Sub 5K nippy car for Mrs
Discussion
The Mrs is starting a new job in 2 months and will need a car to get there. It's a mix of country lanes and a small amount of motorway (M4) to get to work for her.
Her last (and first) car was a 1.4 N/A Mk6 (2008) fiesta which was fine around town but she didn't feel confident merging onto motorway as it was a little gutless.
I've recommended she get a modern small petrol with a turbo (and timing chain to avoid wet belt issues) something between 2012 and 2015 and so far I've looked at the common issues and shortlisted:
Fiesta/focus 1.0 ecoboost - too risky
Fabia 1.2 tsi - "too ugly"
Polo 1.2 tsi - not many around for less than 5K
Audi A1 1.4tfsi - doesn't seem to be twin charged but only high milage (95k+) examples around and I've heard a new chain is £2k+
Ibiza 1.2 TSI - I think is the best option available but finding a clean one without a shopping list of MOT points is a challenge
Corsa 1.4 iTurbo - seems like the best value and newest car but again most have a worrying MOT history
If we can't get a turbo car within the timeframe, then in the last couple of weeks before she starts her new job I was thinking of:
1.4 Ibiza (N/A)
1.25/1.4 fiesta (N/A)
1.3/1.5 Mazda 2
Does anyone have experience of any of the cars listed or any other suggestions? Thoughts and feedback welcome
Her last (and first) car was a 1.4 N/A Mk6 (2008) fiesta which was fine around town but she didn't feel confident merging onto motorway as it was a little gutless.
I've recommended she get a modern small petrol with a turbo (and timing chain to avoid wet belt issues) something between 2012 and 2015 and so far I've looked at the common issues and shortlisted:
Fiesta/focus 1.0 ecoboost - too risky
Fabia 1.2 tsi - "too ugly"
Polo 1.2 tsi - not many around for less than 5K
Audi A1 1.4tfsi - doesn't seem to be twin charged but only high milage (95k+) examples around and I've heard a new chain is £2k+
Ibiza 1.2 TSI - I think is the best option available but finding a clean one without a shopping list of MOT points is a challenge
Corsa 1.4 iTurbo - seems like the best value and newest car but again most have a worrying MOT history
If we can't get a turbo car within the timeframe, then in the last couple of weeks before she starts her new job I was thinking of:
1.4 Ibiza (N/A)
1.25/1.4 fiesta (N/A)
1.3/1.5 Mazda 2
Does anyone have experience of any of the cars listed or any other suggestions? Thoughts and feedback welcome
1,6T Astra SRI:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404178...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404198...
Go for the Focus with the 1.6T over the 1.0T:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403187...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404148...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402126...
Those two are where I'd be looking both are reliable with a nice amount of low down torque.
Now a very good car but leftfield is Alfa Giulietta they're well proven & a nice place ro be, they're well worth a look if you see a nice one.
Cloverleaf:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310112...
Veloce:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404048...
Sportiva:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404148...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404178...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404198...
Go for the Focus with the 1.6T over the 1.0T:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403187...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404148...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402126...
Those two are where I'd be looking both are reliable with a nice amount of low down torque.
Now a very good car but leftfield is Alfa Giulietta they're well proven & a nice place ro be, they're well worth a look if you see a nice one.
Cloverleaf:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310112...
Veloce:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404048...
Sportiva:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404148...
ZX10R NIN said:
1,6T Astra SRI:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404178...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404198...
Go for the Focus with the 1.6T over the 1.0T:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403187...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404148...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402126...
Those two are where I'd be looking both are reliable with a nice amount of low down torque.
Now a very good car but leftfield is Alfa Giulietta they're well proven & a nice place ro be, they're well worth a look if you see a nice one.
Cloverleaf:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310112...
Veloce:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404048...
Sportiva:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404148...
I actually had a guilietta myself which was written off in Feb - great cars and incredible value. Unfortunately the ergonomics and mental design of certain things put me off getting another!https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404178...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404198...
Go for the Focus with the 1.6T over the 1.0T:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403187...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404148...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402126...
Those two are where I'd be looking both are reliable with a nice amount of low down torque.
Now a very good car but leftfield is Alfa Giulietta they're well proven & a nice place ro be, they're well worth a look if you see a nice one.
Cloverleaf:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310112...
