Small petrol auto?
Discussion
It's time to change the wife's Jazz.
She'd like an automatic this time as she has been driving mine whilst I've been away on business.
It has to be petrol as she only covers about 5000 miles per year. Ideally it'll be a 5 door hatch as we've two kids and it's practical.
Now, she has requested that it's quicker off the mark than her Jazz (not too difficult) but, it needs to be newer than her Jazz (2009) and reliable. Budget is about £8000.
Obviously we've trawled autotrader for possible cars and have discounted a few for the various reasons below.
Fabia VRS, too many engine horror stories, DSG problems?
Civic 1.8, wife can't get on with the rear screen set up.
1 Series, wife doesn't like the looks.
Golf TSI, worried about out of warranty DSG box.
Polo 1.4 DSG, too slow and gearbox worries.
She likes the MINI clubman but we are yet to have a good look at one, of course these cars are also not without problems...
So what else is there that we've overlooked?
She'd like an automatic this time as she has been driving mine whilst I've been away on business.
It has to be petrol as she only covers about 5000 miles per year. Ideally it'll be a 5 door hatch as we've two kids and it's practical.
Now, she has requested that it's quicker off the mark than her Jazz (not too difficult) but, it needs to be newer than her Jazz (2009) and reliable. Budget is about £8000.
Obviously we've trawled autotrader for possible cars and have discounted a few for the various reasons below.
Fabia VRS, too many engine horror stories, DSG problems?
Civic 1.8, wife can't get on with the rear screen set up.
1 Series, wife doesn't like the looks.
Golf TSI, worried about out of warranty DSG box.
Polo 1.4 DSG, too slow and gearbox worries.
She likes the MINI clubman but we are yet to have a good look at one, of course these cars are also not without problems...
So what else is there that we've overlooked?
2013 Renault Clio 1.2T GT LIne 23k 120bhp (don't dismiss it because it's french remember it's a Nissan underneath)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
2013 Fiesta 1.6 Titanium X 16k 105bhp
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
2014 Peugeot 208 1.6 Allure 15k 120bhp
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
2013 Fiesta 1.6 Titanium X 16k 105bhp
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
2014 Peugeot 208 1.6 Allure 15k 120bhp
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...
ZX10R NIN said:
2013 Renault Clio 1.2T GT LIne 23k 120bhp (don't dismiss it because it's french remember it's a Nissan underneath)
The other way around. Politics say it's an 'alliance' - but the share exchange is 3:1 in favour of Renault.So when you're buying a Nissan, you're getting a Renault.
I bought a Yaris hybrid a year ago - had been considering the Jazz as well.
8k should get you a 3-4 year old one from a main dealer, with a years warranty.
Batteries are warranteed up to 11 years old if you use main dealer servicing, and you can extend the whole car warranty easily as well.
They do 55-60mpg when driven like a normal car. Up to 70mpg is possible depending on conditions.
https://www.taxhelp.uk.com/toyota-yaris-hybrid-rev...
8k should get you a 3-4 year old one from a main dealer, with a years warranty.
Batteries are warranteed up to 11 years old if you use main dealer servicing, and you can extend the whole car warranty easily as well.
They do 55-60mpg when driven like a normal car. Up to 70mpg is possible depending on conditions.
https://www.taxhelp.uk.com/toyota-yaris-hybrid-rev...
Nice riposte 
The Clio's are hard to find in GT Line spec with the Auto box but they seem well spec'd & good value so they might be worth going out of your way for.
The one in the link I sent you is around 1k below main dealer prices, it's also a private sale so I'm pretty sure you'll be able to haggle a little more off the price.
Deerfoot said:
Trabi601 said:
Probably because nobody trusts a French auto box!
I know. Perhaps they should've bought a nice reliable car with a VAG DSG box.....I can't understand why anyone would be worried about a DSG, but happily buy pretty much the same thing, but made by the French. And the Ford 'Powershift' is a power and economy sapping boat anchor. In reality, very few twin-clutch boxes manage to be both decent and reliable. I much prefer a hybrid or the ZF 8 speed. (Although I don't think that comes in anything smaller than a 1-series - which could actually be an option for the OP, too)
Because the DSG is getting a lovely reputation for breaking & costing 3-4k to repair, now that's not all DSG's but out my 4 mates who have them 2 have gone very wrong even the Warranty Companies are charging extra for them.
Which is why VAG is in the process of switching back to Autos apart from it's medium to small performance models.
