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Ok guys, I'm off to buy a car this weekend. Nothing over 1 year old and more than 5000 miles. I want something reliable, slightly sexy looking and fun to drive. Have a budget of around 8 - 9k. Like the look of the Renault Clio and the Peugeot 207 but have heard nightmare stories regarding French reliability. Is this true? What about Fiat? Have been advised to stick to a Yaris or something but not sure how inspiring they are to drive. Any advice? I'm not sure when I'll next have 8k to spend on a car so want it to last.....
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I want something reliable slightly sexy looking and fun todrive. Have a budget of around 8 - 9k.
Suzuki Swift fits the bill on all counts.
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get a jazz, reliable, economical and spacious
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"Toyota" and "fun" don't seem to go together but as long as you go for a 1.3 Yaris they can. Elder daughter is on her second and both Yarises have been very lively with excellent response from the accelerator and direct steering - not quite in the Mini class but in normal driving not far off. So far totally reliable.
SWMBO had a Jazz - an excellent car but we both felt it could do with more power, something you don;t feel with the 1.3 Yaris (you do with the 1.0). A 1.5 is supposed to be coming to the UK but Honda are dragging their feet for some reason. If you want extra room, go fo this one - the packaging is second to none in the supermini category.
Suzuki Swift - cheaper than either of the above and it looks it in terms of interior quality, but those who have them say they're great to drive. If you want 'slightly sexy looking' this may float your boat better then the others. The Skoda Fabia is an excellent all-rounder but probably couldn't get away with being called even slightly sexy. The new 2007 model might, but this'll be above budget.
I'd go for any of the above in preference to a 207, Clio or Fiat. In fairness there are plenty of good ones about, and each has its fan club, but there seems to be a higher chance of getting one that gives trouble.
Good luck and tell us how you get on.
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What about the one no one has mentioned?-liked by HJ,Top Gear and EVO magazine,two hundredweight lighter than a Mini and two thousand pounds cheaper-it puts a smile on your face everytime you drive it(Top Gear) and I agree.The apparent downside for most people appears to be the badge. SportKa.
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"Sexy" and "fun to drive" are fairly subjective. Only you can say whether a car meets these criteria. Get out there and test drive as many as possible.
As far as reliability, there are signs that Renault is improving - and the current Clio has been in production now for a couple of years with no reports of significant problems.
Peugeot 207 has not been out quite as long, and is therefore more an unknown quantity as far as reliability.
Fiat Grande Punto is again a bit too early to say with regard to reliability - though the Panda is doing well.
Suzuki Swift would probably tick all your boxes.
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For your money a yaris T sport. 1.5litres, 0-60 under 10 secs, 40mpg, corners well, nice steering and reliable.
Some nice colour schemes as well Cheap servicing at Toyota and no known bugs...
madf
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Never had a problems with my Peugeot (although it's a 407). However, if I was buying a supermini, it would be a Swift.
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Swift is a good choice.
A Getz is a bit bland - but ultra reliable.
My choice would be a Daihatsu Sirion - plenty of 1.3 models around (its the 1.0 which is in demand).
amazing value for money.
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SportKa.
I agree, although my mum's mechanically identical 2003 40,000 mile StreetKa has the dubious distinction of being the first unreliable Ford the family has ever owned.
Compouinded by the fact that no job on it is simple or easy, and in many cases deliberately so by design, it would appear. If this were my only experience of Ford cars, and thankfully it isn't, I wouldn't touch another with a bargepole.
It is great to drive though. When it works.
Cheers
DP
--
04 Grand Scenic 1.9 dCi Dynamique
00 Mondeo 1.8TD LX
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What on earth is 'slightly sexy'?? Somewhere between the 'stick your tushie out' Megane and the 'crew-cut in dungarees' Yaris Verso, perhaps?
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What about Daihatsu Cohen?
However, as others said, Swift should be a good choice. It's the new cult. I don't think you'll get 1-yr old Jazz in your budget.
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What about Daihatsu Cohen?
LOL!
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What about Daihatsu Cohen?
If it's anything like Leonard, it's probably not what you are looking for.
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Gets his famous blue raincoat, and leaves.
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Everyone's recommending the Swift, and whilst it is certainly a great car, I would point out it is significantly smaller/less versatile than the Yaris, Jazz, Clio, Grande Punto and 207.
If you regularly need to carry four passengers (and are anything like used to a Focus-size car to do it) it won't fit the bill - or at least not in our case, you may find it different. The boot is also significantly smaller than most.
Of the one's you originally asked about, I would have to say the Clio. It is not as nice to drive some say, as the 207 (as others have said, it's subjective), but it is more spacious, and better value, however I would never settle for less than Dynamique trim with a/c, as the Expression is a bit shoddy inside and would allow any of the others to look better value. Also, I've seen a couple of 207's on the side the road with hazards on, but no Clios.
If reliability is the major concern then I would go for the Yaris II, as it's a fun drive with a more powerful engine...that said...have you considered the Mitsubushi Colt? Not as stylish, or as well-finished, but bomb-proof and extremely good value.
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Why didn't I think of it earlier? The Mazda 2 is probably the car you want.
HJ says "Overall, the Mazda 2 is sweet as a nut and goes straight to the top of the tree, over the Corsa and Clio, and even the 207 and Yaris. If you value fun over practicality it also beats the current Honda Jazz."
Read the rest of HJ's test here:
www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=294
By the way, when it comes to reliability, Honda, Toyota and Mazda tend to be the top makes.
Edited by tyro on 30/10/2007 at 18:03
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You could try a SEAT Ibiza- could get a nice 1.4 sport model for that. But then I am biased.
;-)
2007 SEAT Ibiza TDi
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