Renault Twingo - Talk to me...
Discussion
A friend has asked me to think about cars for him and his wife. They've currently got a 1998 Puma, and the fuel costs are crippling him (mainly local commuting).
They've got about £3k to spend as a maximum, for a car with up to a 1.3 engine. Obviously not fussed too much about room in the back.
I've had a look through Autotrader and there were all the usual suspects; but there were a couple of new shape 1.2 Twingos that have just crept into their price bracket, which surprised me.
They're quite high mileage (80k or so) and they're all the 1.2 model. But I understand they're quite a nice drive. Does anyone have any experience of them, are they going to be in a world of French hurt, or would it be a good way to go?
They've got about £3k to spend as a maximum, for a car with up to a 1.3 engine. Obviously not fussed too much about room in the back.
I've had a look through Autotrader and there were all the usual suspects; but there were a couple of new shape 1.2 Twingos that have just crept into their price bracket, which surprised me.
They're quite high mileage (80k or so) and they're all the 1.2 model. But I understand they're quite a nice drive. Does anyone have any experience of them, are they going to be in a world of French hurt, or would it be a good way to go?
TomM said:
Lupo or A2 for me in this price range, maybe even a Polo.
(there is a trend there....)
I've driven the 1.2 and 1.4 of the Polo/Ibiza/Fabia in that age of VAG, they felt to me about as gutless as a lungfish, and the steering was about as devoid of feel as a subway pervert wearing twelve pairs of mittens. (there is a trend there....)
davepoth said:
GarryA said:
Spend the 3k on fuel.
That was my first suggestion. Followed by "You could get a lovely Daimler Sovereign for £3k".'my car failed its mot on a failed indicator bulb, so I spent £25k on a new one'
'my car uses too much fuel, so I spent £30k on a new car that does 15mpg more that the old one, its great, I'm saving £35 a month on fuel'
GarryA said:
Just sounds like womens logic to me,
'my car failed its mot on a failed indicator bulb, so I spent £25k on a new one'
'my car uses too much fuel, so I spent £30k on a new car that does 15mpg more that the old one, its great, I'm saving £35 a month on fuel'
They did the sums and ROI is only two years, so I can understand it really. 'my car failed its mot on a failed indicator bulb, so I spent £25k on a new one'
'my car uses too much fuel, so I spent £30k on a new car that does 15mpg more that the old one, its great, I'm saving £35 a month on fuel'
I kept thinking about these when I had my Puma (well, the 133 version anyway) Seem to get some favourable nods as a quick (enough, just) and nimble b-road tool - anyone shed any light?
Re. The 1.2 - if its the same 16v unit that was in the Clio II, I can certainly vouch for it. Had one for my first car and it was surprisingly good. Revvy, responsive very good on fuel and robust (Nissan designed/engineered I believe?).
I thrashed the bloody arse off that poor engine and the only issue in 10k was the TDC sensor. Leaned into the engine bay - pulled it off the top of the gearbox casing - gave it a clean - refit - Bobs your Mums brother. Great little lump.
Re. The 1.2 - if its the same 16v unit that was in the Clio II, I can certainly vouch for it. Had one for my first car and it was surprisingly good. Revvy, responsive very good on fuel and robust (Nissan designed/engineered I believe?).
I thrashed the bloody arse off that poor engine and the only issue in 10k was the TDC sensor. Leaned into the engine bay - pulled it off the top of the gearbox casing - gave it a clean - refit - Bobs your Mums brother. Great little lump.
steveo3002 said:
id have thought a puma would be reasonble on juice , doesnt make much sense to waste 3k trying to find a couple more mpg
maybe get a bike , moped or walk more?
The Puma is a 1998 and is starting to get a bit frilly round the edges anyway, so it's probably quite a good time to be looking for something else before it gets expensive. Pumas can be surprisingly juicy - the 1.7 engine loves to be revved...maybe get a bike , moped or walk more?
davepoth said:
They did the sums and ROI is only two years, so I can understand it really.
I very much hope they got some realistic MPG figures for the prospective puma-replacements, rather then going by the manufacturers specs, since those are practically impossible to attain.Also, how local is their commute? might consider taking the bike more often
They asked me to look for a 1-1.3 litre car for up to £3k to replace their Puma that's quite a nice drive. I'll give them all of PH's suggestions as to what they should do instead of buying a 1-1.3 litre car for up to £3k to replace their Puma, but then they still won't have any idea what car to buy.
mrtwisty said:
In fact, come to think of it, why not a Clio? Mine used to get about 45 mpg combined, and that was being utterly merciless with it.
I'm wary after the bonnet flipping shenanigans to recommend one. I know one person who had it happen to them while overtaking a truck on a single carriageway A-road - it left a lovely dent in the roof - and I've heard of a couple of friends of friends who had slightly less scary experiences. davepoth said:
The Puma is a 1998 and is starting to get a bit frilly round the edges anyway, so it's probably quite a good time to be looking for something else before it gets expensive. Pumas can be surprisingly juicy - the 1.7 engine loves to be revved...
Heh, if the fuel costs are crippling then I would suggest revving less. Remember for the sums that if they are heavy footed, it will affect the Twingo's supposed figures.Anyway, what about the Yaris? Are these near £3k yet?
SSBB said:
Heh, if the fuel costs are crippling then I would suggest revving less. Remember for the sums that if they are heavy footed, it will affect the Twingo's supposed figures.
Anyway, what about the Yaris? Are these near £3k yet?
Yup, it's on the list. I've got experience of pretty much all of the cars in that sector and age (very tight fisted company car rental policy at the time), but not the Twingo, hence the question. Anyway, what about the Yaris? Are these near £3k yet?
davepoth said:
mrtwisty said:
In fact, come to think of it, why not a Clio? Mine used to get about 45 mpg combined, and that was being utterly merciless with it.
I'm wary after the bonnet flipping shenanigans to recommend one. I know one person who had it happen to them while overtaking a truck on a single carriageway A-road - it left a lovely dent in the roof - and I've heard of a couple of friends of friends who had slightly less scary experiences. 
Fine after it was fixed though. Got a lovely warm feeling inside by getting something for nothing from a main dealer as well
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff