5dr Supermini for £8k Fabia/Yaris/MG3

[SL22]

Unfortunately my wife's car has been written off in an accident. So I am about to start the search for her a new one. She doesn't change cars that often so I expect it will be with us for 4-5 years. The one that has gone was a 57 plate Swift 1.5 GLX (looked very much like this, without the bonnet stripes, but with the spoiler), 55k mileage had it for 4.5 years.

Some constraints are that it needs to be 5 door, not too slow (10-11secs 0-60 is fine), be up to about 4 years old, have the basics, like remote locking, air con etc and generally be reliable. If I'm honest the boot on the Swift was bordering on being too small. Usually do up to 8k, mainly local, but with some longer trips.

So far, she's shown an interest in three cars I've put in front of her to look at (not necessarily the cars linked, but just for example):
Yaris 1.33 SR
She's had a 02 Yaris and liked it. The SR looks a bit better than the bog standard versions, but the engine is a bit slow. Should be reliable?

MG3 1.5 Style
Will be nearly new, with lots of toys, a bit unknown yet in terms of reliability, about an hour to nearest MG dealer.

Fabia 1.2 TSI 105 Monte Carlo
Would have to be special edition for the styling, would likely be older and more miles than the two mentioned above. Engine should be a good one, though my brother had an issue after 11k of his in a 2014 Ibiza that needed the turbo replaced due to wastegate actuator failing - common issue and expensive when getting on out of warranty?

I think the Fabia is the better looking of the three, the Yaris the most sensible and reliable, but I have had many MG Rovers and currently drive a 4.6 V8 version, hence I would be kind of willing to give the MG3 a chance...but would be pleased to hear of any other suggestions that might fit the bill.

[SL22]

I guess no response means they are all pretty average, not good, not bad!

[morgrp]

Fabia, no question, the MG regardless of what it is like will suffer monumental depreciation. Toyota is a fine car but that 1.2 TSI engine in the Fabia in 105ps spec is a little gem - I test drove a monte carlo a couple of years ago when they were offering them on the road for 10grand - Really liked it and very nearly bought it but backed out at the last minute when I decided I didn't need a new car - Personally its the one I'd go for

[krobbo]

Fabia for it's better engine and, imo, better looks.
The Yaris is more likey to be more reliable though, and does have a nifty touchscreen/reversing camera set up.

ETA: MG doesn't do anything for me, cheap interior and the aforementioned depreciation

[Dr Interceptor]

Personally, I'd go for a Fiesta. Before the GolfR, I ran a Fiesta 1.6 TDCi Titanium for three years and 45,000 miles. It was faultless, dependable, comfy enough on long journeys, and the chassis was fun to chuck about. Being Titanium spec, it had a Sony Media Centre, Climate, Cruise... pretty good.

The only criteria that's tricky is the performance... the new 1.0 EcoBoost fits the bill, but is still pricey. Your budget though gets you into a 2012 1.6 Petrol in Titanium spec with low mileage at dealer forecourt pricing. Like this one.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...

[R2T2]

If you're willing to go a little older than that you can get a Fiat Punto Evo Sporting.
1.4 Multiair Turbo engine, supposed to get 40+MPG
IMO doesn't look too bad.
Get a very good one for your budget.
Available in 5doors.
Much better build quality than the badge on the nose suggests.
135 BHP - 0-60 it 8 seconds?
Cheap to run and insure.

I've got the older (58) Grande Punto T-Jet, which has a similar engine with an older design (no Multiair)
I have 120hp.
Same basic chassis, albeit different interior, but just as well screwed together.
I manage 35mpg using quite a bit of boost - high 30's if I don't.
Goes well.
Looks pretty good.
Has loads of kit,
USB for the music
Bluetooth
Air Con
Leather available (didn't want it personally)
ISOFIX for kiddie seats.
Rear parking sensors.


Loads of equipment. You can get a late series 2 (facelifted from 58plate onwards) with okay miles for around 4.

The Evo Sportings probably start about 6k.

[Save Ferris]

The Toyota will also have the balance of its 5yr warranty.

[SL22]

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions to date. One other had been a nearly new clio, which she likes, but her step-dad has a 14 plate one (in red, her favourite colour) so that's a bit of a non-starter.

Anyway picking up on this...

