Economical small city cars

onwards&upwards

fatbelly wrote: »

5k should get a city car of 2013-15 age. At that time I would say the Up/Citigo/Mii was the best around - and I've had two of those.

If you can find a Seat Mii SE or Toca or VW High Up or Skoda Citigo Elegance you're getting a good level of kit. The 5-door is more practical than the 3-door.

The 2016 Look Up special edition is drifting down in price but I doubt you'd get one for 5k

Thanks, I do need 5 doors actually which is an issue with the citigo, most of the used ones for sale only have 3.

onwards&upwards

fatbelly wrote: »

5k should get a city car of 2013-15 age. At that time I would say the Up/Citigo/Mii was the best around - and I've had two of those.

If you can find a Seat Mii SE or Toca or VW High Up or Skoda Citigo Elegance you're getting a good level of kit. The 5-door is more practical than the 3-door.

The 2016 Look Up special edition is drifting down in price but I doubt you'd get one for 5k

Thanks, the citigo does seem to taking the lead, looking at used prices they are a lot cheaper than the Up, is there any reason to pay extra when essentially both are VWs? I’d like a Bluetooth/USB link for my iPhone but apart from that i’m not especially bothered about features. I’ve practically lived in cars for years it will feel like i’m barely in this next one I expect!

buglawton

If you believe this, motoring in small simple cheap cars is going to get more difficult
https://www.autonews.com/automakers-suppliers/europes-small-cars-endangered-species

Because profit margins on small cars are slim, a number of manufacturers are going to drop smallest petrol models due to impending EU legislation.

cranford

We had a I10 for nearly four years and there was no question that we would not change it for another I10. One benefit over other city cars is that it has belts for 3 in the back which we have used for 3 adults on short trips from time to time. The Picanto does as well and although it is a few centimetres narrower than the I10 but you may find a Pincanto for your budgets with some of its 7 year warranty left. (I10 only 5 years).

macman

The i10 has Bluetooth fitted on SE model and upwards.

RichardD1970

My wife got a Picanto (65 reg). We didn't like the Citigo, it seemed to "tinny" compared to other makes.

Maybe that was just the ones we looked at in her budget but the Picanto felt much better with and had all the bits she wanted (aircon, 5 door, 5 seat belts, bluetooth, electric windows)

onwards&upwards

buglawton wrote: »

If you believe this, motoring in small simple cheap cars is going to get more difficult
https://www.autonews.com/automakers-suppliers/europes-small-cars-endangered-species

Because profit margins on small cars are slim, a number of manufacturers are going to drop smallest petrol models due to impending EU legislation.

Hmm, that was an interesting read, thanks.

Maybe I should push the budget and get a newer model to future proof.

I wouldn’t be opposed to an electric car at all, it would actually suit my needs, but I think on my budget i’d only be looking at an older leaf, maybe a Zoe so er, no!

fatbelly

onwards&upwards wrote: »

Thanks, the citigo does seem to taking the lead, looking at used prices they are a lot cheaper than the Up, is there any reason to pay extra when essentially both are VWs?

They are all made in the same factory I believe.

SensibleSarah

My first car was a 12-month old Hyundai i10 - wanted a little city car but needed 5 doors so that counted out most of the other options. Brilliant little no frills car, so easy to park, and you should get a decent one easily available within that budget. Only sold it because my needs changed drastically. Felt like a tin of tuna on the motorway - but if you're not really using it for that then no issue.

WobblyDog

worried_jim wrote: »

Are there any small cars that are uneconomical?

I'm not really answering the question, but small cars are not always the most fuel-efficient models in each manufacturer's range anymore. I guess that's because the latest fuel-saving technology is reserved for larger models where consumers will be prepared to pay extra. For example, the most efficient petrol engined versions of 3 Ford models:
Ka : 48.7mpg
Fiesta : 49.6 mpg
Focus : 50.4 mpg

That said, smaller cars probably have lower costs in other areas such as tyres, and those mechanically-complex fuel-saving technologies could increase maintenance costs of the larger cars.