What car for my mum? - Cheap hatchback

[CrippsCorner]

Hiii. So mums car finally died, she's been rolling around in a Fiesta for over 10 years now but needs repairs costing more than £1,000 so it's time to move on.

She couldn't care less about cars! So I'll describe what I think she needs/wants:

Petrol, manual, hatchback. 3/5 doors doesn't matter. Small > medium (her last 3 cars have been Golf, Corsa & Fiesta) mileage not bothered but under 100k preferable. The only slight preference she would have if she could, is that she traditionally liked VW - This isn't easy considering her budget of £4k.

Spent the morning on AutoTrader.

I think an Ibiza could be a good shout, basically a Polo underneath right? So VW really but would be able to get something newer for her money.

MG3 any good?

Others considered Adam, Yaris, 208, Picanto, DS3, A3, UP! or just a newer Fiesta?

My brother reckons A1 is good, but there's only 3 available in the country under £4,500 and 2 of those are crash repaired!

If not within 15 miles of Southend, would have to be delivery, so please consider that before posting any adverts

Many thanks.

[CG2020UK]

Skoda Fabia maybe?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212022...

Mazda 2
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211141...

Civic be the best car here but it Private so need to know what your doing.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212292...

[Bobupndown]

Fabia is a good suggestion. My mum has had one this last 6/7 years, the 1.2 3 cylinder. Not fast but dependable and ideal for its role as a shopping car.
Sister in law bought an identical one recently and is very pleased with it for her 20 mile round trip commute.

[dan98]

Perhaps you're overthinking it - if she doesn't care about cars, except kind of likes VW, search for the nearest ~4k Polo (1.2 for around town, 1.4 for longer journeys) in the colour she likes / best looking condition - done.

[Bobupndown]

You're buying way more for your money with a Fabia than the equivalent Polo purely down to the badge.

[dan98]

Having owned various Fabias / Polos and also Ibizas, I strongly disagree the only difference is the badge - refinement, build quality and interior are all set at different quality levels.
For some people that stuff makes far more difference than the actual mechanics (not to mention the image it gives off.)

In the OP's case, if it's only about the budget then may just as well go Ford, Vauxhall, Kia whatever, rather than anything from VAG.

[Silvanus]

Kia Picanto or hyundai i10. If she wants something bigger go for the i20 or Rio. If a higher driving position is beneficial go for an iX20 or a Venga. She sounds like the person these cars were made for.

Jazz and Sandero worth a look too.

I'm currently looking for a comfy small city car and have looked at the above. Also looking at the Panda, 500, ForFour/Twingo, Adams, Up/Mii/Citigo, Sandero and MG3

I've dismissed the Aygo/108/C1, Ka, Alto/Pixo, Micra, Mini and Mazda2.

[clarkmagpie]

Honda Jazz.

MIL has one. It is a bit dull but reliable, well made and, yeah thats it!

[ZX10R NIN]

CrippsCorner said:

Hiii. So mums car finally died, she's been rolling around in a Fiesta for over 10 years now but needs repairs costing more than £1,000 so it's time to move on.

She couldn't care less about cars! So I'll describe what I think she needs/wants:

Petrol, manual, hatchback. 3/5 doors doesn't matter. Small > medium (her last 3 cars have been Golf, Corsa & Fiesta) mileage not bothered but under 100k preferable. The only slight preference she would have if she could, is that she traditionally liked VW - This isn't easy considering her budget of £4k.

Spent the morning on AutoTrader.

I think an Ibiza could be a good shout, basically a Polo underneath right? So VW really but would be able to get something newer for her money.

MG3 any good?

Others considered Adam, Yaris, 208, Picanto, DS3, A3, UP! or just a newer Fiesta?

My brother reckons A1 is good, but there's only 3 available in the country under £4,500 and 2 of those are crash repaired!

If not within 15 miles of Southend, would have to be delivery, so please consider that before posting any adverts

Many thanks.

Vauxhall Astra SRI you'll get a nice one & they're pretty much bulletproof:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212212...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301093...

1.4T more modern but higher miles:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301133...

1.4 Fiesta Titanium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211241...

Mazda2 Tamura:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211141...

Fiat 500 Lounge good simple to maintain cars:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301063...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209179...

[MrGTI6]

Why not another Fiesta?

Just avoid the 1.0 EcoBoost engine and the Powershift gearbox.

A 1.2/1.4/1.6 petrol would be ideal, and you could get a very nice example within budget.

[georgeyboy12345]

Buying a £4k Audi is asking for trouble, trust me - been there, done that, never again.

You could get her a Polo for around £4k, here's a couple
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301093...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212252...


A Yaris is also a good idea
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301113...


Not sure on the reliability of a 208 or DS3, Clio might be a better prospect
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301042...


