Best SHORT hatch

[LuS1fer]

Here's my dilemma.
I have a Golf Mk III GTI - length 4074mm. It has just expired with a faulty distributor ("modern" cars eh...) but subject to being fixable, may live to fight another day but being 15 years old, it's always going to be something.

It gets parked outside the house as the drive and gaarge are occupied. It's butt just hangs over our drive so length really is an issue.
I'm looking at buying a hatch that will be more reliable but in this part of the world, theory has to give way to availabaility and some cars are like hens teeth, namely my top two contenders:

Suzuki Swift Sport
Fiat Panda 100HP

There are various bonus points to be had - 4 doors are better than 2, 3 seat belts in the back are better than 2, low road tax is better than high, low insurance is better than high. Budget £5-6k max.

I don't want French or Italian - just can't do it when hand comes to wallet.
I REALLY need to avoid pre-thrashed or chavved.

Other contenders:
Fiesta Zetec S/ST Mk 6
Panda 4x4 (very rare)
Honda Jazz
Merc A-Class (space over dynamics)

So flexible to some degree. Anyone have any experience?

[davepoth]

you say don't want french or italian, but have the panda on the list?

Put the Ford Ka (new one) on there, it's a panda underneath so will be about the same length.

[LuS1fer]

Good point. I actually included the Fiat as a test I read suggested it was good quality. I'm more concerned about older Alfas like the 147 TBH. Ka and 500 are too expensive.

[missing the VR6]

From personal experience I'd leave the Fiesta ST, for me the engine needs to rev to find the tiny bit of power it has but doesn't like to be revved. Save your money and go Zetec S either petrol or the diesel really is a laugh too.

Not sure how it compares with the Panda 100 or Swift Sport though.

[Ozzie Osmond]

Throw prejudice aside!

• Mercedes A-class (the later W169 version). Can't imagine it's much/any longer than Golf.

• Fiat Panda is a good cheaper, smaller car. Even if it does go wrong it can't be hard/expensive to fix.

[Dalto123]

How about a Brabus Smart car? fast, rareish, and small

[Xavier259]

If you prepared to consider something a little older a VW Lupo/Seat Arosa might be worth a look.

You could get a tidy example of either with change to spare:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3404468.htm

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

[DaveH23]

I know you say no french but consider a 106 GTi

Cheap to buy
Cheap to insure
Cheap to run
Cheap to repair when they do go wrong

Exceptional handling
Good power/weight ratio
And very small

[anonymous-user]

Hang about. You're looking to spend THOUSANDS of pound replacing your golf because the distributor is faulty (£50) and because it slightly over hangs your driveway?

Really?

[va1o]

Go for the A-Class. Your budget would get you into the W169 A200 Turbo. Fairly rare but very good little cars IMO, and the later models don't have the reliability issues.

E.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Benz-A200-2-0-T... 50k miles 06-plate with COMAND and Leather

[LuS1fer]

279 said:

Hang about. You're looking to spend THOUSANDS of pound replacing your golf because the distributor is faulty (£50) and because it slightly over hangs your driveway?

Really?

No, not really. I was looking to change it this year anyway and this dumping me 20 miles from home simply underlines that it's always going to want something doing. It's been reaonably reliable save for the rear brakes, cables, rear wheel bearings, clutch cable and will soon require front discs and pads BUT it's pretty dented, it has a slight oil leak and a slight coolant leak and tends to mist up inside so these are all factors that coincide with an appropriate moment to upgrade the "convenience car". That way the Mustang stays as the toy and next year we can look at changing the Mondeo for something more interesting that sucks petrol.

[melvster]

This???


sub 20k miles

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

[wifiwupding]

Have you considered the Ignis Sport, for that money you could get an absolute minter, all round discs, recaro seats, standard Enkei lightweight alloys, close ratio gearbox, well sorted chassis and the engines a little beauty

Edited by wifiwupding on Sunday 27th November 14:28

[300bhp/ton]

Something like this maybe? Seems to tick all the boxes and is more practical and shorter.

AUDI A2 1.4 TDi SE, 39000 miles, Service history (2003/52)
39,000 miles £6,000
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3388941.htm





ok bugger, looks like it might only be 2 seats in the back though.

[va1o]

300bhp/ton said:

Something like this maybe? Seems to tick all the boxes and is more practical and shorter.

AUDI A2 1.4 TDi SE, 39000 miles, Service history (2003/52)
39,000 miles £6,000
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3388941.htm





ok bugger, looks like it might only be 2 seats in the back though.

You'd have to be mental to spend £6k on that IMO, represents very poor value for money. There good cars but don't warrant spending that much. Compared to the A-Class I suggested, it would have listed at around £20k 5-years ago, whereas this would have been £15k new 8 years ago.

[Jayho]

DaveH23 said:

I know you say no french but consider a 106 GTi

Cheap to buy
Cheap to insure
Cheap to run
Cheap to repair when they do go wrong

Exceptional handling
Good power/weight ratio
And very small

Yeah... All correct, apart for the cheap to buy and cheap to insure bit. If you're looking at a tidy example you're looking to be spending quite a lot compared to cheaper alternatives. And at the age of 21 with 4yrs NCB I still cant justify spending £1200 to insure a 106GTI when I can insure a EP3 slightly less. And a nice unmodified 106 GTI is getting rarer than hens teeth!

wifiwupding said:

Have you considered the Ignis Sport, for that money you could get an absolute minter, all round discs, recaro seats, standard Enkei lightweight alloys, close ratio gearbox, well sorted chassis and the engines a little beauty

Edited by wifiwupding on Sunday 27th November 14:28

Although slightly bias, I'd also recommend the Ignis Sport. If you've got a Mondeo then that can be used for the trips you just dont want to do in the Ignis (AKA Long motorway gets a bit tiring with the short gearing and cabin noise). Other than that its plenty of bang for buck, and you should be able to pick a very tidy example up for probably <£3500.

[Changedmyname]

I think the lupo is a call, those GTIs are nippy, 125 horses in a small car ,even more than your present golf?

[matt-ITR]

I had a Swift Sport from new for almost a year. Great car, fun to drive and nicely put together. Gearbox is a gem.
But it is expensive to run for what it is. If I wanted a similar car again I would go for the Panda.

Or what about a Fabia vRS?

[aka_kerrly]

matt-ITR said:

Or what about a Fabia vRS?

good shout.

or
VW Polo 1.8T GTI -3900mm long

[300bhp/ton]

Smart Forfour Brabus 1.5 Turbo (2006)
59,500 miles £5,195
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3374558.htm





Shame its a 3 door as they do a 5 door, but a lot of new'ish car for the money.
59 Plate Metallic Black Ralliart Colt (2010)
25,000 miles £6,500
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3167832.htm