Small but comfortable replacement for fiat 500

[sawman]

We have had a 1.2 fiat 500 for 5 years, I bought it when the kids were learning to drive, but also use it for commuting.

Its served its purpose, so I am thinking about moving it on. The question is to what….

Budget up to about 12k 3 years or so old
Would like carplay and cruise and needs to be relatively insurance friendly as my lad will still drive it when back from Uni’

Was thinking about an abarth 595, but none have cruise and carplay is variable ( i want to not have my phone stuck to the windscreen any more for nav)

My daughter has a 1.2 suzuki swift , which is a nice drive - this might be the front runner at pres- have seen a couple if reviews of the 1.0 turbo - sounds like it has character

Polo/ibiza and whatever the skoda is look dull also might struggle to find a newish one in budget
Citroen c3- might be the most comfy but seem to remember the gearchange was a bit sloppy on one i drove a couple of years ago
Clios look possible - no experience

Anything else I have missed.

Most of my driving in this car will be 70 mile round trip dual carriageway trundles so performance not too important, decent seats and reasonable radio probably more important.

[BoRED S2upid]

Abarth has nav built in at around 2017 vintage. You won’t regret one of those especially with a mild remap. A lot of fun.

[andburg]

I reckon for a small car that’s wants comfort you should be looking at a polo or a Yaris.

[sawman]

BoRED S2upid said:

Abarth has nav built in at around 2017 vintage. You won’t regret one of those especially with a mild remap. A lot of fun.

Abarth was my first thought, none of the examples in my area , in budget have nav/carplay.
I had a test drive in one last weekend and enjoyed it. Was then sat trundling in dual carriageway traffic on monday morning thinking “ this would be just as dull in an abarth”

I have my tvr for noisy speed fun

[sawman]

andburg said:

I reckon for a small car that’s wants comfort you should be looking at a polo or a Yaris.

Ooh, yaris had missed that - good call, I’ll have a look

I’d probably go barge if it wasnt for the need for my lad to drive it sometimes- he was vaguely interested in an old jaag that i showed him a picture of and a 205 gti that was for sale locally

[TREMAiNE]

sawman said:

My daughter has a 1.2 suzuki swift , which is a nice drive - this might be the front runner at pres- have seen a couple if reviews of the 1.0 turbo - sounds like it has character.

Maybe look at a Swift Sport 1.4 Turbo...
Under 1,000kg and 138bhp (supposedly they put our nearer 160bhp in reality).

Mrs. TREMAINE has one - it's a great car and I'll always nick it when I get the chance.
Deceptively quick, a great drive, capable of a genuine 50mpg and peanuts to run. We've had no issues in 45k miles so far.
Has car play, adaptive cruise etc. Very feature rich for a cheap car.

Only possible issue is to get a non-hybrid you might have to buy a 4 year old car - going against your 3 year rule.
Can't remember if the model changed to a Hybrid in 2020 or 2021...

Definitely worth looking at though.

[bearman68]

Small car. Yaris every time. If you want something else, look at it, and then get a Yaris.

Bloody brilliant cars.

Some of the small Hyundai seem OK as well.

For 70 miles I wouldn't have an Abarth. (But then I would have one for 5 miles either). The French stuff (Pug and Renault) is OK, but tends to be engine dependant. I'd stay away from the obvious German stuff as well.

What about a Focus? (too big?) But 70 miles is a decent trek, something bigger is a bit nicer.

[Bonefish Blues]

C3 Aircross might fit the bill?

[rallye101]

Are abarths comfy though? Thought they were filling rattlers....
Had a go in a polo blue gt recently, really impressed with it, our golf gti chase car couldn't pull away from it on a dual carriageway

[bitchstewie]

I got a Mazda 2 brand spanking new for £15.5K in March.

Not sure what second hand prices are but it's bloody lovely.

[sawman]

rallye101 said:

Are abarths comfy though? Thought they were filling rattlers....
Had a go in a polo blue gt recently, really impressed with it, our golf gti chase car couldn't pull away from it on a dual carriageway

The one i tried was the base 145hp - didnt seem any worse than my 500 and i am already used to the driving position - i have driven 600 miles in a day in the 500 with no undue ill effects.
But overall abarth probably not best suited to my current needs, even though they are cute as a button

[Pillskii]

Abarth 500s are very firm and the lack of a 6th gear makes them noisy at higher speeds. I think you’d quickly begin to hate it. I would have a Competizone in a heartbeat as a second car but not as my only car.

