Need to buy car urgently, which of these would you choose?
Discussion
My awful 4x4 finally bit the dust on the way up to the Yorkshire Dales a week ago and had to get towed about 60 miles back to Herts, I wasn’t impressed.
Need something newer that won’t cost the earth to run, decent quality, decent mpg, good enough to use as my daily drive but enough space for taking the wife and 2 dogs on trips etc etc. I realise the ones below each have their own pro’s and con’s but am just trying to feel out peoples’ views.
M BENZ A CLASS EVOLUTION OR TURBO.
AUDI A2
FIAT PANDA 100HP
VW POLO DUNE
Fiat Grande Punto T-Jet Sporting
Mazda 5 Sport
Toyota UrbanCruiser
Any other car recommendations considered/appreciated.
Budget around 3-6k.
Thanks for the help.
Need something newer that won’t cost the earth to run, decent quality, decent mpg, good enough to use as my daily drive but enough space for taking the wife and 2 dogs on trips etc etc. I realise the ones below each have their own pro’s and con’s but am just trying to feel out peoples’ views.
M BENZ A CLASS EVOLUTION OR TURBO.
AUDI A2
FIAT PANDA 100HP
VW POLO DUNE
Fiat Grande Punto T-Jet Sporting
Mazda 5 Sport
Toyota UrbanCruiser
Any other car recommendations considered/appreciated.
Budget around 3-6k.
Thanks for the help.
Mazda 6 Estate is a lot more enjoyable to steer than the 5 and probably cheaper. I seem to remember they did a 2.3 4x4 at one point if you need the traction? That or a Legacy Tourer. Bigger estates are grossly undervalued just now in favour of MPVs, cross overs and superminis. Now's the chance to get a really good deal.
Something like this:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
or this:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Something like this:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
or this:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Edited by Ali_T on Tuesday 8th July 11:01
+1 for the Punto.
I own one, pretty rapid, cheap insurance, easy to eek more out of the engine with not a lot of money, Cheap to buy.
In 4,000 miles I've had the ARB drop links (common Fault) replaced and gearbox oil (I wanted it done, car was fine) and other than that, it's been utterly dependable.
Spark plugs a fccking expensive though, as they're iridium tipped, but not the end of the world.
ETA: MPG wise, I get between 33-38 on a mix of heavy stop start traffic and a A Roads.
It's pretty frugal on the Mway aswell as it sits just under 3k at 70.
I own one, pretty rapid, cheap insurance, easy to eek more out of the engine with not a lot of money, Cheap to buy.
In 4,000 miles I've had the ARB drop links (common Fault) replaced and gearbox oil (I wanted it done, car was fine) and other than that, it's been utterly dependable.
Spark plugs a fccking expensive though, as they're iridium tipped, but not the end of the world.
ETA: MPG wise, I get between 33-38 on a mix of heavy stop start traffic and a A Roads.
It's pretty frugal on the Mway aswell as it sits just under 3k at 70.
Edited by Mr SFJ on Tuesday 8th July 11:25
Although I don't drive a T-Jet sporting (I drive the poverty spec version but you've got me tempted now), the Grande has been really reliable (suspension can be a bit iffy) for the last two years. The only thing to watch out for is droplinks and wishbone bushes. I think it's more to do with the state of our roads than a badly made car to be fair. If you test drive one listen out for any noises when turning the wheel when the car is stationary as it could be top strut bearing worn or steering rack problems (a few cars, including mine, had steering issues - not an expensive fix though). Another thing to look out for with these cars is electrical gremlins caused by improper closing of the engine fuse box. The box is a f
k on to close properly.
Top strut bearing is a cheap fix too.
Oh and the steering is quite vague (electrically assisted)... it might be different for the sporting though.
k on to close properly.Top strut bearing is a cheap fix too.
Oh and the steering is quite vague (electrically assisted)... it might be different for the sporting though.
Edited by Swanny87 on Tuesday 8th July 14:50
I really appreciate the views so far and thanks.
I really would like something that looks cool but I also need something practical, cheap –ish to run, some space etc etc. I have a habit of buying cars that look cool but turn out to be money pits and I really need something nice but reliable and won’t make me look too much like I am going on the school run, I do have some dignity.
Having to take my gf’s Mitsubishi Pajero Junior on holiday to Yorkshire was an experience. While it runs around the Dales like a demon and corners on rails on those roads. It has hardly any space, so 2 adults, 2 dogs and belongings for a week in it was majorly testing, I need something with slightly more space.
How about a Mini Clubman, I hear they are pretty decent? Citroen C3 Picasso (Exclusive), Kia Soul. Any views on these?
I really would like something that looks cool but I also need something practical, cheap –ish to run, some space etc etc. I have a habit of buying cars that look cool but turn out to be money pits and I really need something nice but reliable and won’t make me look too much like I am going on the school run, I do have some dignity.
Having to take my gf’s Mitsubishi Pajero Junior on holiday to Yorkshire was an experience. While it runs around the Dales like a demon and corners on rails on those roads. It has hardly any space, so 2 adults, 2 dogs and belongings for a week in it was majorly testing, I need something with slightly more space.
