What little car has big car features?

[ModMan]

A while back, after reading the "What Barge for £1k-£5k" thread I went out and bought a 2001 Lexus LS430. Frankly it was amazing in every way. Plenty gadgets and comfort that made my 80 mile daily (and 250 mile once a week) round trips effortless. However being a single bloke it just was too big for just me. The 4.3 V8 was another reason

So I'm back to using my trusty 1996 1.4L Polo which I've had for about 8 years. It's done 120000miles and just keeps on going and going, but I'm itching for a change again.

I'd like to spend less than £2k and would like something nice and comfy but also small. Those two terms seems mutually exclusive though. Comfy seats, air con, power steering, electric bits, decent stereo and quiet as possible. I did look at V70's or 850's but they're simply too big. LPG/Diesel/Petrol not bothered as long as I can get at least 40mpg from it. Transmission would be nice if auto but not too bothered if manual. 1999 or newer as well.

I have the Elise for weekend fun so my daily car can be boring.

Does anyone have any suggestions please? I'm probably going to wait a couple of months and see how the Polo fares at its' MOT in June, but early planning and all that ...

[Speed_Demon]

I think that's a difficult one.

You'd be looking at well specced A Classes and A3s I guess. 1 series hatchbacks may be a little new.

[Diabolik]

Bit of an odd-ball but as a sort of cheaper version of a 1-series, there is the 3 series compact.

Example

Can't say I know much about them though I'm afraid.

[edo]

Small enough?

1999 BMW 328 Ci, 93,600 miles

Automatic,
Metallic Black.
Air conditioning,
Folding rear seats,
Passenger airbag,
Rear armrest,
Side airbags,
Traction control,
Computer,
Radio/CD Multichanger,
Cruise control,
Electric sunroof,
Leather seats,
Electrically adjustable seats, with memory
Park distance control.

£2,000

[Rawwr]

Some Minis have a fairly obscene specification but really, it's hard to find a small car that can't be loaded up with toys these days. Gone are the days when a nearside wing mirror was an option.

[ModMan]

Dark cars with light leather are gorgeous! I'm not a BMW fan myself but that is lovely, good suggestion and it's as big as I want to go. Do you happen to know what the servicing and MPG is like on one of those, 80% of my driving is motorway.

I agree Rawwr. Mini's are lovely too, however not quite dropped enough in price yet. What I'd do for the S/C Mini GP!

[edo]

That should do low to mid 30's on the motorway easily.

We had an older 323i, which cost peanuts to run - just make sure it gets serviced on time and buy one with a good solid service history and you should be fine.

[davepoth]

Alfa 147?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Full leather looks pretty good. And it's about the same size as a Grande Punto.

[mph1977]

Citroen DS 3 ... other than the fact it's French - it's PSAs pitch at the Bini market

[ModMan]

mph1977 said:

Citroen DS 3 ... other than the fact it's French - it's PSAs pitch at the Bini market

Still a bit expensive unfortunately.

Oh, and bling

[Risotto]

Two suggestions:

Phase 2 Renaultsport Clio 172 - the non-cup cars had leather/Alcantara, climate control, xenons, auto lights/wipers, etc. Not particularly well built and there are some niggly common faults but they're a good drive and are generally pretty cheap and cheerful.

Audi A2: They can be had with leather, panoramic glass roof, Bose stereo, sports pack(!) and so on. As an added bonus, they're lightweight, frugal, cheap to run and cleverly designed (loads of space inside).

You'd do well to get a good example of either for £2k though.

[CampDavid]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2444876.htm

More cash but comes with leather, climate, auto wipers/lights, parking sensors etc and a dash mounted CD changer.

Rides like an early 90's Merc and better build :lol:

(for disclosure this is my girlfriends car )

[excel monkey]

If you want a genuine small car, not a Focus/Golf size car, probably best to go for a Mk6 Fiesta Ghia or a high spec Yaris. The A3 and 3-series compact are not small enough, and the early Merc A-class wasn't up to much.

[va1o]

Audi A1 is the best for that sort of thing, but its mega expensive!

Look at the new shape A-Class (2005 onwards). Its a bit bigger than a supermini but shorter than the other family hatchbacks. Avantgarde has lots of kit as standard, and many will have left the factory with options like full leather and COMAND etc. They feel every bit as well built as the bigger Mercs.

EDIT - Just spotted it needs to be £2k or under... in that case neither of the above would be suitable! Go for a Golf MK4 with options, they have the best interiors of any small car from that era, it was up to Audi standards. Very nice place to be in especially with the full leather seats. Should be lots about for £2k. Cruise Control is an easy retrofit on most versions.

Edited by va1o on Tuesday 1st February 18:00