Most refined small car?

[VS02]

Hi guys,

I currently drive a 59hp 2016 VW Polo 1.0, its a manual and it has no luxuries whatsoever; no central locking, manual mirrors, no air conditioning, no power or torque whatsoever, no hill hold assist... the list goes on

What’s good is that the car was perfect as a first car; however isn’t even that economical and is pretty terrible when driven on my commute as it involves mostly 50, 60 and 70 zones (which is painful) , rather than town driving (which it is perfectly fine for, actually, and very economical)


Anyway, its shared with my parents who both drive auto (and as a result didn’t really drive it much, and dislike it due to the lack of power and equipment) and they are downsizing the amount of cars they own so the Polo is going in order to go towards something that is suitable for everyone.

I’m currently only paying £900 a year (no blackbox as a multicar policy) on this car which is ridiculously cheap, for a 17 year old (very nearly 18) and when I got the insurance a while back I had got the licence that same day.

My parents don’t really know what they want in a modern small car (theyre used to big V8s and older luxury cars (“bargeists”)) so here are their requirements because even though we are all petrolheads this is not something that is going to be interesting but rather do the job.


Requirements:

1) Refinement! It has to be very quiet on the motorway, and in town. Good ride quality.

2) Economical - at least 40mpg+ mixed driving

3) Powerful - note not “fast”, but torquey and effortless, so never feel wanting for more pace.

3) Petrol only.

4) Automatic only.

5) Spacious. Good boot, ability to seat 4 in comfort.


6) Equipment. At the minimum; power central locking, electric folding mirrors, good speakers, hill hold assist, automatic wipers, automatic lights, alloys, leather steering wheel, central armrest, parking sensors

7) Quality. Very comfortable seating, very nice interior quality. My parents don’t like cheapo feeling, which is why they buy sheds or other bargain basement cars, e.g old Volvos and mercs which are low mileage etc

Very desirable: adaptive cruise control, Apple CarPlay, privacy glass, heated windscreen, electric handbrake, virtual dials, reversing camera, auto dipping mirrors, heated mirrors.


Right now what stands out to them is the MK7.5 golf TSI DSG, BMW 2 series, etc




Thanks



ETA: forgot to add a budget: between 6-12.5k after haggling

Edited by VS02 on Tuesday 10th November 14:49

Edited by VS02 on Tuesday 10th November 14:56

[Glosphil]

MK7.5 golf TSI DSG - GT version has 150hp & all the toys you want.

[GreatGranny]

Aren't Golf/2 series type cars going to be very expensive insurance wise?

ETA Golf 15E, 2 Series 20E!

Have you done any quotes or is that not a factor?

Was going to suggest a V40 but there's only a few petrol autos for sale within your budget.

How about a Focus with the 1.0 Ecoboost?
Get it in Titanium X spec and it's has more or less every option you need.
ST Line spec looks a bit more sporty but is still well equipped and same insurance as the Titanium X (12E).

[ZX10R NIN]

Infiniti Q30 refined quick enough (they're basically a previous gen A Class but the interiors are nicer, when your parents sit in one it'll be a done deal:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010084...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010275...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Wednesday 11th November 19:53

[ChevronB19]

Fiesta.

[Gareth1974]

All the features of a full sized luxury car, but in a compact package. https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11019185

[Truckosaurus]

If you can stomach a hybrid, the Lexus CT200h is much more refined than any similar sized Golf/Focus I've been in.

[carlove]

I think anything the next size up, ie Astra Golf Focus etc will be a huge improvement in comfort, equipment and refinement.

I think from your list the golf is the one to go for, I believe all but the basic model have adaptive cruise. You do of course pay a premium for the badge, but I don’t think you get many cars at that level with ACC so could be worth it?

As a side note I’m amazed to hear of a 2016 car with such poor equipment. I had a 2016 Corsa and that was full of toys, it wasn’t the basic model but also not top spec, although I know the basic has remote locking and electric mirrors, don’t think they have A/C though. Changed that to an Astra which was a big upgrade in refinement and comfort. Got a few more toys as well.

[A500leroy]

208/clio

[dmsims]

Truckosaurus said:

If you can stomach a hybrid, the Lexus CT200h is much more refined than any similar sized Golf/Focus I've been in.

except that OP stated "Good ride quality."

which immediately disqualifies the Lexus - I test drove 2 examples both the same: overdamped and oversprung

add in the interesting lack of response to the go pedal.

[Pistonheader101]

dmsims said:

Truckosaurus said:

If you can stomach a hybrid, the Lexus CT200h is much more refined than any similar sized Golf/Focus I've been in.

except that OP stated "Good ride quality."

which immediately disqualifies the Lexus - I test drove 2 examples both the same: overdamped and oversprung

add in the interesting lack of response to the go pedal.

We’ve found our CT200h on par with our 5 series in terms of refinement

[WonkeyDonkey]

mx5.

Well, that's what I got at your age! Life is too short to be wanting a golf at 18 years old.

[VS02]

dmsims said:

except that OP stated "Good ride quality."

which immediately disqualifies the Lexus - I test drove 2 examples both the same: overdamped and oversprung

add in the interesting lack of response to the go pedal.

