'Trendy' aunt requires buying advice - 5 seats, MINI, etc.

[Barchettaman]

Morning all,

My aunt is in the market for a new(ish) car, and I am pretty clueless about this part of the market!

Requirements:


4/5 door MINI (or similar), must be automatic, less than 25,000 miles, reasonable spec. She doesn't want want something that's too sluggish. Otherwise she doesn't care whether it's a clubman or any other name. Needs to be a 5-seater. I'll be suggesting a petrol.

Plus she'd like an alternative from another maker, since according to her MINIs are overpriced for what they are, but 'it still has to be trendy and not lose too much value too fast.' Citroën Cactus thing, maybe?

Also i needs to be within 25 miles of the Leeds/Weatherby area.

She hasn't given me a budget but has just had an unexpected financial windfall, and will be trading in her Audi A1.

Many thanks all for any advice.

[MrAverage]

Plenty of superminis out there, mini are expensive for what they are and the problems my dad (his gf) has had they don't seem all that reliable either.

A friend's mum has had 2 Citroen DS3's, they look smart in all colours and she hasn't had any problems.

[Integroo]

Second the DS3, or the Alfa Romeo Mito, or the Fiat 500.

[kieranblenk]

I would be looking for a VW Polo GTI (last of the old shape).

[ZX10R NIN]

Alfa Giulietta

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

[Deanno1dad]

I've just taken charge of a Mini Clubman Cooper..I guarantee she'll love it....Boots surprisingly spacious with quirky rear doors.
Well specced and the Turbo petrol cooper engine packs a decent enough punch.

Don't know her budget but I picked up a 3 month old used model with a 5k discount off original purchase price.

[Barchettaman]

Many thanks all.

Budget is £16k inc. trade-in, so pretty healthy.

It would appear that anything that isn't a MINI, a Merc or an Audi is out.

[ZX10R NIN]

Mercedes A200

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

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

[kieranblenk]

Are Audi Q2s down to that level yet? Or a Mercedes GLA.

[Barchettaman]

Yeah, the GLA is a good shout and I'll have a trawl on Autotrader for them.

She's going to look at a MINI 5-door behemoth today in Huddersfield, apparently.

Once again, thanks all for the advice, it was a pretty mundane question.

[S54Love]

Either the 1 series or A class take fancy? These seem to be still under manufacturer warranty:

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

Otherwise, is something like a B Class too big? They seem to be better vfm compared to an A Class, and imho look better for some reason.

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