Help, what car shall I get!

emmarooney

Hi

I'm looking a new(er) car than my current one and I have no idea what to go for!

I've got a Punto which I love, but I don't want another Fiat because I don't like the accelerator position - too high, makes the leg ache if I'm in flat shoes...and it's a shame because I've driven a Stilo and it was great, very responsive and sharp.

I've got my criteria as:

hatchback sized, but 5 doors would be ok
Diesel
At least 1.5 engine though up to 1.7 would be better
Power steering - a must
under about £6000 but I can push to £7k-ish for a really good deal
Economical on fuel, parts and insurance
Good on distance - I drive quite a lot and long distances
Nippy and responsive to the accelerator, quick off the mark
FAST! But with good handling.

In mind so far I have Renault Clio 1.5, a Fiesta or a Golf, but I don't know about the relative merits/comparisons...

Also, I don't know whether to go brand new, pre-reg or a couple of years old.

As you can see I'm in a quandry! Any help or advice would be very welcome...

thanks

Em

cheaptokeep

Hi Em

I bought a new Renault Clio Diesel 1.5 a year ago. Brand new, one of Renaults special deals had to be bought and registered in a week! 3 door but the kids have got used to it. Cost £6900. I saw a year old one last week identical to mine and it was £6500, so I am glad I bought mine new.

If you drive it carefully (so not too much quick of the mark stuff) you can get about 65 mpg. Boy does that give this MSE fan pleasure and if you are really sad you can set the computer to display the mpg and try to get the best results! I drive through villages and on country roads doing 60 mph for 50 miles a day. Hubby only gets about 55 mpg (he likes the accelerator). Tax is cheap (only £85 a year). I love it, it is not a Rolls Royce and has the odd squeak, but otherwise it is dead easy to drive. It does not accelerate that quickly from stopped but it does 70 very easily and has quite good acceleration to overtake things once you are doing 40/50. This is true of all diesels I think. Nothing has gone wrong with it in the year (touch wood).

vansboy

Did you try Panda - the diesel engine is very efficient for size!!

VB

John_G66

Or this


http://www.novararms.com/crap/beamer.jpg

chugalug

I love my Clio!!!!!!!!!!!

jjames_3

Is there any particular reason why you need a small diesel? Usually if you're doing less than 20,000 miles a year the cost savings of a diesel over a petrol engine are very slight compared with the higher purchase price, higher servicing costs etc etc (not to mention greater strain on suspension parts and tyres on the little diesels).

beeniemac

jjames wrote:

Is there any particular reason why you need a small diesel? Usually if you're doing less than 20,000 miles a year the cost savings of a diesel over a petrol engine are very slight compared with the higher purchase price, higher servicing costs etc etc (not to mention greater strain on suspension parts and tyres on the little diesels).

Uprated shocks/springs are always used on heavier cars.

rolpaula

http://www.whatcar.co.uk/Valuations_Search.asp

check here when you find your car to make sure your not getting ripped off:D

MrSmartprice

The new Citroen 1.4HDi diesel engine is excellent. Try it in a C2 if you want a small nippy hatchback, and in a C3 if you want something a bit bigger inside. Both good value, especially if you can get an ex-demo.

jjames_3

beeniemac wrote:

Uprated shocks/springs are always used on heavier cars.

They still get stressed more. There's only so much you can do with a lightweight chassis.

It comes down to this. If you're driving less than 20k per year or so the diesel is unlikely to be any cheaper to run than the petrol. And if you're doing more than that... what on earth are you doing buying a poxy little supermini? For your own health and sanity buy something bigger for pity's sake!

emmarooney

Thanks to all for some great suggestions...

jjames - there's no point buying a big car as it's just me a majority of the time (not that you were to know that) - and diesel because my family are mostly miles away from me - I do a lot of miles and long distances.

Anyway, I've chosen a Clio 1.5 dCi 80. I've very very excited about it as this will be my first car with PAS!!

Cheers for all messages though,

Em