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Recommend me a small car for daily commute
#1627141
21/11/2018 22:25
21/11/2018 22:25
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,179 Sheffield
X19_pilot
OP
Enjoying the ride
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OP
Enjoying the ride
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,179
Sheffield
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I will put a post up in due course about the outcome, but it isnt looking good for my Coupe . I had a bump in it the other morning and it has given me the wake up call that a 20 year old 250+ bhp is less than ideal for travelling from one side of Sheffield to the other (25 miles a day). What I do with the car depends on the insurance offer, it will be with a very heavy heart that I let her get written off, but if they offer peanuts, then I will source a new bonnet and grill and take my chances with what lies behind the cosmetics. Maybe even shoehorn the engine into the X19! Anyway, back on topic! I want something fairly economical, reliable, big enough to get the kids in the back on occasion, £3k-3.5k tops, less than 60k miles and a bit different. Petrol preferably due to the nature of the vast majority of journey type. The other half has a Bravo 150 t-jet, which suits our needs for longer journeys and I have the X19 for fun, so those boxes are ticked. I cant seem to look past a Panda 100hp or a Mito tb. The Panda is favourite, I have driven a few and loved them, although only run them for a few days at a time - honeymoon period? - Its a bit harsh after the comfort of the Coupe after all. I wont entertain anything French, especially after today's let down experience with a Meganne RS that came into stock at work. On paper it should have been comparable with the Coupe - circa 240 bhp, front wheel drive etc, but in reality it wasnt even on the same page, more refined/modern feel perhaps, but lacked so much in other ways including performance. Irrelevant really, as it is double my budget in any case. What am I overlooking? I work in the used car trade, so I have driven pretty much anything you may suggest, but I cant seem to look outside the Fiat brand(s)... Never been without one in 25 years of driving! Help!... or at least tell me I am doing the right thing looking at a Panda 100hp / Mito TB
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Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute
[Re: X19_pilot]
#1627142
21/11/2018 22:47
21/11/2018 22:47
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,416 Lightwater, Surrey
DaveG
Club Treasurer Member 311
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Club Treasurer Member 311
Je suis un Coupé
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,416
Lightwater, Surrey
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Punto Evo or Grande Punto 1.4? Doblo 1.4? Stilo? (hard to find below 60k) Some will have stop/start which will help with fuel economy
Lots more choice if you go down to 1.2 including Panda and lots more 500s
1996 Portofino 20vt & 2000 Pearl White Plus 1985½ & 2016 2017 Fiat 124 Spider + XF Sportbrake
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Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute
[Re: X19_pilot]
#1627149
22/11/2018 09:25
22/11/2018 09:25
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 869 Germany
neil_r
Enjoying the ride
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Enjoying the ride
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 869
Germany
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What sort of a Mazda2 can you get at that price? Good all round car which is particularly reliable.
1997 20V 2000 V6 manual S-Type and 2011 5.0 XKR 2016 Tucson 1.6T AWD 2018 Mazda2 GT
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Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute
[Re: X19_pilot]
#1627150
22/11/2018 09:58
22/11/2018 09:58
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elder81
Unregistered
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elder81
Unregistered
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A shout for the 100hp from me. I bought mine as a stop gap a fair few years ago and it has been brilliant. Its not the best on fuel, but equally not horrendous. The thing I love the most about is how much fun it is drive. I can easily drive like miss daisy then, when I want to have a bit of fun drive like Jason Plato. Mine has hit 214k now and is still looking and running great and has not <touching wood> let me down yet. Incidently I will be selling mine in December as I have decided to get a more grown up car .
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Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute
[Re: MeanRedSpider]
#1627158
22/11/2018 11:59
22/11/2018 11:59
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 584 Guildford
wink
Club member 1453
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Club member 1453
Enjoying the ride
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 584
Guildford
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I had a Mito 1.4TB and hated it (as did all the family that drove it) despite how stylish it was (silver with red leather and carbon effect trim). It had poor fuel economy too. It would be boring if we were all the same - I had a Mito 1.4TB and loved it . I think the MultiAir engine is brilliant. I'd have another without question. No brainer for me.
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Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute
[Re: X19_pilot]
#1627169
22/11/2018 13:33
22/11/2018 13:33
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,621 Leicester UK
Ballypete
Club Member 1578
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Club Member 1578
My life on the forum
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,621
Leicester UK
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I use a 1.2 Nissan Micra 2008 plate. Boring jap design yes, but Its pretty economical, a bit more pokey than you might expect and has never ever let me down. Just passed the 100k miles mark and still going strong. Neither my Coupe or the 500 convertible need to take the hammer that this little car gets on a daily basis.
Last edited by Ballypete; 22/11/2018 13:37.
Doris the 1998 Portofino Blue 20V and Zoe the 1999 Alfa Romeo 916 Spider Bog standard needn't be boring...