Rather than a Picanto, what about the larger Rio?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211262...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211292...

Or it's cousin the Hyundai i20
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212202...


Newer Fiesta is also a good idea, here's a couple

1.2 Style
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301133...

1.6 Zetec S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210241...


Other ideas

Mazda 2 1.3
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210070...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301052...


Honda Jazz 1.4 i-VTEC
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212082...


Fiat 500 TwinAir
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210040...


Suzuki Swift 1.2 SZ3
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301052...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212302...

Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Saturday 14th January 14:52

[jimmytheone]

Silvanus said:

Kia Picanto or hyundai i10. If she wants something bigger go for the i20 or Rio. If a higher driving position is beneficial go for an iX20 or a Venga. She sounds like the person these cars were made for.

Jazz and Sandero worth a look too.

I'm currently looking for a comfy small city car and have looked at the above. Also looking at the Panda, 500, ForFour/Twingo, Adams, Up/Mii/Citigo, Sandero and MG3

I've dismissed the Aygo/108/C1, Ka, Alto/Pixo, Micra, Mini and Mazda2.

MIL has a i20, its not put a foot wrong in 10+years.
I was also pleasantly surprised to find it was not a complete stbox on a drive from N Yorks to Herts either.

[CrippsCorner]

Thanks for the suggestions. I spent hours on AutoTrader but also the gov site checking the MOT of possible cars! Unfortunately a couple of previously recommend ones fell apart there.

So far her favourite that I sent her has been the Adam...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211101...

I also think these MG3s seem like a good deal...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301063...

This is probably the best I've seen locally...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301032...

I think she's come around to the delivery front, so that's opened things up a little. I found a mint 2016 Fiat 500 but she said she just doesn't fancy one as had a rough Fiat in the past and it's put her off

[CG2020UK]

CrippsCorner said:

Thanks for the suggestions. I spent hours on AutoTrader but also the gov site checking the MOT of possible cars! Unfortunately a couple of previously recommend ones fell apart there.

So far her favourite that I sent her has been the Adam...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211101...

I also think these MG3s seem like a good deal...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301063...

This is probably the best I've seen locally...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301032...

I think she's come around to the delivery front, so that's opened things up a little. I found a mint 2016 Fiat 500 but she said she just doesn't fancy one as had a rough Fiat in the past and it's put her off

My first car when I passed my test was that Peugeot 208.

Was brilliant I use to get 60mpg out of it.

[ZX10R NIN]

CrippsCorner said:

Thanks for the suggestions. I spent hours on AutoTrader but also the gov site checking the MOT of possible cars! Unfortunately a couple of previously recommend ones fell apart there.

So far her favourite that I sent her has been the Adam...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211101...

I also think these MG3s seem like a good deal...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301063...

This is probably the best I've seen locally...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301032...

I think she's come around to the delivery front, so that's opened things up a little. I found a mint 2016 Fiat 500 but she said she just doesn't fancy one as had a rough Fiat in the past and it's put her off

The only downside to the 208 is the wet cambelt & the cost of replacing it if it hasn't been done.

So out of the other two the MG3 does look to be the winner.

[Fusion777]

Fiesta (avoid the Ecoboost engine). Loads around for £4k.

[CrippsCorner]

ZX10R NIN said:

CrippsCorner said:

Thanks for the suggestions. I spent hours on AutoTrader but also the gov site checking the MOT of possible cars! Unfortunately a couple of previously recommend ones fell apart there.

So far her favourite that I sent her has been the Adam...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211101...

I also think these MG3s seem like a good deal...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301063...

This is probably the best I've seen locally...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301032...

I think she's come around to the delivery front, so that's opened things up a little. I found a mint 2016 Fiat 500 but she said she just doesn't fancy one as had a rough Fiat in the past and it's put her off

The only downside to the 208 is the wet cambelt & the cost of replacing it if it hasn't been done.

So out of the other two the MG3 does look to be the winner.

Thanks, the MG is still in with a chance. I popped round mums yesterday and had a chat... she said she's very much open to cars above 100k which I was initially avoiding, as she only does about 1k a year herself! I said creeping above will definitely put more deals in the running. I've found a couple of Clio Mk4s which seem a good buy, along with the odd Polo.

One thing to consider, would there be an increase on parts prices compared to say a Clio, which I'd assume was pretty cheap to run? I've had 2 Clio's myself (albeit RS ones) and thought they were very reasonable.

Edited by CrippsCorner on Monday 16th January 11:29

[Alickadoo]

Yaris.

[CrippsCorner]

This is one of the ones we're looking at, seem like a good deal?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301113...

[emperorburger]

Clean looking low miles Fabia in Hornchurch.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208058...