Which ‘Luke Warm’ Small Hatch For 6’5” 27 Year Old?

[redlemon18]

I’m currently working abroad, but will be returning to the UK in the next few months, and will need a car(s). I want to buy two cars. A 4x4/van for renovating a rural property and a small hatch back for commuting (<8,000mi). Budget is 8-10k. Must be petrol and reasonably good on fuel (>35mpg). Something with a bit of go would be nice. Prefer two door hatchbacks, and a make/model I’m not embarrassed to tell people I drive. Oh and I need to fit in it!

All suggestions welcome.

[gweaver]

Suzuki Swift Sport (2012-2017 model). Loads of headroom, easy >35mpg. 3 or 5 door. Last of the naturally aspirated hot hatches (134bhp is probably more Tikka or Madras than Vindaloo these days though). Plenty around within that budget.

Otherwise a Fiesta Ecoboost 1.0l 125 or 140.

[Shiv_P]

Fiesta ST

[redlemon18]

I don’t want another Fiesta, I had a 55 plate 1.25 about 6 years ago. Great car, but a younger persons car in my opinion (17-25).

Anyone running a Swift?

[Terzo123]

Seat Leon FR 1.4 150 or even the 1.8.

I just found a great car on Auto Trader.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2018...


I just found a great car on Auto Trader.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2018...

My wife has the 1.4. Decent performance. I'm 6ft 4 and fit in no problem. Fuel economy is good. Over 50 mpg on a motorway run and around 37 mpg driving in town. They also come with decent kit as standard especially if you get the tech pack.

Edited by Terzo123 on Saturday 12th May 11:07

[gweaver]

redlemon18 said:

Anyone running a Swift?

Me, and more than a few other PHers. PH also had one on their fleet last year.

See:
https://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/ph-spottedyky...
https://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/ph-fleet/suzu...

Plenty of comments on those and associated articles, plus a bunch of other threads on here.

[steve-5snwi]

Try a Mini, i'm just under 6'5" and the driving position and adjustment on the steering make it perfect for a taller driver.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say any of these fit the bill:

Astra GTC Limited Edition:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Kia Pro C'eed GT (these are a very decent steer test drive one before dismissing it) Plus you'll have two years of warranty giving you peace of mind while you're doing up the house.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Not a 3 door but the Alfa Giulietta in Sportiva/Veloce form.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Mazda3 Sport Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Also as alternative to a Van/4x4, look for a Galaxy or the like (you can pick up very decent ones for pittance) pull the seats out tint the windows that way if you need to go to the dump it means no fees:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[tallstevef]

I'm 6ft 6 and ran a '14 plate Swift Sport for a couple of years - plenty of room and a very nice little car for buzzing around in - you do need to rev 'em though!

[gweaver]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd say any of these fit the bill:

Astra GTC Limited Edition:
..
Kia Pro C'eed GT
..
Alfa Giulietta in Sportiva/Veloce form
..
Mazda3 Sport Nav

If you think those are small, your girlfriend is probably a happy lady!

[ZX10R NIN]

gweaver said:

If you think those are small, your girlfriend is probably a happy lady!

As someone who's 6'7 they're as small as a hatchback as I'd want to be in.

[redlemon18]

gweaver said:

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd say any of these fit the bill:

Astra GTC Limited Edition:
..
Kia Pro C'eed GT
..
Alfa Giulietta in Sportiva/Veloce form
..
Mazda3 Sport Nav

If you think those are small, your girlfriend is probably a happy lady!

Yes, not quite what I'm looking for. Those Astra's do look nice though.

[redlemon18]

What are people's thoughts on the Audi A1?

[ZX10R NIN]

The obvious choice is the Fiesta 140 in Zetec S/ST Line form:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Take a look at the Alfa Mito, they come in 140/155/170bhp form:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Clio GT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[gweaver]

redlemon18 said:

What are people's thoughts on the Audi A1?

Antithesis of the Swift. If you like one, you probably won't like the other.

My opinion of VAG products is that you pay a lot for the image, but the reality doesn't live up to the perception. Probably the Up would be an exception, but I've never driven a VAG product that I liked.

Suggest you actually go and put a Swift, Fiesta and A1/Polo through their paces. You might find that your budget won't get you into a good example of the latter.