Replacement for Fiesta ecoboost....ideally sub £10k....

[mikeiow]

Some will have seen my thread on the shenanigans over daughters stolen Fiesta.
Well, the cash is in her account.....so Dad has to help source a replacement!

She has only driven Fiestas....so some time for her to test cars will be taken over the Christmas break.
A little flex on cost, but sub-10k would be ideal.

She would like low car tax (sub-£30), low insurance, lowish miles (under 30k), a quality 'feel' (she had the 'titanium' option, with various features).
Might consider a bigger motor to the Fiesta.
Most motoring is city with some dual carriageway, although she does do longer runs (did the NC500 last summer with pals in the Fiesta!).

In the running so far is a Mazda 2....possibly another Fiesta (but experience puts her off a bit)...maybe even a Skoda Fabia (the colour edition looks interesting).

Welcome any ideas on alternatives...any left-field choices?!

Noticing that garages are all pretty well above top book price. Any tips/advice on negotiating (been a while since I last haggled with dealers!)?!
Also looking privately, where there is always a small chance of a decent deal, of course.

[ZX10R NIN]

Not £30 tax but the Astra Elite Nav is sensible on insurance & a nice place to be:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112060...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112010...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107285...

DS3 Prestige ticks all the boxes

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107315...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111099...

208 Allure Premium

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108276...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110218...

[stevemcs]

Premium, small similar to a Fiesta, surely it has to be a Mini

[mikeiow]

ZX10R NIN said:

Not £30 tax but the Astra Elite Nav is sensible on insurance & a nice place to be:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112060...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112010...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107285...

DS3 Prestige ticks all the boxes

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107315...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111099...

208 Allure Premium

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202108276...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110218...

Thanks…Astra is a possibility!
I should have added ‘5-door, 5 seat’ - rules out the DS3…
Also after under 30k miles….her Fiesta was about to trip over 30k when the scrotes stole it and took it over 32k….

stevemcs said:

Premium, small similar to a Fiesta, surely it has to be a Mini

Premium price, from what I’m looking at

[georgeyboy12345]

With regards to negotiation, basically you won't be able to do it in the current market.

Mini Cooper
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112080...


Seat Ibiza 1.2 TSI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111129...


Alfa Romeo MiTo TwinAir
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112100...


Fiat 500 TwinAir
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111229...


Audi A1 1.4 TFSI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111169...

[CG2020UK]

I’ll go really left field on this one and recommend a Peugeot 208 GTI Prestige.

I got my fiancée one (22) to replace her Corsa a few months after she passed her test last year as the insurance was virtually identical even on R plates.

It fits all your criteria except for low car tax, it is only £120 a year however.

Really nice cabin with heated seats, panoramic roof, sat nav etc it a big step up over the Fiesta interior. I found the GTI more comfortable and less crashy as well than the St-line fiesta I had with 140bhp.

My fiancée really wasn’t a car person but she adores the thing and she seems to enjoy people commenting on it in work on the ward and around the town. More than quick enough and we are averaging over 40mpg since we got it.

[mikeiow]

georgeyboy12345 said:

With regards to negotiation, basically you won't be able to do it in the current market.

Seat Ibiza 1.2 TSI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111129...

That’s a possibility, I’d forgotten about Seat…..& yes, I do feel like we are held over a barrel on pricing, particularly with dealers….I suspect the best deal will be getting mats thrown in

CG2020UK said:

I’ll go really left field on this one and recommend a Peugeot 208 GTI Prestige.

Interesting, but like a few above, 3-door….her first ancient little red Fiesta was 3-door, her stolen one had 5, she knows she wants 5 (easier in car parks, etc!!)

Edited by mikeiow on Friday 17th December 08:41

[ChrisH72]

Rather than a 208 gti you could look at the GT line with the 1.2 pure tech engine.

I think the 208 is quite good value and the GT line looks smart, goes well and comes in 5dr. 10k gets a low mile 66 plate which is zero tax.

[mikeiow]

ChrisH72 said:

Rather than a 208 gti you could look at the GT line with the 1.2 pure tech engine.

I think the 208 is quite good value and the GT line looks smart, goes well and comes in 5dr. 10k gets a low mile 66 plate which is zero tax.

Defo one to visit, thanks!

[stevemcs]

I'd be very wary of the 1.2 PSA engine.

[ZX10R NIN]

Clio Signature Nav 0.9 top spec

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109227...

1.2 GT Line

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112030...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112150...

GT Line Nav

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111179...

[mikeiow]

stevemcs said:

I'd be very wary of the 1.2 PSA engine.

Why?

Googling it....just shows something to this effect:

Are 1.2 PureTech engines reliable?
The Puretech engine is very reliable providing you remember the following. Its direct fuel injection so it will coke up the back of the inlet valves if always lightly driven at low rpm, this also causes oil consumption past the valve stem oil seals - they hate trundling about town at low rpm.

...and

Is Peugeot PureTech engine good?
Winner of the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 International engine of the year award in the 1.0-litre to 1.4-litre category, Peugeot PureTech is advanced 3-cylinder petrol engine technology that offers a drive and performance normally associated with much bigger engines


What are the bad omens you suggest, @stevemcs?

Edited by mikeiow on Friday 17th December 19:11

[Macron]

mikeiow said:

Why?

+1 shedloads here in France no problems, what isolated issue burnt you?

[colin79666]

Left field? £10k would get her into a Lexus CT 200h. Zero road tax, proper premium compared to a Fiesta. Miles will be high but these have Prius drivetrains so basically can go to the moon and back without needing more than servicing and the usual consumables.

