E-Class, 348 daily companion?

[DRVR]

I have an E-Class estate for the family and a 348 for weekend fun and need a new daily driver. Would love it to be RWD too but honestly that would mean something larger-ish. Love Alfas but Giulia is again large and more money than I want to spend on this as they are pretty new. Or if one of the small BMWs, unnecessarily cramped backseat while still larger than it needs to be. I already have the 348 anyway so RWD is not a must. Fun comes second here. Easy comes first. My fun car is the 348.

The idea is to keep it small and simple for this one. So thought of the Mito since I love Alfas and Italian in general or even Fiat 500. But to be honest would not mind something lower on the maintenance side. The Merc and especially the 348 give me enough when it comes to that.

So I narrowed it down to Fiesta MK5 (UK Mk6), or Mazda 3 MK1. Wild card: Ford Cougar.

2002-2008 Fiesta: It would need to be the 3 door hatchback. Don't really need another 4-doors. I like the MK5 better than the latest generation, which has that fat and tall look all cars seem to have gone for lately. Also hate the headlights in the latest ones. MK5 has a more Mini Cooper (the nice original ones. Not the bloated BMW versions) feel.

Mazda 3 MK1: It would need to be the 4-door fastback sedan/saloon as I don't like the hatchback. I know I said I don't need another 4 doors. But they don't make the Mazda 3 in 2 doors unfortunately and I always liked Mazda. Had a RX7 FC and then a FD back in the day. I also don't see much else alternative if I want to keep it small and simple. I don't like French and not a big fan of Honda or Toyota. Subaru is not really easy and simple. The nice ones are all AWD or too big. Don't like the Justy thingy. Nissan Micra is not my thing either.

Wild card, Ford Cougar (Mercury Cougar in the U.S.). Don't really need a sporty looking car with the 348 and wasn't looking for one. But it popped up in the Fiesta search. You know, once a sports car fan sporty always catches the eye. You always have that moment where you think, it's basically a Focus underneath so it would still fit the simple criteria and is also still small-ish. So why not a bit more sporty? Know nothing about the car though. Not many of them around here, which is a plus. Quite a rare sight. I don't remember seeing any. But then again if that is an option then we have Celica, Eclipse etc. Although not fan of Toyotas I always liked the Eclipse 2G. But then it's probably too old now and maybe too fast and furious .

Any thoughts? As you see I still like to keep some fun and good looks in it. Although not the main thing it's something I will drive most days. So I have to like it.

Feel free to suggest something else as well. Thanks!

[DRVR]

Pushed out of the first page in just a few minutes. So I'm bumping this. Hoping for some opinions.

[rockandrollmark]

Other than saying you want something easy, the brief is pretty loose.

Back seats, big boot, etc etc? Me, if I were looking for an easy car i’d Get a little soft roader. Pref with an auto box and lots of toys. GLC on lease, perhaps? Although they are chintzy handbags on wheels. If you’re looking to spend less but still want something interesting perhaps a Rav 4? Or an HRV. I always liked those in 3dr form.

[DRVR]

rockandrollmark said:

Other than saying you want something easy, the brief is pretty loose.

Back seats, big boot, etc etc? Me, if I were looking for an easy car i’d Get a little soft roader. Pref with an auto box and lots of toys. GLC on lease, perhaps? Although they are chintzy handbags on wheels. If you’re looking to spend less but still want something interesting perhaps a Rav 4? Or an HRV. I always liked those in 3dr form.

Yes back seats. I already have a 2 seater in the 348.

Simple and easy and as I also mentioned small. RAV 4 and GLC are SUVs. Don't need another larger car. Already have the Mercedes E Class Estate.

Looking for simple, easy, small. Hence Fiesta and Mazda 3. Any comments on them?

[DRVR]

Not that this will be a problem in this class of car. But it also needs to be a fully manual transmission. No autos or paddles. But like I said in this class of car manual is widely available. But just to complete the information.

[GreatGranny]

Why would the Mito be more expensive to maintain than a Mazda 3 or 10 year old Fiesta?

If you like Alfas get the Mito :-)

Or 3 series coupe (you mention back seats are too small then propose a Fiat 500!) :-)

[DRVR]

GreatGranny said:

Why would the Mito be more expensive to maintain than a Mazda 3 or 10 year old Fiesta?

If you like Alfas get the Mito :-)

Or 3 series coupe (you mention back seats are too small then propose a Fiat 500!) :-)

Why? Because Italian!

You misunderstood me about the BMW. My point is it's still too big and the backseats are more cramped, because of the transmission tunnel. So you have a larger car not with not really more space inside. And I wasn't talking about the 3 series. That is way too big. I was talking about the BMW hatchback. I just want a small car.

As for the MK5 Fiesta. As far as I know and have heard from people who have them, they are very reliable. They are pretty simple. And a lot of fun to drive too. So as long as it's a low mileage example it deoesn't mater if it's 10 years old I think. But maybe an owner here will disagree. This is why I started the thread too.

[DRVR]

Nobody has anything to add?

[ZX10R NIN]

The Mito/Puntos have so far proved pretty reliable & robust so maintenance costs will be the same as any junior hot hatch.

I say get a Mito in Cloverleaf/Quadrifoglio Verde spec & you'll be fine:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or a Grande Punto/ Evo Abarth: (These are holding their money surprisingly well)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or you could go for the lower power/spec Grande Punto T Jet:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Evo Version:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Red 4]

Watch out for ABS modules on MK1 Mazda 3.

Make sure all the dash warning lights (paticularly ABS and traction control lights) illuminate and then go out.

Have a good look underneath and around arches for corrosion - some cars are more prone to it than others it seems.

Other than that they're good cars.

Saloons are pretty thin on the ground though. Most people opted for the convenience of the hatch.

Edited by Red 4 on Friday 1st December 00:40