Topic: Small Car advice please (Read 2558 times)

Lazydocker · « **on:** 04 February 2010, 21:28:18 »

Had a call from SWMBOs uncle about an hour ago... He's looking for a small car for his wife. Got up to £2k to spend. Needs to be small as it's a second car and will not see much use and unlikely to see much more than local travel.

Must be well looked after and in good condition

Any suggestions? Anyone with something for sale?

Del Boy · « **Reply #1 on:** 04 February 2010, 21:30:22 »

Nissan Almera's 2003 onwards, Rover 25 despite HG trouble they're quality little motors and reliable other than that. Ford fiesta good cars just a few to think about

Lazydocker · « **Reply #2 on:** 04 February 2010, 21:32:18 »

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Nissan Almera's 2003 onwards, Rover 25 despite HG trouble they're quality little motors and reliable other than that. Ford fiesta good cars just a few to think about

He's disabled and lives 200 odd miles away so must be a reliable car... Unfortunately the Rovers are oiut as he's not able to do the maintenance himself.

He's looking at Corsa/clit territory as that's all they need

pedroMV6 · « **Reply #3 on:** 04 February 2010, 21:59:52 »

Astra G I had was a cracking little car - but exactly that.........little!
Heard only good things about Corsa D's.

hotel21 · « **Reply #4 on:** 04 February 2010, 22:56:48 »

Might be able to put you onto a Ford Ka. 16k miles from new, cant remember the age - say about 4 years - for about 2 grand. If its viable, let me know and I will find out specifics....

Lazydocker · « **Reply #5 on:** 04 February 2010, 22:58:53 »

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Might be able to put you onto a Ford Ka. 16k miles from new, cant remember the age - say about 4 years - for about 2 grand. If its viable, let me know and I will find out specifics....

Not really what they're after TBH... But would still be interested in specifics as it would suit them and it sounds like quite a good one

[edit]I suggested not a Ka... But at that price

[/edit]

Vamps · « **Reply #6 on:** 05 February 2010, 00:20:46 »

The Citroen Saxo seems to be a good little car.

I have a T reg one for my 17 yr old step son and despite sitting buried in snow for 4 weeks started first turn, a little basic though newer models would be better....

Lazydocker · « **Reply #7 on:** 05 February 2010, 00:24:16 »

Basic model is fine for their needs but must be well maintained and in good order... As I've said, he's disabled and unable to do the maintenance and a 400 mile round trip if there's a problem doesn't appeal

Marks DTM Calib · « **Reply #8 on:** 05 February 2010, 08:29:15 »

Given the budget....an Astra G.

Lazydocker · « **Reply #9 on:** 05 February 2010, 09:29:03 »

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Given the budget....an Astra G.

Instead of a Corsa?

They're really after a small car... After a quick look on Auto Trader last night I saw a few Agila's come up very cheap.... Anyone know what they're really like?

tunnie · « **Reply #10 on:** 05 February 2010, 09:32:44 »

They are a little dull, but mother tunnies other ride a Nissan Almera has been faultless, never put a foot wrong, only had standard servicing. Reliable little buggers (its a 2000 shape)

feeutfo · « **Reply #11 on:** 05 February 2010, 10:10:36 »

Mrs g has a polo auto, good little car that fits 4 large adults, one of them me in the back no problem. We have had abs issues but these where not the cars fault it turns out. May not fit on price though.

She had a ka previously, which i hated tbh, although it was a basic model.

djac · « **Reply #12 on:** 05 February 2010, 10:10:46 »

A few years ago my daughter had a P reg Micra 1.3 GX auto with PAS, with about 110,000 on the clock.

I drove it more than she did and I loved it! Despite the high mileage it started first time every time and ran as smooth as silk.

Kevin Wood · « **Reply #13 on:** 05 February 2010, 10:11:30 »

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Mrs g has a polo auto, good little car that fits 4 large adults, one of them me in the back no problem. We have had abs issues but these where not the cars fault it turns out.

She had a ka previously, which i hated tbh, although it was a basic model.

Have you got to the bottom of it at last?

Kevin

feeutfo · « **Reply #14 on:** 05 February 2010, 10:22:30 »

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Mrs g has a polo auto, good little car that fits 4 large adults, one of them me in the back no problem. We have had abs issues but these where not the cars fault it turns out.
She had a ka previously, which i hated tbh, although it was a basic model.

Have you got to the bottom of it at last?

Kevin

Yeah, it took so long due to me being lazy. There was damage to the abs loom to ecu, which we repaired, but missed the fact the wire had also been pulled out of the pin in the plug. We managed to unclip the pin, solder the wire back on and re fit the pin. Sorted now, i,m intrigued to know how it got damaged there. Strange.

