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Boring thread I know but... we're looking to change cars, looking for a small(ish) 4/5 door, something like a Ford Ka - anyone got any recommendations?
In reply to Rob Exile Ward:Matchbox were my favourites.
In reply to Rob Exile Ward: I have an Audi A2, not bad price-wise secondhand, not big outside, huge inside, four doors, lots of luggage space, very economical (whether petrol or diesel), very quiet, handles well
Ian
Ian
In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
you dont see many nissan micras in for repair .... till they are too old ..
you dont see many nissan micras in for repair .... till they are too old ..
In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
get a 205 (Gti or XS). they handle like f*ck and can embarrass expensive sports cars down twisty B roads.
ok it's french but it's got to better than a ford ka
get a 205 (Gti or XS). they handle like f*ck and can embarrass expensive sports cars down twisty B roads.
ok it's french but it's got to better than a ford ka
In reply to shortyx: 205? Thats practically archaeology
Agreed tho, belting cars but more of a project now.
Dci Clio?
Agreed tho, belting cars but more of a project now.
Dci Clio?
In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
I've got a SEAT Ibiza 1.9tdi Sport 5 door and it is just big enough for 4 hairy arsed climbers and 4 rucsacks in the boot. It goes very well (quite a lot faster than my old Nissan Primera 1.6)and does 470 miles a tank on £38 of diesel (mixed driving). Great stereo too.
Davie
I've got a SEAT Ibiza 1.9tdi Sport 5 door and it is just big enough for 4 hairy arsed climbers and 4 rucsacks in the boot. It goes very well (quite a lot faster than my old Nissan Primera 1.6)and does 470 miles a tank on £38 of diesel (mixed driving). Great stereo too.
Davie
In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
I've had a couple Micras and they were good.
Tested a KA, didn't like it as much as the Micra.
Thought the Yaris was supposed to be better though.
I've had a couple Micras and they were good.
Tested a KA, didn't like it as much as the Micra.
Thought the Yaris was supposed to be better though.
In reply to Rob Exile Ward: cant beat a golf. reliable and economical.
In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
Toyota Yaris might be a bit small for your needs but they look like good cars to me.
Toyota Yaris might be a bit small for your needs but they look like good cars to me.
In reply to CJD:
Yes they look alright, is a Suzuki Swift a nadge bigger though?
> (In reply to Rob Exile Ward)
>
> Toyota Yaris might be a bit small for your needs but they look like good cars to me.
>
> Toyota Yaris might be a bit small for your needs but they look like good cars to me.
Yes they look alright, is a Suzuki Swift a nadge bigger though?
In reply to Kenny:
a Suzuki Swift is a car that looks like it's been modelled on an orthopedic shoe. Especially those orange ones.
a Suzuki Swift is a car that looks like it's been modelled on an orthopedic shoe. Especially those orange ones.
In reply to CJD:
I'm just disappointed that they didn't bring out a companion, the Suzuki Swallow (as featured on the menus of James-Bond themed Japanese brothels, probably)
I'm just disappointed that they didn't bring out a companion, the Suzuki Swallow (as featured on the menus of James-Bond themed Japanese brothels, probably)
In reply to a_radiohead_fan:
"cant beat a golf. reliable and economical."
I've got one of them (03 plate). Will try a Honda next time.
"cant beat a golf. reliable and economical."
I've got one of them (03 plate). Will try a Honda next time.
In reply to JLS: I wouldn't touch a Ka... My folks bought a 1 year old one, which in the space of 2 years went through 1 steering rack, 2 clutches and the gear lever just fell off - only held in place by 2 plastic clips.
IME they're cheap and nasty.
Which a Skoda Fabia isn't.. The 1.2 3 cylinder is great value and a very solid motor, and more grunt than a 1.4 Ka!
IME they're cheap and nasty.
Which a Skoda Fabia isn't.. The 1.2 3 cylinder is great value and a very solid motor, and more grunt than a 1.4 Ka!
In reply to Rob Exile Ward: I loved my Skoda Fabia until its steering went yesterday.
In reply to Rob Exile Ward: don't get a KA my mum was gona get one its not goodif you are ever in a crash, there isn't enough protection, also there are only 4 seats in a KA. She got a fiat punto instead its a good car a punto.
In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
If you do consider a VW Golf, stay away from the cheaper/lower models. I had a nightmare with the made-once-then-VW-realised-it-was-a-bad-idea-and-stopped-production 1.4 litre Golf.
