Best of a bad bunch?

[RichTbiscuit]

Originally had a £10k budget with which to get two cars. We've plumped for an A3 2.0 FSI which has taken £8k of the budget and we have £2k left with which to play for something small, economic and disasterously underpowered for insurance purposes. Also needs to be within 60 miles of the DD6 postcode where we live. Having perused autotrader and the like for options i've come up with a short list. Rather it be 3 door, and max 1.2l engine.

FIAT Punto 1.2 Active Sport
FIAT Stilo 1.2 16V Active
Clio 1.2
SEAT IBIZA 1.2
SEAT Arosa 1.0 S

I really despise Ka's and pugs are definately not my favourite. So out of the above specs what looks like the best option given they are all around the same price?

Any comments are much appreciated!

[Liquid Knight]

Stilo's too heavy for the 1.2 engine. The Punto's ok. The Seats are rebadged VW's without the build quality. How about a Panda Active 1.2?

[volumeone]

Fiesta 1.2 if you can get one. Even if its older model they are so so good.

[tyranical]

bks to SEAT's being rebadged VW's without the build quality, that's about as true these days as skoda's being rubbish, out of date stereotypes!

However, the 1.2 engine in the ibiza is rubbish so i'd avoid that.

[tommobot]

If its the 'Grande' Punto with the 1.2 then for the love of god don't choose that.

So slow it was dangerous. Pulling onto a busy roundabout was always a horrible experience.

Saying that, if its the previous model Punto before the 'Grande' Punto came in then the 1.2 engine in that seemed much, much better.

[briSk]

the arosa is pretty cool...oddly nowehere near as cool as a lupo but these cars have aged well and have something about them. the ka is probably better but if you don;t like them you don;t like them. it doesn;t sound like this is a 'driving car' so ahy not the arosa.
any chance you could get a 1.4?

seeing as it's an appliance what about the micra?

[homerjay]

clio, i think.....

[RichTbiscuit]

Could possibly stretch to a 1.4, insurance difference is only £50 or so. Intention was definately to keep costs as low as possible. And of course if i look at 1.4's, then I look at 1.6's and so on!

Smarts are still a bit pricey and out of budget atm.

[tyranical]

Whats wrong with a diesel?

If your after cheap and economical then surely a diesel is the way to go?

[james_tigerwoods]

tyranical said:

Whats wrong with a diesel?

If your after cheap and economical then surely a diesel is the way to go?

That'll depend on the intended mileage and the type of runs - if the car's going to do high miles, then it'll be cost effective to get a diesel. I think the "magic" mileage is 25k odd for that. If it's mostly short, quick, runs - then a small petrol would wear the miles better than any diesel.

[Tminus2mins]

Liquid Knight said:

The Seats are rebadged VW's without the build quality.

The SEATs are a much, much better bet than the Fiats, and that comment 'without the build quality' is nonsense considering they use the Polos actual dashboard and other parts. Please don't spout such rubbish.

[briSk]

^ i know you had one..but that's a good suggestion!

[RichTbiscuit]

Think i'm going to go have a look at this one on Monday and see what it's like.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

Edited by RichTbiscuit on Saturday 21st August 16:19

[pbirkett]

Mk2 Clios aren't bad if its the 1.2 75 bhp 16v engine. They handle pretty nicely, don't look too st, are decent on fuel, and aren't disastrously slow.

Other than that yes a Punto 1.2 (80 bhp) would be my next choice.

[TotalControl]

Ford Ka??

[rm89]

I would say a Punto 1.2 is a decent bet... Then again, I have one! Had no reliability problems at all in the 3 and a half years/37k miles I've done in it. Averages 42/43mpg, which roughly equates to >350 miles to a tank. Really comfy seats, decent amount of room in the back for all the size of the car, can be good fun to thrash on a B-road, will sit happily at 70-75mph on the dualer, feels plenty quick enough off the mark... are you convinced yet?

[RichTbiscuit]

Definately going to have a look at the Clio on Monday. If I like it what do you reckon I should offer as a start? Or is it worth the £1995. He might take less if its cash right?

[anonymous-user]

Tminus2mins said:

Liquid Knight said:

The Seats are rebadged VW's without the build quality.

The SEATs are a much, much better bet than the Fiats, and that comment 'without the build quality' is nonsense considering they use the Polos actual dashboard and other parts. Please don't spout such rubbish.

Would have to disagree about seats being better bets than Fiats

[sklar]

The Punto and the Stilo - As long as it's the 85hp 16v version.