Ibiza or Fiesta? Advice? Buying tips?

Pandora_Peroxide

Hiya

I am running a Ford Puma which is starting to cost in repairs so I'm thinking a replacement may be in order. I like the look of the Fiesta and Ibiza and would like any ideas people may have to help me make an informed decision (I hate car shopping!). I do mostly short journeys (sub 10 miles) to get my daughter and I to work and school, then to the gym and shopping. I would like to keep to a 3 door as I prefer the look and it's not very often the back seat is used as my husband has a 5 door we use as a family car. I'm happy to go for a smaller engine, say a 1.2 or 1.4 but will obviously test drive to see what they are like to drive! Budget approx £10k plus old car as a trade-in. Questions I have are:

- does anyone have any experience of either car (good or bad)
- ideas on how to get a good deal for a new car (I have haggled on an ex-demo car before and got a discount, roof bars, petrol and mats but I heard new cars are harder to get deals on)
- is it worth trying to get a dealer to match a broker price? Are brokers decent?
- I will look at nearly new cars as well - how much cheaper should I be looking for a car about a year old with about 10k miles (wouldn't want to buy a higher mileage one)?
- has anyone seen a good deal on either of these lately?

TIA for any responses.

johnnyroper

Pandora_Peroxide wrote: »

Hiya

I am running a Ford Puma which is starting to cost in repairs so I'm thinking a replacement may be in order. I like the look of the Fiesta and Ibiza and would like any ideas people may have to help me make an informed decision (I hate car shopping!). I do mostly short journeys (sub 10 miles) to get my daughter and I to work and school, then to the gym and shopping. I would like to keep to a 3 door as I prefer the look and it's not very often the back seat is used as my husband has a 5 door we use as a family car. I'm happy to go for a smaller engine, say a 1.2 or 1.4 but will obviously test drive to see what they are like to drive! Budget approx £10k plus old car as a trade-in. Questions I have are:

- does anyone have any experience of either car (good or bad)
- ideas on how to get a good deal for a new car (I have haggled on an ex-demo car before and got a discount, roof bars, petrol and mats but I heard new cars are harder to get deals on)
- is it worth trying to get a dealer to match a broker price? Are brokers decent?
- I will look at nearly new cars as well - how much cheaper should I be looking for a car about a year old with about 10k miles (wouldn't want to buy a higher mileage one)?
- has anyone seen a good deal on either of these lately?

TIA for any responses.

i have purchased new and used cars in the past and decided i would never buy brand new again,on average you lose equivelent of vat as soon as registered.if i were you i would get a nearly new car maybe a dealer demo.
as for ibiza/fiesta purely personal thing but ibiza would win for me never been a ford fan and i would say as the ibiza is part of VW family reliability will be better as it is very much a polo.

neilmcl

Definitely look at car brokers, can save you thousands. Try Drivethedeal.com or Autofinders.co.uk. Also have a look at the best deals page on http://honestjohn.co.uk/best-deals/new

emmell

I bought a new Fiesta beginning of May, I found the cheapest online price for a 3dr Zetec 1.25 in non metallic (Ford Online) then went to my local dealer, all the screen prices were a lot higher than I had written down on my scrap of paper so when the salesman approached I didn't mess around, I showed him the price on my scrap of paper and he said they could do that price. After they valued my car he asked me if I liked the 3dr Magenta they had in stock, I did (my favourite colour) but told him I wasn't paying £650 extra, it also has city pack which includes folding mirrors and rear parking sensors. It cost £500 more than the deal for the standard Zetec and I was happy with that.
Although I don't use the car very much I do enjoy driving it.

I like Seat's as well, I've never owned one but I like the look of the Fiesta more hence why I didn't look closely at the Seat. Both nice choices.
ML.

Kilty_2

I don't like the Fiesta personally however my opinion is based on a 1.4 TDCI base model which work has 16 of.

Ibiza is a lovely little car, probably get reasonable discounts via Drive The Deal and the likes too. Also consider Skoda Fabia - same car, different skin. Best supermini I've driven.

ahillsy

I used to have an Ibiza - never had a problem with it in the 5 1/2 years I owned it from new so was very pleased with it. Cabin quality was just OK (glove box compartment door somehow got distorted and never looked right/sat flush). Boot space was minimal, but then it's a small car so to be expected. Suspension was very harsh, though I had the FR TDi which had stiffer sports suspension. Nippy, with a lot of poke - good bang for buck. I'd personally choose the Ibiza over the Fiesta.

hewhoisnotintheknow

im sure some dullard will be along to bleat on about a skoda

blah bblah blah, its an audi really blah blah blah

ahillsy

hewhoisnotintheknow wrote: »

im sure some dullard will be along to bleat on about a skoda

blah bblah blah, its an audi really blah blah blah

LOL.Glass half empty is it? hehehe

anewman

To be honest VAG get more credit than they're due IMO. Main difference when it comes to VW/Skoda/Seat is where the car itself is put together.

As for Skoda being an Audi blah blah blah, Skoda actually designed a car which became the Audi A5, proof http://www.supercars.net/cars/1745.html Can't imagine it selling as well with a price tag £8k lower and Skoda badges instead though

Pandora_Peroxide

emmell wrote: »

I bought a new Fiesta beginning of May, I found the cheapest online price for a 3dr Zetec 1.25 in non metallic (Ford Online) then went to my local dealer, all the screen prices were a lot higher than I had written down on my scrap of paper so when the salesman approached I didn't mess around, I showed him the price on my scrap of paper and he said they could do that price. After they valued my car he asked me if I liked the 3dr Magenta they had in stock, I did (my favourite colour) but told him I wasn't paying £650 extra, it also has city pack which includes folding mirrors and rear parking sensors. It cost £500 more than the deal for the standard Zetec and I was happy with that.
Although I don't use the car very much I do enjoy driving it.

I like Seat's as well, I've never owned one but I like the look of the Fiesta more hence why I didn't look closely at the Seat. Both nice choices.
ML.

Thanks for that. My plan is to get some broker quotes (e-mailed for some this morning) and then see if the dealers want to play ball.

UPDATE My husband has said if we don't go for a second holiday this summer we have enough in the budget that I can go for a 1.6 titanium or Zetec S if I want one so I don't miss the Puma's power too much.

Am off to the dealerships this weekend to look in and out of the options and see if we can get a test drive so I can start narrowing it down.

We don't have a local SEAT dealer but endless Ford ones so they seem to be winning out at the moment.

alleycat`

I'm sure there was something in the paper about ford dropping their prices on fiestas, ka's and focus as of august the 2nd.

You might want to look out for that (or use it as leverage)?

(Edit) Found a link:-
http://www.businesscar.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=6220&c=2&theme=0