I have to agree with you. Mum borrowed a CT for a week and it was shockingly hard riding (F-Sport), and my parents have owned plenty of Lexuses (some old, some new, some hybrid, some petrol) and I’m not a fan of a CVT gearbox. In fact we have a hybrid Lexus right now and the ride and refinement is on another level compared to the CT. Lexus dropped the ball there.

I see you have a Golf GTE which is something we are very interested in, how do you find that? Also I’ve noticed when they are remapped they produce 250hp and 450Nm of torque, is this something you would consider? I probably wouldn’t do that unless insurance was reasonable.... probably a pipe dream

[VS02]

WonkeyDonkey said:

mx5.

Well, that's what I got at your age! Life is too short to be wanting a golf at 18 years old.

I wish. However I share my car with my parents not something I could do. Some of you may remembered my thread where I was offered an E46 shed for £300... parents put an end to that too. Hopefully a Golf GTE or GTI if insurable should be able to give me the “fun” until I have the financial freedom to drive my own car, hoping for an EP3 Type R or Clio Cup of my own when insurance is affordable

[dmsims]

VS02 said:

I see you have a Golf GTE which is something we are very interested in, how do you find that? Also I’ve noticed when they are remapped they produce 250hp and 450Nm of torque, is this something you would consider? I probably wouldn’t do that unless insurance was reasonable.... probably a pipe dream

When we were looking just over 2 years ago there weren't many BEV choices for a 1 car household (conscious decision)

Looked at a few hybrids and plugins and the Golf was bought on the spot after a test drive. Very nippy on Electric mode (which goes up to 80mph) and there's the GTE button, does 55mpg on a long run (so no need for a diseasel stbox)

You do need to charge it

It's pretty well equipped, LED headlights, ACC etc

Ride on the supplied Bridgestones can be improved by using almost any other tyre and the diamond cut wheels suffer from the normal corrosion issues

VW extended warranty is just over £200 a year for 10K miles

[VS02]

dmsims said:

When we were looking just over 2 years ago there weren't many BEV choices for a 1 car household (conscious decision)

Looked at a few hybrids and plugins and the Golf was bought on the spot after a test drive. Very nippy on Electric mode (which goes up to 80mph) and there's the GTE button, does 55mpg on a long run (so no need for a diseasel stbox)

You do need to charge it

It's pretty well equipped, LED headlights, ACC etc

Ride on the supplied Bridgestones can be improved by using almost any other tyre and the diamond cut wheels suffer from the normal corrosion issues

VW extended warranty is just over £200 a year for 10K miles

55mpg is very very appealing indeed. That improves on the MPG i currently get from my 60hp car; it needs to be revved out (16.6s to 60) to get anywhere, and my commute is mixed and involves very fast roads. At 70 the rpm is somewhere around 3750-4000 I think, so not economical at all and very fidgety and uncomfortable too, due to no cruise. As a result I’m probably getting around 30mpg now, while in town I get around 60mpg. A problem I have with my mum’s Lexus Atkinson cycle hybrid is that electric only mode deactivates around 20mph and the CVT is horrid anywhere involving rapid acceleration.

If you don’t mind me asking, what options are fitted to your car? Do you have the “Vienna” leather? I’m looking towards the cheapest of MK7.5 cars with average miles which are just outside budget, but I think its worth the extra over the pre facelift car.

Do you find ACC good?

[Pica-Pica]

Seat Leon?

[dmsims]

You don't get 55mpg if you cane it and you have 25mile EV range in summer

Only option I think is Park assist

Cloth seats, never seen one with leather

ACC is OK - it works but it's a bit binary i.e. not as smooth as self driving

VS02 said:

If you don’t mind me asking, what options are fitted to your car? Do you have the “Vienna” leather? I’m looking towards the cheapest of MK7.5 cars with average miles which are just outside budget, but I think its worth the extra over the pre facelift car.

Do you find ACC good?

Edited by dmsims on Thursday 12th November 22:07

[VS02]

Having a look at this Golf SE Nav; in talks with the seller

https://usedcars.volkswagen.co.uk/en/used-cars/vol...


Has loads of options, over £6,000 worth apparently

Looks dull but I’m sure it will be a comfy and dependable cruiser allowing me to get something more interesting as a second car (e.g sheddy Clio Cup)

Options:

LED headlights with dynamic indicators and red detailing

Discover Nav Pro (9.2”)

Keyless Entry and Start

Climatronic - Dual Zone electronic climate control

Full Active Info Display (Virtual Cockpit)

Lane assist & dynamic Light assist with Traffic sign recognition

Park Assist

Rear View Camera

Privacy glass (heat insulating)

Heated windscreen

Passenger and driver lumbar support


Standard options:

Electronically operated folding mirrors

Adaptive cruise control

Parking sensors

Rain sensing wipers

Automatic headlights

LED taillights

Alloy wheels

Heated seats

Centre armrest

7 speed DSG gearbox

Edited by VS02 on Saturday 14th November 21:10

[ZX10R NIN]

This is better built more reliable & better spec'd with 10k less on the clock as well as two years newer for the same money:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011065...

Now if you want to get a second car there's this 2.0T Sport which is 4k cheaper (more funds for a second car) as well as having more go it's only a year older than the Golf you're looking at with 10k more but it also has a lot more go (these are the same as a AMG Engineered A250 but with AWD) so it'll make a great daily.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011146...