Best newish small city car???

Ryukick81

Changed job a year ago to now work and live in the same town so no longer need my diesel commuter car, currently 2014 Peugeot 308 allure (has served me well). Each morning all I do is creche/school run and drive to work, parking in a tight multi-story. Total 5km but 40mins in traffic. Reverse order in the evening. Kiddos are 3 and 6 so no need for buggy's etc. Been looking at petrol cars recently but can't decide and would appreciate any opinions on the below or other suggestions:

Skoda Kamiq, Skoda Scala, VW Golf, VW T-roc, SEAT Leon, SEAT Arona, Ford focus.

💶 MAX Budget would be 15k loan @300p/m over 4yrs plus what I can get for my own (preferably as a trade in, as I can't be without a car)

Final piece of info... We have a bigger diesel SUV for family trips which the wife uses as her daily car. So newer car is just for me and kids locally.

Lastly, I promise 😬, we have a double driveway but 2nd spot has a tree in front of the sitting room window thus making it only suitable for small cars. Wife loves the tree before you ask 🤣

👀 Hoping to see some familiar posters give their recommendations, long time listener first time caller

Thanks for reading

User1998

A €15k loan?? Your driving 5km a day, surely just buy a nice reliable Japanese car for €2,500 and call it a day. Why would you take out a €15k loan just to have a new shiny thing sitting in your driveway?

corks finest

Good thinking,I've a hybrid Suzuki ignis import,all extras

Easy on juice, doodle to park,roomy and reliable

bazz26

OP, all those cars you mentioned are no smaller than your existing 308. Some are a bit bigger. Smaller Polo, 208, Fiesta, etc would be city cars.

corks finest

My ignis is a city car and soft hybrid

loyatemu

5km each way - get an eBike!

Hey2.Hey2

^^^

"...So newer car is just for me and kids locally".

loyatemu

OK, this is the motors forum, if it must be a car, I'd be buying the smallest, cheapest thing I could find considering they have another bigger car for most other applications.

Birka

Get a 2019/2020 Toyota Yaris. Its all the car you need and will have the balance of a ten year warranty if you keep it serviced with Toyota. Check with your insurance re imports - some companies are fussier than others.

Ryukick81

Maybe you're right. Thinking with my heart instead of my head. Funnily enough wife suggested similar sitting on the couch last night, her suggestion a Honda Jazz... not sure. Pulled out the NCT report and I've done 22k over the last 2yrs of which 17mths is in the new job. Underestimated my mileage

Ryukick81

Also been out with a measuring tape and with the current Peugeot 308 I have 20cm extra to spare with home parking. Might have worded small city car wrongly, similar size to what I have would be perfect. Open to suggestions

Ryukick81

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121944472#Comment_121944472

I'm sure it's a capable and nice car but just not my cup of tea. Thanks for suggestion

corks finest

No sweat boy,you'll get sorted sure anyway,

Im giving mine to my son once he passes his test

And going back to a Honda hybrid

Little Swift hybrid may be worth looking at?

Ryukick81

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121945177#Comment_121945177

Hadn't thought of them, will check them out thanks

mac167

New Suzuki Swift is almost under 20k

Ryukick81

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121944877#Comment_121944877

If it was indeed myself, I would, or get a normal push bike

SodiumCooled

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121945074#Comment_121945074

They are still sitting in the car for 80 mins a day, I would want a fairly new car with all the comforts and tech to make my drive more pleasant. I would also get an auto which will be much nicer in stop/start traffic.

That all being said if your only reason to change is to go from diesel to petrol then I would just keep the 308 but maybe you feel like a change anyway.

listermint

Renault Zoe tbh.

loyatemu

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121945366#Comment_121945366

or a second hand Leaf

a clanger

Had an VW UP! since 2016 and loved it so much upgraded to the Up!GTi which is even more fun. Like you most trips are short with 1 or 2 kids rarely more. Eldest has now annexed the car with his shiny new 'N' plate so might be in market for another one. The Skoda citgo and Seat Mii are the same car with different badge

listermint

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121945724#Comment_121945724

I think the Zoe is a neater city car than the leaf. Leafs actually relative big I suppose in form factor.

Ryukick81

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121945724#Comment_121945724

Zoe would be a little cramped in the back. The little ones are still small so their legs stick out straight into the back of drivers seat. Over the course of next 4yrs they will grow with legs towards the floor hopefully. Wouldn't be too sold on a 2nd hand Leaf if I'm being honest but I stand to be corrected? How reliable are they further into their life span?

listermint

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121946586#Comment_121946586

Leaf is Very reliable.

Also it's just a local runabout the kids will fit fine in the Zoe. You've a main family car for trips.

Sounds like you said city car but down want city car 😊

Ryukick81

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121946613#Comment_121946613

You could be onto something...deep down I probably don't 😂 Are Leaf's only elec and require charging etc? Newer one's look very nice but I know nothing about them

listermint

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121946661#Comment_121946661

Leafs are as are zoes.

It would be my go to (ev) for any rational city car purchase. Low low running cost high reliability. Future proofing any government based emissions stuff in the city.

Ryukick81

Thanks for that, it never crossed my mind to look at EV's. Auto would be nice in the start/stop traffic too. The wife's SUV is auto and a joy to drive, certainly the way forward. Will definitely check them out

Ryukick81

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121945365#Comment_121945365

Absolutely hit the nail on the head

HBC08

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121944877#Comment_121944877

For him and his kids?

Buddy Bubs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121946902#Comment_121946902

If you've capability to home charge then it's worth looking into. Filter done deal for under 20k you'll be surprised what you find. Plenty of them very suited to your type of driving.

Kona, Niro, ID3

Comfortable, no clutching and changing gears, no needlessly burning petrol in slow traffic