What car for me?

colin79666

I'd add the 1.4 (petrol) and 1.3 (diesel) Fiat Grande Punto to your list, cracking cars and great value for money.

dnc1781

movilogo wrote: »

Basically the main contenders are Getz and Swift. Let's see what I like more.

The advantage with Hyundai is the 5-yr warranty though many things are not covered after 2nd/3rd year.

Getz:
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/cars_search.jsp?searchform=&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&photo=1&state=block&sort=3&hassearched=Y&make=HYUNDAI&min_pr=75&source=0&model=GETZ&max_pr=&miles=1500&agerange=6&mileage=&postcode=w12+7rp&variant=1.4&bodyid=0&trim=5+door&fuelid=0&colour=&transmissionid=0&keywords=&ukcarsearch_full.x=35&ukcarsearch_full.y=9&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH

Swift:
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/cars_search.jsp?searchform=&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&photo=1&state=block&sort=3&hassearched=Y&make=SUZUKI&min_pr=75&source=0&model=SWIFT&max_pr=&miles=1500&agerange=6&mileage=&postcode=w12+7rp&variant=1.5&bodyid=0&trim=5+door&fuelid=0&colour=&transmissionid=0&keywords=&ukcarsearch_full.x=45&ukcarsearch_full.y=8&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH

Hermione54

Honest John seems to like the Mitsubishi Colt and says they are excellent value for money and doesn't understand why more are not sold. I have a Mitsubishi Lancer which, again, is superb value and very well equipped for its price, but is criticised for being old fashioned. I love it.

Hintza

If you don't like the diesel with cheap VED you can always look at the 1.2 petrol. We have two in the family.

movilogo

Test drove all on this weekend (Colt - Getz - Swift in that order)

Colt 1.1 CZ1 - very good car, couldn't find any fault till 60 mph. Well, beyond that speed, 3-cyl engine had to work very hard. The engine noise could be felt at cabin. Dealer offered £7500 for brand new (incl. AC) on 5-dr CZ1. The space inside Colt was very good (for its size). 1.1 Colt is not suitable for frequent/long motorway use. 1.3+ versions were too costly for a supermini.

Getz 1.4 GSI - Drive was good, immediatly after drving Colt I could feel how 1.4 engine pulls up the car till 70 mph without any problem. But the GSI version didn't have driver's seat height adjustment (CDX version does have though). That make my leg aching after 30 mins of driving! I enquired about Hyundai's 5-yr warranty. Interesting fact was that many things are not covered after 2-yrs this includes AC as well.... dealer offered 56 plate Getz 1.4 CDX for £8000 (didn't haggle much as I'm yet to decide)

Swift 1.3 GL - It's a pure driver's car. Handling was superb, driving comfort was good, 1.3 engine pulls till 70 mph absolutely fine (couldn't dare trying above that because of b****y speed cameras). The car also felt solid and roomy compared to its size. The cabin materials also seemed best of the lot. Overall very inspring car - only gripe it doesn't come with AC and there's no footrest for left foot. Dealer was no way ready to go below £7600 for a new 1.3 GL 5-dr Swift.

But that's not end of the story, while coming towards home, just thought of having a look at Honda showroom. I knew Jazz is way over my limit, so peeked a look at a 3-yr old 1.4 SE Jazz.

The dealer promptly arranged a test drive. Could go to dual carriageway with Jazz but spent half an hour in coutry lanes upto 60 mph. The drive was superb! The interior looked class leading. The car had only 23k miles with gadgets! I was surprised to find the nearly 7-ft space with rear seats folding down (full flat floor). The only gripe (again) that driver's seat should have more height adjustment (my height is short) and there's no footrest even on Jazz! Now I really realized why everyone praises so much for Jazz! It's practicality is second to none. The sticker price of the car was £8000 and Honda doesn't seem to negotiate a bit on price. The only thing they could offer 2-yrs Honda backed warranty on the car for free.

Dealership experience:

Mitsubishi - very helpful, only one sales buy on showroom, shut the shop while accompanying me on test drive, couldn't see any other customer
Hyundai - big showroom, lots of customers, didn't have really time to spend with everyone
Suzuki - small showroom, few customers, sales guy told that they can't match internet price as they have to make some profit to sustain their business
Honda - big showroom, few customers, yet everyone gets individual attention, spent most time with me BUT unwilling to negotiate on price!

So, now I'm in a dilemma, where to buy a brand new Swift or 3-yr old Jazz for same price. Honda also valued my p/x as £750 where as Suzuki offered paltry £400. Jazz is no doubt best overall package but probably for pure driving pleasure, Swift still wins (+ no. of airbags)! But I'm bit skeptical on Swift's resale value though.

dnc1781

movilogo wrote: »

So, now I'm in a dilemma, where to buy a brand new Swift or 3-yr old Jazz for same price.

0707 Swift 1.3GL 5dr 2k £6994:
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/cars_search.jsp?searchform=&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&photo=1&state=none&sort=3&hassearched=Y&make=SUZUKI&min_pr=75&source=0&model=SWIFT&max_pr=&miles=1500&agerange=6&mileage=1&postcode=sn3+6hg&variant=&bodyid=0&trim=&fuelid=0&colour=&transmissionid=0&keywords=&ukcarsearch_full.x=40&ukcarsearch_full.y=7&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH

06 Swift 1.5GLX 5dr 11k £7395:
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/cars_search.jsp?searchform=&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&photo=1&state=block&sort=3&hassearched=Y&make=SUZUKI&min_pr=75&source=0&model=SWIFT&max_pr=&miles=1500&agerange=6&mileage=&postcode=sn3+6hg&variant=1.5&bodyid=0&trim=&fuelid=0&colour=&transmissionid=0&keywords=&ukcarsearch_full.x=44&ukcarsearch_full.y=6&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH

55 Jazz 1.4SE 23k £7790:
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/cars_search.jsp?page=1&searchform=&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&photo=1&state=block&sort=3&hassearched=Y&make=HONDA&min_pr=75&source=0&model=JAZZ&max_pr=&miles=1500&agerange=1&mileage=&postcode=sn3+6hg&variant=1.4&bodyid=0&trim=&fuelid=0&colour=&transmissionid=0&keywords=&ukcarsearch_full.x=27&ukcarsearch_full.y=6&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH