need a small run around pool car

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Sat 2 Nov 2013 23:26
need a small run around pool car - Happy Blue!

In one of my my business incarnations I run a lettings agency.

The manager drives a Mini, but that will soon depart and we need to source a less expensive pool car which will be used not only for her but other staff to go out to doing inspections etc. I reckon that the car will do no more than 6,000 miles pa and there will be lot of stop start trips.

If money was no object I would get a Nissan Leaf, but we want to lease for less than £150pcm + VAT.

It strikes me that Yaris Hybrid might do the trick. We are also looking at something small, preferably 5dr and also possibly automatic. The Up/Mii/Citigo clones have an ASG gearbox.

Anyone have any better ideas?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 3 Nov 2013 04:59
need a small run around pool car - NARU

I'd recommend a petrol yaris for a job like this. If you get a TR (one up from basic?) it comes with a reversing camera. Satnav can be added for £650.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 3 Nov 2013 07:04
need a small run around pool car - dan86

The suzuki swift can be had with with a automatic and its 1.2 is a capable engine. Good value for money as well.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 3 Nov 2013 11:05
need a small run around pool car - mustangman

The UP! trio ASG gearbox is an automated manual. I've tried it, Very slow gear changes, it's not a DSG box on the cheap.

Edited by mustangman on 03/11/2013 at 11:06

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 3 Nov 2013 12:13
need a small run around pool car - KB.

"The UP! trio ASG gearbox is an automated manual. I've tried it, Very slow gear changes, it's not a DSG box on the cheap".

Agreed...tried a couple - didn't fall in love with it at all. And I do have an (excellent) DSG to compare them with.

You wouldn't have thought Honda would have fitted that i-shift thing to a car as successful as the Jazz - but they did, and got slated for it and had to change it back to CVT.

You wouldn't have thought that VAG would have misjudged the fitment of a particular automatic/automated manual box to a car they were pinning high hopes on....but they did and haven't found great favour with it judging by reports and reviews and people who work in the dealers I've spoken to (and, I would judge, the majority on the VAG forums who have driven them and not bought them).

Edited by KB. on 03/11/2013 at 12:15

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 3 Nov 2013 16:00
need a small run around pool car - daveyK_UK

Nissan Micra.

The latest one is better than expected.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 3 Nov 2013 20:01
need a small run around pool car - gordonbennet

If you can get a Yaris hybrid in budget i reckon you've hit the jackpot for a round the houses stop start low overall mileage town(ish) car.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Nov 2013 11:48
need a small run around pool car - Sulphur Man

Mazda 2 1.5 automatic. Not the last word in efficiency but a straightforward 4-spd torque convertor auto in a proven package. For the intended use, this should do the job well.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Nov 2013 14:12
need a small run around pool car - Happy Blue!

Thanks all.

Will review the costs for all these and let you know what we do. It may be we do not go down the automatic route, in which case the options are wider.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Nov 2013 18:00
need a small run around pool car - Avant

If several different people are going to drive the car, something small and uncomplicated will fit the bill. Depending on the size you want, a Yaris or an Aygo might be the best bet, although I'm not sure what the automatic option is on these.

You could perhaps ask your current staff whether they prefer manual or automatic and go with the flow. If manal, then there's a lot to be said for the Up / Citigo.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 5 Nov 2013 18:21
need a small run around pool car - daveyK_UK

You could always ensure the car is used as a tool and not for personal use

buy them a basic dacia sandero 1.2 for £5995.

5 door as well, so very practical.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 6 Nov 2013 13:31
need a small run around pool car - Happy Blue!

Well we decided that five doors was not an issue and the lady would like a Fiat 500 Lounge with Dualogic gearbox. Within budget and she is happy subject to a test drive. It meets my silent criterion of being a little trendy, so it gives a better impression when she turns up to appointments.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 6 Nov 2013 14:30
need a small run around pool car - greenhey

I know you do lettings, but I think the subject of estate agents'cars is very interesting.

We've just sold our house and are buying two others so we have had a lot of exposure to estate agents.

Often when you meet them the only "differentiator" seesm to be the car they turn up in..so you then draw conclusions:

If buying , and he arrives in a 3 series and is called Jason/Gavin/Adam he needs to be really good to sell you anyway..if selling you have a dilemma ( if he has a pricy car, does that mean he is successful, therefore you want to use him...or does that mean you would be funding a lavish lifestyle by doing business with him)

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 6 Nov 2013 15:08
need a small run around pool car - dan86

Iv heard bad things about this gearbox im sure there's a thred about it on here.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 6 Nov 2013 16:16
need a small run around pool car - John Boy

Iv heard bad things about this gearbox im sure there's a thred about it on here.

www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=72181

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 6 Nov 2013 17:49
need a small run around pool car - Happy Blue!

Hopefully it wont be a problem and if it is, we are only leasing the car for three years so the warranty and leasing company can deal with it.

People smile at the 500 whereas the Mini is a bit of a poseurs car so it shoudl be good for our image.

I had a look at the 500L MPW whilst at the dealers. Very interesting, and could replace my S-MAx, but the drivers seat felt like I sat on it rather than in it. Not sure if I could cope, but the concept is interesting. Seemed well put together.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 6 Nov 2013 21:07
need a small run around pool car - alan1302

People smile at the 500 whereas the Mini is a bit of a poseurs car so it shoudl be good for our image.

I hate the look of the 500 and just find it a blobby weird thing - won't find me smiling at it! LOL

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 14 Nov 2013 09:10
need a small run around pool car - Happy Blue!

Agreed a leasing deal of £465 down and 35 payments of £155 (all plus VAT) for 8,000 miles pa.

Everyone happy including the staf member who will be driving it mainly and the FD.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 6 Nov 2013 20:51
need a small run around pool car - dan86

Thanks John.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Our honest used car pricing is a little bit different to all the others. You can get to our values through make or model - you don’t have to follow a prescribed route. Plus, it’s live, which means we can react to changes in the market quicker than any printed price guide.

Honest Used Car Prices

From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.

Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....