Want to buy small size car - which one?

AnnRo · 03-01-2012 12:25pm #1

Hi

Looking to buy a small car - prob 1.0 or 1.2 - more economical on petrol - don't do big mileage. 3 miles to/from work every day and maybe 80 miles every odd weekend.

I've been looking at the following cars:

Toyota Yaris
Opel Corsa (1.2)

Test drove a Toyota Aygo - it was a tin can!!

Saw a couple of 2010 versions of these cars with low mileage.

But I've seen ads on the paper for Renault Clios for €9950 for 2012.

Anybody any ideas which direction I should go - budget would be around 10K and that would be max.

Thanks for any advice on these cars or any others you would suggest. I'm female & don't care about fancy specs on cars - if it gets me from A to B - I'm happy

listermint · 03-01-2012 12:43pm

TBH you cant seem to go wrong with the Nissan Micra or the Nissan note, They do exactly what they say on the tin, are economical / nippy / have whats needed electrics /air conditioning etc.

Only bad common item ive seen is door actuator replacements seems to be a common issue on them.

colm_mcm · 03-01-2012 1:30pm

Bit left of field but I saw a 2009 perodua myvi (same as daihatsu sirion new model)
With 3000 miles, fully loaded with aircon etc, you'd have it vrt'd and all for a shade over 6k
1.3 Toyota engine and €156 tax

AnnRo · 03-01-2012 2:44pm

listermint - i've looked at the micra and there's something i don't like about it - don't ask what !! but will look at the note though. what do you think of the nissan pixo?

colm_mcm - where did you see that car - never heard of that make but 6K and 3000 miles sounds good. just googled it to see what it looks like - it looks nice and small - something I could park!!

listermint · 03-01-2012 3:18pm

AnnRo wrote: »

listermint - i've looked at the micra and there's something i don't like about it - don't ask what !! but will look at the note though. what do you think of the nissan pixo?

colm_mcm - where did you see that car - never heard of that make but 6K and 3000 miles sounds good. just googled it to see what it looks like - it looks nice and small - something I could park!!

Fair enough on the Micra, but try taking it for a spin its a great little car. The note has alot of space in it however and great head height if required.

No experience with the Pixo though sorry.

As for the Daihitsu, any that ive come across have been pretty much tin boxes very much 'eastern spec'. But who knows about this one.

having been in the new hyundai range id have a look at what they have on offer they are extremely solid and surprising.

Matthewjohn · 03-01-2012 4:56pm

I think that a VW Up which is being released in February would be a very good choice according to top gear uk which would cost around €10000 or a Fiat Panda which would also cost 10 grand approx.

Mar4ix · 03-01-2012 5:19pm

nisan march (jap import) + fitted alarm, or at least nissan micra k11. was fixing one, looks very reliable, way comfortable than my punto

problemchimp · 03-01-2012 5:26pm

LIGHTNING wrote: »

Suzuki Swift? The new model has just being released and its getting great reviews over in the UK. Looks smart, drives well and is well built so good in fact VW were trying to buy Suzuki!

The swift is your only man. In fact you still see old swifts on the road with the old, pre '87 reg plates. They go forever and need very little maintainance.

Mar4ix · 03-01-2012 5:29pm

LIGHTNING wrote: »

I have been in all the Micras bar the very new one I think they are less comfy than a Punto.

well, thats only my assumption, i was comparing with mk1 punto ... 96, op might wouldnt like micra also, but from part reliability, micra is on higher level than punto.

si_guru · 03-01-2012 5:29pm

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Hyundai/i20/1.2-DE-L/201147205769152/advert?channel=CARS

Has warranty until July 2015.

colm_mcm · 03-01-2012 5:52pm

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201148431615601/sort/priceasc/usedcars/model/myvi/make/perodua/postcode/ln12na/radius/1501/page/1/quicksearch/true?logcode=p

Here's a link to the Perodua, VRT is €995

media?id=1877681423

colm_mcm · 03-01-2012 5:54pm

Mar4ix wrote: »

well, thats only my assumption, i was comparing with mk1 punto ... 96, op might wouldnt like micra also, but from part reliability, micra is on higher level than punto.

Even a Mk1 Punto would be streets ahead of a K11 Micra comfort wise, seats are higher and more suppostive and ride is much less roly-poly.

GERMAN ROCKS · 03-01-2012 6:04pm

the clio is good value if you could get it for that price. and its a BRAND NEW CAR. its nice to own a car from new i think.

bazz26 · 03-01-2012 8:48pm

Fiat 500 1.2 litre:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201147205787559

Ford Fiesta 1.25 litre:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201127203224821

MidnightQueen · 03-01-2012 9:44pm

Toyota Yaris or Starlet would be the more reliable option in my opinion.

Rhys Essien · 03-01-2012 9:57pm

KittyKat wrote: »

Toyota Yaris or Starlet would be the more reliable option in my opinion.

+1.

si_guru · 03-01-2012 9:59pm

KittyKat wrote: »

Toyota Yaris or Starlet would be the more reliable option in my opinion.

Where is she going to buy €10 grand Starlet?

MidnightQueen · 03-01-2012 11:00pm

si_guru wrote: »

Where is she going to buy €10 grand Starlet?

Price doesnt make a difference. I'm only offering my opinion for reliability.

Matthewjohn · 03-01-2012 11:22pm

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201145205516631
VW polo solid car reliable spacious and comfortable too,

AnnRo · 04-01-2012 10:42am

Thank you all for all your replies - loads of options to think about

kupus · 04-01-2012 11:36am

+100 on the Suzuki Swift

Its got 7 airbags, Abs for better braking, and esp to help if you start to slide.
1.2 engine so its cheap to run, and probably cheap to tax,
A brilliant drive, by that I mean it feels like it sticks to the road going around corners. and it looks like a mini cooper if thats what you like.
It feels solid and has a good crash record. very easy to change gears as well cos (the only way I can explain it is the gear knob is closer to you.)

THe only drawback is the little boot, enough for the shopping, but forget about fitting 3 suitcases, and a dog.
I would highly recommend you take one for a test drive at least.
We very nearly bought one until bank official started to abuse other half for not getting some form.....in the middle of the bank nearly reducing her to tears.....so we decided **** the bank we'll buy cash.

At the same time we were looking at a kia rio, again a nice car but reversing would be a biatch because of visibility out the back window. It ticked all the boxes regarding safety, 6 airbags, abs esp good crash rating, it had on the dashboard a function to tell when you should change up or down for the gears if that helps you.....the test drive was fine and the interior is very nice, visually a lot nicer than the swift, but the drawback was reversing and once we brought this up in conversation with the dealer they acknowledged this by offering us half price parking sensors. after this we decided on swift.

Others to consider
Renault Modus, Opel Meriva, Suzuki Ignis, Susuki Sx4, Honda Jazz, Ford fusion, Fiat Panda;) Fiat Idea, Mazda 2, Nissan Note.

All these have in common, You sit up higher on the road than all the other cars but its still a small car.
eg Modus is like a Twingo/Clio but you sit higher and also boot storage is increased by a lot over the clio.

Want to buy small size car - which one?

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