I need a low mpg automatic car -help please!

Gracchus_Babeuf

In 2012 I will buy a new car. My criteria is that the car needs to have a high mpg and either zero road tax (band A) or bands B or C. The insurance group should also be reasonable. Having said that, I also want a car with decent power (not less than 75bhp).

I am currently torn between the Toyota Auris T4 89G Hybrid and the soon to arrive 2012 style Fiat Panda Twin-Air 85bhp Dualogic. I can buy the Auris for £18k on discount but I am uneasy about spending so much on a car, while I guess the new Panda will not be above £12k. The Auris is a more powerful car and boasts 74mpg combined, as well as zero road tax, while the Fiat offers around 68mpg combined with a rather less powerful engine. It also has zero road tax.

The new Fiat is pictured here: http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search-Results/First-Official-Pictures/Fiat-Panda-2012-first-official-pics/

Any suggestions?

Lithian

I suggest something with a nice v8 engine and next to no depreciation

It'll be old enough to be in the engine size based tax bands rather than co2 and the extra fuel costs will be much much much much much less than the depreciation on a new car

auroan

"I need a low mpg automatic car -help please!"

Do you mean a high mpg auto ? I'd suggest any of the VAG super minis (polo, fabia, ibiza, a1) Most can have dsg spec'd and all have very low co2 bandings.

rev_henry

Lithian wrote: »

I suggest something with a nice v8 engine and next to no depreciation

It'll be old enough to be in the engine size based tax bands rather than co2 and the extra fuel costs will be much much much much much less than the depreciation on a new car

I agree. £18k for a little hatchback?! That would get you a VERY nice used 7-series, albeit too new for the old tax bands.

jaydeeuk1

Can get an old 6.0 v12 auto jag for under £2k

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201135412798777/sort/priceasc/usedcars/price-to/4000/engine-size-cars/5lplus/make/jaguar/postcode/de560ha/page/1/radius/1501?logcode=p

Looks absolutely mint!

rodenal

I wouldn't buy either of your choices. Assuming you want to buy new (i.e i'm ignoring used options) then there are plenty of cheaper or more suitable buys out there.

Whilst Hybrids can produce decent mpg figures, you'll almost always better it in an equivalent diesel which will also be cheaper to buy in the first place.

The current panda is/was a good car and i'm sure the replacement will follow - but the twinair engine has reports of quite shocking mpg in real world use despite it's impressive "official" figures.

I would have a look at some other offerings

vikingaero

I would take all manufacturers MPG figures for a hybrid with a pinch of salt. You could easily be looking at 30-40% less than stated with normal everyday driving and motorways. If you read the reviews on the TwinAir engine in the Fiat 500 you will see that the MPG is "disappointing" in most mags.

johnnyreggae

Doesn't the recommendation also vary according to quantity and type of mileage :

A diesel might be better for lots of long motorway miles

A small petrol engine for not many urban miles

A hybrid for nothing

forgotmyname

Why would you worry if a car uses £500 a year more on fuel and other running costs when
your going to throw away £12000 anyway?

I spend £2000 on a car thats a very max of 5 years old, Usually exfleet fairly high mileage, I keep
it for about 4 years and sell for half what i paid.

Currently a mondeo estate and i can get average over 50mpg.

Kilty_2

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

Can get an old 6.0 v12 auto jag for under £2k

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201135412798777/sort/priceasc/usedcars/price-to/4000/engine-size-cars/5lplus/make/jaguar/postcode/de560ha/page/1/radius/1501?logcode=p

Looks absolutely mint!

Mmmmmm

Love old Jags

k9387

Low mpg? Bugatti Veyron - 2 mpg at full whack...