What Car ?

Ebe_Scrooge

We're looking to change our 2nd car for something more economical. We've got a larger car for use on long trips with 3 kids and associated paraphernalia, but we need a 2nd car for me to commute to the train station for work ( no buses where I live unfortunately - the joys of rural living ! ). It needs to be a normal 4 seater ( as opposed to a 2 seater, which rules out a Smart ), as I often have to pick up the kids from clubs etc. on the way home from work. It will be used for around 12 miles a day of mainly town driving. So what to go for ? I'm guessing a diesel won't be any more economical on low-mileage trips ? So probably a small petrol engine. Ideally we'd like something that falls into the £35 tax bracket ( or even the £0 if that's possible ). We'd be looking at around a 3-year old used car rather than brand new. So what's the advice for a small runabout, reliable & cheap to run ? Any opinions gratefully received.

vikingaero

The first Toyota Aygos will be 3 years old by now. This is the same car as the Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107. Depends on your budget really. A £5k budget will buy a European supermini but equally it will also buy a brand new Ford Ka or Fiat Panda.

balsingh

I'll second that. Go for an aygo, 107 or C1. Make sure you go for the 5 door version. Having looked at the classifieds, for the earliest ones, the C1 seemed to be a tad cheaper than the others even though they are all in essence the same car.

Ebe_Scrooge

Thanks folks. Must admit I hadn't come across the Aygo before, but I've just had a quick look at a couple of reviews and it lokks pretty good.

balsingh

Make sure you check the boot space though ... I almost bought a brand new one until I saw the boot. Its very small and we needed space for a stroller so that ruled it out.

markelock

what about the smart forfour? aygo is probably the best bet for reliability and economy though, dependingon the age of the children, you might also want to think about child seats and location points of these in the car?

Hintza

I like the Panda lots of fun and quite cheap now.

The only problem wehave had of note is front shocks on my my daughters needed replaced. This is the area Fiat is very good at we OH has a 54 plate a daughter an 04. Of course Fiat has many detractors so I will get my tin helmet ready