Tiny car and big van/ home-brew camper questions!
Discussion
Little first, small car, 5 doors, probably petrol, possibly auto, ideally "a bit comfy" which is not what manufacturers really do for city cars. Up to say 10/11k, what is there?
I know of the Smart for four, which has leather, but is remarkably lethargic. They did a Peugeot 108 which had four doors and leather, is it any good? Saying "it looks a bit tinny" is just a statement of the obvious. Kia Picanto, the GT line seems to have leatherette? Which one is best- GT line, S, bloody annoying to have 2018 cars with 101gm co2 and £180 tax!! Anything else?
The big one, which insurance companies take car no claims into account if swapping to a van? As in Peugeot Boxer massive thing. Any? Won't be capable of registration as a camper (won't be high top etc) a chippy will fit it out though, is that problematic?
Any help welcome!
I know of the Smart for four, which has leather, but is remarkably lethargic. They did a Peugeot 108 which had four doors and leather, is it any good? Saying "it looks a bit tinny" is just a statement of the obvious. Kia Picanto, the GT line seems to have leatherette? Which one is best- GT line, S, bloody annoying to have 2018 cars with 101gm co2 and £180 tax!! Anything else?
The big one, which insurance companies take car no claims into account if swapping to a van? As in Peugeot Boxer massive thing. Any? Won't be capable of registration as a camper (won't be high top etc) a chippy will fit it out though, is that problematic?
Any help welcome!
I'm on my second Picanto GT Line S turbo - I've never had two of the same model before in 45 years of driving.
GT Line S is the top trim level, comes with heated seats and steering wheel, sat nav, reversing camera, wireless phone charging, etc. Pre-facelift they had an electric sunroof too. Facelift has Carplay/Android Auto, a bigger central display, and colour screen in the cluster. Upholstery is fake leather, but pretty decent quality. Even "upmarket" cars like 3 series and C Class use man-made leather as standard, so don't let that put you off.
I think the GT Line S was sold with two engine options - a 1.2 4 cylinder with around 85bhp, and a 1 litre 3 cylinder turbo with 99bhp. Lower spec models are nearly all naturally aspirated, either 1 litre triple or 1.2 4 pot. I think the 1 litre turbo was available for a short period in the GT.
They also do "X" versions of some models, which are just jacked up a bit.
GT Line S is the top trim level, comes with heated seats and steering wheel, sat nav, reversing camera, wireless phone charging, etc. Pre-facelift they had an electric sunroof too. Facelift has Carplay/Android Auto, a bigger central display, and colour screen in the cluster. Upholstery is fake leather, but pretty decent quality. Even "upmarket" cars like 3 series and C Class use man-made leather as standard, so don't let that put you off.
I think the GT Line S was sold with two engine options - a 1.2 4 cylinder with around 85bhp, and a 1 litre 3 cylinder turbo with 99bhp. Lower spec models are nearly all naturally aspirated, either 1 litre triple or 1.2 4 pot. I think the 1 litre turbo was available for a short period in the GT.
They also do "X" versions of some models, which are just jacked up a bit.
Macron said:
Which is the UP/ Mii yes? Doesn't look like there are too many "comfort" options..?
Thanks Clockworks, the Kia does seem well regarded. Any idea when the facelift was? Presumably easy to ID with the sunroof/ not, as well as the impressive list of additional trinkets!
I think facelift was late 2020. My first one was 2019, current one is facelift, registered July 2021.Thanks Clockworks, the Kia does seem well regarded. Any idea when the facelift was? Presumably easy to ID with the sunroof/ not, as well as the impressive list of additional trinkets!
Before the first Picanto I had a Skoda Citigo. Decent enough small car, but a bit basic. Not much to choose between them as far as quality goes, but the Kia wins on value (loads more "toys") and 7 year warranty.
I'd be hard pressed to choose between the Skoda and a bottom of the range Picanto if the price was the same, but I'd take a GT Line S over an Up Gti (both brand new) all day long, and pocket the cash saving. You just can't spec the VAG products up to the same level. They don't even have proper windows in the back doors!
