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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2009 19:21:54 GMT
My battered 13-year old Escort has seen better days and won't stand the rigours of travelling 200+ miles a week when my job moves. It's a good car, in great nick for its age and it runs well enough to get me back and forth to work in my local office (a couple of miles each way) but it's a 1600 engine and isn't great on fuel economy.
The upshot of it is that I need a new car. I'm looking for something like a 1.2, 1.3 or 1.4 Fiesta or Corsa type of thing that is cheap to run and cheap to tax but reliable and reasonable to do 20 odd miles to and from work each day.
Has anyone had any good or bad experiences with a Fiesta or Corsa or has anyone got any other recommendations for small, nippy little cars that would fit the bill ?
Thanks
FA x
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Post by Jasmine on Feb 1, 2009 19:30:46 GMT
I've got a 1.6 deisel Clio - and I love it! It's nippy enough to overtake (easily) but I get just over 60 miles to the gallon. OH gets more to the gallon because he says he drives it better!  Only mentioning this to humour him!! It takes 4 of us ok but the boys don't have very much leg room - we use OH's car for long journeys. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2009 19:42:49 GMT
I thought of a Ford or Vauxhall because they tend to be the cheapest for parts when they go wrong. I've heard that Renaults, Volkswagens and Toyotas are expensive for parts. How do you find the cost of parts for the Clio, Jas ?
FA x
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Post by MamIDdau on Feb 1, 2009 19:49:42 GMT
I'm about to get rid of my 11 year old escort (the beast!!) because my job may be changing soon and I'm fed up of worrying about what new parts the bionic car might need next.
Anyway, I'm about to get a 1.4 Grande Punto GP with A/C. I used to work for a company with a chain of dealerships and one of the guys I worked with still works for the same company but now for Fiat so he did me a good deal. However, I did a lot of test driving beforehand of the same sort of car you're after.
The best value for money was the Hyundai i10 Comfort (mid range) which with trading my car in, I could get on finance for 5 years (the length of the warranty) for less than £160 a month. The only reason I didn't get it was because my friend let me have £2000 off the Fiat which was more what I was looking for and also had a 5 year warranty.
Fiats have improved over the last few years and they must be confident if they've stuck a 5 year warranty on it. Hyundai also have a 5 year warranty which covers practically everything.
I used to have a 1.2 Corsa SXi 05/05 plate. That was a good little car but once again, I only got it because I got a good discount on it and I'm not sure now how it would compare price wise to other superminis since they've changed the body style.
The new fiesta got a very good write up but I find new Fords expensive for what you get on them. The new Vauxhall Agila is nice too but tiny boot like the Hyundai i10, the Peugeot 107 and the Citroen C1.
Anyway, they're getting rid of the Hyundai Getz now that they've brought in the i20 (which is also a very nice car) and good deals can be made on them. The OH has a 54/04 plate Getz and anything that has gone wrong (only minor little things) have been sorted under warranty FOC.
It's a busy market out there in that range of car, I'd suggest to just get out there and start test driving and working the figures out. Unless you can get a good deal such as the one I got, the Hyundai range offers the best value for money IMO.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2009 21:30:48 GMT
Thanks April. I don't even know what a Hyundai looks like, I've never driven one and I don't know anyone who owns one ! I'll have a look and see what they're like.
