Another what small car...
Discussion
I currently run a 595 Abarth as my daily and it ticks a lot of boxes of my requirements of a small car. Although there are one or two personal gripes such as uncomfortable seats and harsh suspension (which doesn't corner as well). Use of the car is strictly for the ~10 mile daily commute and the occasional time I have to nip out myself as we have a family car for family duties.
So, if given a budget circa £18,000 what car would you go for providing it meets the requirements below (I will be buying used)
Edit:
On my list to test drive:
So, if given a budget circa £18,000 what car would you go for providing it meets the requirements below (I will be buying used)
- Small (around Fiat 500 size)
- Economical to run (>20mpg urban, <£200 VED)
- Fairly new car (>2014)
- Comfortable for urban commuting
- Petrol
- Fun to drive & decently quick (>150bhp would be nice)
- Well built/decent build quality (interior quality important no cheap plastics)
- Good/upgraded sound system
- Low depreciation/easy to sell (small chance to get a company car sometime next year)
- Sunroof (Would be nice as I like a light interior but not a deal breaker)
Edit:
On my list to test drive:
- Fiesta ST
- Pug 208 Gti
Edited by crazy about cars on Tuesday 14th October 18:17
Those are fairly tricky criteria. I would suggest a Swift Sport but then I am a little biased. 
It is bags of fun to drive,is comfortable and will do 40mpg if you're careful.However it falls down on the sound system and interior build quality, but it's not totally terrible.
Perhaps an A1 1.4 FSI?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...
It is bags of fun to drive,is comfortable and will do 40mpg if you're careful.However it falls down on the sound system and interior build quality, but it's not totally terrible.
Perhaps an A1 1.4 FSI?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...
Tim662 said:
Those are fairly tricky criteria. I would suggest a Swift Sport but then I am a little biased.
It is bags of fun to drive,is comfortable and will do 40mpg if you're careful.However it falls down on the sound system and interior build quality, but it's not totally terrible.
Perhaps an A1 1.4 FSI?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...
Indeed It is bags of fun to drive,is comfortable and will do 40mpg if you're careful.However it falls down on the sound system and interior build quality, but it's not totally terrible.
Perhaps an A1 1.4 FSI?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...
I suppose I can drop one or two from the requirements but in essense would still want a small, fun, nippy, comfy car for the short commutes.I did consider the A1 and really like the S1 as it comes with lots of toys standard but personally think 28k for a used one is a bit steep...
I will do more research on the 1.4 A1. 140ps is slightly less than the 160 on the Abarth but if it ticks other boxes I'd definitely consider.
The new RS Clio looks good too but I had bad experience with Renaults (well... French cars in general) and from experience the interior quality is much to be desired.
Edited by crazy about cars on Monday 13th October 20:30
Polo GTI could be had but I can't imagine it's best on depreciation, especially wit the facelift GTI starting to come about.
You can't get it within your budget, and is slightly older, but the least depreciating car in that class with that criteria would be an Audi A1 2012 Quattro. It might well even out perform the new S1.
You can't get it within your budget, and is slightly older, but the least depreciating car in that class with that criteria would be an Audi A1 2012 Quattro. It might well even out perform the new S1.
ging84 said:
what you are looking for doesn't exist
the abarth is the most powerful fiat 500 sized car by quite some margin
there is only a handful of car that size with 100 horse power let alone 150
you will have to stick with what you have or go bigger
I would consider slightly bigger cars but would like to keep to the fiesta/corsa class size as a maximum.the abarth is the most powerful fiat 500 sized car by quite some margin
there is only a handful of car that size with 100 horse power let alone 150
you will have to stick with what you have or go bigger
crazy about cars said:
I will do more research on the 1.4 A1. 140ps is slightly less than the 160 on the Abarth
The A1 is also available with 185 ps...http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUDI-A1-1-4-TFSI-S-TRONI...
Deerfoot said:
Ah, didn't realise that! Black looks nice too but I'd definitely go for manual.ging84 said:
going a size up in cars you've got lots of choice
cooper S starts from £18,695 so just about within budget, although if things are still like they were, buying one without the chilli pack is a bad idea and that pushes it over £20k
Not much knowledge about Mini Coopers so reading up on them but I've so far read positive things about the latest Mini. 3 door Cooper S with sports pack, sunroof and H&K would be dream spec.... or even the GP is price is lower.cooper S starts from £18,695 so just about within budget, although if things are still like they were, buying one without the chilli pack is a bad idea and that pushes it over £20k
Out of curiosity, why would a mini without chilli pack be a bad idea?
Regarding the budget it's what I personally think justifies a nice small car. Paying over 20k would be a bit frivolous...imo.
Edited by crazy about cars on Tuesday 14th October 07:59
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff