Help - Smallish reliable good value petrol car for 7-10k ?

a postere

Hi,

Looking for a smallish reliable 5 door hatchback, petrol, budget 7-10k
Low miles, no more than 5 years old.

Looking for best value for money, followed by reasonable reliability.

Shortlist so far is Clio, Fiesta, Polo, Rio (newer model), Yaris, Corsa, i20

Yaris / Polo's seem very overpriced and very dull
Not sure if I like the fiestas either, especially the interior

The best deals/prices so far seems to be the Clio, are they very unreliable or is that particular Renault not too bad ?

Some good deals on Cora's at the minute as well.

Which engines are best / should be avoided ?

Cheers.

Foxhole Norman

We had a 2011 Clio, one of Renault's most reliable cars of the past I'd say, good small car, comfortable and reasonably peppy. Good equipment levels too usually.

a postere

Foxhole Norman wrote: »

We had a 2011 Clio, one of Renault's most reliable cars of the past I'd say, good small car, comfortable and reasonably peppy. Good equipment levels too usually.

Thanks Norman, I like the Clio, which engine was it ?

listermint

a postere wrote: »

Thanks Norman, I like the Clio, which engine was it ?

Do they not only have the 1.2 Petrol these days or is there a 1.4 available ?

Foxhole Norman

a postere wrote: »

Thanks Norman, which engine was it ?

We had the 1.2 Petrol, the 1.5 DCi is rare in that car but a good bit livelier with 90hp and a good bit more torque.

New model here for less than 10K

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-clio/8768239?offset=7

listermint wrote: »

Do they not only have the 1.2 Petrol these days or is there a 1.4 available ?

The new model has a 0.9 Turbo Petrol and the 1.2 along with the 1.5DCi

a postere

listermint wrote: »

Do they not only have the 1.2 Petrol these days or is there a 1.4 available ?

there's a 1.2 16V 75, and also a 1.2 TCe 100 I think, or maybe that was just in the UK ?

listermint

a postere wrote: »

there's a 1.2 16V 75, and also a 1.2 TCe 100 I think, or maybe that was just in the UK ?

Surprised if the 100 made it over here. Frankly i found the 1.2 dull as dishwater. I mean it wouldnt pull you out of bed. (seriously) far less nippy than than for example the 1.2 K12 Micra.

Id go for the 1.5 DCI lump its a better engine for overtaking. I had some hairy moments in the petrol (rental)

a postere

listermint wrote: »

Surprised if the 100 made it over here. Frankly i found the 1.2 dull as dishwater. I mean it wouldnt pull you out of bed. (seriously) far less nippy than than for example the 1.2 K12 Micra.

Id go for the 1.5 DCI lump its a better engine for overtaking. I had some hairy moments in the petrol (rental)

I don't need/like diesel, and this car will be doing mostly short runs.

Tea 1000

Mazda 2 is a decent car.

listermint

a postere wrote: »

I don't need/like diesel, and this car will be doing mostly short runs.

I would personally look at other Marques then. Whilst i liked the interior and exterior styling of the clio and it drives well. It just really doesnt cut it at all for anything remotely motorway or in circumstances when you may actually need to overtake someone. I had some jollys with Lorries on national roads. literally nail biting on any incline.

a postere

Foxhole Norman wrote: »

We had a 2011 Clio, one of Renault's most reliable cars of the past I'd say, good small car, comfortable and reasonably peppy. Good equipment levels too usually.

You found it nippy enough for your needs Norman ?
I'm not looking for boy racer stuff.

dbrunson

hi op

These are awesome,

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/fiat/panda/used-2012-fiat-panda-panda-specia-wicklow-fpa-154314279938642940

Im sure people will be on saying fiats are crap etc, but we have an 07 from new that never gave an issue, it has 55k on it with no rattles bangs etc, really cheap to run, fun to drive, and kinda cool, we also have the new model and it is a smashing car. They are fantastic value for money used due to the perception in Ireland that fiats are rubbish, so be brave and grab a bargain fun car..

a postere

dbrunson wrote: »

hi op

These are awesome,


Im sure people will be on saying fiats are crap etc, but we have an 07 from new that never gave an issue, it has 55k on it with no rattles bangs etc, really cheap to run, fun to drive, and kinda cool, we also have the new model and it is a smashing car. They are fantastic value for money used due to the perception in Ireland that fiats are rubbish, so be brave and grab a bargain fun car..

