Suzuki Alto new £4995? Any good

swizzlebabe

Been looking at these today, read some reveiws, the top gears of this world don`t like them, but are they that bad?

I want a cheap to buy and run small hatchback, i`ve got children so i need 5 doors. I have no street cred, and don`t drive on motorways. My hubbie has our family car, so just need a little run around, but I don`t want an old car.

What would you recomend? - it needs to be 5 doors,cheap to buy and run.

Thank you

vansboy

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk clik on CarByCarBreakdown - for info on EVERY car you could choose!! & also page on his site to ThisWeeksBestDeals - up to the minute prices, of GENUINE discounts.

& To answer your Q, we just sourced an Alto, for an elderly customer - in her 70's, but does a lot of good work, for her church & helping OLD folk, with a sort of meals on wheels service, too!!

She wanted a practical, but small 5 door & was NEARLY going to to used - till I suggested Alto.

No, it's not up to the minute, by a long shot - but we did manage to get a further £500 saving - hard to obtain much discount, on 'cheap' cars, normally!!

She's happy enough & does appreciate having a NEW car.

There are better models around - Kia Picanto & Fiat Panda, both modern hatches, for little £$£$£

But the best deal, currently - Fiat Punto (bigger than Alto)- new, pre registered, or a few months old, for around £5000.OK some won't like Fiats, but if thats not value for money, WHAT IS???

VB

jjames_3

Our local Suzuki dealer had pre-reg examples of this car up for 4 grand recently, and Motorpoint had one for £2999 with 7000 miles but it seems to have gone now.

As for the car, not bad, a friend of mine had one, 70mpg apparently, but they're built in India by Maruti so don't expect Japanese quality levels.

I'd say the Kia Picanto is a better car at that sort of money, but it's hard to argue with the economy.

Better than all of those though, is a dealer local to me who has <1 year old Nissan Micras up for £5995. But here's the best bit, they have a deal going where they'll take £1000 minimum part ex for your old car. Pick up a junker for a tenner and take it to them. Bargain IMO as the Micra is a great little car.

fatbelly

From Saturday's daily Mail - https://www.dealdrivers.co.uk are offering new Ford Ka's at £4895 otr and the Matiz is in the same paper at £4995 new.

I'd say either is better than the Alto.

jjames_3

Normally I wouldn't recommend the Ka as the old 1.3 Endura is the last vestige of when Fords were poor quality -- the 1.3 sounds like a tractor within 50000 miles most of the time, and the Ka has a bad reputation for rusting. However you can't fault the price, especially as it'll still be worth a fair amount in 3 years.

jjames_3

Re the Matiz: I was under the impression that these were reasonably reliable little cars, however reading Honest John's report I'm not so sure; this comment seems extremely alarming:

> Despite one reader's 92k miles and 5 years, they don't generally seem to last much longer than 3 years or so without starting to cost an unjustifiable amout in repairs.

3 years??? What the...? Any Matiz owners care to comment? Surely any car lasts longer than that?

jjames_3

I think the moral of the story here is that there is an amount of money below which it isn't sensible to buy a new car at. If you're not bothered by the age of the vehicle, buying a 1 year old Micra, Corsa, Fiesta, Yaris, Getz, whatever at about 5 grand is a better idea than something like a Ka, Matiz or Alto.

Have a look at https://www.motorpoint.co.uk. Any of the above for around 5 grand at a year or so old (10000 miles on average). It'll give you an idea.

Ford/Vauxhall/Japanese or German-derived (Skoda, Seat) at about a year old will give you a high quality machine for your money.

waster_2

I though 5 doors were a stipulation? The Ford Ka only comes as a 3 door; doesn't it?

madfrenchgirl

if you have kids, a Ford Ka is not for you: you might be able to cram 2 of them in the foetal position with their feet on the seat as there is not enough space for their legs unless you are a dwarf and you need to get your driver seat upfront. Also, the boot is terribly small if you have shopping and kids' gym gear etc...

Apart from that, I would say a corsa is not too bad... but that is the only car i have driven so far (apart from a Renault Twingo, which would be the perfect car for your needs, but does not exist here). :-D

charlies_mum

I bought my Suzuki Alto new six years ago, and it is one of the best cars I have ever had. I wouldn't like to travel a long distance in it, but as a run about it is excellent. As it is under 1000 cc the road tax is cheaper, and it does about 270 miles on a tank of petrol.

Mine is a 3 door, but the boot space is great due to not having wheel arches in the way.

the only work I have had to do is the usual tyres, brakes and exhaust. Resale value is rubbish though, even Suzuki wouldn't give me much, but 6 years motoring for £5,000 and still going strong has to be a bargain.

KTF

If you really, really want to be driving around in a new car for 5k then go for it. However, you can do a lot better for your money if you consider a used car instead and be aware that the Alto will be worth almost nothing as soon as you drive away from the dealer.