Now the gearbox in the Renault is a Nissan one (if that makes any difference) most modern cars will throw the odd fit but with the OP's mileage in mind I'd have no problem recommending the Clio, I'd be less inclined for a DSG VAG product.
These are just my personal opinions garnered from what I've seen tuning/trading cars.
Which is why VAG is in the process of switching back to Autos apart from it's medium to small performance models.
Now the gearbox in the Renault is a Nissan one (if that makes any difference) most modern cars will throw the odd fit but with the OP's mileage in mind I'd have no problem recommending the Clio, I'd be less inclined for a DSG VAG product.
These are just my personal opinions garnered from what I've seen tuning/trading cars.
I had similar requirements when looking for my current car, and chose the Mk3 Jazz CVT, which I would say is worth a look for the OP (although I understand the desire for something quicker).
I tested the Fiesta Ecoboost Powershift and liked the handling and performance of the engine, but felt that the gearbox wasn't the smoothest (would often be hunting for the correct gear and required me to override manually - if I buy an auto, I want it to just do its thing without me needing to interfere, or I'd just drive a manual instead). I would add that I also tested a 1.6 naturally aspirated Fiesta Powershift, and it felt slower than the Jazz to me, so if you do go for the Ford definitely get the Ecoboost.
I also tested the Yaris Hybrid, which is a decent car and a better option than the Fiesta IMO. I used to have an Auris Hybrid as a company car and didn't go for the Yaris in the end as I thought it felt a bit cheap in comparison to the Auris. The Jazz just felt more solid and the practicality won me over. I understand that the OP's wife might want a change from hers, but I don't think there is a better small auto on the market.
I tested the Fiesta Ecoboost Powershift and liked the handling and performance of the engine, but felt that the gearbox wasn't the smoothest (would often be hunting for the correct gear and required me to override manually - if I buy an auto, I want it to just do its thing without me needing to interfere, or I'd just drive a manual instead). I would add that I also tested a 1.6 naturally aspirated Fiesta Powershift, and it felt slower than the Jazz to me, so if you do go for the Ford definitely get the Ecoboost.
I also tested the Yaris Hybrid, which is a decent car and a better option than the Fiesta IMO. I used to have an Auris Hybrid as a company car and didn't go for the Yaris in the end as I thought it felt a bit cheap in comparison to the Auris. The Jazz just felt more solid and the practicality won me over. I understand that the OP's wife might want a change from hers, but I don't think there is a better small auto on the market.
ZX10R NIN said:
Because the DSG is getting a lovely reputation for breaking & costing 3-4k to repair, now that's not all DSG's but out my 4 mates who have them 2 have gone very wrong even the Warranty Companies are charging extra for them.
Which is why VAG is in the process of switching back to Autos apart from it's medium to small performance models.
Now the gearbox in the Renault is a Nissan one (if that makes any difference) most modern cars will throw the odd fit but with the OP's mileage in mind I'd have no problem recommending the Clio, I'd be less inclined for a DSG VAG product.
These are just my personal opinions garnered from what I've seen tuning/trading cars.
Stop spreading this crap about Renaults being a 'Nissan under the skin' - they're not. European market Nissans are mostly Renault derived.Which is why VAG is in the process of switching back to Autos apart from it's medium to small performance models.
Now the gearbox in the Renault is a Nissan one (if that makes any difference) most modern cars will throw the odd fit but with the OP's mileage in mind I'd have no problem recommending the Clio, I'd be less inclined for a DSG VAG product.
These are just my personal opinions garnered from what I've seen tuning/trading cars.
Nissan don't use the RENAULT EDC box - they have continued to use traditional autos or CVTs in most applications.
A quick google suggests the Renault EDC box is equally as bad, if not worse, than the VAG DSG.
I thought the EDC box was in the QQ which after a check it seems it is.
Calm down a Kadjar & QQ are the same car so then the Nissan is a Renault either they sell lots of QQ (& the Kadjar's seem to be all over the place) which people would recommend for being Japanese so either way they're a decent car.
OP try & get a test drive in one to see if you like it.
Calm down a Kadjar & QQ are the same car so then the Nissan is a Renault either they sell lots of QQ (& the Kadjar's seem to be all over the place) which people would recommend for being Japanese so either way they're a decent car.
OP try & get a test drive in one to see if you like it.
Edited by ZX10R NIN on Saturday 6th May 19:08
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