fiesta or ka

Strider590

Tiexen wrote: »

They do say the only thing wrong with a Fiat is the dealers

My friends Fiat got through 7 clutch cables because of the fancy lever system they used in laziness when converting their cars to RH drive.
They're unreliable, poorly designed and poorly built..... The only people who say otherwise, seem to be owners (and even they change their mind after getting rid of it).

Having worked in the automotive industry, in a "quality" role and having dealt with Italian facilities of the company I worked for, I can categorically say that their idea of building a reliable car is VERY misguided.

"We have an urgent problem!! People could get killed!! please send us batch build information from serial number 20100909JFC to 20101009JDH asap!"
6 months later, no response, you phone them, they ignore it, you phone from a different number and they pretend to be somebody else..... They simply cannot be arsed, their work ethic is terrible, they just bury their problems, close their eyes and hope it goes away.

I'd happily buy an old Alfa Romeo, something 1970s to mid 90s as a project/fun car (which i'd then gut and rebuild properly), but as an everyday "get me to work" runabout there's not a barge pole long enough.

Tiexen

And I hate to say it but I'm looking to trade my soon to be 3yr old KA before the warranty runs out and while it still has value.
(even though its been flawless from day one & 50+mpg)
but I worry how it will be at 4 years+

Thinking about the Citi-Up!-Mii or Picanto.

sock-knitter

Strider590 wrote: »

Did you escape from a padded room?

You have a 2 year old car and actually think you can save money by spending £££££'s on another?

If you want a new car because it's "cute", just say so..... Don't start making excuses to throw money away.

Incidentally, the KA and the Fiesta are nearly mechanically identical, they use many of the same parts. Your arguments for changing cars don't really hold water.

yeah the ka is cute, and only a few hundred plus the fiesta, but in long run apart from initial outlay, would running costs be cheaper

Billy-no-Money

Our Panda (on which the 500 and Ka are both based) has a hydraulic clutch; LHD ones have cable - so that 'issue' is irrelevant.

Of these three cars I'd regard the Ka as least desirable; the 500 has style (maybe too much for some), the Panda does unassuming practicality better than most, but the Ka just seems a bit pointless!

I don't think any of them are bad cars but none of them are going to be better than a 2-year-old diesel Fiesta that's paid for. :money:

Tilt

@ Strider, since 1978 I have personally owned 14 Fiats, ran a car hire co with a fleet of 10 at any one time and worked in a Fiat/Alfa dealership as an after sales manager.

From my experience I can sincerely say that I totally disagree with you. I currently own (from new) a 12 year old Punto HGT which has done 65k. It still runs like new and the only main expense so far as been a cam belt change.

During my time at the latter (mid to late 90's), I noted more basic quality problems with Alfas than Fiats. Previous to working at the Fiat dealership, I also worked at a Ford dealership where I noted there was no significant difference in the quality between the marques. The one model that does spring to mind was the Ford Probe... we seemed to have quite a few of those in for various things.

To answer the OP's question, neither. Go for a 500 or Panda.