Veloce:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404048...
Sportiva:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404148...
I had considered the astra but think I read somewhere that they were unreliable/M32 chocolate gearbox? I'll read up on them again!
Does the 1.6 ecoboost not suffer from the same wet belt and cooling issues as the 1.0?
h3dshot said:
I actually had a guilietta myself which was written off in Feb - great cars and incredible value. Unfortunately the ergonomics and mental design of certain things put me off getting another!
I had considered the astra but think I read somewhere that they were unreliable/M32 chocolate gearbox? I'll read up on them again!
Does the 1.6 ecoboost not suffer from the same wet belt and cooling issues as the 1.0?
The Astra is very robust especially in 1.6T form & the 1.6T in the Focus has a conventional cambelt.I had considered the astra but think I read somewhere that they were unreliable/M32 chocolate gearbox? I'll read up on them again!
Does the 1.6 ecoboost not suffer from the same wet belt and cooling issues as the 1.0?
On the Mazda2, I had a 2012 1.5 Auto and had no problems with that. If a 1.4 Fiesta hasn't enough go for merging, then I think you'd want the 1.5, though iirc in manual it came with 16" wheels that won't help the ride quality.
On the VAG 1.2/1.4TSI cars you mention, I think it is generally considered best to get one of the later ones with a timing belt, as I understand that some of the chains weren't stamped properly, plus I recall that the chain-generation of engines can have other problems.
On the VAG 1.2/1.4TSI cars you mention, I think it is generally considered best to get one of the later ones with a timing belt, as I understand that some of the chains weren't stamped properly, plus I recall that the chain-generation of engines can have other problems.
trevalvole said:
On the Mazda2, I had a 2012 1.5 Auto and had no problems with that. If a 1.4 Fiesta hasn't enough go for merging, then I think you'd want the 1.5, though iirc in manual it came with 16" wheels that won't help the ride quality.
On the VAG 1.2/1.4TSI cars you mention, I think it is generally considered best to get one of the later ones with a timing belt, as I understand that some of the chains weren't stamped properly, plus I recall that the chain-generation of engines can have other problems.
Thanks yep mazda is a get out of jail card if we can't find a turbo'd car within the timeframe. I agree it'll need to be the 1.5 but not many about under 5k 😔On the VAG 1.2/1.4TSI cars you mention, I think it is generally considered best to get one of the later ones with a timing belt, as I understand that some of the chains weren't stamped properly, plus I recall that the chain-generation of engines can have other problems.
Yes I've heard mixed reviews, from the numerous websites and youtube videos I've deducted the chains were uprated in 2012 so shouldn't be an issue after that (albeit 1.4 twin charged is best avoided regardless)
Thanks for the info
h3dshot said:
The Mrs is starting a new job in 2 months and will need a car to get there. It's a mix of country lanes and a small amount of motorway (M4) to get to work for her.
Her last (and first) car was a 1.4 N/A Mk6 (2008) fiesta which was fine around town but she didn't feel confident merging onto motorway as it was a little gutless.
I've recommended she get a modern small petrol with a turbo (and timing chain to avoid wet belt issues) something between 2012 and 2015 and so far I've looked at the common issues and shortlisted:
Fiesta/focus 1.0 ecoboost - too risky
Fabia 1.2 tsi - "too ugly"
Polo 1.2 tsi - not many around for less than 5K
Audi A1 1.4tfsi - doesn't seem to be twin charged but only high milage (95k+) examples around and I've heard a new chain is £2k+
Ibiza 1.2 TSI - I think is the best option available but finding a clean one without a shopping list of MOT points is a challenge
Corsa 1.4 iTurbo - seems like the best value and newest car but again most have a worrying MOT history
If we can't get a turbo car within the timeframe, then in the last couple of weeks before she starts her new job I was thinking of:
1.4 Ibiza (N/A)
1.25/1.4 fiesta (N/A)
1.3/1.5 Mazda 2
Does anyone have experience of any of the cars listed or any other suggestions? Thoughts and feedback welcome
My wife had the same with a 1.2 corsa , didn’t feel confident joining motorways / overtaking , she’s now got a fiesta st and has no issues acceleration wise .Her last (and first) car was a 1.4 N/A Mk6 (2008) fiesta which was fine around town but she didn't feel confident merging onto motorway as it was a little gutless.