Marks DTM Calib · « **Reply #15 on:** 05 February 2010, 11:08:08 »

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Given the budget....an Astra G.

Instead of a Corsa?

They're really after a small car... After a quick look on Auto Trader last night I saw a few Agila's come up very cheap.... Anyone know what they're really like?

Yes, the disabled bit was what made me sudgest it as Corsa's, Ka's, Fiestas, Polos and the like are harder to get in and out of.

I would never persoanl have an Almera....they are just such a bloody awful drive

Lazydocker · « **Reply #16 on:** 05 February 2010, 11:15:04 »

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Quote
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Given the budget....an Astra G.

Instead of a Corsa?

They're really after a small car... After a quick look on Auto Trader last night I saw a few Agila's come up very cheap.... Anyone know what they're really like?

Yes, the disabled bit was what made me sudgest it as Corsa's, Ka's, Fiestas, Polos and the like are harder to get in and out of.

I would never persoanl have an Almera....they are just such a bloody awful drive

It's going to be a second car... They have a new Megane as a motability car but she isn't insured to drive without him in the car, which is causing issues at the moment because she's making regular trips to hospital to visit her sick mum and he doesn't want to go

He'll rarely get in and out of it anyway but is able to move/walk reasonably well (most days) with the aid of sticks

They have looked at a couple of Corsas but was saying it was a W Reg and the garage want £2k, with only 3 months warranty... Sounds like they're pulling a fast one to me

I have said I'll try and get down there if they find something and bully the dealer for a better deal

Vamps · « **Reply #17 on:** 06 February 2010, 00:40:24 »

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Quote
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Given the budget....an Astra G.

Instead of a Corsa?

They're really after a small car... After a quick look on Auto Trader last night I saw a few Agila's come up very cheap.... Anyone know what they're really like?

Yes, the disabled bit was what made me sudgest it as Corsa's, Ka's, Fiestas, Polos and the like are harder to get in and out of.

I would never persoanl have an Almera....they are just such a bloody awful drive

It's going to be a second car... They have a new Megane as a motability car but she isn't insured to drive without him in the car, which is causing issues at the moment because she's making regular trips to hospital to visit her sick mum and he doesn't want to go

He'll rarely get in and out of it anyway but is able to move/walk reasonably well (most days) with the aid of sticks

They have looked at a couple of Corsas but was saying it was a W Reg and the garage want £2k, with only 3 months warranty... Sounds like they're pulling a fast one to me

I have said I'll try and get down there if they find something and bully the dealer for a better deal

That's not exactly true...........

Though there is abuse by non disabled drivers, however there are a lot of misunderstandings and hence false allegations of abuse.......

Lazydocker · « **Reply #18 on:** 06 February 2010, 00:54:27 »

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Quote
Quote
Quote
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Given the budget....an Astra G.

Instead of a Corsa?

They're really after a small car... After a quick look on Auto Trader last night I saw a few Agila's come up very cheap.... Anyone know what they're really like?

Yes, the disabled bit was what made me sudgest it as Corsa's, Ka's, Fiestas, Polos and the like are harder to get in and out of.

I would never persoanl have an Almera....they are just such a bloody awful drive

It's going to be a second car... They have a new Megane as a motability car but she isn't insured to drive without him in the car, which is causing issues at the moment because she's making regular trips to hospital to visit her sick mum and he doesn't want to go

He'll rarely get in and out of it anyway but is able to move/walk reasonably well (most days) with the aid of sticks

They have looked at a couple of Corsas but was saying it was a W Reg and the garage want £2k, with only 3 months warranty... Sounds like they're pulling a fast one to me

I have said I'll try and get down there if they find something and bully the dealer for a better deal

That's not exactly true........... Though there is abuse by non disabled drivers, however there are a lot of misunderstandings and hence false allegations of abuse.......

I did think it strange... May suggest he checks this before chucking £2k (which they could do without spending) at a car they don't really need

p j morgan · « **Reply #19 on:** 06 February 2010, 01:19:48 »

hi paul .my cousin often picks up some nice used cars with very low milage .he had an 04 plate peugeot 106 for £1900 it had only done 32k .you will have to let me no if they still want a cheapie reliable runabout and i will see what comes up ?ok love to emma

Lazydocker · « **Reply #20 on:** 06 February 2010, 01:30:03 »

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hi paul .my cousin often picks up some nice used cars with very low milage .he had an 04 plate peugeot 106 for £1900 it had only done 32k .you will have to let me no if they still want a cheapie reliable runabout and i will see what comes up ?ok love to emma

At present they are still looking... H21 is digging up some details of the Ka for me, but open to other suggestions

acura · « **Reply #21 on:** 06 February 2010, 08:34:06 »

Nissan Micra, a late version of the bubble shaped one, not the latest frogeye.

