As promised a quick update on my first car shopping experience. I've ruled out the Polo (due to cost), Fox (no-no as only 3 doors), Aygo (very cute but felt a little too small) and I wasn't keen on the clio having driven one a few years ago that didn't feel very nice. Have to say the VW dealer was brilliant and explained everything really well, but couldn't be shifted on price.
SO... i'm down to 3 cars. Does anyone have any complaints or brilliant reviews on these cars? The Yaris is only really being considered after i found a reduced price online (which needs confirming) because the dealer price is out of my £8k reach.
Personally i loved the colt but people i've asked think it looks old fashioned and big! Thanks once again
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Is the Yaris a 1.3? We have an Aygo 1.0 and it's up to the job as long as you keep the revs up. The Yaris is quite a bit bigger so the 1.0 may struggle, especially if you live in a hilly area or will be using motorways regularly.
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Went through this with a relative early last year and she ended up with a Swift 1.5GLX - after many test drives (usually me driving)!
Colt is not bad, but handling not as good as Swift and engine is buzzy (which you may or may not like).
Swift has now done about 6k and has proved to be the 'right' choice! She really likes it and I must say it IS good fun to drive. There's not much not to like about it (if you see what I mean). The only disappointment is fuel economy - about 36mpg average. She was hoping closer to 40mpg, but it does get revved hard in each gear - I've expalined that this uses more fuel, but its fallen on deaf ears.
You should be able to get a 1.5GLX Swift 5-door for a little over £8k if you haggle.
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Haven't tried the others but our 1.0 Yaris is a terrific car but struggles a bit on M/ways as you would imagine with that size engine. That said once it has reached a decent cruising speed it's fine. Round town it has everything you need and the fuel and insurance costs are about as low as you'll get with good design and comfort/spec.
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SWMBO has a 6yr old Yaris 1.3SR -- as a car I can't fault it - starts- stops - also fun to drive but I don't like digital dash in middle - it's very noisy - road and tyres - a bit bouncy on rough roads - the 1.0 was quieter on it's bigger profile tyres but slower - the doors and boot lid are very tinny as though the whole car needs sound proofing - big plus is ease of servicing and it does 40mpg. - would I let her buy another - No - I would look for something with better soundproofing and smoother ride. - saying all this perhaps the new models have been radically updated.
Dave
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Is the Yaris a 1.3? We have an Aygo 1.0 and it's up to the job as long as you keep the revs up. The Yaris is quite a bit bigger so the 1.0 may struggle, especially if you live in a hilly area or will be using motorways regularly.
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I've put 6000+ miles on my 56 plate 1.0 Yaris with no problems, some people say the engine (3cyl) is buzzy & under powered on motorways but I don't find this (my last car was a 1.0 3cyl as well so perhaps I'm used to it?) .
Hills aren't a problem either (hey we got mountains here in Wales) and I'm usually carrying the extra weight of my wheelchair in the boot!
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Looks like a good shortlist there, Roarylion, assuming that you have no tribal affinity for the Peugeot Lion....(107 = Aygo, so too small; 207 would have to be nearly-new).
Colt - I had one as a courtesy car last month - you may be able to find the thread when I made some - mainly favourable - comments on it. The 1.1 is noisy (but not an unpleasant noise, at least not compared with a diesel B-class!), very lively and good fun to drive. I'd choose the 5-door as the big doors of a 3-door are a pain, as is the stretch for the seatbelt. The base model is very well equipped - just abiout everything you could need apart from aircon.
Yaris - elder daughter is on her second 1.3 and both have been not only reliable but great fun to drive. SWMBO had a 1.0 courtesy car (old shape, but the new one I think has the same engines) some time ago and it was S-L-O-W. They are quite expensive new, although we got a good PCP deal on the current new-shape one. Not sure if you're willing to go for nearly-new for your £8k.
Swift - I haven't driven one but Aprilia has reported very helpfully a few times now; also get this week's Autocar where there's a long-term report of their 1.5 GLX. Apparently great to drive in town but noisy and frenetic on motorways. Too low geared. it seems. So this one depends on your type of usage.
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I like the look of the Swift, but you're jumping up to ins grp 6 for the 1.5GLX.
I also wonder what its (and perhaps some of the others) residual values will be - people looking for older small cars seem very focused on cars like Fiesta & Corsa.
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I like the look of the Swift, but you're jumping up to ins grp 6 for the 1.5GLX. I also wonder what its (and perhaps some of the others) residual values will be - people looking for older small cars seem very focused on cars like Fiesta & Corsa.
Residuals on small Japanese cars tend to be good. IME small Jap autos also sell extremely well.
I think the current Swift (as well as the Colt and Yaris) will hold up very well, possibly better than the Corsa & Fiesta. Insurance grp 6 is hardly high.
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Last year when my wife was changing cars we considered the Colt but ruled it out due to its small boot. Ultimately she bought a Kia Rio, which was larger, well rated by HJ, plus is within your 8K budget. Perhaps you should add this car to your list - provided you have a Kia dealer near you. She has been very pleased with the Rio and is constantly recommending it to everyone. The reliability is excellent and the concensus is that Korean cars are as reliable as Japanese.
Do not judge your choice of car on what others think. Choose what you like and is suitable for your needs. There are plenty of people with opinions on cars (especially those who cannot or do not have to pay for them) and their comments should not be your prime reason for choosing a car. If you still like the Colt, then buy it and enjoy it.
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Roger
I read frequently, but only post when I have something useful to say.
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As i expected it seems like they all have their strengths and weaknesses. So far no terrible problems with any, apart from the Yaris being noisey, so I'll probably end up taking artful dodger's advice and go with what i like. I think i'm drawn to the colt as i've been driving (and loving) a honda jazz and it looks very similar. I had noticed the higher insurance group for swift which is not ideal as i'm only 21 so it's reasonably expensive anyway.
Will go for a second visit to all 3 with my dad to get a better opinion on the actual car (he knows a lot more than me), but fingers crossed which ever i go with it should be ok. I intend to keep this car for at least 5 years so I realise the sell-on value will be quite low anyway.
Thanks for all your posts
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At the end of the day none of those cars are going to disappoint. A lot of it comes down to whether you like the look of the car or not.
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I run a 1.4 diesel yaris . It's quite fast and no noisier than my Fiesta.. and a lot more comfortable.
madf
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