Fiat 500L Vs Mini Countryman Vs Citroen C4 Cactus

54and56

Hi all,

Looking at buying a long term (keep for at least 5 years) family run around which needs to carry 2 adults, 2 teenage kids and a big Labrador. The car will be Dublin based 95% of the time doing short urban spins dropping and collecting plus the odd weekend trip to the countryside for walks with the dog etc and an occasional long trip to the likes of Mullingar, Limerick etc but only 3-4 times a year.

Budget is circa €15,000 but could be pushed up a bit if a really good deal was available.

Having researched the market the three cars which potentially fit our needs are the Fiat 500L, Mini Countryman & Citroen Cactus.

Fiat 500L - Big and roomy with funky styling. The 1.2L diesel isn't gong to pull up any trees but then for what it's going to be used for it doesn't need to. Build quality looks a bit cheap compared to the other two cars particularly the Mini but I'm sure it'd be fine. Not sure how well the design would age. 141's available for the budget - http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/fiat/500l/used-2014-141-fiat-500l-lounge-multij-dublin-fpa-177814363609147740

Mini Countryman - Well built "premium" brand which is also big and roomy but the pre 2014 models only had two individual seats in the rear rather than a traditional three seat type bench. Staying within budget means going for a 2011 or 2012 model like this - http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/mini/countryman/used-2011-mini-countryman-one-d-dublin-fpa-200814593342532060.

Citroen C4 Cactus - Quirky as hell but a lot of car for the money and seems well designed and put together. Not sure if the boot space would be big enough for the Labrador (this is very important to us!!) but you can get a 152 for not much over budget - http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/citroen/c4-cactus/used-2015-152-citroen-c4-cactus-save-waterford-fpa-200814588217499720

I'm not too worried about resale value in 5-6 years time. My priority is to get the best value for money now in a car which meets our specific needs, will be enjoyable to drive and give 5-6 years good service before being traded in.

My heart says the C4 Cactus is the way to go but my head says either Countryman or 500L.

Thoughts from anyone who has had to make a similar decision or is familiar with these cars? Any suggested alternatives for the budget? I considered the Dacia Duster but whilst it's undoubtedly a very solid and practical car for the money I don't think my other half would like it, she prefers good/quirky design and lot's of comfort and at the end of the day she'll be using this car the most.

Thanks in advance for your input.

colm_mcm

kia soul?

Notch000

I rented a 500L last week and though it was nice enough place to be inside, handled like a boat & the turbo diesel was absoluetly pant too, it looks cack from the outside as well, but in its defense i drive a 99'mx5 as a daily drive so im not really clued in to what modern family cars feel like. Interior was pretty solid, nice controls stero etc driving position very good, comfortable and it very roomy inside too, also did about 50mpg booting it round. climbing mountains & high speed cruising motorway.

although my other half who has absolutely no interst in cars what so ever did comment during the week
''what sort of self respecting person who buy such a POS as this'' :O

54and56

colm_mcm wrote: »

kia soul?

No, don't think so. Don't like the boxy styling.

54and56

Notch000 wrote: »

''what sort of self respecting person who buy such a POS as this'' :O

Not the greatest endorsement I've ever read!!!

My other half is currently driving an old TT so your comments are actually very relevant. The step change from tight handling sporty performance to wafty barge may take a bit of getting used to but it's either keep the TT and get rid of the dog (and two growing kids) or get real and let go of the TT

colm_mcm

no bother. the countryman and 500l are pretty dreadful looking cars though. particularly the fiat.

MarkAnthony

Loved the Fiat 500L lovely inside - agree outside it looks pretty crap. Thought about a 500X?

54and56

MarkAnthony wrote: »

Thought about a 500X?

Much nicer looking car all right, I wonder is the boot much smaller though?

54and56

colm_mcm wrote: »

no bother. the countryman and 500l are pretty dreadful looking cars though. particularly the fiat.

But at least they're not boring

On a serious note I think the Countryman will age much better than the 500L as it's closer to the classic Mini shape than the 500L is to the classic 500.

MarkAnthony

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/fiat/fiat-500x-review/

R.O.R

Have you been up close to a cactus? We had a rental in here and they do look good and very funky, but they are so cheap on the inside.

Rear windows don't go down, just open like a flap at the back and the seat base is just a piece of fabric suspended between 2 bars so it's not going to be comfy to drive for a long time.

54and56

MarkAnthony wrote: »

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/fiat/fiat-500x-review/

Thanks Mark, that's an excellent if somewhat disappointing review.

54and56

R.O.R wrote: »

Have you been up close to a cactus? We had a rental in here and they do look good and very funky, but they are so cheap on the inside.

