magical do-everything small car recommendations please

[Orangecurry]

But a low budget I'm afraid.

Something interesting/fun to drive, small/light, but below insurance group 20, for many dull reasons - allows 19 year-old with 1 years NCD to drive and gain another year, allows parents to drive at other times, and lasts 12 months so that the next child can learn to drive in it.

Don't care how old or about interior 'toys' - the fewer the better in many ways

So
1 - budget say 3k
2 - manual
3 - petrol
4- doesn't go wrong
5- 100-120 BHP maximum
6 - not a MINI R56 Cooper nor a Fiat 500

I've thought of the following - any strong views please?

Fiesta - which engine?
Honda Civic 1.6 VTEC
Alfa MiTo
Polo
Skoda Fabia?

How bad are the french alternatives?
Peugeot 207
Renault Clio

Vauxhall Astra? (but I know nothing about Vauxhalls)

What else?

Help please!

Thanks!

Edited by Orangecurry on Thursday 25th March 13:39

[CrippsCorner]

You say no R56... but what about an R53? I had a Cooper S and it was great fun, and only had one problem in over 4 years which was a sticky throttle body costing £40 to replace.

Had a 2005 Clio back in the days which did have quite a few issues over the years but all were cheap and easy to repair.

Astra I have now cost me £3k but you probably wouldn't get insured on a VXR. Had for one year and no issues other than a flat tyre!

My brother had an old Golf GTI (Mk4) and didn't rate it for reliability, not sure if the same goes for Polos, though I note VW has not done well in Which? tests recently.

Fabias seem to be pretty good, a friend had a vRS for years... like 10 years or something.

I know they're VW underneath but SEAT? I have been considering an Ibiza/Leon FR.

[Scootersp]

19 years old and 1 year NCD, what insurance did he/you pay and what are you willing to pay? As the 'interesting' part nearly always comes a significant hike for this running cost....

[Orangecurry]

Thanks.

CrippsCorner said:

You say no R56... but what about an R53? I had a Cooper S and it was great fun, and only had one problem in over 4 years which was a sticky throttle body costing £40 to replace.

What are the headlights like - the R56's are ste.

CrippsCorner said:

Had a 2005 Clio back in the days which did have quite a few issues over the years but all were cheap and easy to repair.

What engine? Fun to drive?

[A500leroy]

Panda 100hp

[Orangecurry]

Scootersp said:

19 years old and 1 year NCD, what insurance did he/you pay and what are you willing to pay? As the 'interesting' part nearly always comes a significant hike for this running cost....

MINI Cooper R56, erm what was that...... 17E? from passing his test.

So similar Group will mean less money.

[Orangecurry]

A500leroy said:

Panda 100hp

Thanks - blimey they are rare (on AT at least).

Is that because they've all fallen apart?

[WonkeyDonkey]

We have a 1.4 turbo petrol Mito. 126k miles and just keeps going. Not the last word in driving dynamics though although is quite well spec'd

[Mammasaid]

If you want reliable, then Toyota is hard to pass;

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?sort=relev...

[Orangecurry]

WonkeyDonkey said:

We have a 1.4 turbo petrol Mito. 126k miles and just keeps going. Not the last word in driving dynamics though although is quite well spec'd

Thanks... are the headlights any good?

[ZX10R NIN]

Orangecurry said:

But a low budget I'm afraid.

Something interesting/fun to drive, small/light, but below insurance group 20, for many dull reasons - allows 19 year-old with 1 years NCD to drive and gain another year, allows parents to drive at other times, and lasts 12 months so that the next child can learn to drive in it.

Don't care how old or about interior 'toys' - the fewer the better in many ways

So
1 - budget say 3k
2 - manual
3 - petrol
4- doesn't go wrong
5- 100-120 BHP maximum
6 - not a MINI R56 Cooper nor a Fiat 500

I've thought of the following - any strong views please?

Fiesta - which engine?
Honda Civic 1.6 VTEC
Alfa MiTo
Polo
Skoda Fabia?

How bad are the french alternatives?
Peugeot 207
Renault Clio

Vauxhall Astra? (but I know nothing about Vauxhalls)

What else?

Help please!

Thanks!

Edited by Orangecurry on Thursday 25th March 13:39

All below group 20 insurance with 140bhp or less.

