A second hand small car

The wife has started to drive about quite a bit and she takes "her" car, an M-Class Mercedes. We want to keep the Merc as it's good for kids, dogs & distances but want to get her a cheap(er) runabout for daily journeys of 15-20 miles, that we would drive into the ground.

I've managed to dissuade her of a car where half of the cost is in the looks, eg Fiat 500. However she's now set her sights on a 2003 Mini One at the local dealer for £5k as it's "cheap". To my mind it's anything but and she's running into the same problem again - she can get at least two Alfa 147s for the same money.

So the question is - 8 years old, mileage sub-50k, good nick, Mini vs Alfa 147. What's the winner and why?

Asked on 19 June 2012 by gruntie916

Answered by Honest John

Hmm. Half the costs may be in the looks of a FIAT 500, but so far depreciation is about £500 a year and reliability is far better than anything from mercedes, VAG or BMW. A 2003 (9 year old) MINI is potentially a disaster zone. The were never brilliantly reliable and a 9 year old requiring constant replacement sis a potential money pit. Common sense says a Yaris Mk 1 1.0 litre for £1,500.

Tags: buying small cars

Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:

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