ST3V3 Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 I had a 1.2 corsa when my x type went in for repairs it was awful on fuel on the motorway as to make go you had to thrash it. so small is not always the best option Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chr15j Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 the headline figures cheap but they won't be fully maintained, will have a fairly low mileage limit and wo betide any scratches and dings when you come to give it back. Fully maintained not an awful lot more unless doing moon miles. Usually works out cheaper to self maintain if you do under a certain number (vehicle dependent) otherwise its almost always worth it. Re Scratches and dings, all cars we supply are through BVRLA registerred funders. This means you are covered under the BVRLA fair wear and tear guidelines which are pretty fair - equivalent to a 2 metre walk around. i.e. walk around car from 2m distance, if you cant see it, it isnt there thus your not liable for it. Obviously if you scratch it all up and reverse it into a wall it will cost you but that is fair enough. I always recommend my customers get dings fixed before handover thus no issues. If anyone is seriously interested and wants a quote send me a PM and I will sort them out for you. All the best Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 DO NOT touch a Mini Why not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chr15j Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 The Minis are fine. We have one sign written as the company runaround. Ok not cheap to buy compared to some equivanentd but running costs are low service was under £300 and reliability has been good. Looks wise they are great and I'm 6'3 and have no probs driving it. Can take 4 up no probs but boot is small (but no smaller than other cars in this class) and even the petrol is economical. Insurance is a bit more than others but it is a 1.6 so a warm hatch. Go for the cooper. The extra power over the one is worth the minor loss in fuel economy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted February 27, 2012 Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 My mum has a mini cooper auto her first brand new car for 30 years, got it under the scrap page scheme and she loves it! She has a long commute in heavy traffic 45-70 min and fuel economy considering is not too bad! Boot space is only issue and rear seats fold easily, TLC was £500 for first 5 services if bought with the car reliability perfect so far, comfy, good roomy cabin, cool image and sporty enough.... Strong residuals mean cheap to lease but expensive secondhand spec is low on base models and every estate agent in the land seems to have them :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferguson_tom Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 Apart from being a girls car my vote is for the fiat 500. Well made, reliable, handles like a go kart regularly got 55mpg and average 60mpg when drove to south of France and when got to the south of france was not in too much pain. We only sold my fiancees one as it was too small and was getting ruined with the dogs. the 1.2 petrol has more than enough power for its size. Of course the other option if your not too bothered about styling is the fiat panda, the same chassis (softer suspension) and drive train as the 500 but bigger inside and about half the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted February 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 Wife has had a C1 for the last few years she loves it £20 tax £100 fully comp well into 60mpg very reliable and it goes like s--t of a stick. I have just started to drive it myself and I was delighted with it they will cruise at the leagal limit as they are very high geared well worth a look. Peter Is that 60mpg on motorways or town driving Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88b Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 Why not? Head gaskets, power steering failure , just about everyone in the trade I know hates them. I've worked on two a friends wife had and wasn't impressed, they have decided no more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpk Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 (edited) I have a large pedal tonka truck that the kids don't use anymore ? You can rent that off me if you want ? Edited February 28, 2012 by mpk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chr15j Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 Apart from being a girls car my vote is for the fiat 500. Well made, reliable, handles like a go kart regularly got 55mpg and average 60mpg when drove to south of France and when got to the south of france was not in too much pain. We only sold my fiancees one as it was too small and was getting ruined with the dogs. the 1.2 petrol has more than enough power for its size. Of course the other option if your not too bothered about styling is the fiat panda, the same chassis (softer suspension) and drive train as the 500 but bigger inside and about half the price. We have the Fiat 500 on deal at the moment! Cracking little car, just arranged a lease on one for the sister of a PW member! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted February 29, 2012 Report Share Posted February 29, 2012 spouse has new fiesta titanium 1.6 tdi, 67mls per gall £20 road tax, cruise control the lot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pimpkiller Posted March 3, 2012 Report Share Posted March 3, 2012 C1/107 aygo cheap as chips to run go like stink 60+mpg but the ride and noise are terrible and you will have a headache and bad back on anything other than an ice ring (parents had a new one got rid). fiat 500/ new Ka are basically the same car good to drive cheap to run 55mpg but are a really small car, Ka is supposed to be the better one but less flash hyundai i10 now these should be the best, cheap tax lots of toys goes like stink supposed to do 57mpg but my parents are after getting rid of it because its always going back the garage (bought from new 10 plate) with faults and the mpg is really bad. fiat panda, now ive got one of these myself 1.2 dynamic 60bhp the slightly older one and i actually do get about 56mpg average on a good run, nice and quiet feels like a big car, its absolutely bullet proof ive owned my 05 plate for 3 years now and its had nothing go wrong ever, the engineering is lovely, simple and chunky and i always say to people everyone should have one as a second car its function over form so practical but you might feel a bit of a girl driving one especially in bright yellow the slightly newer ones are more powerful and better mpg and lower tax. you could try a Mazda 2 but dont know about them so much, avoid the micra these are the sort of cars i go for because im a tight-**** *** too in an ideal world a small diesel sounds about right Citroen C2/C3 1.4HDI ford fiesta 1.4 TDI clio 1.5 diesel or panda/grande punto 1.3 or even a kia rio 1.5 or korean small diesel. depends on your budget/how new/snob value Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sco77w Posted March 14, 2012 Report Share Posted March 14, 2012 I have to agree with the Aygo, C1, 107 sugestions. Mrs sco77w is on her 2nd Aygo. She leases it for just over £100 a month for 10k miles a year which is plenty for her. They are all the same car (remember the Top Gear episode when they played football with the Aygos?) They do sound a bit like you're driving around in a baked bean can but the running and owning cost are buttons. I need some tyres for our TD5 Discovery and we're looking at a £500-£600 bill, £35 quid a corner for the Aygo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chr15j Posted March 14, 2012 Report Share Posted March 14, 2012 Cant go wrong with the new VW Up either! We do have some pretty special pricing in the Citroens though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
storme37 Posted April 5, 2012 Report Share Posted April 5, 2012 (edited) i go with smarts the fortwo if theres just 2 of you or the forfour if you need 5 seats Edited April 5, 2012 by storme37 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chr15j Posted April 6, 2012 Report Share Posted April 6, 2012 i go with smarts the fortwo if theres just 2 of you or the forfour if you need 5 seats But... You are paying over the odds for a less useful vehicle. Only 2 seats and no boot. And same for the for four so many better specced and cheaper alternatives (and safer) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pimpkiller Posted April 21, 2012 Report Share Posted April 21, 2012 You realise of course if you want the data for cars you can go on parkers used car price guide on the internet and see all the technical data for all the cars and reviews. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Kelly Posted April 21, 2012 Report Share Posted April 21, 2012 A mate of mine has a diesel Skoda Octavia estate. 65MPG on the motorways and room to put stuff in. Tax is probably a bit dearer, but you get a lot more for your money than a hateful little box. Much safer to crash in too, having a bit more metal and weight around you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Mongrel- Posted April 21, 2012 Report Share Posted April 21, 2012 A mate of mine has a diesel Skoda Octavia estate. 65MPG on the motorways and room to put stuff in. Tax is probably a bit dearer, but you get a lot more for your money than a hateful little box. Much safer to crash in too, having a bit more metal and weight around you! To the point that I am actively looking for one....but there are not that many around which tells its own story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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