Fuel Economy

AgentSmirnoff

I'm a 19 year old student, Looking to buy my first car.
I have a budget of £800-1100 (with the latter being the absolute maximum).

I know that this budget narrows down my choice of car considerably but does anyone know which car for this price range will give me the most mpg? Ideally cheap to insure and tax.

I should also point out that at my height (6ft3in) certain small cars are not feasible options.

I have been looking at VW Polos but they don't seem to be as fuel economical as they first appear.

Feedback gratefully accepted.

aurelieweill

Have you checked how much you will pay in insurance? Better buy a Brompton, best fuel economy and multi-modal transport!

AgentSmirnoff

I'm afraid a car is my only option for my daily commute. Not to mention I am in terrible shape :P

warwicktiger

Citroen Ax/Saxo.

RDG

Small hatchback with small engine is probably best for insurance costs as regardless of fuel thats going to be your biggest expense, unless you have a long commute?

AgentSmirnoff

I've heard bad things about Citroens vis a vis reliability. Do you have personal experience with them?

AgentSmirnoff

RDG wrote: »

Small hatchback with small engine is probably best for insurance costs as regardless of fuel thats going to be your biggest expense, unless you have a long commute?

Probably around 30 miles a day. Reliability would be a bonus but I'm not expecting miracles on my budget

RDG

So 10000miles a year total then?

In that case the difference in cost between a 30mpg car and a 40mpg car isnt going to be that big.

Small engined hatchback like a fiesta or corsa is probably your best bet but look at the insurance as this will be the killer and most liekly be more than the car.

warwicktiger

Just look around and see how many older small citroens are still running!

AgentSmirnoff

RDG wrote: »

So 10000miles a year total then?

In that case the difference in cost between a 30mpg car and a 40mpg car isnt going to be that big.

Small engined hatchback like a fiesta or corsa is probably your best bet but look at the insurance as this will be the killer and most liekly be more than the car.

Yes insurance is definitely a big one, I get quite a large discount thanks to my whole family, house and family business being insured on Direct line. I've got my eye on a 2003 Focus. 1.6 3dr. Gets about 41 to the gallon, while still having sufficient legroom. Thoughts?

RDG

Just thought id look on autotrader and give you some options; random selection of small hatchs

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201219469265697

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201226476590887

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201225476234507

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201226476477296

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201225475928712

Suggest you run these though and comparison site and see what the insurance is like as a starter.