Best Small City Cars AND Hot Hatches, 2000 to 2010
Discussion
As per the title... but additionally I am only interested in manual / petrol. Interested to hear whether anyone can recommend 4WD (but that is certainly not a requirement).
(1) Best cars (and models, engines) for nipping around town on the cheap - interested to know the good value absolute cheapest options and the slightly better and faster cars that are not quite so cheap to buy or run.
(2) Same question, but genuinely nippy. Genuine "smile on your face" cars.
(1) Best cars (and models, engines) for nipping around town on the cheap - interested to know the good value absolute cheapest options and the slightly better and faster cars that are not quite so cheap to buy or run.
(2) Same question, but genuinely nippy. Genuine "smile on your face" cars.
I would also vouch for the panda as a contender for a good cheap city car,
Having one as my first car a few years ago - 2006 Fiat Panda 1.2 Dynamic - and it was great, when i got sideswiped by a VW fox i used the claim money plus a bit to get a 2017 fwd 1.2 lounge model,
The lounge is your top trim for the FWD models (not sure if AWD/cross has more or less options) but it has parking sensors, hands free music and phone, basic TPMS and is comfy enough day to day
It’s by no means the fastest and could lose a race against a high voltage mobility scooter but for the price i paid i can’t fault it,
Being 18 with a panda didn’t get me much street cred but all my friends now equally enjoy the little italian buggers,
They are great
Having one as my first car a few years ago - 2006 Fiat Panda 1.2 Dynamic - and it was great, when i got sideswiped by a VW fox i used the claim money plus a bit to get a 2017 fwd 1.2 lounge model,
The lounge is your top trim for the FWD models (not sure if AWD/cross has more or less options) but it has parking sensors, hands free music and phone, basic TPMS and is comfy enough day to day
It’s by no means the fastest and could lose a race against a high voltage mobility scooter but for the price i paid i can’t fault it,
Being 18 with a panda didn’t get me much street cred but all my friends now equally enjoy the little italian buggers,
They are great
I've got a 2020 Panda Cross Twin-Air. It hasn't seen any city traffic, the first gear on it would be annoying in stop/start as it's for off-road. I do believe other engines have different gearing though. No sensors for parking on mine, or DAB radio. It's a great car though for what mine is used for.
OP, have you looked at UP! GTI's?
OP, have you looked at UP! GTI's?
MrWideFit said:
I would also vouch for the panda as a contender for a good cheap city car,
Having one as my first car a few years ago - 2006 Fiat Panda 1.2 Dynamic - and it was great, when i got sideswiped by a VW fox i used the claim money plus a bit to get a 2017 fwd 1.2 lounge model,
The lounge is your top trim for the FWD models (not sure if AWD/cross has more or less options) but it has parking sensors, hands free music and phone, basic TPMS and is comfy enough day to day
It s by no means the fastest and could lose a race against a high voltage mobility scooter but for the price i paid i can t fault it,
Being 18 with a panda didn t get me much street cred but all my friends now equally enjoy the little italian buggers,
They are great
Fiat Panda (esp 4x4) is certainly on my list, as well as Fiat 500. Curious to know the best engines as well.Having one as my first car a few years ago - 2006 Fiat Panda 1.2 Dynamic - and it was great, when i got sideswiped by a VW fox i used the claim money plus a bit to get a 2017 fwd 1.2 lounge model,
The lounge is your top trim for the FWD models (not sure if AWD/cross has more or less options) but it has parking sensors, hands free music and phone, basic TPMS and is comfy enough day to day
It s by no means the fastest and could lose a race against a high voltage mobility scooter but for the price i paid i can t fault it,
Being 18 with a panda didn t get me much street cred but all my friends now equally enjoy the little italian buggers,
They are great
FWIW Suzuki Jimney, Suzuki Ignis, Toyota Aygo, Peugeot 107 (I refuse to consider a Citroen), VW Up and VW Fox are all on the list (curious to know which engines to go for and / or avoid.
BMW 130i on the hot hatch list.
IMHO low-powered city cars will never give you street cred, but the nicer ones are MUCH cooler than swathes of bigger and faster cars which are deeply uncool. Obviously the coolest cars are bigger and faster than a Panda, but many bigger and faster cools get nil cool points whereas as Panda gives you 6/10, maybe 7.
Tickle said:
I've got a 2020 Panda Cross Twin-Air. It hasn't seen any city traffic, the first gear on it would be annoying in stop/start as it's for off-road. I do believe other engines have different gearing though. No sensors for parking on mine, or DAB radio. It's a great car though for what mine is used for.
OP, have you looked at UP! GTI's?
2010 at most recent ideally - look at the title. I don't want a car that turns off unless I turn it off! Hence I don't want something modern and hence I want to know exactly which engines have the best reputation amongst older Pandas (and other cars). I don;t care why a car turns itself off - broken or feature - I don't want it to!OP, have you looked at UP! GTI's?
