Help with choosing a small car

emzippy

Hi All,

I'd be really grateful if you could give me some advice on buying a newer car.

At the moment I'm driving a 05 fiesta and want to buy a newer car. I've recently changed jobs and will be doing a lot more miles.

I've been looking at a 2012 fiesta 1.25 petrol - €14000 or a 2012 audi A1 - €18000.

I really have no idea about cars so am basing this on what I like the look of. I'm open to all recommendations. I really want a small car that's good value for money, that will stand up to bigger mileage and isn't too sore on fuel.

Thanks a mil!

colm_mcm

How much mileage will you be doing?

emzippy

colm_mcm wrote: »

How much mileage will you be doing?

I'm not 100% sure yet as I haven't started the new job but approx 30000 miles a year which is bigger for me as I do very little at the min.

colm_mcm

Had you considered a car from the next size up, (Golf/Focus class), do you think you'll still want a small car in a few years time?

30,000 miles is big mileage for a year, any newer car you out that sort of miles on will depreciate heavily.
I hope they're giving you good mileage allowance.

emzippy

colm_mcm wrote: »

Had you considered a car from the next size up, (Golf/Focus class), do you think you'll still want a small car in a few years time?

That's a good point. I was looking at a small car because that's what I've always had. Would the next size up mean a big difference in fuel cost though?

colm_mcm

emzippy wrote: »

That's a good point. I was looking at a small car because that's what I've always had. Would the next size up mean a big difference in fuel cost though?

Not really. A diesel golf/focus sized car will have better mpg than your fiesta.

emzippy

colm_mcm wrote: »

Not really. A diesel golf/focus sized car will have better mpg than your fiesta.

Thanks for that! Will have a look

colm_mcm

That size car is a lot more common in diesel than fiesta size.

Bit of a shortlist

VW Golf
ford Focus
Kia pro Ceed/Ceed
Hyundai i30
Seat Leon
Skoda Octavia
Opel Astra
Audi A3
BMW 1 series
Mini

monkeysnapper

http://youtu.be/EQaVrDW9O9k

I took this little car for a test drive a few weeks ago and was well impressed by its poke. God cars have improved since my 1st car. My 1st car was a 1 litre Austin metro . This car felt quality . With dealer related charges it comes in at 13 k brand spanking new with 5 years warranty

colm_mcm

Wouldn't fancy doing 30,000 miles a year in an i10 though. Its great for what it is.

bazz26

There is no way if you are driving 30k miles a year you want to do it in a small city or super mini size car. They are not designed for that sort of time spent in them driving. You need to consider comfort not just fuel economy at that annual mileage. You should be looking at cars like the Mondeo, Insignia, Avensis, etc. They have bags of space, comfortable seats, are great mile muchers and very good on diesel. Getting out of a cramped Fiesta or A1 after a day of driving will take it's toll on you after a short time.

bazz26

Something like this too for example:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Hyundai/i40/1.7-DIESEL/42713958511007310/

monkeysnapper

colm_mcm wrote: »

Wouldn't fancy doing 30,000 miles a year in an i10 though. Its great for what it is.

Sorry I really didn't read the op post good enough , yeh that would be a bit much , possibly the I30 then really.