Fiat 500, C1, Aygo - what do you love/hate?

Dawn1966

Hi all,
I'm looking for opinions on which small car to buy please. It will be a used one, and I'm looking at either a Fiat 500, Aygo, C1,[STRIKE] or KA[/STRIKE] as I only have a small parking space to fill and it will be a 2nd car used mostly for going to work/town, and occasionally on the motorway for a 3 hour trip.
If any of you own one of these cars can you let me know what you love/hate about them please.
Thank you in advance.

PasturesNew

The Ka seems to have a ridiculously wide base, for what is supposed to be a small car. If you want a small car, in my opinion it should be smallest on the outside, while giving the largest inside/boot possible.

Dawn1966

Thanks, you're right it is bigger than the others maybe I should take that one out of the equation as it does need to be small, but not Smart car small lol.

Alanp

Hyundai i10, sons gf has one and she loves it,
Also Kia picanto, same car, basically .

xbrenx

I've had an Aygo since August last year to use almost as you describe except for the 3 hour motorway trip. The battery doesn't hold a charge when you only do short journeys.

I work a mile away from home so mostly walk but there are days when the rain is so bad etc that it's nice to use the car so at least I don't look like a drowned rat at the start of the day In order for the car to be charged enough to then get me home as well I have to drive further in the morning, so I'm driving 5 miles to do a 1 mile journey.

We have a jump lead set with a battery so I'm not left stranded -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Starter-External-Automotive-Motorcycle-Flashlight/dp/B0748GL615/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1549705177&sr=8-2&keywords=jump+lead+battery


I would not buy another one of these. I'm only keeping it till I pay off the bank loan.

Just thought I'd mention, I've had it checked multiple times by a couple of different mechanics and they can't find any reason except for the small battery.

Hope that helps

daveyjp

Any car will have battery problems if you only drive it a mile occasionally!

Toyota for me, but it is largely French so check the electrics work in any used model.

worried_jim

Alanp wrote: »

Hyundai i10, sons gf has one and she loves it,
Also Kia picanto, same car, basically .

Neighbour has the i10, perfect little car. Would be my choice.

onomatopoeia99

xbrenx wrote: »

I've had an Aygo since August last year to use almost as you describe except for the 3 hour motorway trip. The battery doesn't hold a charge when you only do short journeys.

I work a mile away from home so mostly walk but there are days when the rain is so bad etc that it's nice to use the car so at least I don't look like a drowned rat at the start of the day In order for the car to be charged enough to then get me home as well I have to drive further in the morning, so I'm driving 5 miles to do a 1 mile journey.

If you only drive it a mile at a time, usually in conditions where lights, wipers, heater etc will be needed then you aren't putting enough charge in the battery to replace what you take out when starting it plus the load from things that run continually when it's not being used (clock, alarm etc).


Doesn't matter what car you buy, you'll have the same problem. You may wish to look at leaving a solar trickle charger in the windscreen.

oldagetraveller

"Toyota for me, but it is largely French so check the electrics work in any used model."
To be pedantic here, the Aygo is built in the Czech Republic. Whether there any French electical parts I don't know but it will be built to a high standard.

The U.K.Yaris is French built. Absolutely no electrical problems and totally reliable in spite of that.
Fiat = Fix it again tomorrow!

wgl2014

VW Up! (Or Skoda Citigo or Seat Mii) if a really small footprint is needed however imho cars from the next size up (Fiesta etc) are a lot more pleasant on longer trips.

daveyjp

oldagetraveller wrote: »

"Toyota for me, but it is largely French so check the electrics work in any used model."
To be pedantic here, the Aygo is built in the Czech Republic. Whether there any French electical parts I don't know but it will be built to a high standard.

The U.K.Yaris is French built. Absolutely no electrical problems and totally reliable in spite of that.
Fiat = Fix it again tomorrow!

The UK Yaris is built in France using Toyota specified components.

The Aygo is a joint project. Toyota provide the engines and gearboxes, but other than that the components are the same as fitted to other Citroens and Peugeots.

We had an early Aygo, Peugeot stamps all over electric components. They were the ones which failed. Heater fan, electric window regulator, central locking.

The OP just needs to be mindful of this when looking at used ones, check all the electrics work.