In other news, direct line take any NCB into account, but you can only use it on one vehicle at a time. So car NCB can be used on a van, but then it's nil on any other car.
But their quotes are mental so they won't be getting the business, or the no claims.
Can't find anyone else yet. Anyone know if Admiral will take it? All I can find on their website is an article from 2015, which doesn't say they would consider it interchangeable...
But their quotes are mental so they won't be getting the business, or the no claims.
Can't find anyone else yet. Anyone know if Admiral will take it? All I can find on their website is an article from 2015, which doesn't say they would consider it interchangeable...
Can I assume no one rates the Forfour/ Twingo?
They really do look flimsy as...
And I'm sure I've read on here the Peugeot 1.2 petrol engine has issues, is that right?
In van news, Admiral as well as DL will accept any NCB just on one vehicle at a time, so you can swap from car to van & back if you so wish.
Naturally the risk is if you "transfer" car to a van, then a few years later swap back, other insurers may not be so inclined to take van against car, so there are some tactics to be used...
They really do look flimsy as...
And I'm sure I've read on here the Peugeot 1.2 petrol engine has issues, is that right?
In van news, Admiral as well as DL will accept any NCB just on one vehicle at a time, so you can swap from car to van & back if you so wish.
Naturally the risk is if you "transfer" car to a van, then a few years later swap back, other insurers may not be so inclined to take van against car, so there are some tactics to be used...
Edited by Macron on Friday 21st July 12:46
The original 2 seater Smart made sense as a city car, being so small and funky. The 4 seater (and Twingo) just seem pointless when compared to the Up, Picanto, etc. Too many drive train horror stories as they get older.
The 1.2 Puretech PSA engine could have problems with the cambelt, but I think a redesign has cured it now - as long as it's changed at the recommended intervals.
My other car is a 2022 C3 Aircross, which uses the Puretech engine.
The 1.2 Puretech PSA engine could have problems with the cambelt, but I think a redesign has cured it now - as long as it's changed at the recommended intervals.
My other car is a 2022 C3 Aircross, which uses the Puretech engine.
Right, the van is sorted, thank you Admiral.
The small car, tbh I don't think there's much in this but opinions welcome. In short,
5 doors
ULEZ
Tax free (a new requirement!)
Not super small (no Pug 108). But still 4m ish (FFS!)
Safe for 4, ideally 5 adults travelling up to 90 miles without moaning, so some comfort a real win
Sub 40k on it
8-12k
It's a hard ask, sadly rules out the little Kia as no £0 VED rate.
Candidates are:
-Audi A1 1.6 diesel. Nippy, seems small to me. Polo ruled out as similar size but smaller engines are really slow.
-Pug 208, 1.2 petrol better on paper than whatever the diesel is, still can't work out if these have reliability issues or it's just a belt that gets changed for an uprated part. GT line or Roland Garros have reasonable spec.
-Clio with the ancient 1.5dCi. Bit dull from afar.
-Fiesta, 1.0 petrol can be had with 125bhp and still tax free, do these all still boom or again is the offending part just swapped by now?
-The bargain basement option, a Citroen C3! They seem to have had half a dozen engine choices but they're thin on the ground at the best of times. Can't imagine time has helped them!
No Yaris (she tried one), or Fabia (very few in £0 tax spec), and goodness knows what else was considered (an old Corsa, 1.3D lists 0-60 in about 15 seconds), but any experience of which is the "least worst" of the above appreciated!
The small car, tbh I don't think there's much in this but opinions welcome. In short,
5 doors
ULEZ
Tax free (a new requirement!)
Not super small (no Pug 108). But still 4m ish (FFS!)
Safe for 4, ideally 5 adults travelling up to 90 miles without moaning, so some comfort a real win
Sub 40k on it
8-12k
It's a hard ask, sadly rules out the little Kia as no £0 VED rate.
Candidates are:
-Audi A1 1.6 diesel. Nippy, seems small to me. Polo ruled out as similar size but smaller engines are really slow.
-Pug 208, 1.2 petrol better on paper than whatever the diesel is, still can't work out if these have reliability issues or it's just a belt that gets changed for an uprated part. GT line or Roland Garros have reasonable spec.
