Perusing for replacement car

westv

Our current car (Corsa) is now 18 years old and, despite it only doing 71k miles, I feel a newer car should be considered. Not right now but within the next 12 months. The last time I bought a new car was 2005 and the current one was bought 2011.

So much has changed since then. I want a hatchback (not a fan of SUVs or "crossovers"), manual, petrol, no wet belt, 0 to 60 under 11 seconds, not screen heavy, 2023 to 2026. Such things seem to be rare beasts now. I do have a shortlist to consider (which might change) but, what was considered normal not that long ago, now seems niche.

Goudy

Well you have the Dacia Sandero.

They used to be made out of donkey's old Renault bits but these days they are bang up to date with the latest platforms and engines. 0-60 of the current engines between 9 and 11 seconds.

The car it's based on is another good car. The Renault Clio has a more premium feel to it and can be had in Hybrid form. It's a proper hybrid like the Yaris, not some gimicky mild hybrid system. The Yaris is another good shout but they tend to be rather expensive.

The Suzuki Swift is another no nonsense car, it's light, agile, frugal and fairly cheap, they aren't not overly stuffed with screens and electronic gismos but all newer cars will come with a suite of safety gismos.

Their interiors tend to be quite plain but hard wearing, but the metal work can feel a bit tinny, but that's all cars these days as they try and save weight.

Suzuki also do an extended warranty with a dealer service. A few others do it as well like Toyota. The car comes with 3 years warranty but take it in for a dealer service and they will add another years warranty until it's 10 years old or 100,000 miles. As you keep your cars for a good while, this might be something to look for.

westv

Funnily enough the Suzuki Swift and the Dacia both came up when I asked AI.

The current (could change) shortlist is Mazda 2 or 3, Hyundai i20 or i30.

I noted that Mazda now does a 6 year warranty but only for cars newly registered after Sept 2025.

WellKnownSid

Dacia Zen is up to 7 years warranty if serviced at the main dealer. Used Dacias are also available under the Renault Renew programme.

mebu60

We've just changed out an 8 year Ford Fiesta for a Skoda Fabia SE L 116, manual, petrol. Even has a manual handbrake!

Very impressed so far (two weeks in).

westv

I thought for a moment that the Dacia Zen was a new car. 🤣

Fabia was another I looked at. Not quite sure why it's not on the current shortlist but I will look again.

Back in the day, I would have automatically looked at a Fiesta or a Focus but those days have gone.

Arunmor

Skoda Kamiq is also worth looking at, possibly a shade more refined than the Fabia.

westv

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82013444#Comment_82013444

That's an SUV isn't it? No thanks.

Arunmor

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82013461#Comment_82013461

If you say so, pretty much the same shape as the Fabia and very little difference to the Swift and Sandero.

To me an SUV would be higher off the ground, but hey ho.

westv

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82013506#Comment_82013506

Ok. It's just that Skoda themselves market it as an SUV.

mebu60

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82013444#Comment_82013444

And more expensive! We will look at the Kamiq next year when we change the 9 year old Focus. Will also look at the Octavia, but that has an electronic handbrake