Dead reliable, drives well, big doors for easy access, doddle to maintain, timing chain not belt. My wife had one for years and not a spot of bother. 1.3 better but 1.0 quite lively.
Less than £2K should get a very good one.

Personally I would avoid anything French if you want reliability, just my opinion from experience.

cruisetopoland · « **Reply #22 on:** 06 February 2010, 09:36:19 »

You'll laugh but take a look at a 2000-2004 pre-facelift Perodua Kelisa GXi (not 2004- or EXi or EZi)

in 2009, we bought a minter 2004 car with 9,000 miles for £1700, ran it faultlessly at 55+mpg to 17,000 miles and sold it back to a dealer for £1840. Only had oil change and 2 tyres, so free motoring. £90pa road tax, group 2 insurance.

They are super reliable and are Daihatsu Cuore 5 doors built omn a Toyota production line in Malaysia from Japanese Daihatsu parts. The car is a proven 989cc 3 cylinder 12v twin cam Toyota unit with 5 speed box, electric windows, remote locking, power steering etc. Pre-facelift are better quality and better looking than the later late 2004- versions which have ugly fronts and slimy seat trim.

In 87 cars Ihave owned, I have had 5 Peroduas, all 100% reliable and the 3 Kelisas I have owned (including a heavily abused ex-hire 90k miler) have been absolutely spot on.

I cannot recommend them highly enough, but would point out they are not ABS equipped and are not to latest crash ratings. If you are interested in on of these, PM me and I will tell you what to look for.

See:

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.verdictoncars.com/cars/300/perodua/kelisa.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.verdictoncars.com/jsp/vocmain.jsp%3Fdescription%3DPerodua%2520Kelisa%26lnk%3D201%26model%3D848&usg=__xLuDQucd_-TPe1S6W2SLc0ICXAo=&h=200&w=300&sz=15&hl=en&start=14&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=g5GtFcVzwAYq8M:&tbnh=77&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dperodua%2Bkelisa%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1 but ignore their stupid comments!

On this page you will see green pre-f and silver facelift-note the differences! Go and drive one and be amazed at the directness and accuracy of the drive.

James May and Richard Hammond both rated the Kelisa very highly on their road test as being entertaining and well built.

Well worth a look at around £2000

Del Boy · « **Reply #23 on:** 06 February 2010, 16:00:10 »

Agree with Mark, Astra G's are great, never thought of them actually

hotel21 · « **Reply #24 on:** 06 February 2010, 16:01:37 »

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hi paul .my cousin often picks up some nice used cars with very low milage .he had an 04 plate peugeot 106 for £1900 it had only done 32k .you will have to let me no if they still want a cheapie reliable runabout and i will see what comes up ?ok love to emma

At present they are still looking... H21 is digging up some details of the Ka for me, but open to other suggestions

PM sent today....

sparten · « **Reply #25 on:** 06 February 2010, 23:30:54 »

were all missing a good car from this list the fiat punto easy to get into cheap to run,insure and maintaine

Lazydocker · « **Reply #26 on:** 07 February 2010, 23:48:18 »

Well... It looks like she's decided she wants a Peugeot 106... Not my choice of "best car" but it's what she/they want. Should be able to get them some change too

djac · « **Reply #27 on:** 08 February 2010, 11:28:44 »

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Agree with Mark, Astra G's are great, never thought of them actually

My previous car was an X reg Astra 1.7DTi estate. The only reason I moved to the Omega was because I (or my family) needed the extra seating space.

I really miss the Astra when I'm at the petrol pump with the Omega!

tunnie · « **Reply #28 on:** 08 February 2010, 11:46:52 »

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Agree with Mark, Astra G's are great, never thought of them actually

My previous car was an X reg Astra 1.7DTi estate. The only reason I moved to the Omega was because I (or my family) needed the extra seating space.

I really miss the Astra when I'm at the petrol pump with the Omega!

Driven a 1.6 16v Astra G, nippy little thing, but the seats in it are awful!

Only drove it for 20 mins and had back ache, no matter how much fiddling i did with the settings, still awful, rock hard as well, no give in them.

News:

Author Topic: Small Car advice please (Read 2558 times)

feeutfo

feeutfo