1.4T Astra GTC Sport 140 smart looking car with decent handling & a nice amount of go, with sensible insurance costs:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102149...

1.6 Fiesta Zetec S 120 Cracking steer & a very nice car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101248...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103109...

1.6 DS3 Black 120 very good steer & are the same car underneath as the 208:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103180...

DStyle Plus

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012177...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102149...

1.4T Giulietta Lusso 120

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103069...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103109...

1.4 Mito Veloce 95 these come in numerous power configurations so see which one suits you best

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103230...

105

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011146...

1.4T 120

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101127...

140

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103140...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103180...

155

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102118...

Mazda2 Sport 100

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202101278...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103140...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103110...

1.4 208 Allure 95

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007010...

1.8 Civic Type S 140

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006130...

1.6 Clio GT 130

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011095...

1.2T GT Line 100

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102239...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103150...

All the above are decent steers, don't get to hung up on the BHP some 140bhp cars are as cheap as some of the 100bhp cars.

My top 3 would be the Astra/Fiesta/DS3.

[Orangecurry]

Thanks Mr NIN - I was hoping you'd be along.

Is the previous version Fiesta nearly as good, or was it a step change?

[ZX10R NIN]

The one previous was a good steer but the one's I linked to are a clear step ahead.

[zestyfesty]

Mk 7 Fiesta Zetec - are they near 3k in GB? - near enough in Oz

[Desiderata]

Maybe a bit old, they stopped making them in 2010, but how about a Micra 160SR?
Super tough, great fun to drive, cheap as chips to buy and run.
My son bought one a little over three years ago as his first "real" car. £1200 for an 05, 50000 mile sweetie. Three years and 60000 miles later, not a single problem, looks and runs as good as new and still worth nearly what he paid for it. He really should move on to something bigger and better but he just can't make himself give it up.
He's said he'll keep it till the first time it breaks down before he changes it... I've a feeling he'll be running it for a few years yet...bloody cockroach.

[Baldchap]

I was chatting with a friend recently who described the MiTo as 'The most disappointing car I've ever driven', having owned a diesel Smart ForTwo.

Make of that what you will.

[Orangecurry]

Thanks all - interesting stuff.

Fiesta definitely in the top 3, never heard of that Micra (will look it up), and I remembered a friend in the village had a DS3 when they were new, and spookily his 17 year-old has just bought one!

[Orangecurry]

...just to put this to bed....

After various issues with our other son's MINI R56 1.6, and realising the engine in a DS3 is the same with the same potential flaws I found a Fiesta MK7 Zetec S 1.6, one of the early ones on a 58 plate.

For anyone else looking, I've now done extensive 'twisty A-road' mileage in the R56 Cooper and the Ford, and the Ford is a significantly better driver's car.

Cons: 5-speed, silly 17" wheels that can bend easily, feels flimsy, interior quality
Pros: dynamics, fun, seats, headlights (you can see in the dark), MPG, room in the back for people, proper space in the boot

The one I bought had been cosmetically neglected, but I fixed the radio and stopped the water getting into the boot, so if you are not DIY-handy watch out for those and get the price dropped if you can

Edited by Orangecurry on Thursday 3rd March 17:46

[Canon_Fodder]

Good call OP - you did well to get that for the money

I've had a couple of those and the steering is fantastic - you feel like you've got the front wheels in your hands

[ZX10R NIN]

Orangecurry said:

...just to put this to bed....

After various issues with our other son's MINI R56 1.6, and realising the engine in a DS3 is the same with the same potential flaws I found a Fiesta MK7 Zetec S 1.6, one of the early ones on a 58 plate.

For anyone else looking, I've now done extensive 'twisty A-road' mileage in the R56 Cooper and the Ford, and the Ford is a significantly better driver's car.

Cons: 5-speed, silly 17" wheels that can bend easily, feels flimsy, interior quality
Pros: dynamics, fun, seats, headlights (you can see in the dark), MPG, room in the back for people, proper space in the boot

The one I bought had been cosmetically neglected, but I fixed the radio and stopped the water getting into the boot, so if you are not DIY-handy watch out for those and get the price dropped if you can

Edited by Orangecurry on Thursday 3rd March 17:46

Glad you got sorted OP the MK7 is a very good steer.