Fred Smith said:
2010 at most recent ideally - look at the title. I don't want a car that turns off unless I turn it off! Hence I don't want something modern and hence I want to know exactly which engines have the best reputation amongst older Pandas (and other cars). I don;t care why a car turns itself off - broken or feature - I don't want it to!
I can confirm that stop start traffic doesn't turn the car off. The newer cross only came from 2012, wasn't sure on how flexible your 2010 limit was.
Fred Smith said:
As per the title... but additionally I am only interested in manual / petrol. Interested to hear whether anyone can recommend 4WD (but that is certainly not a requirement).
(1) Best cars (and models, engines) for nipping around town on the cheap - interested to know the good value absolute cheapest options and the slightly better and faster cars that are not quite so cheap to buy or run.
(2) Same question, but genuinely nippy. Genuine "smile on your face" cars.
Buy a Smart car, a Brabus if you can find one. So much more than the sum of their meagre parts, practical for two, huge fun anywhere, frugal, different and the most original design since...well, since I can remember. Original 450 can bring problems if been unkindly kept, 451 has a wee Japanese motor and whoda thunk it would be more reliable than ze German offering...? (1) Best cars (and models, engines) for nipping around town on the cheap - interested to know the good value absolute cheapest options and the slightly better and faster cars that are not quite so cheap to buy or run.
(2) Same question, but genuinely nippy. Genuine "smile on your face" cars.
Any reason why you're after a car that's at least 16 years old? I ask as frankly the idea of 'best engine" etc is probably better answered by what condition you find something in, with what consumables up to date.
Anyway, Fiesta ST if you want nippy, but they're getting expensive. And they rust. And will have miles. But you may not lose on one.
Clio Initiale came with leather, the 1.6 VVT is nippier than the stats show. The pre 06 shape is perhaps more balanced and the 1.4 is quite chuckable, look for a Privilege to get sunroof and nice velour. I also like the Twingo from 2008, only 3.6m long.
"Peugeot 107 (I refuse to consider a Citroen)" you said, but of course the Aygo and C1 are the same car, again I'd look for one which hasn't dissolved around the rear bumper give or take water there from the high level brake light. Several threads on these where they prove hardwearing, but are tinny of course.
206 also surprisingly good if well kept, under a grand common and little rust, a few MOT advisories left unchecked can give a grand of bills though, which i why here are few about. they're not hard to work on, it's just economics in most cases.
And last one, iQ. Few around now, leather commands a premium, pricing all over the shop. Less than 3m, but 4 up is a challenge in the real world, so it depends on what you need it for!
Anyway, Fiesta ST if you want nippy, but they're getting expensive. And they rust. And will have miles. But you may not lose on one.
Clio Initiale came with leather, the 1.6 VVT is nippier than the stats show. The pre 06 shape is perhaps more balanced and the 1.4 is quite chuckable, look for a Privilege to get sunroof and nice velour. I also like the Twingo from 2008, only 3.6m long.
"Peugeot 107 (I refuse to consider a Citroen)" you said, but of course the Aygo and C1 are the same car, again I'd look for one which hasn't dissolved around the rear bumper give or take water there from the high level brake light. Several threads on these where they prove hardwearing, but are tinny of course.
206 also surprisingly good if well kept, under a grand common and little rust, a few MOT advisories left unchecked can give a grand of bills though, which i why here are few about. they're not hard to work on, it's just economics in most cases.
And last one, iQ. Few around now, leather commands a premium, pricing all over the shop. Less than 3m, but 4 up is a challenge in the real world, so it depends on what you need it for!
macron said:
Any reason why you're after a car that's at least 16 years old? I ask as frankly the idea of 'best engine" etc is probably better answered by what condition you find something in, with what consumables up to date.
Anyway, Fiesta ST if you want nippy, but they're getting expensive. And they rust. And will have miles. But you may not lose on one.
Clio Initiale came with leather, the 1.6 VVT is nippier than the stats show. The pre 06 shape is perhaps more balanced and the 1.4 is quite chuckable, look for a Privilege to get sunroof and nice velour. I also like the Twingo from 2008, only 3.6m long.
"Peugeot 107 (I refuse to consider a Citroen)" you said, but of course the Aygo and C1 are the same car, again I'd look for one which hasn't dissolved around the rear bumper give or take water there from the high level brake light. Several threads on these where they prove hardwearing, but are tinny of course.
206 also surprisingly good if well kept, under a grand common and little rust, a few MOT advisories left unchecked can give a grand of bills though, which i why here are few about. they're not hard to work on, it's just economics in most cases.
And last one, iQ. Few around now, leather commands a premium, pricing all over the shop. Less than 3m, but 4 up is a challenge in the real world, so it depends on what you need it for!
IQ is a brilliant shout!! Anyway, Fiesta ST if you want nippy, but they're getting expensive. And they rust. And will have miles. But you may not lose on one.