FA x
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Post by Jasmine on Feb 2, 2009 8:35:39 GMT
I thought of a Ford or Vauxhall because they tend to be the cheapest for parts when they go wrong. I've heard that Renaults, Volkswagens and Toyotas are expensive for parts. How do you find the cost of parts for the Clio, Jas ? FA x I think you could be right about the parts FA. My Clio is a 56 so it is under warranty at the moment. Having said that it hasn't needed anything doing to it in that time just new tyres which OH gets from Black Circle as they tend to be cheapest. It does need new windscreen wipers and OH said he wasn't going to Renault for them as they would be expensive but as they are difficult (not his choice of word!) to fix he was going to Halfords to get them to sort them out. OH also managed to wangle free services for 3 years when we bought it! OH's middle name is Ebenezer so he wouldn't have landed us with a car that was going to cost him a shedload of money! Jx |
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Post by Essexgirl on Feb 2, 2009 9:25:00 GMT
I prefer Nissan for reliability. How about a Micra? It's true the parts are a little bit more expensive but, as long as you maintain the car properly you hardly ever need any.  |
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Post by MamIDdau on Feb 2, 2009 15:01:38 GMT
I found the seat a bit firm on the i10 (and I have enough padding) but it's an incredibly cheap car with quite a good spec, 5 year warranty that covers everything but wear and tear items (like blades and tyres etc-we were told that even bulbs are covered!) and £35 a year road tax.
Citroens are also very cheap and reasonable but I always found the brakes rather soft which is unnerving but something you do get used to I suppose. They usually have quite a good spec too.
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Post by Jasmine on Feb 2, 2009 15:39:30 GMT
You've just reminded me AL - the Clio is £35 a year road tax as well.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2009 19:02:28 GMT
Sorry April but I've just had a look at a Hyundai i10 online and I don't like it ! I don't know why, it just doesn't "float my boat".
I'll keep looking.
FA x
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Post by andy on Feb 2, 2009 19:48:59 GMT
My parents gave me their Toyota Yaris 1.4. Y reg, top of the range and 75k on the clock. When my dad said i could have it, a lot of things went through my mind...such as 1) how small it was and 2) it only has 2 doors.
But i needn't of worried. It's a smashing little car with all the toys in and those Japs don't arf build reliable cars.
Im a pretty big bloke and i was a bit concerned about the leg room when driving especially as my other car (wifes car) is a Citroen xsara estate.
So im cuffed with the Yaris (fuel injected roller skate) and with mpg of 37 round town and 50 on a good run, im on to a winner.
Good luck mate
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Post by farmersboy on Feb 2, 2009 20:26:58 GMT
I agree Andy,them Jap cars are so reliable,parts maybe dearer,but they hardly ever need anything.
I have a Proton GEN 2, 1.6 GSX,i know its not a Jap,but the next best thing,although they dont get a very good press,i love it,handles like a dream,due to the Lotus suspension,ive had several different Protons,and they have never been any trouble.
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Post by andy on Feb 3, 2009 10:19:06 GMT
My brother in law is a mechanic for a big car dealer down here and he said that you really can't go wrong with Japanese cars. When we were looking, he advised us to go for a Honda or similar |
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Post by Barbara on Feb 3, 2009 10:45:29 GMT
I drive a corsa, its T reg, I have never (fingers crossed ) had any trouble with it, I dont know how many miles per gallon, but, I haven't put any petrol in it this year. ;D
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Feb 3, 2009 12:40:25 GMT
How about a DB9 FA ;D
S x
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Post by MamIDdau on Feb 3, 2009 13:52:45 GMT
The best car I've ever had was my Honda Jazz, like a tardis with the space inside and very economical-I regularly got over 50mpg just pottering to and from work. Got over 60mpg once whilst tootling along at 55mph on the A55... They're just expensive for what you get compared to other "cheaper" brands.
Hyundai are Korean I believe but it is a very good warranty they have. I wanted to buy a car that I could get affordable finance for the duration of the warranty i.e. 5 years or more which limited me to Hyundai or Kia as I didn't know Fiat did 5 year warranties on their Grande Punto.
You could always pop into your Fiat garage and say you were told by someone who works at another Fiat garage (i.e. someone I know) that every year they can register a certain number of cars with about 20% off. Given the current economic climate they might be more willing to do a deal.
Another option would be an ex demo. Usually get quite a good spec, some ex demos have never been driven by anyone else, they've just been registered to make up numbers before the end of the month. Worth a look!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2009 19:10:34 GMT
I think we may have found one.