VW cut corners on the lower models to keep costs down (pop-rivets holding the dif together rather than the standard nuts and bolts, 'trimmed down' electric window pulley units etc). It all lead to expensive repairs for a collapsed diff (head popped of rivet and fell into casing) and window repairs (both pdriver and passnger side windows fell into the doors as a result of the pane support arms shearing off).
A mate of mine had exactly the same problems with a similar model.
I would steer clear of all VWs if I were you. Buy Japanese. Not as sexy/desirable as some of the European models but THEY WILL NOT DIE!
If you do consider a VW Golf, stay away from the cheaper/lower models. I had a nightmare with the made-once-then-VW-realised-it-was-a-bad-idea-and-stopped-production 1.4 litre Golf.
VW cut corners on the lower models to keep costs down (pop-rivets holding the dif together rather than the standard nuts and bolts, 'trimmed down' electric window pulley units etc). It all lead to expensive repairs for a collapsed diff (head popped of rivet and fell into casing) and window repairs (both pdriver and passnger side windows fell into the doors as a result of the pane support arms shearing off).
A mate of mine had exactly the same problems with a similar model.
I would steer clear of all VWs if I were you. Buy Japanese. Not as sexy/desirable as some of the European models but THEY WILL NOT DIE!
In reply to galpinos:
and just what s wrong with a ForFour?? i have one, no complaints from me, does 450 to a tank and only costs £35 to fill! adjustable size boot/rear foot space, hndles brilliantly, comfy to sit in, high head space in the back, cheap to insure and tax, fun car to drive!
so whats wrong with it??
Jess.x
> (In reply to Fraser)
>
> Ha ha , nice one
>
> Ha ha , nice one
and just what s wrong with a ForFour?? i have one, no complaints from me, does 450 to a tank and only costs £35 to fill! adjustable size boot/rear foot space, hndles brilliantly, comfy to sit in, high head space in the back, cheap to insure and tax, fun car to drive!
so whats wrong with it??
Jess.x
In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
What kind of budget. Ford's are great if you've not got a lot of money. Fiesta's are great little cars and the best in their class IMHO.
VW and Audi you'll pay a premium for, same as Honda (though hondas do seem to go on and on.)
French cars are cheap, fun but tend to fall apart.
What kind of budget. Ford's are great if you've not got a lot of money. Fiesta's are great little cars and the best in their class IMHO.
VW and Audi you'll pay a premium for, same as Honda (though hondas do seem to go on and on.)
French cars are cheap, fun but tend to fall apart.
In reply to Little Brew:
Sorry, each to their own I guess. Mates got one and neither him nor I like driving it. They're overpriced (I think) and have few redeeming features - neither the styling not ride/comfort are anything to right home about. Tries to be quirky but looks a bit boring.
Too much money for what you get.
(I've got a Focus so feel free to rip it to shreds. I think they're great but too big for what the OP wants. The for4 would be as well I think. There's a reason For4's aren't amde anymore and Merceedes are trying to sell the small part of Smart they still own. Great ideas poorly executed.)
Sorry, each to their own I guess. Mates got one and neither him nor I like driving it. They're overpriced (I think) and have few redeeming features - neither the styling not ride/comfort are anything to right home about. Tries to be quirky but looks a bit boring.
Too much money for what you get.
(I've got a Focus so feel free to rip it to shreds. I think they're great but too big for what the OP wants. The for4 would be as well I think. There's a reason For4's aren't amde anymore and Merceedes are trying to sell the small part of Smart they still own. Great ideas poorly executed.)
In reply to Rob Exile Ward: had two KAs. Bloody great and will be little classics one day. Also if they break down ou can pick them up and take them to the garage on the bus
In reply to galpinos:
I test drove a new fiesta not so long ago and they're great cars for cheap and cheerful.
I test drove a new fiesta not so long ago and they're great cars for cheap and cheerful.
In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
Ron concider a Honda Jazz, so reliable, look good and you will not believe the space inside.
Very economical on fuel and cheap on insurance and neat to park.
won Car of the year in its class when introduced in 2003.
Ron concider a Honda Jazz, so reliable, look good and you will not believe the space inside.
Very economical on fuel and cheap on insurance and neat to park.
won Car of the year in its class when introduced in 2003.
In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
My little runabout...a nissan Micra..died recently after completing 171.000 trouble free miles. It was still running...just about... when it trundled off to Holyhead for £70.
Despite being a great little car I fancied a change and bought a 4 yo Ford Ka with 46k on the clock.
The day after it went through the MOT I drove from N Wales to Edinburgh and it recorded 42mpg there and 47mpg back...I must have had the wind behind me !
