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Friend of ours is after a small reliable runaround, petrol is probably favourite as there is less to go wrong.
She is looking at a 2009 Clio Dynamique tomorrow, 41k, 1.2, £4500, are more modern French electrics any better than the old ones?
Had to talk her out of buying a Corsa earlier today which had patchy history and 5 owners in 4 years. What are recent Corsas like in general?
Been trying to steer her towards a sensible 08/09 Polo, any others to consider? Mazda2 looks good but not many about. Fiesta?
I'd avoid anything French, especially anything Peugeot. French electrics have improved, but they are still worse than anything else.
Go Japanese for reliability, the Honda Jazz is the king in this category, but it's a bit dull. Suzuki Swift? Good value, a bit funky and well bolted together.
If you really want European the Fiesta is much nicer than a corsa, and more reliable. Polo's are nice, but overpriced.
Cheers Mike - think I met you some years ago at the petrol station on the A272 near Loomies - I was on my old Blackbird with the PB stickers!
Blimey, small world! Hello again.
Good luck with advising on car purchases- I get asked all the time. They listen carefully, nod wisely and then completely ignore everything you said and buy a 206 anyway, because they look 'cute'.......
There's nothing wrong with French cars, they might not be as well built as "premium" brands, but then they don't cost as much, but french unreliabilty is pretty much a myth now days they are as reliable/unreliable as just about every other brand out there.
Wanna buy my Ibiza? It's in the classifieds. Annoyingly reliable.
Mini Cooper ??
We were looking for a small hatchback earlier this year and in the end went for a Fiesta.
Not the most modern design in the year regs you'll be looking at - but it's a good looking car, very entertaining to drive (1.4 petrol here), reliable, cheap to service and there's loads to choose from.
Don't rule out a Fiat Punto - either the Grande or the Evo version - mine was spot on, very very well specced, nice to drive, cheap to run, etc, etc. I was sad to see it go but needed five doors and a bigger boot. Just try to look beyond the old Fiat stigma! Sister's Suzuki Swift has been reliable for her, worth a look.
Your Ibiza looks alreet hot fiat but Northumberland is a bit of a trek from the South coast.
Don't think she's had a car of her own for a few years so Mini is probably out on insurance grounds.
Will have a look at some Fiestas and see if any there are any good Jazz/Mazda2/Yaris for sale locally
bikemike1968 - Member
I get asked all the time. They listen carefully, nod wisely and then completely ignore everything you said and buy a 206 anyway, because they look 'cute'.......
LOL. I get that with people at work buying bikes.
to the OP, VW everytime. Polo is a great car.
nea wurries, was worth a punt. Anyone else want it?
Mk3 Punto = Corsa D = Alfa Mito = Chrysler Ypsilon
All made on the line at mirafiori to pretty exacting standards. The problem with FIATs (I've had 15 or so) / Alfas / Chryslers, for they are just re-badged lancias, isn't the build quality, it's the dealers. They are, without exception, a bunch of mindless ford-trained otherwise unemplyable jerks. Find one without a trail of dealer stamps and you're probably onto a winner.
[Quote-harrisp - Member
There's nothing wrong with French cars, they might not be as well built as "premium" brands, but then they don't cost as much, but french unreliabilty is pretty much a myth now days they are as reliable/unreliable as just about every other brand out there]
With all due respect I've got to disagree with you on this.
I work as a roadside patrol for a well known motoring organisation so I see first hand what is breaking down.
Polo Dune
I'm selling my mum's 5,000 mile Honda Jazz right now, I'd be delighted to share the details if you want to message me. cheers, Paul
Can fully recommend the Clio 182 if they want something more fun than the boxes on wheels generally listed above (obviously not as new, i know thats more important to some). Relatively cheap to run. Only large cost really is cam belt changes at 5 years at rougly £500-£600 as it's a specialist job.
Renaultsports are much better engineered and built than the typical renault cars. Also comes with pretty much everything you could want, auto lights and wiper, climate control, etc.
Skoda Fabia ?
if you want an alfa mito 135 in a nice cute navy blue that is both reliable, efficient and quite fun. ill be selling mine soon for around £6000 (10 plate, 50,000)
Recently bought my mrs a Seat ARosa, VW Lupo basically, lot cheaper to buy with same VW reliability
My citrone c2 has been the most reliable car I've ever had.
Put 60000 miles on it. And apart from tyres some
Brakes etc all that broken was an abs sensor and the dealer tried sell me a throttle butterfly thing but it just needed cleaning.
And the bracket round the exhaust back box rots but again easy and cheap fix
20000 service interval
And 10 years for cambelt I forget the mileage figure but lots
Its been much better than the golf or a4 estate we have had at the same time and far better than our defender for cost of ownership
bikemike was right, given up on advice and am instead just going to look at some cars with her on Saturday to stop her buying a nail. She is keen a Hyundai i20, any info on these appreciated!
sing1etrack - MemberDon't rule out a Fiat Punto
Bottom three in the 2013 JD Power customer satisfaction survey. 😳
Saying something is better than a Defender for cost of ownership is like saying something is healthier to eat for lunch every day than a Big Mac meal...
Let her choose, it's her fault then if it goes wrong. If you sway her towards something she didn't really want the moment one little problem rears it's head it will all be down to you...
mattbee - exactly what I am doing. I'm just going along to look at cars of her choice with her, viewing a Mazda2 and an i20 tomorrow.