Dr Interceptor said:

Personally, I'd go for a Fiesta. Before the GolfR, I ran a Fiesta 1.6 TDCi Titanium for three years and 45,000 miles. It was faultless, dependable, comfy enough on long journeys, and the chassis was fun to chuck about. Being Titanium spec, it had a Sony Media Centre, Climate, Cruise... pretty good.

The only criteria that's tricky is the performance... the new 1.0 EcoBoost fits the bill, but is still pricey. Your budget though gets you into a 2012 1.6 Petrol in Titanium spec with low mileage at dealer forecourt pricing. Like this one.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...

...then, not something we've done before, but there is currently a lease going on a 1.0 125ps Ecoboost Titanium 5dr +Full Dress Up Kit for £1200 deposit and 23x£137.99 to give a total of £4373.77 (or £182.24/month) for the two years. This is not that far off 'half' of the overall budget we'd be spending, for half the time. [Edit. Though obviously if we did this twice, then we'd have spent £8k and have no car at the end, vs having 'something' if we had bought, but as ever there are pros and cons as we'd have had two brand new cars, not a 3/4 years old going on to be a 7/8 years old]

This would get us a £16k, brand new car. I should have said the £8k was going to be cash, without any finance. We could have gone up with the cash amount by quite a bit, but £8k is what we've decided we'd be happy spending on a car at this point in time. We've always owned our cars outright from day 1 so this would be a bit of a departure from that.

Edited by SL22 on Thursday 5th February 19:57

[Troubleatmill]

New Dacia?

New Hyundai i10?

[Willy Nilly]

My parents have a newish 1.6 100ps diesel Fabia Monte Carlo, it's a nice enough car, but has really stupidly low profile tyres. They won't hear a bad word about it.

In this company you need to look at a Jazz. I know I keep going on about mine, but it really is a good car and has the small, practical, reliable, hatchback brief nailed.

[Dr Interceptor]

SL22 said:

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions to date. One other had been a nearly new clio, which she likes, but her step-dad has a 14 plate one (in red, her favourite colour) so that's a bit of a non-starter.

Anyway picking up on this...

Dr Interceptor said:

Personally, I'd go for a Fiesta. Before the GolfR, I ran a Fiesta 1.6 TDCi Titanium for three years and 45,000 miles. It was faultless, dependable, comfy enough on long journeys, and the chassis was fun to chuck about. Being Titanium spec, it had a Sony Media Centre, Climate, Cruise... pretty good.

The only criteria that's tricky is the performance... the new 1.0 EcoBoost fits the bill, but is still pricey. Your budget though gets you into a 2012 1.6 Petrol in Titanium spec with low mileage at dealer forecourt pricing. Like this one.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...

...then, not something we've done before, but there is currently a lease going on a 1.0 125ps Ecoboost Titanium 5dr +Full Dress Up Kit for £1200 deposit and 23x£137.99 to give a total of £4373.77 (or £182.24/month) for the two years. This is not that far off 'half' of the overall budget we'd be spending, for half the time. [Edit. Though obviously if we did this twice, then we'd have spent £8k and have no car at the end, vs having 'something' if we had bought, but as ever there are pros and cons as we'd have had two brand new cars, not a 3/4 years old going on to be a 7/8 years old]

This would get us a £16k, brand new car. I should have said the £8k was going to be cash, without any finance. We could have gone up with the cash amount by quite a bit, but £8k is what we've decided we'd be happy spending on a car at this point in time. We've always owned our cars outright from day 1 so this would be a bit of a departure from that.

Edited by SL22 on Thursday 5th February 19:57

I work in all ends of the market. Last weekend I bought the OH a first car, just an 06 plate Fiesta with 91k on the clock, with a full history including cambelt.

Given another lease, I'd be happy with an Ecoboost Fez, with the classic V8s in the garage by daily is just a tool. I'd also have no qualms with ploughing £7k into a used one if I needed to buy a motor.

Good cars.

[SL22]

Well, as usual with women part of the criteria was modified when they 'change' their mind. We've ended up spending half the budget but going a little older, getting a one owner, full dealer history, Yaris 1.8 SR. It was in such good condition that it was actually being sold by the Toyota dealer after it had been part exchanged.

It's obviously a bit more speedy than the original options, yet still not too bad on fuel. Only thing annoying me at the moment is that it has mis-matched tyres, though they all have good tread. The 205/45/17 size does seem to be a bit more expensive than I'd have thought with Michelins/Conti etc seemingly £110+ each.

Hopefully this one will last a good while if we look after it.