Buy a Kia Rio?

DobbyR

Am considering buying a car for my wife. It needs to be a low insurance group because although she has been driving 20+ years she has no NCB.
Also want the car to be comfortable for 4 people, have a reasonable sized boot and good fuel consumption, probably diesal.
Have been looking at the Kia Rio 1.5 CRDi LS.
Buying new, current offer to buy this car at the same price as a petrol car - saving £1,000. Has a 3 year unlimited mileage manufacturer's warranty.
Insurance group 5.
Have read a number of conflicting reviews about the car although all agree that it is great value for money as new. Am going to test drive next week.
Anyone have any comments? Particularly interested in fuel consumption which although good, does not live up to the figures quoted in the brochure?
Any alternative cars?
Any info. greatly appreciated.

DealDrivers_company_representative

You need to watch residual values just as much as the purchase price as the end-value hurts your pocket just as much - after 3yrs/36k miles the Rio will only have retained possibly 30% of its value and has a narrow re-sale market. Although the band is on an aggressive growth strategy in the UK it still has limited followers compared to the high volume 'big boys'...that's just a common sense perspective.

As a comparison, the 1.6 TDCI 90ps 5dr Focus Studio (entry level but decent value) will have retained around 40-43% of its value in the same timeframe, and will have a wider re-sale market - and can currently be bought (if registered by 31st March) for £10,250 brand new in solid paints or £10,560 in metallics (one of our dealers has one available in metallic Panther Black for 10 days delivery), other colours can be checked for you.

Another useful comparison is Citroen C4 5dr hatch 1.6 HDi 16v 92hp LX - can be ordered in February for £10,290 in solid paints, £10,694 in metallics, and will have roughly retained around 35% of its value in 3yrs/36k miles, or the Citroen Picasso 1.6 HDi 92hp LX currently orderable at £9,800 in solid paints or £10,136 in metallics- retaining around 33% of its value at 3/36.

Or a Skoda Fabia Classic 1.4 TDI PD 70bhp Hatch? They come in at £9-9200 at the moment.

Hope that helps give you some ideas.