I love em, and have nothing against fiat, as I don't do group think, and prefer to do my own thing. I find model is much better guide than make ever is.
They would definitely have been on the shortlist as they are top value for money.
Problem is the missus just doesn't like the look of fiat panda's, so its out.

Foxhole Norman

a postere wrote: »

You found it nippy enough for your needs Norman ?
I'm not looking for boy racer stuff.

Yep, I drove that on a lot, perfect around town and on N roads, it was never on the motorway, I've been in my friends older 2006 1.2 though and it was never struggling on the Motorway.

a postere

I'm looking for very clean with low miles
Strangely, using that criteria, I don't find a mad difference in price between 2010's and 2012's if you shop around. Anyone else encountered this ?

Teyla Emmagan

I am on my second Clio, the first one was a 87, the second is a 03 (clearly I don't buy new cars that often). Anyway, in my option, it's the most reliable car on earth. I have always had a yearly service and both cars literally never broke down. The only issue I have ever had is with the battery, but that is possibly modern batteries? Have also driven the length of the country in it, several times. Which is not to say I wouldn't prefer a bigger car for the regular 4.5 hour drive to see my Granny, but the Clio does it just fine. And you can get it serviced anywhere.

listermint

a postere wrote: »

I'm looking for very clean with low miles
Strangely, using that criteria, I don't find a mad difference in price between 2010's and 2012's if you shop around. Anyone else encountered this ?

Drive one first would be my advice. Then drive some other marques. dont just go out and buy because you like the look of it.

There is a virual selection box of vehicles that fit into your needs. (again no problems with the Renault) but id always be an advocate of drive a couple more types.

a postere

listermint wrote: »

dont just go out and buy because you like the look of it.

Why would I do that ? The Clio's actually not the best looking of the bunch. Best value for money and reasonable reliability come higher up than looks and brands and speed in my book. Oh I'll be driving them all, but I also like to get opinions from people who have actually owned the models for a while. Hence why I've posted here.

Tea 1000

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/mazda/mazda2/used-2010-mazda-mazda2-1-3-sensu-galway-fpa-154614287604645370

Special Circumstances

Suzuki swift or Mazda 2 would be my choice in that class I think.

listermint

a postere wrote: »

Why would I do that ? The Clio's actually not the best looking of the bunch. Best value for money and reasonable reliability come higher up than looks and brands and speed in my book. Oh I'll be driving them all, but I also like to get opinions from people who have actually owned the models for a while. Hence why I've posted here.

Just advice, It should not surprise you how many people buy the first thing on impulse.

a postere

listermint wrote: »

Just advice, It should not surprise you how many people buy the first thing on impulse.

I appreciate that

a postere

What's peoples opinions on the 1.2 Corsa ?, some good deals going on them at the minute as well.

bazz26

A Fiesta or a Polo would be better.

a postere

Most likely and they are newer models as well, but is the Corsa really that bad ?
The prices are much better, and I just don't like the look of the polo or fiesta, outside or in.

browniepoints

Mate of mine has got 450,000 miles from the clio 1.2 .Nothing major just service and consumables clutch brakes tires and wheel bearing

Me I prefer most any 1000cc to 1.2l Susiki any day for good feul figures or most all the asian cars The track record for those to keep to go and go is tops .However dont hit tree with them they tend be not much metal in them .

Sorry just not a fan of most European cars except big Merc like 124 and the non turbo 1990 era diesels as they can often go more than 1,000,000 miles

Jed