A small lukewarm hatch.
Discussion
My original plans for a Clio 182 have been put paid to by my lack of cojones at buying a car that felt just too flimsy and by lpusy tyres and mismatched headlights and bits being loose and the interior looking a bit dated etc.
So I upped my budget to 5k. My criteria are very strict - short to fit on a parking space without encroaching across the drive and 3x3 seat belts in the back which really annoyingly rules out Type Rs and Suzuki Swift Sports. My final reasonably low miler list comes down to this and I invite your views which I will, of course, be free to ignore. Back up car, I'm ambivalent on whether it should be fast or economy.
(1) A Fiesta ST - love the chunky looks, good build quality, not bad room in the back, cheap to run - around £5k VEL Band I/27.2mpg(urban) 7.9 to 60/127mph - Quite common, concerns about parts getting stolen off it.
(2) Mitsubishi Colt 1.5 CZT - top end of budget - less sold on the looks but looks OK in black or red - around £5k - VEL Band H/32.8mpg 8.0/131mph. Tiny boot and turbo may have future issues but mainly tiny boot. There is a local one with a ridiculous chequered effect splattered all over it which I can't help but like.
(3) Suzuki Swift 1.5GLX - 101hp 10.0/115mph 35.9mpg VEL band F. 35.9mpg - Not bad looks. 9k service intervals. Cheaper to run overall.
(4) Micra 1.4 "Sport" - 88bhp 11.9/107 35.8mpg VEL Band G. This is about £1000 less than the above 3. I quite like the looks despite the girly image and it is a metallic tango which I like and only has 43k on the clock.
The latter two should be cheaper to insure by some margin but as I'm old, the difference isn't an issue. I do resent VEL so quite like cheap VEL.
Focus STs and Renault 197s are out of budget so have been elimianted. The budget is a strict one and cars in Wales are less available than elsewhere which is why it's these 4. Because I am not that bothered, making a decision is less important than having the option but I do have to buy one in the next few weeks. Ultimately, my 6 year old son may also be the final arbiter and reserves the right to over-ride any sensible views.
So I upped my budget to 5k. My criteria are very strict - short to fit on a parking space without encroaching across the drive and 3x3 seat belts in the back which really annoyingly rules out Type Rs and Suzuki Swift Sports. My final reasonably low miler list comes down to this and I invite your views which I will, of course, be free to ignore. Back up car, I'm ambivalent on whether it should be fast or economy.
(1) A Fiesta ST - love the chunky looks, good build quality, not bad room in the back, cheap to run - around £5k VEL Band I/27.2mpg(urban) 7.9 to 60/127mph - Quite common, concerns about parts getting stolen off it.
(2) Mitsubishi Colt 1.5 CZT - top end of budget - less sold on the looks but looks OK in black or red - around £5k - VEL Band H/32.8mpg 8.0/131mph. Tiny boot and turbo may have future issues but mainly tiny boot. There is a local one with a ridiculous chequered effect splattered all over it which I can't help but like.
(3) Suzuki Swift 1.5GLX - 101hp 10.0/115mph 35.9mpg VEL band F. 35.9mpg - Not bad looks. 9k service intervals. Cheaper to run overall.
(4) Micra 1.4 "Sport" - 88bhp 11.9/107 35.8mpg VEL Band G. This is about £1000 less than the above 3. I quite like the looks despite the girly image and it is a metallic tango which I like and only has 43k on the clock.
The latter two should be cheaper to insure by some margin but as I'm old, the difference isn't an issue. I do resent VEL so quite like cheap VEL.
Focus STs and Renault 197s are out of budget so have been elimianted. The budget is a strict one and cars in Wales are less available than elsewhere which is why it's these 4. Because I am not that bothered, making a decision is less important than having the option but I do have to buy one in the next few weeks. Ultimately, my 6 year old son may also be the final arbiter and reserves the right to over-ride any sensible views.
Very lukewarm those hatches, a lot of them would get put to shame by a tubro-diesel family wagon!
The Fez Zetec S is meant to be just as good (some people consider it better) as an ST but maybe without fear of bits getting nicked off it? Probably cheaper tyres too as it won't have the low-profile ones like the ST.
There's lots of cars out there for £5k, so test / see as many as you can. The last thing you want to do is end up with a car which you learn to hate, but you bought it because it had low miles and was in good condition. You'll lose more money on something if it's not very desireable, not to mention find it hard to sell on.
The Fez Zetec S is meant to be just as good (some people consider it better) as an ST but maybe without fear of bits getting nicked off it? Probably cheaper tyres too as it won't have the low-profile ones like the ST.
There's lots of cars out there for £5k, so test / see as many as you can. The last thing you want to do is end up with a car which you learn to hate, but you bought it because it had low miles and was in good condition. You'll lose more money on something if it's not very desireable, not to mention find it hard to sell on.
Fiats - too many bad reviews on reliability.
Alfa - too long. Realistically 4200mm is the absolutre limit but still goes a fraction over the driveway.
Distance - don't have the time, the patience, the transport or the temper when I get there and find it's a POS. The ads always look so good, don't they? I've already done a few hundred miles locally looking at the cheap dross (up to 40 miles away). Being astonishingly fussy, I find it better to see more nearer.
Zetec S - quite rare round here and seem to be just as expensive as the ST as a result.
