Best small car

[lotusmark2]

Hi all,
My 62 mile a day commute is starting to get a little wearing (on me and the Smart car) so I am starting to have a look around for a new toy. Here is what I need...

Ecomony of min 45mpg
0-60 14 second max
Encap min 4 stars
large enough for a pram but as small as poss (still have the SAAB as the long run car ) and no Flee is not before anyone asks
Must be "cute" and a bit "different", this is Flee's contribution but please remember a rotund 6ft 8" bloke will spend most days driving it.
Maximum 18 months old
Able to do 300 miles a week and not fall apart
£6k price.
Think that about sums it up
HELP!!

 

[kikkthecat]

You coud try a Morris 1000.

Sorry.

Thought about an A class ?

 

[lotusmark2]

You coud try a Morris 1000.

Low blow Ray
Hope the bus is going well

 

[pammy]

Focus?

 

[Iain]

Hi all,
My 62 mile a day commute is starting to get a little wearing (on me and the Smart car) so I am starting to have a look around for a new toy. Here is what I need...

Ecomony of min 45mpg
0-60 14 second max
Encap min 4 stars
large enough for a pram but as small as poss (still have the SAAB as the long run car ) and no Flee is not before anyone asks
Must be "cute" and a bit "different", this is Flee's contribution but please remember a rotund 6ft 8" bloke will spend most days driving it.
Maximum 18 months old
Able to do 300 miles a week and not fall apart
£6k price.
Think that about sums it up
HELP!!

Have you thought about the Fiat Panda? Jeremy Clarkson is actually full of praise for this little car or possibly the Fiat Multipla?

 

[lil.smartie]

Multiplas are fab! But you HAVE to go for an older shape one to get the bug eyes! The drivers flash & wave just like smartie owners too!

Or a 1.1 or a CDi forfour, I love mine and it's on 31,000 miles after 2 years!

or get Smartie re-mapped!

Kate

 

[lotusmark2]

Multiplas are fab! But you HAVE to go for an older shape one to get the bug eyes! The drivers flash & wave just like smartie owners too!

Or a 1.1 or a CDi forfour, I love mine and it's on 31,000 miles after 2 years!

or get Smartie re-mapped!

Kate

Did toy with the ForFour...may have to think on that, the Smart is already SrU remapped and delipped

I think the panda may be an option but seem to remember the Encap not being up to much.

Multipla is WAY to big and even a Focus is pushing it...need to keep it more the city car type

Thanks all, keep the ideas coming....

 

[pammy]

If a Focus is pushing it what about a Festa or a Ka then? Also Clio, Corsa etc.

 

[imadoofus]

Latest shape Clio is a pretty spacious car. Excellent NCAP for occupants and peds too.

PJ

 

[CAT220]

Seat Cordoba or Leon TDI both great performers and would handle the 300miles a week without any probs.

 

[grober]

fabia??

New Skoda Fabia out in May? http://www.channel4.com/4car/rt/skoda/fabia/1362/1
Get the new VW developments before the rest if you can get past the snobbery thing.

just read your cash limit--so old model I guess--maybe a VRS with miles?

 

[BTB 500]

Honda Jazz - great car. Interior space is unbeatable as the rear seats can be flipped up (back) in seconds to create a huge space in the middle. The boot's not bad anyway, and the rear seats fold flat in the conventional way too.

Also nippy, economical, fun to drive, very highly rated in all the surveys, many 'car of the year awards', etc. etc.

Not up to date with current prices, but you'd probably get one for 6K.

 

[ADY1983]

My first thought was a festa ST but they are still a bit dear. So how about a VW Polo or Lupo GTI, 16V

 

[Satch]

Toyota Corolla or the new Auris?

Doing two day test drives on the latter ATM

 

[BonzoDog]

Polo? We put nearly 200K on one as a family back-up. For around 18 months it was doing a 150 mile per day commute and was subsequently used by four teenage boys as they progressed into motorists.
It needed one starter motor and one clutch during this time besides the odd top up with petrol.

 

[dava]

Here's my view and I always look at it from a mechanical point as thats what I do. Panda rubbish! (FIAT, Fix It Again Tomorrow) Just my opinion, Micra, just about bullet proof, no belts to change and simplish mechanics. Small toyotas, also bullet proof but expensive to repair. There you go fire away.

 

[BTB 500]

We had two Micras and they were great cars (very reliable), but the Jazz was better. Even more economical, more solid, more interior space (bigger boot too), etc.

Honda downsides - more expensive to buy, more expensive dealer servicing. But it never needed anything other than servicing

 

[Brian WH]

Honda Jazz - great car. Interior space is unbeatable as the rear seats can be flipped up (back) in seconds to create a huge space in the middle. The boot's not bad anyway, and the rear seats fold flat in the conventional way too.

Also nippy, economical, fun to drive, very highly rated in all the surveys, many 'car of the year awards', etc. etc.

Not up to date with current prices, but you'd probably get one for 6K.

I'd go along with the Honda Jazz. My wife has one, in Pink.

Anyway very reliable, does 40mpg and reasonable maintenance costs for low mileage. As has been said, plenty of luggage space unless your 4 up. Worth a look mate and you will get a second hand one for £6k.

 

[BTB 500]

My wife has one, in Pink.

Hmm ... my ex-wife has the one I bought!

In black with tailgate spoiler, for the "well 'ard" look

Edit - we consistently got high 40s MPG, local driving.

 

[jdrrco]

I'm with the Jazz fans. My parents have one, it's nippy in town, ok on motorway, cheap to run and never needs maintenance except servicing.