How about a Mini Clubman, I hear they are pretty decent? Citroen C3 Picasso (Exclusive), Kia Soul. Any views on these?
Swanny87 said:
I think you might be contradicting yourself there 
I know lol but I was hoping the fact that edition has some sportier alloys might give me a bit more cred, maybe not :-). Its a nightmare, thank for the help guys, I am none the wiser.
Other cars I have considered, Skoda Roomster Scout, Nissan Cube, Alfa 147 Ti (diesel).
Swanny87 said:
Although I don't drive a T-Jet sporting (I drive the poverty spec version but you've got me tempted now), the Grande has been really reliable (suspension can be a bit iffy) for the last two years. The only thing to watch out for is droplinks and wishbone bushes. I think it's more to do with the state of our roads than a badly made car to be fair. If you test drive one listen out for any noises when turning the wheel when the car is stationary as it could be top strut bearing worn or steering rack problems (a few cars, including mine, had steering issues - not an expensive fix though). Another thing to look out for with these cars is electrical gremlins caused by improper closing of the engine fuse box. The box is a fk on to close properly.
Top strut bearing is a cheap fix too.
Oh and the steering is quite vague (electrically assisted)... it might be different for the sporting though.
And, there's only 1600 registered on the UK roads meaning they're quite exclusive, which is nice!
The T-Jet is fantastic, a bit of a sleeper, and if you put the Abarth 500 turbo, a forge intercooler and a remap 170-180bhp is easily achievable, and as it weighs 1100kgs, it's pretty rapid aswell. can keep up with a New Fiesta ST easily, and with a light foot, can do 38-40mpg.k on to close properly.Top strut bearing is a cheap fix too.
Oh and the steering is quite vague (electrically assisted)... it might be different for the sporting though.
And, there's only 1600 registered on the UK roads meaning they're quite exclusive, which is nice!
Edited by Swanny87 on Tuesday 8th July 14:50
5Door versions seem to be rarer than hens teeth though, but the doors on the 3dr and pretty long and the seats give good rear access.
The steering doesn't have any of the feel and feedback you might expect but it's accurate, and with the city steering on, you can go lock to lock on your little finger (I know, I've tried, and I have damaged pinkies!)
Great little car, really stealthy aswell, IMO the optional two-tone 5 spoke alloys really set the car off (fitted to mine, which is my pic)
ETA: Make sure the spark plugs are changed when it's serviced as they're iridium tipped, and most garages won't change them, (and didn't in my case) I just had to replace all 4 and cost me £100! But it runs so much better now though!
can I tempt you with a honda civic, 2005 model in "sport" trim for £3700? its on 62,000 (i think, around that) - Ive owned it for 14 months or so from 45,000 miles. Under my ownership ive changed the oil every 5,500 miles or threabouts, and the last service included a cambelt and tensioner, as well as rear discs and pads (fronts were fine...sticky rear caliper thats all been sorted).
I regularly see 50 mpg on the dash display, which correlates to a truer 46-47 mpg.
its mine, and i live in north london..
I regularly see 50 mpg on the dash display, which correlates to a truer 46-47 mpg.
its mine, and i live in north london..
Edited by thatdude on Tuesday 8th July 15:48
Mr SFJ said:
The T-Jet is fantastic, a bit of a sleeper, and if you put the Abarth 500 turbo, a forge intercooler and a remap 170-180bhp is easily achievable, and as it weighs 1100kgs, it's pretty rapid aswell. can keep up with a New Fiesta ST easily, and with a light foot, can do 38-40mpg.
5Door versions seem to be rarer than hens teeth though, but the doors on the 3dr and pretty long and the seats give good rear access.
The steering doesn't have any of the feel and feedback you might expect but it's accurate, and with the city steering on, you can go lock to lock on your little finger (I know, I've tried, and I have damaged pinkies!)
Great little car, really stealthy aswell, IMO the optional two-tone 5 spoke alloys really set the car off (fitted to mine, which is my pic)
ETA: Make sure the spark plugs are changed when it's serviced as they're iridium tipped, and most garages won't change them, (and didn't in my case) I just had to replace all 4 and cost me £100! But it runs so much better now though!
Could I just shoehorn a T-Jet engine into my poverty spec version? Now that would be the ultimate sleeper...5Door versions seem to be rarer than hens teeth though, but the doors on the 3dr and pretty long and the seats give good rear access.
The steering doesn't have any of the feel and feedback you might expect but it's accurate, and with the city steering on, you can go lock to lock on your little finger (I know, I've tried, and I have damaged pinkies!)
Great little car, really stealthy aswell, IMO the optional two-tone 5 spoke alloys really set the car off (fitted to mine, which is my pic)
ETA: Make sure the spark plugs are changed when it's serviced as they're iridium tipped, and most garages won't change them, (and didn't in my case) I just had to replace all 4 and cost me £100! But it runs so much better now though!
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