"Cute" five door hatchback
Discussion
Separate to a thread with similar elements that I started, my girlfriend has expressed interest in a new car. She currently drives a 2013 Mini R56 One D, which she loves because it looks cute and has a bit of torque compared to her previous NA petrol Mini.
However, she thinks it is getting on a bit and she is wary of ongoing costs, even though this is by far and away the cheapest car to run I have ever experienced. If it were only me making decisions I would have her run this car until it becomes unfit for need or expires. She doesn't really understand the cost of cars at this point and has indicated that any budget would be max £10k. She says she will only consider 5 door Minis or the Mini Countryman from 2017 or later - are there any alternatives for a cute, attractive, upmarket car? I am struggling a bit to suggest alternatives - any I do are shot down very quickly!
Minis around that age and price are not ideally specified, for example I really want her to have HID/LED headlights as she frequently moans about the base lighting in her current Mini.
However, she thinks it is getting on a bit and she is wary of ongoing costs, even though this is by far and away the cheapest car to run I have ever experienced. If it were only me making decisions I would have her run this car until it becomes unfit for need or expires. She doesn't really understand the cost of cars at this point and has indicated that any budget would be max £10k. She says she will only consider 5 door Minis or the Mini Countryman from 2017 or later - are there any alternatives for a cute, attractive, upmarket car? I am struggling a bit to suggest alternatives - any I do are shot down very quickly!
Minis around that age and price are not ideally specified, for example I really want her to have HID/LED headlights as she frequently moans about the base lighting in her current Mini.
If she specifically wants a post-2017 Mini, reading between the lines of what you've written, I think finding a way to cover the cost of one of those with the right spec is your best route to keeping her happy.
They're not a car I like, want, or would consider buying, but I get the impression she's mostly pre-decided here.
They're not a car I like, want, or would consider buying, but I get the impression she's mostly pre-decided here.
Just get the mini it'll be easier.
A good alternative is the Fiat 500X:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404038...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407171...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405229...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406291...
A good alternative is the Fiat 500X:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404038...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407171...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405229...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406291...
As another curveball a 2-3 year old small Ev should be in budget with a haggle as used EVs really are a buyers market.
I reckon 10k with a hassle should see her in a lightly used 2 year old Renault Zoe gtline, would easily get her into a leaf but they’re not cute
Corsa/208 are also cheap and they all have an 8+year battery warranty.
I reckon 10k with a hassle should see her in a lightly used 2 year old Renault Zoe gtline, would easily get her into a leaf but they’re not cute
Corsa/208 are also cheap and they all have an 8+year battery warranty.
If the headlights are a problem in her current Mini, why not spend £25 on a pair of Osram Nightbreaker 200 replacement bulbs as she'll actually be able to see at night with them.
That should hopefully buy you a bit of time, also get the Mini fully valeted and she may fall in love with it again...
That should hopefully buy you a bit of time, also get the Mini fully valeted and she may fall in love with it again...
My favourite mini looks wise is the facelift 'sport' model. They're not too far over your 10k budget.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024032880...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024032880...
Thanks for all the responses, interesting inputs!
I have already replaced the headlight bulbs with Philips in an effort to improve the light output, but the beam pattern is really poor compared to a projector setup.
She does really want a Mini. I have nothing against the five door - in the right spec I think they can look OK. My main concern is that if we start a family, which we do plan to do over the next couple of years, it might not have the space that a more typical hatchback does.
I like the suggestion of an EV, which I think could work well. The longest occasional journey that she tends to do is back to her parents, which is ~100 miles along the A303 and M5. We also have an outdoor power point that can be activated. Perhaps a Golf-e or an ID3 might be worth looking at further at the appropriate time?
I have already replaced the headlight bulbs with Philips in an effort to improve the light output, but the beam pattern is really poor compared to a projector setup.
She does really want a Mini. I have nothing against the five door - in the right spec I think they can look OK. My main concern is that if we start a family, which we do plan to do over the next couple of years, it might not have the space that a more typical hatchback does.
I like the suggestion of an EV, which I think could work well. The longest occasional journey that she tends to do is back to her parents, which is ~100 miles along the A303 and M5. We also have an outdoor power point that can be activated. Perhaps a Golf-e or an ID3 might be worth looking at further at the appropriate time?
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