Need car advice

devils_vixen

Still looking to purchase my first car. I've always liked the Hyundai I10 and Kia Picantos however test drove a mazda 2 at the beginning of the year and loved it but turned out the car was a lemon so the dealer sold it at auction.

I've seen an I10 which is 3 years old with low mileage. My main concern is boot space - I have a dog height of a staff body of a whippet so concern is would she fit?

I've also seen two Mazda 2's black edition - one white and one red however both 61 plates and relatively low mileage red 30k white 45k.

Family telling me to go for I10 as it's newer and it'd only be 8 years old when I'd finished paying for it where as the mazda would be 11 years old.

I only want a car to runabout in - school runs weekly shop occasional 50 mile trip visiting friends and exploring new walking areas with the pooch.

Earlier I had my heart set on the I10 until I saw the Mazda's. I test drove an I20 and that was a horrific experience (I'm a new driver) whereas in the Mazda I felt comfortable. Now I'm not sure what to go for. The Hyundai is local where as the other two are about an hours drive away.

The Hyundai is a 1.0 engine and the Mazda 2 1.3.

Does anyone own these cars? What are your experiences? Would you choose a newer car over an older one?

Thanks

forgotmyname

Get a Fiesta instead ....

fatbelly

If I was going for a city car, I'd go for a Up/Mii/Citigo

But it sounds like you need something a bit larger for the dog so a Fiesta is a good call.

I'd also be trying to avoid a 5-year HP agreement on a 3-year old car.

bouncydog1

My stepdad has a Mazda 2 and loves it. It's a few years old and has been trouble free but he does get it serviced regularly. Drives it all over the continent and it's proved very reliable. My mums Mazda 2 is the older version about 15 years old now and again no problem. Friends with Mazda swear by them for their reliability. I was thinking of the 110 but found it too small.

devils_vixen

Thanks for the replies. Have looked at Fiesta's but never driven one. Unfortunately an HPI agreement over 5 years is all I can afford currently. I've saved up a decent deposit and have been looking for months at cars and obviously want one that's cheap on tax, petrol and insurance. I am at the stage now where I need a car.

Shaka_Zulu

Have a look at Fiat Panda's bomb proof wee cars and will take you dog easily.

chrisw

Get the one you feel most comfortable in otherwise you will regret it every time you get into it for the next 5 years.

Advice from family and friends is fine but at the end of the day you have to drive it and live with it.