It's a "57" plate Corsa 1.2, 15000 miles on the clock. It was first registered in Sept 07 so it still has 18 months of the manufacturers warranty on it and we also get a dealership warranty on top.
It's in our price range - just - and is a good deal. I test drove it today and it drives nicely so we're having a think about it overnight and will give them an answer tomorrow. Mrs FA is 100% committed to buying it. I'm about 95% there but the only nagging doubt is that it's only a 1.2 and I'd have preferred a 1.4.
Still, it is a nice car for the money and it's immaculate. I think we'll go for it but I need to convince myself that a 1.2 is ok, even though it hasn't got quite the same "ooomph" that my 1600 escort has got.
FA x
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Post by MamIDdau on Feb 7, 2009 19:17:47 GMT
I hope it all works out for you!! I've not driven the new shape ones but the new shape agila was nice and my old corsa was so I'd imagine it should be good lol
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Feb 7, 2009 19:35:08 GMT
I think we may have found one. It's a "57" plate Corsa 1.2, 15000 miles on the clock. It was first registered in Sept 07 so it still has 18 months of the manufacturers warranty on it and we also get a dealership warranty on top. It's in our price range - just - and is a good deal. I test drove it today and it drives nicely so we're having a think about it overnight and will give them an answer tomorrow. Mrs FA is 100% committed to buying it. I'm about 95% there but the only nagging doubt is that it's only a 1.2 and I'd have preferred a 1.4. Still, it is a nice car for the money and it's immaculate. I think we'll go for it but I need to convince myself that a 1.2 is ok, even though it hasn't got quite the same "ooomph" that my 1600 escort has got. FA x Mmmm, more importantly FA, what colour is it? i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/wink.gif S xxx |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2009 21:13:14 GMT
See for yourself.........  FA x |
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Post by christiebhoy on Feb 7, 2009 21:18:03 GMT
Hi Andy long tome no see/ speak/whatever??
My old L reg BMW 525i SE had to go just before xmas, engine still had a fair bit left in it but oh the body!! it was starting to go, just driving to school in the mornings, there would be another bit of rust by the time I got there.
I now have a smaller BMW 316I, 7 years old now but due to two carefull female drivers before me it hasn't a bit of rust anywhere and is in prime condition. The engine can go on for almost ever.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2009 21:23:45 GMT
Hello stranger. Good to see you mate. Hope all is well with you.
I've always liked Beamers but I don't think I'll ever be able to afford one !
FA
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Post by christiebhoy on Feb 7, 2009 21:29:25 GMT
You'd be surprised, some great deals on cars out there just now, dealers can't get them sold quick enough. I always thought I'd never have a Beamer but they are much more affordable now.  |
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Post by JennyWrenn on Feb 7, 2009 21:54:53 GMT
Hi Christie - nice car  and how are your Leylandi ;D jenny x |
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Post by christiebhoy on Feb 7, 2009 22:59:46 GMT
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Post by Tig on Feb 7, 2009 23:52:01 GMT
Nice looking car FA - and I love the number plate  hehehe x Tig |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Feb 8, 2009 8:37:31 GMT
See for yourself......... FA x Very nice FA ............ the reg ;D, luvvit! S x |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2009 9:11:31 GMT
Very nice FA ............ the reg ;D, luvvit! Sorry, I don't understand................ I would imagine I will take a bit of stick from my mates & colleagues when they see it. At least I should be able to remember it if I ever get stopped by the police ;D FA x |
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Post by MamIDdau on Feb 8, 2009 9:59:28 GMT
I once registered a car (seeing as I did the sales admin) and gave a car the reg of **04KYJ which I though was amusing. The next one which the new car owner refused to have and we had to change was **04BJO. She said it looked too much like something rude. Can't think what she meant...
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Post by JennyWrenn on Feb 8, 2009 10:05:34 GMT
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Only mentioning this to humour him!! It takes 4 of us ok but the boys don't have very much leg room - we use OH's car for long journeys. 