Clio Initiale came with leather, the 1.6 VVT is nippier than the stats show. The pre 06 shape is perhaps more balanced and the 1.4 is quite chuckable, look for a Privilege to get sunroof and nice velour. I also like the Twingo from 2008, only 3.6m long.
"Peugeot 107 (I refuse to consider a Citroen)" you said, but of course the Aygo and C1 are the same car, again I'd look for one which hasn't dissolved around the rear bumper give or take water there from the high level brake light. Several threads on these where they prove hardwearing, but are tinny of course.
206 also surprisingly good if well kept, under a grand common and little rust, a few MOT advisories left unchecked can give a grand of bills though, which i why here are few about. they're not hard to work on, it's just economics in most cases.
And last one, iQ. Few around now, leather commands a premium, pricing all over the shop. Less than 3m, but 4 up is a challenge in the real world, so it depends on what you need it for!
biggbn said:
Buy a Smart car, a Brabus if you can find one. So much more than the sum of their meagre parts, practical for two, huge fun anywhere, frugal, different and the most original design since...well, since I can remember. Original 450 can bring problems if been unkindly kept, 451 has a wee Japanese motor and whoda thunk it would be more reliable than ze German offering...?
Funnily enough I have a neighbour whose been thinking of getting rid of hers for a year or so now! I should have said - German and Japanese cars preferred!
macron said:
Any reason why you're after a car that's at least 16 years old? I ask as frankly the idea of 'best engine" etc is probably better answered by what condition you find something in, with what consumables up to date.
Anyway, Fiesta ST if you want nippy, but they're getting expensive. And they rust. And will have miles. But you may not lose on one.
Clio Initiale came with leather, the 1.6 VVT is nippier than the stats show. The pre 06 shape is perhaps more balanced and the 1.4 is quite chuckable, look for a Privilege to get sunroof and nice velour. I also like the Twingo from 2008, only 3.6m long.
"Peugeot 107 (I refuse to consider a Citroen)" you said, but of course the Aygo and C1 are the same car, again I'd look for one which hasn't dissolved around the rear bumper give or take water there from the high level brake light. Several threads on these where they prove hardwearing, but are tinny of course.
206 also surprisingly good if well kept, under a grand common and little rust, a few MOT advisories left unchecked can give a grand of bills though, which i why here are few about. they're not hard to work on, it's just economics in most cases.
And last one, iQ. Few around now, leather commands a premium, pricing all over the shop. Less than 3m, but 4 up is a challenge in the real world, so it depends on what you need it for!
Older cars - Cheaper, less tech, look better. Citroen - just a personal thing, I would never consider a Citroen because I don't like the brand image (I would consider a "proper Citroen" - a 2CV or a Dyane.)Anyway, Fiesta ST if you want nippy, but they're getting expensive. And they rust. And will have miles. But you may not lose on one.
Clio Initiale came with leather, the 1.6 VVT is nippier than the stats show. The pre 06 shape is perhaps more balanced and the 1.4 is quite chuckable, look for a Privilege to get sunroof and nice velour. I also like the Twingo from 2008, only 3.6m long.
"Peugeot 107 (I refuse to consider a Citroen)" you said, but of course the Aygo and C1 are the same car, again I'd look for one which hasn't dissolved around the rear bumper give or take water there from the high level brake light. Several threads on these where they prove hardwearing, but are tinny of course.
206 also surprisingly good if well kept, under a grand common and little rust, a few MOT advisories left unchecked can give a grand of bills though, which i why here are few about. they're not hard to work on, it's just economics in most cases.
And last one, iQ. Few around now, leather commands a premium, pricing all over the shop. Less than 3m, but 4 up is a challenge in the real world, so it depends on what you need it for!
Thanks for the rest of the post, gonna compile a list!
Fred Smith said:
IMHO low-powered city cars will never give you street cred, but the nicer ones are MUCH cooler than swathes of bigger and faster cars which are deeply uncool. Obviously the coolest cars are bigger and faster than a Panda, but many bigger and faster cools get nil cool points whereas as Panda gives you 6/10, maybe 7.
A Panda 100hp gets you at least an 8/10, or Abarth 500s for more styling, less practicality.Lupo GTI on the list?
Some of these are getting pretty old now though.
TheInternet said:
A Panda 100hp gets you at least an 8/10, or Abarth 500s for more styling, less practicality.
Lupo GTI on the list?
Some of these are getting pretty old now though.
A Japanese German carLupo GTI on the list?
Some of these are getting pretty old now though.
https://www.pistonheads.com//buy/listing/19932863
Fred Smith said:
biggbn said:
Buy a Smart car, a Brabus if you can find one. So much more than the sum of their meagre parts, practical for two, huge fun anywhere, frugal, different and the most original design since...well, since I can remember. Original 450 can bring problems if been unkindly kept, 451 has a wee Japanese motor and whoda thunk it would be more reliable than ze German offering...?
Funnily enough I have a neighbour whose been thinking of getting rid of hers for a year or so now! I should have said - German and Japanese cars preferred!
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