Being anorakish in these things the latest figure was 44mpg so I guess mid 40's in not bad for a 1300 petrol engine.
It's not as zippy as the Micra and it still has the Chick/old lady image but it runs fine and parts are plentiful and cheap. So cheap I managed to get a new set of wheels from a scrapyard for nowt when I replaced the horrible alloys it had on when we bought it.
So...Micra and Ka gets the thumbs up from me in the small car catagory.
My little runabout...a nissan Micra..died recently after completing 171.000 trouble free miles. It was still running...just about... when it trundled off to Holyhead for £70.
Despite being a great little car I fancied a change and bought a 4 yo Ford Ka with 46k on the clock.
The day after it went through the MOT I drove from N Wales to Edinburgh and it recorded 42mpg there and 47mpg back...I must have had the wind behind me !
Being anorakish in these things the latest figure was 44mpg so I guess mid 40's in not bad for a 1300 petrol engine.
It's not as zippy as the Micra and it still has the Chick/old lady image but it runs fine and parts are plentiful and cheap. So cheap I managed to get a new set of wheels from a scrapyard for nowt when I replaced the horrible alloys it had on when we bought it.
So...Micra and Ka gets the thumbs up from me in the small car catagory.
In reply to AlisonSmiles:
Oh... I was about to post and say how good my Fabia is as well.. purse strings meant a downsize from a V6 Mondeo and it does the job admirably, it's better than a 206, Clio, Fiesta, Corsa and Mazda 2 (all of which i test drove) and I didn't like the look of the Punto.
Perfect little run around and cheap as chips, the 1.4 16v (100 bhp) engine is very good - both nippy and economic.
> (In reply to Rob Exile Ward) I loved my Skoda Fabia until its steering went yesterday.
Oh... I was about to post and say how good my Fabia is as well.. purse strings meant a downsize from a V6 Mondeo and it does the job admirably, it's better than a 206, Clio, Fiesta, Corsa and Mazda 2 (all of which i test drove) and I didn't like the look of the Punto.
Perfect little run around and cheap as chips, the 1.4 16v (100 bhp) engine is very good - both nippy and economic.
In reply to Mark N: I have a 1.5 suzuki swift and it is swift indeed, economical and does not look like an orphapedia shoe. Good car, beautiful to drive and big enough to get 2 people plus a week of food, gear, tents etc.. and 4 plus gear for a day trip.
Not badly priced either
Not badly priced either
In reply to IainSunderland:
if you look after em they will go on and on and on. the only downside is they are heavy so you need at least a 1.6 litre engine. but the four door is small yet has quite a lot of room.
honda civic was another car i was considering but went for the golf. personal preference i guess.
wouldnt touch a ka. utter pile of pony. never had one but they look like they would fall apart if you so much as bumoped into another car while parking.
if you look after em they will go on and on and on. the only downside is they are heavy so you need at least a 1.6 litre engine. but the four door is small yet has quite a lot of room.
honda civic was another car i was considering but went for the golf. personal preference i guess.
wouldnt touch a ka. utter pile of pony. never had one but they look like they would fall apart if you so much as bumoped into another car while parking.
In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
Get a metro 1.4 diesel, its not fast but mine gets me 400 odd miles on £20 ! Oh and it only cost £100 ! Now thats value !
Get a metro 1.4 diesel, its not fast but mine gets me 400 odd miles on £20 ! Oh and it only cost £100 ! Now thats value !
In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
The VW Polo is brilliant in every way. An older model I once had had the lightest and most precise steering of any car i've ever driven. You could steer it, literally, with one finger.
The VW Polo is brilliant in every way. An older model I once had had the lightest and most precise steering of any car i've ever driven. You could steer it, literally, with one finger.
In reply to Gordon Stainforth: I think the Nissan Figaro is cute!
In reply to Marc C: Thank you one and all. I *think* that just about every make and model of small car available over the last 20 years has now been listed! Ah well, that's capitalism for you.
Mrs W is off researching this afternoon. Interestingly, it didn't occur to her to ask for test drives until I suggested them - she's always bought cars either off the page or after just sitting in them. You think you know somebody pretty well and then...
Mrs W is off researching this afternoon. Interestingly, it didn't occur to her to ask for test drives until I suggested them - she's always bought cars either off the page or after just sitting in them. You think you know somebody pretty well and then...
In reply to Gordon Stainforth: Which is why the Fabia is such a good motor, as it's a Polo but cheaper, and with better dealers... There's a reason Skoda are JD Power's no. 2 manufacturer!