Rear windows don't go down, just open like a flap at the back and the seat base is just a piece of fabric suspended between 2 bars so it's not going to be comfy to drive for a long time.

No, but the back will be for a couple of teenagers 99% of the time so they can slum it a little!!

AMKC

Peugeot 2008, Renault Captur and Opel Mokka are a few other options that you could look at.

You could also check out this

http://www.autotrader.ie/browse-used-cars/jeep/renegade/used-2015-152-jeep-renegade-1-6-multi-dublin-fpa-201914569179935380

Its a bit more than you plan to spend but maybe ye might like it a stretch the budget a bit.

Marcusm

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

No, but the back will be for a couple of teenagers 99% of the time so they can slum it a little!!

Have you thought about a previous model Clubman?

54and56

AMKC wrote: »

Peugeot 2008, Renault Captur and Opel Mokka are a few other options that you could look at.

You could also check out this

http://www.autotrader.ie/browse-used-cars/jeep/renegade/used-2015-152-jeep-renegade-1-6-multi-dublin-fpa-201914569179935380

Its a bit more than you plan to spend but maybe ye might like it a stretch the budget a bit.

Thanks AMKC, it's a bit over budget. This will very much be a 2nd car primarily used at weekends for running around kids, shopping and getting out with the dog.

54and56

Marcusm wrote: »

Have you thought about a previous model Clubman?

Yes and if it had 4 proper doors it would be a winner but it doesn't and even the suicide door is on the wrong side for UK/Irl roads!!!

Marcusm

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Yes and if it had 4 proper doors it would be a winner but it doesn't and even the suicide door is on the wrong side for UK/Irl roads!!!

You're thinking too narrowly if you've never tried one. It doesn't sound as if you need unfettered access to the rear seats anyway. The double doors at the back and relatively lower ride would help with the dog. I used to have one and loved it. It would be closer to the TT than anything you've been recommended while still permitting flexibiliy. I can remeber having 5 adults in mine - I'm 6'5" and more stones than I care to admit to.

bazz26

What about a Dacia Sandero Stepway or even a Duster:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Dacia/Sandero-Stepway/Signature-1.5/200914606452417780/

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Dacia/Duster/Signature-Fantastic/201314574209133840/

colm_mcm

We heard you liked ugly cars ?!

bazz26

No worse than a Cactus anyway.

colm_mcm

I think the Cactus is a great design. At least they made an effort!

54and56

bazz26 wrote: »

What about a Dacia Sandero Stepway or even a Duster:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Dacia/Sandero-Stepway/Signature-1.5/200914606452417780/

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Dacia/Duster/Signature-Fantastic/201314574209133840/

Thanks Bazz, I think the Duster is a fantastic car for the money but don't think my wife would warn to it at all. She'll let go of the TT for something stylish in a quirky kind of way but the Duster is just too boxey.

grogi

colm_mcm wrote: »

I think the Cactus is a great design. At least they made an effort!

Absolutely, it is hard to confuse it with anything else.

I am into cars, but if you took the badges from Qashqai, Tucson, Kadjar and a few others SUV off, I will not be able to tell which is which. They simply all look the same. No interesting design with them.

MarkAnthony

grogi wrote: »

Absolutely, it is hard to confuse it with anything else.

I am into cars, but if you took the badges from Qashqai, Tucson, Kadjar and a few others SUV off, I will not be able to tell which is which. They simply all look the same. No interesting design with them.

I don't know about those above but many cars these days share design elements. The Fiat 500 bases is the Panda, Ka, 500 and probably others. The 500L base was designed in concert with Opel and is the 500L, 500X, some opel stuff and Alfa.

While the body can obviously look different there is only so much you can do when the base dimensions are the same and you have to conform to the various safety regs.

It makes choosing a car easier IMHO, if a couple of them get crap reviews on one base you can usually eliminate the entire line.

grogi

MarkAnthony wrote: »

I don't know about those above but many cars these days share design elements. The Fiat 500 bases is the Panda, Ka, 500 and probably others. The 500L base was designed in concert with Opel and is the 500L, 500X, some opel stuff and Alfa.

While the body can obviously look different there is only so much you can do when the base dimensions are the same and you have to conform to the various safety regs.

It makes choosing a car easier IMHO, if a couple of them get crap reviews on one base you can usually eliminate the entire line.

You're right, but to some degree. Shared components? Better for me - means tested solutions, better reliability and better spares supply.

However, the design (exterior and interior), sound insulation, engines - all can be different even if the cars share a lot. Even dimensions are not graved in stone...
SuperB MkII was build on top of a Golf and Octavia, but much bigger. A4 B5, Passat B5 and SuperB MkI were sharing a lot - but again, size difference was colossal.

