A second car query
Discussion
So i've had my little 1.2 2004 fiat punto (my first car) for nearly 2 years now, and while it's done well given its mileage, previous problems and previous service history, there are so many issues with it right now that I think the time has come to cut my losses and get something else. The only downside is that I have no idea of the most reasonable method of replacement. A number of friends have told me to go up the finance and get something new, some have said go for approved used, and some have just said to comb through the autotrader and pick up something "reasonable".
Since I can't for the life of me actually make a decision, It would be great to hear some opinions from the PH forums. Most of the cars I've looked at are small to mid size hatchbacks, given that the paltry 2 years of no claims I've built up. Ideally something reasonably fun to drive with a little more power than my old car (the punto struggles at overtaking) would be ideal.
Cars I've considered:
2015 Ford Fiesta
2015 Hyundai i20
2015 Skoda Fabia
2013 Seat Ibiza
Mazda 2 Sport
Mazda 3
Ford Focus
Hyundai Coupe
Since I can't for the life of me actually make a decision, It would be great to hear some opinions from the PH forums. Most of the cars I've looked at are small to mid size hatchbacks, given that the paltry 2 years of no claims I've built up. Ideally something reasonably fun to drive with a little more power than my old car (the punto struggles at overtaking) would be ideal.
Cars I've considered:
2015 Ford Fiesta
2015 Hyundai i20
2015 Skoda Fabia
2013 Seat Ibiza
Mazda 2 Sport
Mazda 3
Ford Focus
Hyundai Coupe
A bank loan would be the best bet as they're very low APR (2.8-4.0%) compared to getting dealer (7-10%) finance.
As for the car I'd say a Kia C'eed/Pro C'eed
2013 C'eed 3 Auto (with Nav Parking Sensors Bluetooth Xenons etc) 16,000 miles & 3 Years Manufacturers Warranty left
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Manual Version 32,000miles
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
2015 C'eed SR7 (these are lower specification & a smaller engine) 15,000 miles with 5 years Warranty left
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
As for the car I'd say a Kia C'eed/Pro C'eed
2013 C'eed 3 Auto (with Nav Parking Sensors Bluetooth Xenons etc) 16,000 miles & 3 Years Manufacturers Warranty left
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Manual Version 32,000miles
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
2015 C'eed SR7 (these are lower specification & a smaller engine) 15,000 miles with 5 years Warranty left
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I've got a Hyundai Coupe as a second car, and I love it!
If I were to give my opinion on the Coupe (because I've not had much experience with the others): The one to go for is the Gen 3.5, which can be identified by the smoked front lights, horizontal fins on the wings, and silver rear indicator housings as opposed to amber on the previous generation. The main reason for this is that Hyundai removed the air filter resonator box for this facelift - meaning that there's considerably less restriction on air flow. Also, watch the ones with automatic boxes, as they have massive torque converters - which, as a result, take a lot of power from the drive. I learned the hard way with the auto 'box: Don't get me wrong, as an automatic they're fantastic - but just more enjoyable in manual. Lastly, watch the 2.7 V6 if you're looking into that: The big-end bearings can be a headache if they go wrong. Oh, and fuel consumption can be a bit of a heartache, too (I get 27.7 mpg from mine) - but, if it's a second car, it won't matter too much!
That's all the help I can give, really - sorry! Hope it's a little bit of a help, though!
-Oli
If I were to give my opinion on the Coupe (because I've not had much experience with the others): The one to go for is the Gen 3.5, which can be identified by the smoked front lights, horizontal fins on the wings, and silver rear indicator housings as opposed to amber on the previous generation. The main reason for this is that Hyundai removed the air filter resonator box for this facelift - meaning that there's considerably less restriction on air flow. Also, watch the ones with automatic boxes, as they have massive torque converters - which, as a result, take a lot of power from the drive. I learned the hard way with the auto 'box: Don't get me wrong, as an automatic they're fantastic - but just more enjoyable in manual. Lastly, watch the 2.7 V6 if you're looking into that: The big-end bearings can be a headache if they go wrong. Oh, and fuel consumption can be a bit of a heartache, too (I get 27.7 mpg from mine) - but, if it's a second car, it won't matter too much!
That's all the help I can give, really - sorry! Hope it's a little bit of a help, though!
-Oli
£8.5k will get you into a brandnew 2018 VW Golf R with ~310bhp and 0-60 in ~4.5secs for 2 years (24 months).
Keep an eye on this PH thread -- there are often some excellent lease deals for brandnew cars for £100-300 a month. Takes all the stress out of ownership for many people, as tax and almost all repairs are included for "free".
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Keep an eye on this PH thread -- there are often some excellent lease deals for brandnew cars for £100-300 a month. Takes all the stress out of ownership for many people, as tax and almost all repairs are included for "free".
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
You could go way cheaper, and follow my horrific advice.
Buy something fun!
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Might as well dream and check the insurance on some fun cars. You might get lucky.
Buy something fun!
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Might as well dream and check the insurance on some fun cars. You might get lucky.
If you're looking for a lack of hassle, there is a lot to be said for buying something new on a PCP deal or similar, or leasing a car. It is an awful lot easier to have a car like that, with a servicing package and a warranty, so you pretty much know exactly what you're spending for the next 3-4 years. On the other hand, spending less and buying a used car outright is probably cheaper overall unless you get a really good deal, and it's probably unlikely that you'd encounter expenditure such as would outweigh that.
Whichever way you go, the newer Fiesta with the 1.0 turbo engine is a great little thing to drive, I'd look at one of those first off.
Whichever way you go, the newer Fiesta with the 1.0 turbo engine is a great little thing to drive, I'd look at one of those first off.
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