on the clock)

The low mileage on the latter is attractive but the former's performance and looks are, too. What would you choose?

How long you going to keep the car and how many miles a year will you do?

The Fiesta seems great but I'd assume it's been owned by some pensioner who takes it to the shops once a week. This could mean it never gets properly warmed up so might require more maintenance than a higher mileage one. I'd be checking it for parking dents and scrapes, my old neighbours little Saxo didn't have a straight panel on it and always had a flat battery and sticky brakes.

You have a great choice of cars at your budget so make sure you look at a few.

[SidewaysSi]

Sod all this rubbish, surely you need a remapped 335d?

[ScoobyChris]

SidewaysSi said:

Sod all this rubbish, surely you need a remapped 335d?

An MX-5, shirley?

Chris