New Mx5 and Fiat 124 Spider - same, but different exterior and different powertrain. Almost the same...
Similar story with Mazda3 MkI and Ford Focus MkII. They shared a lot mechanically, but were very different...

In the end an interesting car does is a car with interesting design. 99% will not be bothered about new synchronisers, as long as the tax will be low.

colm_mcm

Just a little bit on the mk2 Superb, it's actually on the Passat B6 platform - itself an adapted "Golf" platform
2001 Superb was on a stretched Passat B5 platform

Also, a platform isn't as restrictive as a rolling chassis, a lot of people seem to think that a platform is something the body panels are stuck onto

grogi

colm_mcm wrote: »

Just a little bit on the mk2 Superb, it's actually on the Passat B6 platform - itself an adapted "Golf" platform
2001 Superb was on a stretched Passat B5 platform

You're right

That single Wikipedia phrase was far too complex to my mind... Combined with weird looks brought me to that unfortunate conclusion

ba_barabus

Going a bit left field here but what about an ASX?

54and56

ba_barabus wrote: »

Going a bit left field here but what about an ASX?

A what?

MarkAnthony

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

A what?

Do you not have google? :pac: I highly recommend it. Just search... oh wait.

http://mitsubishi-motors.ie/car/asx/?gclid=CMj13fa7sswCFUKc2wodCDoEcg

ba_barabus

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

A what?

Mitsubishi ASX. Available in petrol to if it's mostly short trips you're doing. I'm not suggesting it's the best out there but reliable, hard wearing, left field and seems to fit the bill. Dealers are competitive too as thEY are eager to sell

MarkAnthony

ba_barabus wrote: »

Mitsubishi ASX. Available in petrol to if it's mostly short trips you're doing. I'm not suggesting it's the best out there but reliable, hard wearing, left field and seems to fit the bill. Dealers are competitive too as thEY are eager to sell

Love the Jap warranty periods too! 8 years flippin 'eck!

bazz26

Mitsubishi's model range is jaded though, they look and feel so dated. The only appeal of them is the long warranty and imo that wouldn't be enough for me.

Stallingrad

Car Magazine ran a Cactus for a long term test, and the verdict was pretty damning.

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/long-term-tests/citroen/citroen-c4-cactus-16-blue-hdi-100-2015-long-term-test-review/

54and56

MarkAnthony wrote: »

Do you not have google? :pac: I highly recommend it. Just search... oh wait.

http://mitsubishi-motors.ie/car/asx/?gclid=CMj13fa7sswCFUKc2wodCDoEcg

TruthEnforcer

So Je Suis Jean .. what did you do in the end ???

I bought a 500L last November 12 months after driving Renault Senic's and I love it .. its quirky but very frugal....and comfortable over long distances .. and looks good in the narrow Dublin streets. I drive in the west of Ireland covering 120 kms a day on mixed roads and I;ve NEVER had a puncture in all that time ... I put it down to the 17" alloys ?

54and56

TruthEnforcer wrote: »

So Je Suis Jean .. what did you do in the end ???

I bought a 500L last November 12 months after driving Renault Senic's and I love it .. its quirky but very frugal....and comfortable over long distances .. and looks good in the narrow Dublin streets. I drive in the west of Ireland covering 120 kms a day on mixed roads and I;ve NEVER had a puncture in all that time ... I put it down to the 17" alloys ?

Bought an ex demo 1.6D Mini Countryman. Built like a tank, quirky hot rod type styling which IMO will continue to look fresh for a very long time and it rides and handles very well. I intend keeping it for at least another 5 years.

Similar to this one but tricked out more with tinted rear windows and nice alloys etc.



Very happy with it. It doesn't do much mileage (mostly pottering around at weekends) but fires up first time everytime and I've taken it on a few long(ish) spins down the country and been very happy driving it.

Lantus

Those cars are not that big for 2 kids and a dog! You long trips will be without luggage if the dog is going as well.

Why not a larger saloon or estate. Still available in petrol and no room issues. Dublin roads will accommodate these cars ok.

Edit: second the sandero stepway. It's a great looking car at an unbelievable budget. I have a few friends that commute 100km a day for years and they are in perfect condition. Engines are Renault and you could buy new with your budget.

54and56

Lantus wrote: »

Those cars are not that big for 2 kids and a dog! You long trips will be without luggage if the dog is going as well.

Ha, it's actually two kids and two dogs and it suits our needs perfectly as a second car run around. For family trips involving the four of us plus the dogs plus luggage (a very rare event) we use my VW Touareg which has a huge amount of boot space.