Swift sport (1.4 Boosterjet) is a better compromise for fun and every day living. Within your budget, good on fuel and will be very reliable. Interior is cheap, but then so are most cars at this level.

I had a new shape rental Clio recently and was impressed by the interior quality and ride, but the 1.0 TCE 90 engine made it a bit underpowered. Looks like the newer shape scrapes into your budget.

The Yaris seems to come with a hefty Toyota brand price premium compared to rivals and while I’m sure it’s the sensible choice they just do not excite me in any way (GR aside )

[BoRED S2upid]

rallye101 said:

Are abarths comfy though? Thought they were filling rattlers....
Had a go in a polo blue gt recently, really impressed with it, our golf gti chase car couldn't pull away from it on a dual carriageway

No they are perfectly fine not as your only car though ours is a fun town car with the odd motorway journey we have the family Volvo for everything else.

[Bobupndown]

Is insurance on an Abarth not going to be very pricy to add a young male driver?

[sawman]

Regards insurance i got quoted £200 more for abarth 145 versus existing 500 including my lad

[clockworks]

I've owned quite a few small cars, including Panda, Citigo, Picanto, Qubo, C3 Picasso, C3 Aircross, Abarth 595, 500, Mini, 1 series, etc.

The only one that I've owned twice is the Picanto GT Line S. Originally a 2019, now a 2021.
Loads of kit, fast enough to be fun, reasonably priced, and comfy/refined for a tiny car. Best all rounder in my opinion.

[biggbn]

sawman said:

We have had a 1.2 fiat 500 for 5 years, I bought it when the kids were learning to drive, but also use it for commuting.

Its served its purpose, so I am thinking about moving it on. The question is to what….

Budget up to about 12k 3 years or so old
Would like carplay and cruise and needs to be relatively insurance friendly as my lad will still drive it when back from Uni’

Was thinking about an abarth 595, but none have cruise and carplay is variable ( i want to not have my phone stuck to the windscreen any more for nav)

My daughter has a 1.2 suzuki swift , which is a nice drive - this might be the front runner at pres- have seen a couple if reviews of the 1.0 turbo - sounds like it has character

Polo/ibiza and whatever the skoda is look dull also might struggle to find a newish one in budget
Citroen c3- might be the most comfy but seem to remember the gearchange was a bit sloppy on one i drove a couple of years ago
Clios look possible - no experience

Anything else I have missed.

Most of my driving in this car will be 70 mile round trip dual carriageway trundles so performance not too important, decent seats and reasonable radio probably more important.

Honda Jazz Sport. Well specced, 130hp n/a twin cam engine, cavernous inside. I didn't know they existed till recently, good long term buy surely?

Kia Picanto 1.0 Turbo, great spec, great warranty, huge fun.

Or my default, f56 mini. Well made, very spacious up front

[Whataguy]

The Yaris are good, I've owned a Mk1 hybrid and driven the new model as well. They sold in good numbers, so there are lots available to choose from.

It's a variation of the Prius drivetrain underneath, so will last decades at low running costs. Also nippy up to 50mph as well, great for towns. Not too bad on the motorway as well. Comfortable, I drove many thousands of miles.

I'd definitely avoid the Mk4 Honda Jazz, I owned one for a year and it was nothing but problems. Many other owners having issues too, it's a shame as Honda used to be very good.

[AmitG]

bearman68 said:

Small car. Yaris every time. If you want something else, look at it, and then get a Yaris.

Bloody brilliant cars.

+1 on this. For £12k you might possibly get one of the latest generation. Hybrid drivetrain, absolutely bullet proof, comes with Carplay, very cheap to insure. I can't speak for the earlier models but the current gen version is surprisingly fun to drive.

Only issue is they feel a bit flimsy in places, the doors in particular, I've used thicker metal to wrap my sandwiches But maybe that is par for the course at this end of the market.

Another possibility not mentioned so far - DS3. Slightly left field, very comfy inside, and used versions are pretty reasonably priced, they lose quite a lot of value after new. You might just about get an approved used DS3 Crossback in your budget, after a bit of haggling.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say the Kia Rio in either GT Line or First Edition:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308040...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307249...

Leftfield.

Adam GrandSlam/Turbo S:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309051...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309222...