Young woman’s first car

[geeman237]

A friends daughter is looking for her second car. First car was a Citroen C1 for £500. She’s early twenties, and about to graduate uni.
Lives in London
Car not needed for work
It will be kept on the street and may not be used for perhaps days/ a week or two.
I’m assuming ULEZ compliant.
Manual preferred
Mum is thinking Japanese for reliability etc.
Daughter just saw a 2004 Peugeot 206? convertible and went “ooooo yes” (for reference)
Budget, let’s top around £6k give or take.
I live overseas so I’m not up to speed on the U.K. market hence putting this to PH.
Over to you for suggestions.
Thanks

[dhutch]

Citroen C1 is very solid, but also getting long in the tooth so I can understand a replacement.

I wouldnt be looking at convertible if the plan is to leave it on the street in a major city for the majority of its time.


What about a Ford Fiesta, there is a reason why they made a hell of a lot of them.

We have a 58plate pre-DPF 1.6 diesel on 120k and while its a bit long in the tooth and developed another leak in the boot space again (rain ingress) its also been bloody faultless.

What is the budget?

[paul_c123]

2004 Pug 206 is not going to be reliable enough to recommend.

For convertibles under £6k, the best bet is probably an Audi A3 or VW Golf of 2009-2016 era. Its weird - the Audi was based on the Golf 5 platform and later gained some of the Golf 6 engine choices. It ran from 2008-2013. The Golf used the same bodyshell, but updated infotainment, systems and engines of the Golf 6; and its front and rear were styled as a Golf. It ran from 2011-2016.

Since all the diesels will be Euro 5, if its for ULEZ it would obviously be more sensible to go for the petrols. I'd personally get a DSG but there's known issues with the dry-clutch ones so maybe manual is better there.

Updated A3 convertible (2012 and on) will be too expensive for a £6k budget.

Non-VAG or not a convertible? The choice widens much more.

[jamesbilluk]

Not sure what they're like, but how about a Mitsubishi Colt convertible? if she likes the 206 convertible, and with Japanese reliability.

https://www.motors.co.uk/car-68645294

Or Citroen DS3 Cabrio? I think the roof can drop all the way down at the back as well.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025042617...



Ford Street Ka
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024092143...

Mini Cooper Convertible, or Mini One
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025043018...

Edited by jamesbilluk on Friday 2nd May 15:29

[ScoobyChris]

What's it going to be used for? 6k (plus money for intsurance, tax, maintenance... we're talking 20 year old cars!, etc) seems a big chunk of cash to tie up for something that's barely used. Maybe consider joining something like ZipCar if they want something reliable for occasional use without the hassle of ownership.

Chris

[66HFM]

Fiat 500 convertible, especially if she's used to a small car, or even a Fiat 500 Lounge with the sunroof, she could even go for the Barbie Pink one, not to stereotype of course....

[geeman237]

Thanks for the replies so far.
Just to clarify, mum is not wanting daughter to get a convertible. Size wise, a bit bigger than a C1/Aygo and able to be comfortable on the odd 100-200 mile journey.

Agree with the comment on money tied up for little use so I’ll look into the car share comment mentioned.

I’ve done a YouTube search and some Suzukis and Honda Jazz seem to be good potential candidates.

Edited to add, bonus points for the best factory sound system installed too. Daughter loves her music and easy connectivity would be appreciated.

Edited by geeman237 on Friday 2nd May 18:54

[Phil.]

The Honda Jazz is bullet proof and versatile. Feels much larger inside than it looks. My daughter had one for a couple of years and it never let her down which was important for me. Plus they don’t attract attention like a Fiesta would so better for street parking and being left for a while.

Your friend’s daughter probably won’t like the Jazz styling though

[98elise]

geeman237 said:

Thanks for the replies so far.
Just to clarify, mum is not wanting daughter to get a convertible. Size wise, a bit bigger than a C1/Aygo and able to be comfortable on the odd 100-200 mile journey.

Agree with the comment on money tied up for little use so I’ll look into the car share comment mentioned.

I’ve done a YouTube search and some Suzukis and Honda Jazz seem to be good potential candidates.

My daughter had an Aygo (so same basic car as the C1) as her first car. When she replaced it she went to for a 2015 1.2 Hyundai i10. It's still a small car with cheap tax, but much better for motorway miles. She has a 50 mile each way commute at the moment.

The 1.2 engine feels way more powerful, and the ride and comfort is much more modern feeling. C1/Aygos are like driving a classic mini!

Not my daughters car, but this is pretty much identical to what she bought...

Edited by 98elise on Friday 2nd May 16:49

[Krikkit]

What's wrong with the C1? Fantastic city car, cheap as chips to look after, if there's money about you could basically throw complete new suspension etc at it for £500

[98elise]

Krikkit said:

What's wrong with the C1? Fantastic city car, cheap as chips to look after, if there's money about you could basically throw complete new suspension etc at it for £500

I would agree for city driving, but they're not great on a 100-200 mile drive.

[jamesbilluk]

How about a VW Up! 4 door?

I used to have a GTi and was always impressed how comfy it was on a longer trip.

Or up from the C1 and go for a C3
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18235983

Or Citroen Cactus
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/18064660

Edited by jamesbilluk on Friday 2nd May 17:23

[Cambs_Stuart]

How about a Mini? Lots of specifications, engines and price ranges. Looks funky, good to drive. Just do some research into engines before you buy.

[Sporky]

Mk3 MX5, surely?

[Kevin-2g5x2]

Mazda 2, Japanese reliability to Please Mum, styling more appealing to a youngster than a Jazz, lots of choices of spec and colours, four doors for practicality, pre 17 reg will be cheaper tax, 40+ mpg and plenty in classifieds, good luck.

[dhutch]

Any luck?

[ThingsBehindTheSun]

Don't touch any cars with the 1.2 Puretech engine with a bargepole.

[andrewcliffe]

Micra CC? - metal folding roof, so can't get slashed by local yobs.

Renault Wind?

Edited by andrewcliffe on Tuesday 13th May 23:07