I don't think I would ever hate a car I chose because performance is not my sole criteria, just driving enjoyment and chuckability for lanes but not frustratingly slow like a 1.2.
The Micra appeals because it's a good price and easy to sell later on if I do change my mind....and I do....a lot. Indecisive is my middle name.
Alfa - too long. Realistically 4200mm is the absolutre limit but still goes a fraction over the driveway.
Distance - don't have the time, the patience, the transport or the temper when I get there and find it's a POS. The ads always look so good, don't they? I've already done a few hundred miles locally looking at the cheap dross (up to 40 miles away). Being astonishingly fussy, I find it better to see more nearer.
Zetec S - quite rare round here and seem to be just as expensive as the ST as a result.
I don't think I would ever hate a car I chose because performance is not my sole criteria, just driving enjoyment and chuckability for lanes but not frustratingly slow like a 1.2.
The Micra appeals because it's a good price and easy to sell later on if I do change my mind....and I do....a lot. Indecisive is my middle name.
Thing is though, was the Micra conceived with 'chuckability' in mind? Or was it meant to appeal to inner-city commutors, with an emphasis on being cheap?
Best thing to do in your situation is to go to a car warehouse. They're not a good place to buy a car from but they will give you an opportunity to look at a wide range of cars with no obligation to buy - making you less annoying to potential private sellers as well!
Best thing to do in your situation is to go to a car warehouse. They're not a good place to buy a car from but they will give you an opportunity to look at a wide range of cars with no obligation to buy - making you less annoying to potential private sellers as well!
I've owned a Fiesta ST and really loved it but compared to your other choices it would appear you aren't really that bothered about all its good points.
I would go for a grande punto 1.4 sporting, and if you are after a bit of performance go for the t-jet. There aren't any more reliability issues with these compared to your other choices.
I would go for a grande punto 1.4 sporting, and if you are after a bit of performance go for the t-jet. There aren't any more reliability issues with these compared to your other choices.
keebz91 said:
I've owned a Fiesta ST and really loved it but compared to your other choices it would appear you aren't really that bothered about all its good points.
I would go for a grande punto 1.4 sporting, and if you are after a bit of performance go for the t-jet. There aren't any more reliability issues with these compared to your other choices.
I am interested in the ST's good points and it is currently my favourite - we already have a 2.0 Mondeo so I know the engine characteristics. When we were looking at Mondeos, I was shocked at the number of Ford dealers who had STs with missing bumpers and rear spoilers which is the only evidence I have of them being targeted. It's not a deal breaker. the onlyb things I don't like are the blue dash plastic on some models and the slightly gaudy interiors if you only get half leather.I would go for a grande punto 1.4 sporting, and if you are after a bit of performance go for the t-jet. There aren't any more reliability issues with these compared to your other choices.
If you read the internet reviews, all four I have selected have good driving/handling reviews. Indeed, the Suzuki and Mitsubishi were late additions I hadn't even thought of until I read a review.
I love the Grand Punto styling but the interiors aren't great and they seem to depreciate a lot. I've had an original Punto (1995) in the past and it was a nice car but wasn't wholly reliable so I'm not against them, it just didn't make the final cut against the Fiesta.
Had my Fiesta ST 3 years and never had anything get knicked, it never broke down and was always fun to throw around. Why scare yourself because others had been unlucky. At the end of the day any car with a body kit is a target if its left somewhere that the oiks can get at it. If I didnt fancy a silly car or had the money to run a 2nd Id still have it. It is light years ahead of the other cars you have listed in terms of driving.
You listed a Micra so you obviously dont worry about looks so a Fabia Vrs is a good shout. Maybe a Ibiza Cupra in either derv or petrol guise would be something 'different'.
You listed a Micra so you obviously dont worry about looks so a Fabia Vrs is a good shout. Maybe a Ibiza Cupra in either derv or petrol guise would be something 'different'.
3 series (e46) compact had 3 x 3point belts as an optional extra.
Lot of engine options available for a lot less than £5k
Audi A3
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/3x3-point-rear-bel...
Lot of engine options available for a lot less than £5k
Audi A3
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/3x3-point-rear-bel...
Save Ferris said:
Hmm, never even knew they made a 1.8.OpulentBob said:
Better off saving £3,500 and getting the first model. Doesn't age against the newer models and interior is pretty much the same.And avoid the 1.6 as running costs would be the same more or less.
My pick would be the 1.9JTD 150bhp.
timbob said:
I notice you've written off Fiat for the reviews on their unreliability, but I think they've improved a lot recently? How does the Fiat Panda 100hp fit with your criteria? Thats what I'd have if I had similar needs...
A good while ago I started with a Suzuki Swift Sport and Fiat Panda 100HP. Both only have 2 seatbelts. that's annoying so far as the Suzuki is concerned as the GLX comes with 3.I've now done a bit more research and careful study of the rear compartments (amazing how many ads ignore it) shows that while some have 3 rear belts, the middle "seat" is about 10" wide which is puzzling.
I think I'm going to dismiss the Micra, Suzuki and Mitsubishi based on that and look for a nice ST. I did look at reviews on the Yaris but they weren't inspiring and I don't like central instruments.
The issue now id finding one without a stupid blue dash as I don't think I can live with that.
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