billy2shots Posted March 16, 2013 Report Share Posted March 16, 2013 Looking to buy a small hatch for the Mrs to learn to drive in then have as her first car. We have two kids, 1 and 3 so for practicality it must be a 5 door hatchback (I know Tipex, but it has to be 5 door). Needs to be small but not as small as Aygo etc, obviously running costs need to be low so have been looking up to 1.4 engines. The car needs to be reliable and safe but also learner friendly. Budget is up to £6k max on the road which for the cars I'm looking at gets 2007-2009 models. So far my I have looked at New shape Corsa 1.2 and 1.4 (design and sxi spec) Last gen VW Polo 1.2 and 1.4 mk7 is it? I can't keep up. Toyota Yaris (have now ruled this out as their clutch are a thing of wonder) Cars also on the short list but I haven't looked at yet New style Fiesta ( can just afford this) Mazda2 What are people's opinions on the above and have I missed something. No Korean suggestions thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted March 16, 2013 Report Share Posted March 16, 2013 Having the extra doors isn't necessary, but does make things easier, the mrs has a Prius now which is perfect for us with 3 kids. I would suggest one, but being auto means she wouldn't pass her manual test. Shame as you won't buy a more reliable car, very cheap to run too, you won't get the claimed MPG but a tenner a year to tax, and brake pads etc are cheap, and last forever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted March 16, 2013 Report Share Posted March 16, 2013 Oh, and as for the korean stuff, I'm not sure any of the newer stuff that's worth having is in budget yet, but give it a few years and you'd be daft to overlook it, stuff like the Sportage and Cee'd are excellent cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted March 16, 2013 Report Share Posted March 16, 2013 How about the Mazda 3. Slightly bigger, but probably better value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busby Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 We have a Fiesta (2010) and it is a great little car. Full of equipment, nimble to drive, comfortable, 42mpg, etc, etc. We've had it from new and not had a single issue - it'll fall to pieces now I've said that out loud! The other car we considered when purchasing it was the Honda Jazz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calm Chris Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 Suzuki swift? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted March 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 We have a Fiesta (2010) and it is a great little car. Full of equipment, nimble to drive, comfortable, 42mpg, etc, etc. We've had it from new and not had a single issue - it'll fall to pieces now I've said that out loud!The other car we considered when purchasing it was the Honda Jazz. Jazz was a contender (my first wife had one) I think they are good cars but the mrs thinks they are too fuddy duddy for her. I have considered everything and it really is down to the cars on my shortlist. I have been looking for a couple of weeks now and my god there is so much crap out there. Prices seem crazy to. Anything within 60 miles of me (Bournemouth) seem to be far more expensive than cars further North. So the slightly shorter shortlist is Corsa 06-08 1.2 and 1.4's Polo same as above for year and engine size. Fiesta 2008- Mazda2 2007- Thoughts on these? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busby Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 We had a similar shortlist and went for the Fiesta after test driving a few different cars. We test drove the Jazz and the Fiesta within a few days of one another and the driving experiences really were chalk and cheese. After the VXR8 and a dose of Vauxhall customer services I wouldn't touch another one of their cars so couldn't comment on the Corsa. The Fiesta drove better than the Polo and was better specced for the money so in the end it was an easy choice. Arrange some test drives for the same day and then decide once you've had a go in everything Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Booster Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 Fiesta is a bloody brilliant car. The sales figures don't lie!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 Hard to see past a Fiesta, cracking cars, I'm not sure why you don't like oriental stuff but the Hyundai i30 is brilliant, is a smidge biger than a Fiesta and has a decent warranty and the Suzuki Swift is bombproof. Good luck with your hunt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 Did my ARDS test in a Fiesta. Didn't crash it, so it must be good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 'kin 'ell. It must be an impressive car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 If you go for the Corsa (I wouldn't personally) don't bother with the 1.4 as i'm sure Mook will attest, the real world performance is exactly the same as the 1.2 the only difference being the 1.4 uses more fuel. Fiesta is a cracking car, ignore the Ford haters, they haven't got a clue what they are talking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 The M-i-L has a Corsa. Fine car. Not sure what engine it has, but it's been fine and reliable for her. Comfy too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chody Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 new kia rio is also agreat wee car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drinks Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 Fiesta is a cracking car, ignore the Ford haters, they haven't got a clue what they are talking about. We have had a 57 plate fiesta from new, great little car, no problems with it at all. It's the dealers that mean we are unlikely to ever buy another one. Not a problem now ours is out of warranty but having to interact with any of the local dealerships (we have tried them all) was painful. They have been without exception, rude and difficult to deal with, on every occasion we have come into contact with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 I've had a few issues with my local dealer too, but then they don't like taxi drivers because they think they can use it as an excuse to not fix stuff under warranty, unfortunately for them, they can't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shao_khan Posted March 17, 2013 Report Share Posted March 17, 2013 We have Corsa and Fiesta in the family. Corsa 1.3 TDi (95hp) and Fiesta is a 1.2 zetec and I cant fault either of them. If I were buying as just a town car I'd have the Fiesta as it feels slightly nippier and handles a bit better around our road system. IF it were longer trips I'd take the corsa because its economy is excellent and I actually think it feels like you're driving a bigger car, ride is smoother / more comfortable over distance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stooH Posted March 18, 2013 Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 I know you've said 5 doors, but.... My wife finds a 3 door car massively easier (particularly when the kids were in proper car seats) and has always hated my 5 door hatches, it is a lot easier in a 3 door with tilt and slide seats to get in, stand in front of the kids and strap them tightly into the seats. In a 5 door you're trying to do it all at an angle, in particular with smaller hatches the space isn't so great and it can be slightly awkward getting at them to tighten it all up. Just my tuppence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted March 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 I am going to sound slightly mad so please feel free to flame me. Toyota Aygo/C1/Pug I know they are tiny little things and I would need to spend a little time in one to see if we could live with the minute space. This will be our second car, we have access to larger faster cars when required. This car will be used to ferry a couple of small kids 2-5 mile journeys all in town. £20 a year tax and great on fuel. Budget will get us a 2 year old main dealer car rather than a 6 year old car. Obviously need to spend time in one to try for size but is it an option or am I being daft? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Bangle Posted March 18, 2013 Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 Toyota Aygo/C1/Pug Just pray that you don't get rear-ended (and not by Luke). SIL has one and the only place to drive it is in town - fecking scary on the M62 in one of those Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted March 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 I can imagine. Town would be its only home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted March 18, 2013 Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 Depends if you think she can cope without a boot really, most buggies won't fit and if she's got some shopping to, forget it. They are probably fine if you only have one child, but with two, the child seats will use the entire rear bench. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted March 18, 2013 Report Share Posted March 18, 2013 I can imagine. Town would be its only home. Being a town car, won't mean it can't be involved with an accident with some heavy metal though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stooH Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 Depends if you think she can cope without a boot really, most buggies won't fit and if she's got some shopping to, forget it.They are probably fine if you only have one child, but with two, the child seats will use the entire rear bench. I'm not sure how big the boot is in them but the wifes got an Arosa which has just about the smallest boot i've ever seen and she managed to get a double buggy in it (just), and before/after the need for the double we got our travel system style push chair into it. If it's just around town and just two kids then i'd say it's doable if she's not doing any major shops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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