[mikeiow]

colin79666 said:

Left field? £10k would get her into a Lexus CT 200h. Zero road tax, proper premium compared to a Fiesta. Miles will be high but these have Prius drivetrains so basically can go to the moon and back without needing more than servicing and the usual consumables.

Ha!
Very left field indeed!
I think she'd need the moon & back - looks like a much older wagon, with many more miles.....but interesting thought!

[ZX10R NIN]

Take a look at the Clio's above in signature spec they really do come fully loaded, there's also the Kia Ceed in 1.0T GT Line spec with the bonus of having another three years of warranty left.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111290...

[georgeyboy12345]

mikeiow said:

stevemcs said:

I'd be very wary of the 1.2 PSA engine.

Why?

Googling it....just shows something to this effect:

Are 1.2 PureTech engines reliable?
The Puretech engine is very reliable providing you remember the following. Its direct fuel injection so it will coke up the back of the inlet valves if always lightly driven at low rpm, this also causes oil consumption past the valve stem oil seals - they hate trundling about town at low rpm.

...and

Is Peugeot PureTech engine good?
Winner of the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 International engine of the year award in the 1.0-litre to 1.4-litre category, Peugeot PureTech is advanced 3-cylinder petrol engine technology that offers a drive and performance normally associated with much bigger engines


What are the bad omens you suggest, @stevemcs?

Edited by mikeiow on Friday 17th December 19:11

The claims of having to be wary with this engine are not unfounded, unfortunately. Timing is achieved using a rubber belt in oil, the interval was initially 10 years or 110,000 miles, but they revised this down to 6 years or 60,000 miles due to some belts and/or oil deteriorating and wrecking the engines. Due to the complexity of the timing belt design, the cost to replace is high, at around £1000.

Edit: also the direct injection system causing coking up of intake valves mentioned in your post is an absolute pain to live with (trust me I’ve been there) as fuel consumption is dreadful, and completely defeats the purpose of having such an engine. Sorting it is also very expensive as is requires dismantling of the engine.

Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Saturday 18th December 10:12

[mikeiow]

georgeyboy12345 said:

The claims of having to be wary with this engine are not unfounded, unfortunately. Timing is achieved using a rubber belt in oil, the interval was initially 10 years or 110,000 miles, but they revised this down to 6 years or 60,000 miles due to some belts and/or oil deteriorating and wrecking the engines. Due to the complexity of the timing belt design, the cost to replace is high, at around £1000.

Edit: also the direct injection system causing coking up of intake valves mentioned in your post is an absolute pain to live with (trust me I’ve been there) as fuel consumption is dreadful, and completely defeats the purpose of having such an engine. Sorting it is also very expensive as is requires dismantling of the engine.

Yikes!
I’m facing my XC60 belt change this year….around £350 at the local specialist indy (around £500 at the main dealer, iirc)

Interesting….basically, reading around, looks like a *minimum* of £500 for that job every 5-6 years. In reality, I suspect DDs driving profile (some ‘high speed’ M56 runs most days as part of her commute) *should* lesson the risks.
But the change would still be needed: thanks for that detail. More on this topic here

Can of course help as part of negotiations: there is little to negotiate on these days, but knowing that bill looms ahead can at least form part of the conversation.

We will look at a Seat 1.2 TS and a Mazda2 on our return tomorrow…..with the option to spend some of next week looking at others.

Thanks all!

[stevemcs]

georgeyboy12345 said:

mikeiow said:

stevemcs said:

I'd be very wary of the 1.2 PSA engine.

Why?

Googling it....just shows something to this effect:

Are 1.2 PureTech engines reliable?
The Puretech engine is very reliable providing you remember the following. Its direct fuel injection so it will coke up the back of the inlet valves if always lightly driven at low rpm, this also causes oil consumption past the valve stem oil seals - they hate trundling about town at low rpm.

...and

Is Peugeot PureTech engine good?
Winner of the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 International engine of the year award in the 1.0-litre to 1.4-litre category, Peugeot PureTech is advanced 3-cylinder petrol engine technology that offers a drive and performance normally associated with much bigger engines


What are the bad omens you suggest, @stevemcs?

Edited by mikeiow on Friday 17th December 19:11

The claims of having to be wary with this engine are not unfounded, unfortunately. Timing is achieved using a rubber belt in oil, the interval was initially 10 years or 110,000 miles, but they revised this down to 6 years or 60,000 miles due to some belts and/or oil deteriorating and wrecking the engines. Due to the complexity of the timing belt design, the cost to replace is high, at around £1000.

Edit: also the direct injection system causing coking up of intake valves mentioned in your post is an absolute pain to live with (trust me I’ve been there) as fuel consumption is dreadful, and completely defeats the purpose of having such an engine. Sorting it is also very expensive as is requires dismantling of the engine.

Edited by georgeyboy12345 on Saturday 18th December 10:12

There you go, on the Volvo get the aux belt and tensioners changed at the same time if your is a 5 cylinder, it shouldn't cost you anything in labour just another £100 or so in parts. The aux belt has killed many a D5 lump.

Mazda 2 is a very good car.

[ChrisH72]

That is interesting.

My dad has a C3 Picasso with the 1.2 pure tech which he has owned from new. It’s an early 2016 65 plate so I’m guessing he will need this belt doing very soon. I bet he knows nothing about it.

Otherwise it’s been absolutely fine and he’s had no problems in nearly 6 years. I’ve driven it a few times and it’s a nice engine with a bit of character and nice boost.

Just about every modern engine will come with well documented problems. OP’s daughter has been happily driving an ‘eco boom’ fiesta and probably hasn’t given that any thought. A belt change every 6 years, even if quite pricey, isn’t too bad in the scheme of things.