Suggestions for smallish car with decent boot size, low tax band, & a bit of power

anewman

Hi everyone, I'm asking on behalf of my sister who is looking at new cars. Her requirements are roughly 1.2-1.4 litre, low car tax band, something you can fit a fridge/freezer or wardrobe in the boot, feels like it has a bit of power behind it and handles well. She's looking at the cheaper end of the market and is thinking of using the scrappage scheme, and I think she's contemplating keeping the new car as long as possible rather than selling it on in a few years.

She has tried: the Hyundai i20 1.2 which she thought was a little unresponsive but she liked the look of it. Suzuki swift 1.3 is really responsive, but has a small boot. She thinks the Mazda 2 1.3 is mediocre/standard and looks ok.

My only thoughts were to consider boot space with seats folded down for the occasional fridge freezer, and maybe try the i20 1.4 diesel as although it has a lower 0-60 it might feel more powerful lower down the rev range (which I am guessing is what she wants), has the lower tax band and higher mpg.

I'm guessing her ideal car probably doesn't exist without shelling out more money than she'd be willing to, but any suggestions of cars to look at would be welcome. Thanks in advance

ukjoel

What she is looking for is a weird mix as you point out.
However thats why we have such a weird mix of experts on here to help.

This weird expert suggest the Skoda Fabia Estate.
Boot size is the same as the Focus or Astra
Engines start from 1.2 and go up to 1.9 with petrol and diesel available.
Tax band wise its available in the £35 a year band.
There are some good deals on it scrappage wise as well.


My personal thought is unless she has a real fridge fetish why not just hire a van when she needs to move her fridge and then boot space becomes less of an issue and her choice is greater.

AdrianHi

I would have suggested Mazda 2 but you've been there and done that already.
Because it's for a girl and not a hairy chested man I'll suggest the cute (so I'm told) Fiat 500 and hire a van for the freezer when you want to move it

Bossworld

The only way a 1.2 or 1.3 will feel powerful will be if it's on a Hayabusa mate. I've got a new clio and it's sluggish as anything despite being 16v and 75bhp from a 1.2 - most similar cars of the size have 1.4s with the same power.

Best of luck with your search though but the bigger the car gets the bigger the engine you'll be wanting.

sebdangerfield

I'd forgotten the fabia comes in an estate. That would fit the bill. The only other car I can think that ticks all boxes it the Clio sport tourer. It has the 75 hp 1.2 and the 100 hp 1.2 turbo.

LandyAndy

anewman wrote: »

Hi everyone, I'm asking on behalf of my sister who is looking at new cars. Her requirements are roughly 1.2-1.4 litre, low car tax band, something you can fit a fridge/freezer or wardrobe in the boot, feels like it has a bit of power behind it and handles well. She's looking at the cheaper end of the market and is thinking of using the scrappage scheme, and I think she's contemplating keeping the new car as long as possible rather than selling it on in a few years.

She has tried: the Hyundai i20 1.2 which she thought was a little unresponsive but she liked the look of it. Suzuki swift 1.3 is really responsive, but has a small boot. She thinks the Mazda 2 1.3 is mediocre/standard and looks ok.

I have a new Mazda2 (nice car BTW) but no way in a million years would you get a wardrobe (!!!!!!) in it, or anything else you've mentioned.

AdrainHi's idea is best. Pick something she likes and hire the occasional van.

FelinePrincess

anewman wrote: »

My only thoughts were to consider boot space with seats folded down for the occasional fridge freezer

How many fridge freezers does she need to move?! If she doesn't need a huge boot on a regular basis it might not be worth her buying a bigger car for the sake of a big boot? If I was her I would carefully consider the cost of buying a bigger car, more fuel, possible higher road tax and see if the expense justifies the how much she will be using it? As someone suggested she could always hire a van for the day when she needs to move things.

How about a fiesta? Boot wont fit a fridge freezer but it's an ok size for a small car imo and with the seats down you could fit a fair bit in. I have just got a fiesta and I think it has quite good handling, my 1.4 tdci is no sports car but I find its got enough power, overtaking is fine and getting up hills is easy, and they fit the low tax band requirement

Hintza

Fiat Panda?

ses6jwg

Fabia is a good call the 1.9 TDI 100hp is nippy and a good work horse but not the most refined.

hethmar

My fabia was very nippy but Im not sure if its going to be "inexpensive" enough for what your sister has in mind.

anewman

Thanks for all replies. I think she's indecisive like me lol, and expecting more for her money than she's likely to get. She currently has a Fabia 1.4 mpi 8v (not the car that would be used for scrappage).