What car? Hatchback ~€10k

Black_Knight

So my girlfriend's looking to change her car, and while i've a decent idea of what cars are out there, another set of eyes can never hurt. Her current car is a 2006 Mini One, with about 96k miles on the clock. Hoping it'd fetch around €4k, but they vary on donedeal.

Here's the requirements:
1. 10k budget (includes the trade-in) with maybe an extra 10% if it ticks all the boxes
2. Small - ie. A Focus would be on the large size
3. No uggos please - The mini is a grand looking car, so such standards must be maintained.
4. Ideally a 5 door... planning ahead here
5. No preference on petrol or diesel. Petrol would suit better, its going to be a city car mostly.

My thoughts:
2012 Citroen DS3 (Pricey and only 3 doors)
Fiat 500 (honestjohn says they're full of problems and underpowered. 3 door too)
2013 Fiesta (A touch bland inside, but im not sure how that differs between model specs)
2013 Clio (Seems like a leading contender so far)

colm_mcm

hyundai veloster?
Mini Clubman?
BMW 1 Series?
Kia Soul?

Nuw

Mazda 2
Skoda Fabia
Fiesta
A newer Mini
Hyundai i20
Peugeot 208
Yaris (not everyone cup of tea looks-wise but a very safe bet)

list goes on I'm afraid, on the plus side, it means you can also select where you buy it and get a decent warranty out of a place that will actually honor it (if you're going with a dealer obviously).

If it was me, I'd locate the best dealer nearby and see what they have to offer. Almost everyone one of them will have a supermini or two within your price bracket lying around.

Black_Knight

colm_mcm wrote: »

hyundai veloster?
Mini Clubman?
BMW 1 Series?
Kia Soul?

Veloster is a great option, and it was one I thought of, but.... in budget? I didn't spot any.

Honestly never considered a BMW 1 series. Im not BMWs biggest fan really, and when they go wrong (seems regular enough in my eyes) they're expensive.

Ive a soft spot for the Kia Soul. I think they're a really cool looking car. Maybe a bit boring inside though.

Cheers

Black_Knight

Nuw wrote: »

Mazda 2
Skoda Fabia
Fiesta
A newer Mini
Hyundai i20
Peugeot 208
Yaris (not everyone cup of tea looks-wise but a very safe bet)

list goes on I'm afraid, on the plus side, it means you can also select where you buy it and get a decent warranty out of a place that will actually honor it (if you're going with a dealer obviously).

If it was me, I'd locate the best dealer nearby and see what they have to offer. Almost everyone one of them will have a supermini or two within your price bracket lying around.

Think so. Poke into all the garages and see what they got. I'm guessing it'll be a case of 'knowing when you see it'.
Fabia, 208, yaris and i20 dont do anything for me. Fiesta could be a decent option, though as mentioned, their interior kinda lets them down. A newer mini just seems a) too expensive, b) too troublesome, c) would only be paying to get the same car, only younger.

Cheers though.

Nuw

Black_Knight wrote: »

Think so. Poke into all the garages and see what they got. I'm guessing it'll be a case of 'knowing when you see it'.
Fabia, 208, yaris and i20 dont do anything for me. Fiesta could be a decent option, though as mentioned, their interior kinda lets them down. A newer mini just seems a) too expensive, b) too troublesome, c) would only be paying to get the same car, only younger.

Cheers though.

Yeah I hear you, don't dismiss the little mazda though, great little thing to drive, decent to look at, interior is quite blend though but cheap to run and almost bombproof, avoid jap import for insurance.

Nuw

just thought of it but what about a little suzuki swift?

Black_Knight

Nuw wrote: »

just thought of it but what about a little suzuki swift?

Yup. Think I mentioned those before a year or so back. She didn't bite. Not sure why, maybe it's the Mini similarities and that she already had a mini.

Nuw

Black_Knight wrote: »

Yup. Think I mentioned those before a year or so back. She didn't bite. Not sure why, maybe it's the Mini similarities and that she already had a mini.

Ah well, I'd say go with her in a few forecourts and see what happens

Soarer

Black_Knight wrote: »

So my girlfriend's looking to change her car, and while i've a decent idea of what cars are out there, another set of eyes can never hurt. Her current car is a 2006 Mini One, with about 96k miles on the clock. Hoping it'd fetch around €4k, but they vary on donedeal.

Here's the requirements:
1. 10k budget (includes the trade-in) with maybe an extra 10% if it ticks all the boxes
2. Small - ie. A Focus would be on the large size
3. No uggos please - The mini is a grand looking car, so such standards must be maintained.
4. Ideally a 5 door... planning ahead here
5. No preference on petrol or diesel. Petrol would suit better, its going to be a city car mostly.

No point in planning ahead, 'cause if and when a kid comes along, she'll want some sort of SUV.

"My back is broken from lifting baby in and out of the car!".

Black_Knight

Soarer wrote: »

No point in planning ahead, 'cause if and when a kid comes along, she'll want some sort of SUV.

"My back is broken from lifting baby in and out of the car!".

She pointed to an RX-8 the other day. I should've jumped on that band-wagon.

colm_mcm

Black_Knight wrote: »

Veloster is a great option, and it was one I thought of, but.... in budget? I didn't spot any.

Honestly never considered a BMW 1 series. Im not BMWs biggest fan really, and when they go wrong (seems regular enough in my eyes) they're expensive.

Ive a soft spot for the Kia Soul. I think they're a really cool looking car. Maybe a bit boring inside though.

Cheers

Yeah, even looking at UK velosters, the cheapest ones come in around €11k

You can get specced up Souls, but they have massive wheels.


Another love/hate model would be the Toyota Urban Cruiser. I had one years ago as a company car and they're great craic, a lot of people don't like them though.

colm_mcm

11 reg juke here
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/nissan-juke-only-46k-km/11737290

AMKC

A Skoda Yet or an Alfa Romeo Mito maybe.

George Dalton

Opel Adam?

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly

Audi A1. Some are available now just a wee bit over your budget. Good looking small car with a presumably smart interior. Should appeal.

Comes in 5 door but looks better with 3.

Black_Knight

AMKC wrote: »

A Skoda Yet or an Alfa Romeo Mito maybe.

The Yeti's aesthetics are not for her

George Dalton wrote: »

Opel Adam?

I do like them, they're a nice car, and looks on the money, but it's only a 3 door with what looks to be pathetic rear seats.

Black_Knight

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly wrote: »

Audi A1. Some are available now just a wee bit over your budget. Good looking small car with a presumably smart interior. Should appeal.

Comes in 5 door but looks better with 3.

Isn't that always the case? Only good looking 5 doors of 3 door cars are those that try to hide the rear doors. Like Seat Leons and the likes.

Can't say ive seen any A1's in our budget, but at the same rate, ive not seen what price the actually go for. Must have a look