Recommend a small car please?

Eoin

My sister is looking to replace her 97 Micra as it failed the NCT due to rust. We will try and sell the Micra for parts separately, so she's a cash buyer if needs be.

She wants to stick with a hatchback, but something a little bigger than a Micra / Corsa etc. She seems to think that a Focus is just a little bigger than she wants. She doesn't do much mileage so that's not a concern.

She has 4K to spend, and so far the ones she likes are: Renault Clio, Ford Fiesta and the Ford Puma. She likes the Yaris too, but she would like a slightly bigger engine than the 1.0 (up to 1.4).

Are we missing any obvious options? Are any of the above a bad idea?

Feel free to PM me if you've something suitable for sale (please don't post here), and I'll pass the details on.

thanks!

bazz26

I think the Puma ticks most of the boxes there.

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201001196459629

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201006196840131

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201004196731154

zilog_jones

eoin wrote: »

She seems to think that a Focus is just a little bigger than she wants.

Well there's not really much inbetween superminis and small family cars. Most mini MPVs will fall inbetween these two classes, e.g. Nissan Note, Ford Fusion, Opel Meriva, Renault Modus or Peugeot 1007 (if you're mad) - most of these are too new for though. Honda Jazz offers more space than most superminis (some even consider it a mini MPV) but there aren't many around.

Also consider the Mazda2 if she likes the Mk. 5 Fiesta (2002-2008), it's very similar.

Cionád

How about a Panda, could get a 2006 with that budget.



http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200941195417567

Eoin

zilog_jones wrote: »

Well there's not really much inbetween superminis and small family cars. Most mini MPVs will fall inbetween these two classes, e.g. Nissan Note, Ford Fusion, Opel Meriva, Renault Modus or Peugeot 1007 (if you're mad) - most of these are too new for though. Honda Jazz offers more space than most superminis (some even consider it a mini MPV) but there aren't many around.

Also consider the Mazda2 if she likes the Mk. 5 Fiesta (2002-2008), it's very similar.

Thanks for that. She doesn't really need much space at all, she just wants to feel that she's upgraded from the mica, if you know what I mean.

She likes the Mazda 2, so that's another option on the list.

Cionád wrote: »

How about a Panda, could get a 2006 with that budget.
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200941195417567

Thanks - not for her unfortunately. Good one though, I had forgotten about it.

-Corkie-

What about a corolla they are a reliable thing and bigger than the micra. The 3 door are nice and sporty looking as well.

EPM

+2 on the panda:D

peasant

Here's an oddball suggestion

...so odd she might even like it ?

biko

Opel Tigra?

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200903191470601

Eoin

Thanks all for the suggestions - I think the Clio, Puma and now the Mazda 2 are the main contenders.

peasant wrote: »

Here's an oddball suggestion

...so odd she might even like it ?

That didn't go down too well! Thanks anyway.

EPM wrote: »

+2 on the panda:D

She doesn't like it at all

Magnus wrote: »

Opel Tigra?
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=200903191470601

She likes that one actually.

Alanstrainor

Jaysus, puma's have been getting a lot of attention over the last few days. It'd be between that and the mazda for me, no particular reason for dropping the clio, just never really took to them(well not unless it was a 172!). If she's looking for something bigger surely a 5 door fiesta would be a better choice over the puma?

Edit:: just read your post again, scratch that last bit about the fiesta!

EPM

peasant wrote: »

Here's an oddball suggestion

...so odd she might even like it ?

I just got a little sick in my mouth:pac:

Eoin

By bigger, she just wants to feel that she's moved up from her Micra - so while a super-mini might feel like more of the same, something sporty enough like a Puma would be a nice change.

We've had a few Clios in the extended family, and found them very good in general. Personally I think they're one of the best in the class.

L-M

Get a Puma, you can't and won't go wrong. The sister bought one recently after coming from a 02 Punto, and a friend of mine has one for years. I've driven them and they are a fun car to drive. Visability isn't the best but that's something you can get used to. For that reason check all the panels for damage.

The timing belt is due every 100k, and the sister got the clutch done on hers for 430 all in (as the slave cylinder has to be replaced as well. I was also told stay clear of the spurious slave cylinders as they're crap).

Some very cheap examples on donedeal, great cars for the money.