In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
The Ka is only available in 3 door version.
If you need the back seats or luggage they are very cramped
My girlfriend has one though and apart from the lack of space it's a great car, nice to drive (although a bit twitchy due to short wheelbase) cheap and reliable to run.
I'd recomend a 106 1.1 litre version, available for peanuts, run on fresh air and a much more useable interior space than the Ka. Rears seats fold entirley flat, enough room for an inebriated cow in the back.
> Boring thread I know but... we're looking to change cars, looking for a small(ish) 4/5 door, something like a Ford Ka - anyone got any recommendations?
The Ka is only available in 3 door version.
If you need the back seats or luggage they are very cramped
My girlfriend has one though and apart from the lack of space it's a great car, nice to drive (although a bit twitchy due to short wheelbase) cheap and reliable to run.
I'd recomend a 106 1.1 litre version, available for peanuts, run on fresh air and a much more useable interior space than the Ka. Rears seats fold entirley flat, enough room for an inebriated cow in the back.
In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
I've just bought a corsa (today), but I don't get it till wednesday. I really like them, but then they're the only cars I've driven so far, so I don't have much to compare them to.
I've just bought a corsa (today), but I don't get it till wednesday. I really like them, but then they're the only cars I've driven so far, so I don't have much to compare them to.
In reply to Rob Exile Ward: we got mrs andy a meriva recently - based on a Corsa so it's pretty small, but flexible seating (back seats fold into the floor), separate headphone sockets on the back so chimpscan listen to CD whilst you listen to Woman's Hour in the front, decent size inside and reasonably poky.
Lots of them pretty cheap from Vauxhall dealers - we got a 6 month old one on a 55 plate with 5k for about 8 grand. Only problem is it's black with black windows in the back so she looks like a slightly mumsie apprentice drug dealer...
Lots of them pretty cheap from Vauxhall dealers - we got a 6 month old one on a 55 plate with 5k for about 8 grand. Only problem is it's black with black windows in the back so she looks like a slightly mumsie apprentice drug dealer...
In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
I think the Toyota Aygo looks great as a small car. Unique shape but not ugly. Alternatively I'd go for one of the new Peugeots.
http://www.carpages.co.uk/toyota/toyota_images/toyota_aygo_08_06_05.jpg
http://www.carpages.co.uk/peugeot/peugeot_images/peugeot_107_22_05_05.jpg
http://img.stern.de/_content/52/42/524254/Peugeot-1007-750_750.jpg
I think the Toyota Aygo looks great as a small car. Unique shape but not ugly. Alternatively I'd go for one of the new Peugeots.
http://www.carpages.co.uk/toyota/toyota_images/toyota_aygo_08_06_05.jpg
http://www.carpages.co.uk/peugeot/peugeot_images/peugeot_107_22_05_05.jpg
http://img.stern.de/_content/52/42/524254/Peugeot-1007-750_750.jpg
In reply to andy: Good to see you back Andy, I thought your change of job had made you too respectable to post here.
This meriva - never heard of it. Do they do 4/5 door version - middle son is whingeing about having to climb into the back, I think he thinks it will look uncool if anyone from his new comp sees him climbing in...
This meriva - never heard of it. Do they do 4/5 door version - middle son is whingeing about having to climb into the back, I think he thinks it will look uncool if anyone from his new comp sees him climbing in...
In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
LOl. Local garage gave son a small S/H car to drive but he reckoned it was not cool enough so now he is back on cool buses.
> I think he thinks it will look uncool if anyone from his new comp sees him climbing in..
LOl. Local garage gave son a small S/H car to drive but he reckoned it was not cool enough so now he is back on cool buses.
In reply to Rob Exile Ward: http://www.whatcar.com/car-review-full.aspx?RT=586
They're all 5 door - it's like a little Zafira. We've got a 'Design' one that has the clever back seat earphone sockets and stuff.
Still reading and posting, Rob - just not during the day really - due to a combination of crap IT at the new place and lots of important wandering about to do! D'you know the Arrs are living up here now? ids are at school with ours so see Simon for a bike ride/run and a beer most Sunday nights to grumble about young people and caravans.
They're all 5 door - it's like a little Zafira. We've got a 'Design' one that has the clever back seat earphone sockets and stuff.
Still reading and posting, Rob - just not during the day really - due to a combination of crap IT at the new place and lots of important wandering about to do! D'you know the Arrs are living up here now? ids are at school with ours so see Simon for a bike ride/run and a beer most Sunday nights to grumble about young people and caravans.
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