I've recommended she get a modern small petrol with a turbo (and timing chain to avoid wet belt issues) something between 2012 and 2015 and so far I've looked at the common issues and shortlisted:
Fiesta/focus 1.0 ecoboost - too risky
Fabia 1.2 tsi - "too ugly"
Polo 1.2 tsi - not many around for less than 5K
Audi A1 1.4tfsi - doesn't seem to be twin charged but only high milage (95k+) examples around and I've heard a new chain is £2k+
Ibiza 1.2 TSI - I think is the best option available but finding a clean one without a shopping list of MOT points is a challenge
Corsa 1.4 iTurbo - seems like the best value and newest car but again most have a worrying MOT history
If we can't get a turbo car within the timeframe, then in the last couple of weeks before she starts her new job I was thinking of:
1.4 Ibiza (N/A)
1.25/1.4 fiesta (N/A)
1.3/1.5 Mazda 2
Does anyone have experience of any of the cars listed or any other suggestions? Thoughts and feedback welcome
Can get Clio 200s both the earlier 2.0 N/A and later turbo 1.6 in budget.
Mine is almost 140k miles and has only needed one rear brake caliper replacement while I have had had it for 50k. Well, and my excuse to replace the exhaust for a Pure Motorsport race one!
No problems on sliproads.
Mine is almost 140k miles and has only needed one rear brake caliper replacement while I have had had it for 50k. Well, and my excuse to replace the exhaust for a Pure Motorsport race one!
No problems on sliproads.
Fiestas up to the 2013 facelift came with a petrol 1.6 ti-vct engine in them, mostly in zetec s form and around 120bhp, some people added mountune kits for 140bhp.
|d be looking at one of those if she likes the fiesta now other than no poke as they are dirt chap to run and maintain and rarely go wrong.
Used to get 50mpg out of my s1600 version on a long run and around 45mpg everywhere else.
Ill be going back to the na petrol version when our 2012 diesel zetec s my wife runs eventually dies, The price difference at the pumps doesn't justify the lethargic diesel and mid 50mpg and no ulez entry in cities anymore. It does seem to be bulletproof tho, has 150k on and all iv done is service it every 10k miles and replace wear items like bushes etc for peanuts and it still chugs along without fault.
|d be looking at one of those if she likes the fiesta now other than no poke as they are dirt chap to run and maintain and rarely go wrong.
Used to get 50mpg out of my s1600 version on a long run and around 45mpg everywhere else.
Ill be going back to the na petrol version when our 2012 diesel zetec s my wife runs eventually dies, The price difference at the pumps doesn't justify the lethargic diesel and mid 50mpg and no ulez entry in cities anymore. It does seem to be bulletproof tho, has 150k on and all iv done is service it every 10k miles and replace wear items like bushes etc for peanuts and it still chugs along without fault.
TC7 said:
Fiestas up to the 2013 facelift came with a petrol 1.6 ti-vct engine in them, mostly in zetec s form and around 120bhp, some people added mountune kits for 140bhp.
|d be looking at one of those if she likes the fiesta now other than no poke as they are dirt chap to run and maintain and rarely go wrong.
Used to get 50mpg out of my s1600 version on a long run and around 45mpg everywhere else.
Ill be going back to the na petrol version when our 2012 diesel zetec s my wife runs eventually dies, The price difference at the pumps doesn't justify the lethargic diesel and mid 50mpg and no ulez entry in cities anymore. It does seem to be bulletproof tho, has 150k on and all iv done is service it every 10k miles and replace wear items like bushes etc for peanuts and it still chugs along without fault.
Thanks, yeah if we can't get a turbo in time it'll probably end up being a fiesta just because they're so common|d be looking at one of those if she likes the fiesta now other than no poke as they are dirt chap to run and maintain and rarely go wrong.
Used to get 50mpg out of my s1600 version on a long run and around 45mpg everywhere else.
Ill be going back to the na petrol version when our 2012 diesel zetec s my wife runs eventually dies, The price difference at the pumps doesn't justify the lethargic diesel and mid 50mpg and no ulez entry in cities anymore. It does seem to be bulletproof tho, has 150k on and all iv done is service it every 10k miles and replace wear items like bushes etc for peanuts and it still chugs along without fault.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff