Recommend a small diesel hatchback

carnagesri

I am looking to buy a small diesel hatchback something 2010 upwards along the lines of a Fiesta 1.4tdci or a Polo 1.2tdi. What are peoples opinions and what other cars do people think I should consider. I am not worried about performance but once the car has some bit of power for overtaking that will do. I currently drive an 07 Accord 2.2 CTDi. I am sick of paying high tax and the high servicing costs. The car will just be for commuting. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

dgt

I'd be inclined to stay with the Accord. You know what you have. Small engined post 08 diesel cars are in huge demand, expect to pay a premium for one.

That's just me though

00833827

Not sure either of the two examples you gave will be cheaper to service (properly) but the tax on that year accord is a killer - i had a 05 one for 4 years, was a great motor though. How about the same engine in a Civic? 2008 or 2009?

carnagesri

I want to get away from Honda's as I have had loads of different Honda's over the years. I don't mind paying out money for a good car.

a clanger

Just picked up a 2012 fiesta 1.4 tdci 'edge' 25k in the UK. Will have it on road all bills paid for around 10500 euro. It still has 18 months of warranty left. Lovely little car with plenty of poke and only 170 road tax. I averaged about 55 mpg at 75 on the motorway. I looked at the polo but the extra premium you pay just didn't make it worthwhile. Read any of the supermini reviews and the fiesta is usually first ! That's my tuppence-worth

carnagesri

Thanks for that. Ya the fiesta is the one I would be leaning towards.

Jesus.

Its lunacy getting rid of a decent car for an econobox IMO. Just make financial adjustments in other areas of your life instead.

You only live the once. You might as well drive around in a half decent motor while you're knocking about this Earth.

CiniO

carnagesri wrote: »

I currently drive an 07 Accord 2.2 CTDi. I am sick of paying high tax and the high servicing costs.

What are those high servicing costs on your honda?
Do you mean just regular oil and filters changes, or something is going wrong with it that costs you a lot of money?

carnagesri

I basically don't need a car the size of the accord and paying €994 a year road tax is another factor. I have an S2000 as well. I am taking the S2000 off the road permanently to do a few jobs to it. I don't drive it that much either way. I am going buying a Subaru Legacy Turbo estate at some stage as I have always wanted to get one. So I would be happy commuting in something small and cheap to run but having something with plenty power and loads of room if needed.

Zubeneschamali

carnagesri wrote: »

I would be happy commuting in something small and cheap to run

How long is your commute? Open road or in traffic? Modern diesels do not like do do just short trips in traffic, for that you'd be better with a small petrol motor.

In traffic, an auto might be nice, a Polo DSG, maybe?

I like the Fiat 500, but the Audi A1 is a nice place to sit. If you really just don't care what you are in, something like a Yaris or even an Aygo would suit.

carnagesri

I do 80km a day round trip and it is all main road and there is minimal traffic during the times I am travelling.

unkel

carnagesri wrote: »

I do 80km a day round trip and it is all main road and there is minimal traffic during the times I am travelling.

With a light foot and smooth driving you should get at least 50MPG from your Accord. A modern diesel supermini might do 65MPG

Your saving per year in diesel with the small car which will not be anywhere near as comfortable: about €6 per week...

Keep the Accord, dude.

MuppetCheck

I have a similar commute to your own and have been in various cars the last few months one of which was a small car like the ones your are looking at, an Opel Corsa. These things belong in the city. You will regret the move eventually as they are slow, noisy, pokey inside, not particularly comfortable compared to a larger car. I would at a minimum go to a Focus sized car. It should be close in terms of motor tax and economy wont be a million miles off either.

Zubeneschamali

carnagesri wrote: »

I do 80km a day round trip and it is all main road and there is minimal traffic during the times I am travelling.

Your going to be spending a lot of time behind the wheel: Audi A1 diesel.

But as Unkel suggests, it may not make much sense financially. Do the sums.

carnagesri

Maybe I should consider a focus sized car instead.

Zubeneschamali

carnagesri wrote: »

Maybe I should consider a focus sized car instead.

I don't think size matters much: a 1.4 petrol Focus is a terrible commuting car.

I have a long commute, and I like to have a good seat and driving position, reasonable power, good range, air-con, a good stereo, a quiet cruise on cruise control and a nice interior.

Our second car is a Mini Cooper which is hoot in town or on back roads, but not much for main-road commuting since it doesn't have air-con, cruise control, a sixth gear for cruising, or good range.

If you change from an Accord (with most or all of the above) to an economy car which is missing some or most of these, you will grow to hate your commute.

carnagesri

I have the accord over 3 years and I suppose I just fancy a change. I want to get something less than 4 years old but I don't want to spend more than €13k. That is why I would drop down to a smaller sized car.

Zcott

1.8 petrol Civic? Good size and comfortable.

Caliden

1 series bmw?

Got a 120d myself and it's perfect. 160bhp when you need it and does 50mpg. Mine is a 2005 but you can get a 2008 msport 120d for circa 13k.
225/year on tax and the new models come with a more powerful & economical engine.

Photoshop

Hyundai i30 would be my choice just for the warranty and reliability, good amount of space and comfort too.

Loads of low milage 2011 ones around with long warranties.

This one is a nice.

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Hyundai/i30/1.6-DIESEL/31913546378802330/

bazz26

If you want something small then maybe a Mito:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Alfa-Romeo/Mito/1.6-JTDM/34513670609125140/

unkel

bazz26 wrote: »

If you want something small then maybe a Mito:

Best mate bought one of those brand new for long distance commuting to work. It was not a success. He sold it after 2 years and bought himself a bangernomics Alfa 166 V6 petrol on LPG for €1k. His commute is so much better now

bazz26

unkel wrote: »

Best mate bought one of those brand new for long distance commuting to work. It was not a success. He sold it after 2 years and bought himself a bangernomics Alfa 166 V6 petrol on LPG for €1k. His commute is so much better now

Your mate sounds like he made the wrong decision around downgrading to a smaller less powerful car rather than buying a Mito specifically though. Same might apply to the OP though, bigger cars are more comfortable, powerful and refined so it is always a culture shock to downgrade from this.

Old diesel

Moving from a relatively large 2.2 diesel saloon with (possibly) lots of toys and comfort to a 1.4 turbodiesel smaller car - may well not be to your liking when you make the actual change.

Try and get as long a spin as possible in one - even if it means renting one from Mr Hertz.

Tax in a 2.2 is a curse under the cc system (engine size) - but that of course will reduce the value of the Accord - and the new car will be costing you more to buy because its on "cheap tax".

Make sure to do the sums - particularly bearing in mind its not unheard off for the manufacturers claimed figures to be quite a bit different then the real life fuel figures.

carnagesri

Taking everything into account a civic i-CTDi around 2010/2011 is the best bet. It has the same engine as my accord and the tax is a lot cheaper.