[dobbo99]

what are peoples suggestions for a runabout, max 5 years old, £5k budget (or less!) to spend:

Clio
Corsa
3 dr Astra
previous shape Fiesta
Polo

Possibly a diesel but not a deal breaker. I was thinking a dci Clio would be alright.
the Mrs would like a Mini, but at that level they are 10years old and have probably been thrashed to bits.

Is there anything ive missed? need to get something pretty sharp

[creepy coupe]

Why a diesel?

[KadeSdad]

Fiat 500? How much are those coming in at now, different then the norm.

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by KadeSdad

Fiat 500? How much are those coming in at now, different then the norm.

My Missus looked at one. Very choppy ride.

[doughboy]

Depends how long you want to keep your £5k purchase for, but have you looked at contract hire for superminis? Absolute bargains.

Nissan Micra £89/month + vat!

And with new you've got the warranty, breakdown, almost no servicing costs etc, you £5k would go a long way.


http://www.nationwidevehiclecontract...ar-leasing.htm

But other sites will be cheaper for sure.

[peterg1965]

There was Citreon C1 on contract hire a few months back for £60 month on a personal lease, think it was 24 months, 3+23. I would go this route if similar deals popped up, a 5 year old diesel supermini will spell expensive trouble in my view.

Edit, not quite £60, but not far off. Just over £2k Over 2 years for a cheap, reliable and warrantied run about.

http://www.contracthireandleasing.co...en/c1/4594528/

[dobbo99]

thought a diesel might throw a few more miles in our direction, doesnt have to be though. she does about 300miles a week though.

looked a leasing, but most if not all are for 10k miles per annum, and anything over starts to be pricey, plus your then tied to 2 or 3 years of payments.

Im waiting on someone from Seat to come back to me though, as they do look cheap.

i like the new Fiesta, but they are a little beyond that 5k figure at the moment.

im lucky to have £5k sitting about, so it makes sense to use the cash than the credit I guess.

[doughboy]

That's it, bargains pop up all the time (640d anyone)

Just keep looking and maybe barter between hire firms. They've all got stock to shift, pre-reg gets even better deals.

300 miles a week is a lot for a supermini, i know i wouldn't want to do that, is that business miles? If so you really want the security / warranty of a new car. We bought a brand new small van for £8k for doing 5-600 work miles a week, best vehicle we've ever had! And its all tax allowable!

You could chuck the 5k in an ISA instead and contract hire is not really credit, it's just payments for hiring the vehicle.

The seat ibizas are nice.

[peterg1965]

Seat Ibiza, bit more expensive than the C1, but £143/month rental and 10k miles per year

http://www.contracthireandleasing.co...ibiza/4607388/

[doughboy]

The C1s are a bargain, they need to be new though as superminis these days are just disposable items, they'll fall to bits in 5 years.

Mate of mines missus had a Fiat 500 from new, absolutely appalling build quality.

Bits breaking and falling off the interior - but get this - the Fiat 'interior' warranty is only 12 months, whereas the rest of the car is 2 years!!

[dobbo99]

the C1's are too small, and neither of us like the Fiat 500, so thats out of the equation as well.

just found a citroen DS3 hdi deal for £200 a month inc VAT, they are supposed to be decent little cars. Im just a little concerned about the 10k miles, though I guess all those quotes are just starting points, a base figure as such.

she does about 300miles a week at the minute, but thats cos shes working in London and doing a Uni course after work. Once July comes that will be all done with.

[dobbo99]

ps. what happens if you dont want a lease car half way through its agreement?
or is that not an option?

[Mart1000]

I personally wouldn't touch Renault/Citroen/Peugeot for build quality alone. I know your not buying prestige but all the above are shite quality.

Not a fan of vauxhall much either BUT my ex had a new shape Corsa sxi and I can honestly say, hand on heart it drives the best of all the tiny cars I've driven (loads).

I've not driven the Ibiza but a hot lesbian colleague has one and swears buy it.

Fiesta is foul and plasticky inside, only one that looks remotely ok without projectile vomiting is the ztec s.

New mini was nice to drive though.

All just my opinion though mate.

[creepy coupe]

My Missus has just bought a Fiesta Zetec S petrol and the thing is superb to drive. The chassie shames cars three times its price.

[Mart1000]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

My Missus has just bought a Fiesta Zetec S petrol and the thing is superb to drive. The chassie shames cars three times its price.

I love the look of the zetec s especially in white. We have a few crap spec fiestas at work and they are horrific.

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by Mart1000

I personally wouldn't touch Renault/Citroen/Peugeot for build quality alone. I know your not buying prestige but all the above are shite quality.

That's why they are cheap though..

Maybe shite quality is a bit harsh, more mass market low cost, just not premium IMO,

Cheaper materials / build for sure, but for a low cost, new buy option they're hard to beat.

[mowflow]

My wife has an Ibiza. It's a 1.2 reference sport or something like that. The sports seats are comfortable, build quality is very good, it's got everything you could need as standard such as ipod connection, air conditioning etc. It came with 3 years servicing and returns around 40mpg with low VED so is really cheap to run.

In my opinion it actually blows the doors off the 1 series she had before it in every department. Unfortunately she doesn't agree purely because of the BMW badge on the 1

[dobbo99]

[QUOTE=Mart1000;11445234]I've not driven the Ibiza but a hot lesbian colleague has one and swears buy it. QUOTE]

SOLD!

though worthless without pics........

[BanziBarn]

What about a swift? They can look quite like Minis if you get one with the stripe on the bonnet.

[AlwynMike]

The wife has an Ibiza 1.4 Sport that she loves. Now 3 years old and completely trouble and rattle free. She now only does short runs so the car really doens't get time to get warm, but still averages 45mpg.

However, it is ridiculously sluggish until you get it rolling unless you really screw the nuts off it.

She spec'd it with 17" wheels (I amongst a lot of other things) and it ruins the car. A harder ride than any E46, but it does handle a treat. As it's so slow, you can throw it into any corner with confidence at any legal speed. Little body roll and supportive seats. Light to drive and easy steering. New models (as hers is) are around the £5k mark now, but do keep clear of 17 inchers!

A mate in the accident repair trade reckons the Swift's are well put together.

Mike

[davyk31]

Fiesta in Zetec or Zetec S trim if you can live with 3 doors on the later would be my choice. Great drive and reasonable build quality.

Or if you want to really spend little cash you could go for an older Fiesta. I bought a 2003 Fiesta Zetec for a winter runaround and its amazing. I am very picky about cars but there is absolutely not one mechanical fault on the car. Only 70k miles and cost a lot less than your budget and can resell for what I bought it for no problem.

[dxb335d]

E46 320D?