-Clio with the ancient 1.5dCi. Bit dull from afar.
-Fiesta, 1.0 petrol can be had with 125bhp and still tax free, do these all still boom or again is the offending part just swapped by now?
-The bargain basement option, a Citroen C3! They seem to have had half a dozen engine choices but they're thin on the ground at the best of times. Can't imagine time has helped them!
No Yaris (she tried one), or Fabia (very few in £0 tax spec), and goodness knows what else was considered (an old Corsa, 1.3D lists 0-60 in about 15 seconds), but any experience of which is the "least worst" of the above appreciated!
Macron said:
Right, the van is sorted, thank you Admiral.
The small car, tbh I don't think there's much in this but opinions welcome. In short,
5 doors
ULEZ
Tax free (a new requirement!)
Not super small (no Pug 108). But still 4m ish (FFS!)
Safe for 4, ideally 5 adults travelling up to 90 miles without moaning, so some comfort a real win
Sub 40k on it
8-12k
It's a hard ask, sadly rules out the little Kia as no £0 VED rate.
Candidates are:
-Audi A1 1.6 diesel. Nippy, seems small to me. Polo ruled out as similar size but smaller engines are really slow.
-Pug 208, 1.2 petrol better on paper than whatever the diesel is, still can't work out if these have reliability issues or it's just a belt that gets changed for an uprated part. GT line or Roland Garros have reasonable spec.
-Clio with the ancient 1.5dCi. Bit dull from afar.
-Fiesta, 1.0 petrol can be had with 125bhp and still tax free, do these all still boom or again is the offending part just swapped by now?
-The bargain basement option, a Citroen C3! They seem to have had half a dozen engine choices but they're thin on the ground at the best of times. Can't imagine time has helped them!
No Yaris (she tried one), or Fabia (very few in £0 tax spec), and goodness knows what else was considered (an old Corsa, 1.3D lists 0-60 in about 15 seconds), but any experience of which is the "least worst" of the above appreciated!
Insurance may be a bit tippy, but you could get a 2016/17 1 series with the 2.0 diesel in the £35 p/a tax bracket, so imagine the 116 or 118 should be as cheap if not cheaper. Only 4.3m long as well- random retiree SE/Luxury spec (or an xdrive) will have the softer non m-sport suspension from memory. The small car, tbh I don't think there's much in this but opinions welcome. In short,
5 doors
ULEZ
Tax free (a new requirement!)
Not super small (no Pug 108). But still 4m ish (FFS!)
Safe for 4, ideally 5 adults travelling up to 90 miles without moaning, so some comfort a real win
Sub 40k on it
8-12k
It's a hard ask, sadly rules out the little Kia as no £0 VED rate.
Candidates are:
-Audi A1 1.6 diesel. Nippy, seems small to me. Polo ruled out as similar size but smaller engines are really slow.
-Pug 208, 1.2 petrol better on paper than whatever the diesel is, still can't work out if these have reliability issues or it's just a belt that gets changed for an uprated part. GT line or Roland Garros have reasonable spec.
-Clio with the ancient 1.5dCi. Bit dull from afar.
-Fiesta, 1.0 petrol can be had with 125bhp and still tax free, do these all still boom or again is the offending part just swapped by now?
-The bargain basement option, a Citroen C3! They seem to have had half a dozen engine choices but they're thin on the ground at the best of times. Can't imagine time has helped them!
No Yaris (she tried one), or Fabia (very few in £0 tax spec), and goodness knows what else was considered (an old Corsa, 1.3D lists 0-60 in about 15 seconds), but any experience of which is the "least worst" of the above appreciated!
Yes good thought, alas 4.4m brings up a heap of other options, and retiree spec indeed my 22yo daughter (and no PH, you're not having a pic), pukes in a 1-series. Possibly the claustrophobic environment. I have suggested these are all small cars so there is a risk...
Free tax = free on street parking permit where she is too, hence stretching that has an additional consequence.
Free tax = free on street parking permit where she is too, hence stretching that has an additional consequence.
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