Small family cars - which one?!
Discussion
Apologies if this is in the wrong place but it’s a very generic ‘what car’ question for my girlfriend.
She currently has a fiat 500. We will be needing a bit more space. London based so avoiding diesel for dpf issues.
Looked at v60’s/3 ser touring/a4 avant.
But all quite large for a small - although off street - parking. Likely to result in a lot of scraped quarters
Requirements are:
- decent boot space and space in back seats for baby plus accompanying ‘stuff’
- safe obviously
- comfortable on long journeys. When outside of London family are at opposite ends of the country, so good 5hr drive in each direction
Aiming to only spend in the region of £6k and wanting sub-60k miles.
A3’s are probably a bit pricey avoiding the models with timing chain concerns
1 series too small.
V40 may be an option but the boot seems relatively small? Would be interested to hear experience here.
Golf is always a sensible option. Although maybe lower spec/less comfort than the v40?
What am I missing?!
Appreciate the help
She currently has a fiat 500. We will be needing a bit more space. London based so avoiding diesel for dpf issues.
Looked at v60’s/3 ser touring/a4 avant.
But all quite large for a small - although off street - parking. Likely to result in a lot of scraped quarters
Requirements are:
- decent boot space and space in back seats for baby plus accompanying ‘stuff’
- safe obviously
- comfortable on long journeys. When outside of London family are at opposite ends of the country, so good 5hr drive in each direction
Aiming to only spend in the region of £6k and wanting sub-60k miles.
A3’s are probably a bit pricey avoiding the models with timing chain concerns
1 series too small.
V40 may be an option but the boot seems relatively small? Would be interested to hear experience here.
Golf is always a sensible option. Although maybe lower spec/less comfort than the v40?
What am I missing?!
Appreciate the help
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Skoda Fabia Estate. If you can get one in Monte Carlo spec, even better (all the nice sporty body and interior bits, no increase in performance).
I was going to suggest the same. Large boot for size of car. Less than 60k miles for £6k is possible but will be 2019 or earlier.
Try to find one with the 110hp engine rather than the 95hp. Easy to spot as has 6-speed gearbox & rear discs.
I had a V40, top spec with real leather and many options - they are good cars, basically just a Ford focus underneath.
The T2/3 petrols have enough power, there is also the rare T5 as well.
Only issue is the rear seats are really designed for only 2 adults and are inset from the doors.
The T2/3 petrols have enough power, there is also the rare T5 as well.
Only issue is the rear seats are really designed for only 2 adults and are inset from the doors.
I have a 1.2T Fabia Monte Carlo, think it's 95bhp, but it's got 170Nm of torque, it's miles miles faster than a 95bhp Focus I had a few years ago.
Bought it for £3.5k at 11 year old and 80k miles, wasn't expecting a lot for that money, but you'll get a lot better for £6k, and it's really faultless anyway. Bought it for a cheap runabout for a few years, but it's exceeded expectations by a long way.
The estates are pretty ugly, but the boots aren't all that much bigger, so I wouldn't bother unless you really need the extra.
Bought it for £3.5k at 11 year old and 80k miles, wasn't expecting a lot for that money, but you'll get a lot better for £6k, and it's really faultless anyway. Bought it for a cheap runabout for a few years, but it's exceeded expectations by a long way.
The estates are pretty ugly, but the boots aren't all that much bigger, so I wouldn't bother unless you really need the extra.
We bought this has a little run around. Its been fantastic and will be staying with us. We use it more than any other car. Its just so cheap and dare I say fun to drive! 55-60mpg easily in 6th on a motorway cruise and even manages over 50mpg most days to work and back. I wanted an estate but this come up locally and so far has been fantastic
heisthegaffer said:
We had a V40 T3 from 2018/22k to this year /70k miles. Brilliant car, very reliable, barely any non maintentance costs.
Even when we sold it the dealer couldnt believe how well it drove with no abnormal noises, squeaks or anything.
Excellent stereo and air con.
Boot not the biggest.
Did you have the power shift or manual? Heard disastrous things about that auto box but everything is awful on the internet so unclear what is exaggerated.Even when we sold it the dealer couldnt believe how well it drove with no abnormal noises, squeaks or anything.
Excellent stereo and air con.
Boot not the biggest.
Need reasonable space but no need for a van.
Interesting that there’ve been no comments on the golf option. Expected that to be a favourite
And cheers guys, all useful food for thought
paulrockliffe said:
I have a 1.2T Fabia Monte Carlo, think it's 95bhp, but it's got 170Nm of torque, it's miles miles faster than a 95bhp Focus I had a few years ago.
Bought it for £3.5k at 11 year old and 80k miles, wasn't expecting a lot for that money, but you'll get a lot better for £6k, and it's really faultless anyway. Bought it for a cheap runabout for a few years, but it's exceeded expectations by a long way.
The estates are pretty ugly, but the boots aren't all that much bigger, so I wouldn't bother unless you really need the extra.
Fabia hatch boot - 330 litresBought it for £3.5k at 11 year old and 80k miles, wasn't expecting a lot for that money, but you'll get a lot better for £6k, and it's really faultless anyway. Bought it for a cheap runabout for a few years, but it's exceeded expectations by a long way.
The estates are pretty ugly, but the boots aren't all that much bigger, so I wouldn't bother unless you really need the extra.
Fabia estate boot - 530 litres
At 70mph my wife's Fabia with the 6-speed gearbox is at less than 2400 rpm.
Another shout for the Fabia estate, and the Ibiza estate (same thing really) Owned both, still have the Ibiza for fishing duties.
Pre April 2017 ones are £20 RFL, and £35 for the Ibiza 110bhp.
90bhp have 5 speed gearbox, they're ok.
The 109bhp have the 6 speed box, so bit better on the longer runs.
I love the Ibiza as it has no driver aids, not even stop/start, has a manual handbrake, such a nice, simple car.
Pre April 2017 ones are £20 RFL, and £35 for the Ibiza 110bhp.
90bhp have 5 speed gearbox, they're ok.
The 109bhp have the 6 speed box, so bit better on the longer runs.
I love the Ibiza as it has no driver aids, not even stop/start, has a manual handbrake, such a nice, simple car.
Edited by Trevor555 on Tuesday 27th October 15:26
tag89- said:
Hasn t considered a fabia estate. Will have a proper look, only concern is small engine/low power for long motorway journeys? Having done a 5hour trip north in a fiat that needs 3k rpm to sit at 70 it didn t feel pleasant.
V40 seems to have a lot more power, albeit smaller
I have one (110bhp 1.2TSI), the gearing is long, the engine is silent at motorway speeds and it has plenty of oomph. I would highly recommend one. It also costs £20P/A to tax, buttons to insure and does an easy 50+ mpg.V40 seems to have a lot more power, albeit smaller
If you considered a Fabia to be too small I would look at the Octavia estate, which is also excellent.
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