Small Car Advice

photographicmemory

Hi all,

Hope you can offer me some advice. I am looking for a small car, to drive 30 miles each weekday, mainly around town, but also some A roads, and the odd bit of motorway on trips. I am 23, been pasted for 6 years, so after cheap insurance cat.. My budget is £5000. I am not after anything to impress, I just want something reliable and economic. Any suggestions? I have been looking at 2nd hand Pug 107, any thoughts? Hopefully someone can offer me some advice, as I am lost when it come to cars.

Thanks

McKneff

I liked my Toyota Aygo, economical, a little buz about, did exactly what I told it to and a really solid little car that I felt safe in.

I had a Ford Ka, top of the range but the skins are so soft I never really felt that if i had a smash I would get out alive.

custardy

really you need to drive them.
folks can recommend x,y &z,but its you paying and driving it
I have a soft spot for the Panda (especially the 100hp)
eg http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-Fiat-Panda-100-HP-1-4-16v-5-Door-Hatchback-White-/180839445439?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2a1adef3bf but its not to everyones taste.

warehouse

I got myself a Citroen C3 for exactly the same scenario. Three years on it's still cheap to run and insure, and reliable as heck. Second hand 4 year old models cheap as chips.

timbotambo

If you really arn't bothered about status then you can't go wrong with finding a used Kia with some of the 7 year warranty left. I think Hyundai do a 5 year warranty. Least then you get cheap running and peace of mind.

photographicmemory

Thank you all for your recommendations, and your experiences, but like custardy said i'll have to test drive a couple as there are a lot of similar cars.

Strider590

DO NOT buy a diesel, with that mileage it'll cost you a fortune....... Your on the limit really, but with DPF's on most modern diesels you need to be doing a fair amount of miles.

agrinnall

I'd also recommend the Panda, having driven 70K miles in one over the last 4 years. It was very reliable, servicing was reasonable, you can get a surprising amount of stuff in it, you can squeeze 5 people in if you have to, and was pretty economical. I wouldn't bother with the 100HP model, get a 1.2. With the new model out now I'd expect prices of the old one to be falling so for £5K you should get one that's still under warranty and that hasn't done too many miles (don't buy my old one though!).

mikey72

agrinnall wrote: »

I'd also recommend the Panda, having driven 70K miles in one over the last 4 years. It was very reliable, servicing was reasonable, you can get a surprising amount of stuff in it, you can squeeze 5 people in if you have to, and was pretty economical. I wouldn't bother with the 100HP model, get a 1.2. With the new model out now I'd expect prices of the old one to be falling so for £5K you should get one that's still under warranty and that hasn't done too many miles (don't buy my old one though!).

The Panda is only a 4 seater though.

agrinnall

mikey72 wrote: »

The Panda is only a 4 seater though.

The OP has never mentioned the number of people to be carried, I was simply pointing out that you can get 5 people in, although you are right that it only had seal belts for 4 so you shouldn't carry more than that.

funkycoldribena

1.25 Fiesta zetec,should get a nice one for 5k.