Is there such a thing as a "cool" small car

AdrianHi

rca779 wrote: »

Could a Fiat Punto or Bravo ever be considered cool? The new 500 is just too small, but I quite like the look of the other 2!

It's entirely down to your perception.
I wouldn't say the Mazda 3 is the most exciting car in the world, but it appeals to me for it's reliability and quality of the drive. These are top of my list of wants for a car. Styling is still important but a subjective thing. I cannot stand the Fiat 500, looks like pond life to me (a frog) but one of my best friends wife loves hers, each to their own.
Punto or Bravo, decent enough looking cars, but I'd be concerned about reliability and lack of refinement, but Fiat have come up trumps with the Panda, ranks high for reliability, looks pretty decent for the type of car it is and it's fun to drive. The Fiat 500 is a Panda with a different body shell.

Don't you still want a car that's good to drive?
The Mondeo you have was one of the best driving cars of it's type in it's day and it still compares well with some much younger cars, would be so easy to go backwards on this and you would notice after a while.

looby-loo_2

I just changed from a Micra to a Nissan Tino.

Idiophreak

rca779 wrote: »

Focus - Quite like this, but the interior looks SO plastic
Golf - Again quite like this, but too dear, couldn't get a new enough model (GT spec)
Alfa 147 - Love the car, but it's an Alfa - how many problems would I have?
Astra - Nooooo, really don't like Vauxhalls - bad previous experience
Seat - Quite like the Leon, but is it cool?

Agree with most other people that the "coolest" on that list is the golf...but I'd try and let go of that angle if I were you and go for the car you like best to drive.

I'd have thought you'd get a fair bit more astra, focus or leon for your money than the others - and if you're that bothered by the image of the thing, at least having a newer model with some bells and whistles will make you feel a bit better about it.

FWIW I drive an Astra SXI and love it. Nice styling, decent wheels, great fun to drive, but only 1.6l and pretty cheap to run/insure. I'm not bothered that it's "only an astra", it works for me...

Dan29

rca779 wrote: »

Could a Fiat Punto or Bravo ever be considered cool? The new 500 is just too small, but I quite like the look of the other 2!

I love the look of the Fiat Grande Punto Sporting (1.4 petrol or 1.9 diesel) but a lot of people can't see past the badge, and their memories of Fiats from the 1970s and 80s.

Having said that it probably isn't as well built as, say, a MINI. But then again you can get a much newer Fiat for the same money!

Idiophreak wrote: »

FWIW I drive an Astra SXI and love it. Nice styling, decent wheels, great fun to drive, but only 1.6l and pretty cheap to run/insure. I'm not bothered that it's "only an astra", it works for me...

Would a new shape Astra be in budget? The 3 door is a good looking car.

Other random thoughts: Audi A3 or A4, Lexus IS, Seat Altea.

BillScarab

I agree that the new Swift is cool, my wife has one and it's very nice.

As to Skodas, as I said the vRS i a very col car, just that some people can't see that because of the badge.

Normal BMWs are OK but anyone who thinks 3 series compact is cool is nuts.

If you want a truly cool motor that won't depreciate and will last longer than you have a look at LandyAndy's avatar.

Alybea

rca779 wrote: »

We're in danger of going off the subject here!

Remember I am looking for a cool "SMALL" car.

Took a quick look at the Mazda 3 on Autotrader - good value, good spec, but Very dull to look at - sorry not for me.

Could a Fiat Punto or Bravo ever be considered cool? The new 500 is just too small, but I quite like the look of the other 2!

Fiat 500s look like toy cars. Puntos are too common and boring.
I quite like Seat Leons and Golfs, how about a little BMW?
I think of Suzuki swifts as girly??? It might be coz i want one?

Are you looking for a 'family' car? a celica or Hyundai are difficult to get out of as an adult i can only imagine how had it would be to lift a child out?

big_gay_kirk

sorry.. but seeing as no one has actually mentioned anything like a cool car at all yet......

Morris Minor....
Volkswagen Beetle (the proper ones, not that modern day abortion...)
MG 1300 (like an Austin 1100 FWD, but a bit sportier...)
Chevette HS2300
Hillman Avenger Tiger....
Ford Anglia 107e....
Trabant...
Skoda Rapid Coupe....
Mk I Ford Escort (especially if its a Mexico...)
Mk II Escort RS1800 (not an RS2000, though.. they're a bit blase...)
Alfasud (if you can find one with a floor...)
Renault Dauphine.....
New Austin 7/ Morris Mini Minor (the first ever minis...)
Sunbeam Stiletto....
that should be enough to be going on with..... remember.. there have been very few cool cars built since 1985.. trendy ones maybe.. but thats not the same.. its all about whether you're jumping someone else's train.....

big_gay_kirk

oh yes.. forgot.. a series I, 2, or 2a landy.. can't help but be cool.....

BillScarab

big_gay_kirk wrote: »

oh yes.. forgot.. a series I, 2, or 2a landy.. can't help but be cool.....

See my post above

Got to agree with everything in your previous list as well. Whether they'd be suitable for the OP for everyday transport is another issue. You missed one of my faviurites as well, the Triumph Dolomite Sprint.

I wouldn't want a classic car as an everyday driver if I had kids unless it had a roll cage in it, cars certainly weren't as safe back in the day.

I've always fancied a Minor with a K series engine, five link rear and coil over front suspension. Just looked and JLH are now fitting Ford Zetec engines as well.

http://www.jlhmorrisminors.co.uk/content/k_series.php

BillScarab

big_gay_kirk wrote: »

oh yes.. forgot.. a series I, 2, or 2a landy.. can't help but be cool.....

See my post above

Got to agree with everything in your previous list as well. Whether they'd be suitable for the OP for everyday transport is another issue. You missed one of my faviurites as well, the Triumph Dolomite Sprint.

I wouldn't want a classic car as an everyday driver if I had kids unless it had a roll cage in it, cars certainly weren't as safe back in the day.

I've always fancied a Minor with a K series engine, five link rear and coil over front suspension. Just looked and JLH are now fitting Ford Zetec engines as well.

http://www.jlhmorrisminors.co.uk/content/k_series.php