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Buying a small car - but what?

My wife wants to change her Volkswagen Fox for something a little less staid. She likes the Mini Cooper (I think would suit her), the Volkswagen Polo (sticking to her fondness for Volkswagen), but also likes the Mercedes SLK 200 as a complete off the wall, mid life crisis option.

Budget is approx £7,000 plus value of 3 year old Fox (approx £5-6,000).
Annual mileage is approx 4,000 as daily commute is 8 miles round trip plus occasional 300 mile return trip to see family.

Does she stick with Volkswagen, chance it with a Mini or head for the mid life crisis?

Asked on 6 February 2013 by CB

Answered by Honest John
There's also the FIAT 500 that has been far more reliable than any VW. An SLK is a sexy choice, but would have to be the better looking Mk II 200K manual or automatic. MINIs have never had a brilliantly reliable record, though no worse than VWs. The cheaper VW option is the new Up, but that's best bought as one of the cheaper versions. Foolish to spend £9k+ on one.

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