Help me choose a car

skivenov

I'd say get a Yaris, they're the best small car by a long way and have been for a lot of years.
If that doesn't appeal, or is overbudget (they hold their value very, very well), get a Fiesta.

Take all claimed MPG figures with a pinch of salt, and deduct 10-15.

Don't fall into the trap of thinking a small engine will be better on fuel than a larger engine. Modern small cars are heavy, so 1.0's and 1.2's generally end up straining to get a reasonable turn of speed, whereas a bigger engine takes it in it's stride.

forgotmyname

On a run i can average 50+mpg.

A steady 70mph in 6th gear with cruise control on was over 60mpg.

Not bad for a large estate car that weighs over 1.5 tons

Tobster86

Whatever you get, if it's under 3 years old you will lose in depreciation far more than you'll gain in economy.

Cost effective driving doesn't mean getting something small & awful.

I'd personally avoid Vauxhall, Ford (unless Focus) and anything French, and would particularly recommend Skoda (VW group) if it's primarly for economy; otherwise BMW/Audi.

mikey72

A lot of people on here had never had french cars then.

Last one was a Peugeot 106, diesel, 55mpg, bought at 90,000 miles. got shot at 150,000.
Cost next to nothing in parts.
The C3 does 65mpg, no dpf, no dmf, £30 a year tax, already done about 8k in it.
And that's not on a run for either, mostly urban mpg.

BlueC

One word: Skoda Fabia

(or Suzuki Swift)

Ignore any idiot that says to get a diesel when you're doing 6,000 miles a year. A small car with a suitable petrol engine will return 50-60mpg in the real world and be much more reliable and cheaper to maintain.

noelphobic

BlueC wrote: »

One word: Skoda Fabia

(or Suzuki Swift)

Ignore any idiot that says to get a diesel when you're doing 6,000 miles a year. A small car with a suitable petrol engine will return 50-60mpg in the real world and be much more reliable and cheaper to maintain.

that's at least 2 words

How about a Honda Jazz? (not diesel, obviously :rotfl:)

atrixblue.-MFR-.

noelphobic wrote: »

that's at least 2 words

How about a Honda Jazz? (not diesel, obviously :rotfl:)

not the jazz had though about including the list of honda's i would recommend but based on the dadgy gearbox's i wouldnt bother reccomending them yet untill i know for certain they have rectified that issue with the new updated vehicle (the face lift version)

racing_blue

rev_henry wrote: »

What you driving at the moment?

Executive saloon, 2.5 litre petrol, leather seats and walnut trim, £420 PA to tax, 23mpg. Bought it in 2006, plonker that I was.

rev_henry wrote: »

How much is that worth?

Maybe £2k on a good day with a fair wind. And I have spent over £1200 so far this year on servicing and repairs.

rev_henry wrote: »

Personally I could never justify spending £9k on a silly little car. Why not get something for 3k or so?

Reliability is the key here. Can I get that at £3k?

Thanks for all the suggestions- very helpful & I will look at all the models suggested.

racing_blue

Tobster86 wrote: »

Whatever you get, if it's under 3 years old you will lose in depreciation far more than you'll gain in economy.

Very interesting... what in your opinion is the sweet spot? 4, 5, 6 years old?

izzzzythedog

both the yaris and the jazz have dodgey gearbox`s , the yaris failed today as it happens and its not the first time the box has been off and the jazz was my daughters last car , the layshaft bearing failed so that cut me for £350

french are a pain , if you get a good pug then your ok but some arnt so good , shitrons are just that , fabia and anything else along this line is expensive and not as good as some would make out ,,, like the owners ? id avoid for sure

nissan micra , id be shocked if you broke it , they just keep on going and going , love or hate the looks you get to go where you want to , very hard to break