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Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute
[Re: X19_pilot]
#1627198
22/11/2018 21:18
22/11/2018 21:18
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,179 Sheffield
X19_pilot
OP
Enjoying the ride
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OP
Enjoying the ride
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,179
Sheffield
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Some good suggestions so far, thank you all The Punto I had sort of over looked, I dont know why as it sits between the Panda and the Bravo, and its what the Mito is based on after all. I will have a look and see if any take my fancy I had an Abarth one about a year ago, it was great fun, but probably does not fit within the criteria, unless I start using man maths! I helped a friend buy one not so long ago and he loves his, I think he has a 120 t-jet. I dont fancy a 1.2 Panda or a 500, I have driven a few and the 100HP is so much more fun, if a little harsh on poor roads, it also has longer legs for the odd motorway journey if required. I could probably pick up a Mazda2 in the trade with ease and save a fair bit on retail, but I find them a bit bland. I know they are reliable, have plenty of gadgets if you get the right edition, but they dont have any fizz about them IMHO. Dont get me wrong, some of the cars I am looking at are no more exciting, and it will do the commute in ease and comfort, but they do nothing for me. I do like the Volvo C30, I have had a few of them through work and I have always like the shape - different! I have only ever had the 1.6 diesels though, which I am cautious of with the kind of miles I will be driving, but otherwise, they do drive really nice. They are a bit cramped in the back in terms of trying to strap an angry toddler into a rear facing seat though. But they might be worth another look to remind myself of what I am over looking. Sorry Pete, but I have a built in hatred of Micra's ever since one ran into my Cinq 22 years ago. It was my first car, bought new and I still own it to this day... Never have, never will forgive Micra's, the icing on the cake was that I was given one as a courtesy car while mine was repaired! I completely agree with the Bravo's being under rated, I have often recommended them and I really enjoy driving SWMBO's, but I cant get my head around having two of the same cars - as lets be honest, if she has a 150 t-jet, mine has to be at least the same! I have toyed with freshening her car up with a newer one, but she loves it and wont trade until she has to I dont think. Not thought of a Fabia VRS, although once again, the majority of my mileage is sitting in slow moving traffic, so not sure if a diesel will be my best way forward, although I presume one would be pre DPF? Some food for thought there, thank you
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Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute
[Re: X19_pilot]
#1627203
22/11/2018 22:23
22/11/2018 22:23
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609 S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped
Club member 1924
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Club member 1924
Forum is my job
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
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Yep, vRS is pre DPF. It's the bullet proof 1.9 TDi.
My dad has had 2 in a row and can't think of anything better to replace it. It would be my first choice if I had to garage the Coupé.
Although diesel is a dirty word these days, they are still better on fuel and have more grunt than most petrols.
Last edited by Gripped; 22/11/2018 22:26.
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Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute
[Re: X19_pilot]
#1627217
23/11/2018 10:54
23/11/2018 10:54
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 869 Germany
neil_r
Enjoying the ride
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Enjoying the ride
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 869
Germany
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I could probably pick up a Mazda2 in the trade with ease and save a fair bit on retail, but I find them a bit bland. I know they are reliable, have plenty of gadgets if you get the right edition, but they dont have any fizz about them IMHO. Dont get me wrong, some of the cars I am looking at are no more exciting, and it will do the commute in ease and comfort, but they do nothing for me. I do know what you mean We bought a new red Mazda2 with the 115PS engine, which to our eyes looks great for a mini car and is real fun to drive. However the older ones are a bit plainer looking. What surprised me though while I was doing my research was how really reliable the previous generation was, which was also supposed to be even better to drive. My aim when buying older work-horse cars is reliability first, style later. There is nothing worse than a cheap car that need loads of money to keep it running
1997 20V 2000 V6 manual S-Type and 2011 5.0 XKR 2016 Tucson 1.6T AWD 2018 Mazda2 GT
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Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute
[Re: X19_pilot]
#1627234
23/11/2018 15:40
23/11/2018 15:40
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 575 Ayrshire
ScouseCoupe
Enjoying the ride
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Enjoying the ride
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 575
Ayrshire
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A bit left field, but like a Bravo with a MultiAir engine...Chrysler Delta aka as a Lancia Delta outside the UK.
1999 Rosso Corsa 20VT ( Restored ) 2000 Rosso Alfa 916 Spider 2.0 T.S Lusso ( Under Restoration)
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Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute
[Re: ScouseCoupe]
#1627614
05/12/2018 18:50
05/12/2018 18:50
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 23,300 North Wales
Theresa
Former Presidentessa Club member 58
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Former Presidentessa Club member 58
Forum Fossil
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 23,300
North Wales
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Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute
[Re: Theresa]
#1627615
05/12/2018 20:00
05/12/2018 20:00
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162 Glos
Brilly1uk
Club member 1034
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Club member 1034
Competition Level
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
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The latest Tipo I think scored very low on recent crash testing as well? Why would Fiat skip on this critical issue? A serious rethink is needed???
Fiat Coupe 20VT Alfa Romeo Spider BMW X3
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Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute
[Re: X19_pilot]
#1627620
05/12/2018 21:29
05/12/2018 21:29
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,179 Sheffield
X19_pilot
OP
Enjoying the ride
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OP
Enjoying the ride
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,179
Sheffield
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I hate to say it people, but despite all advice, thank you, I kept the blinkers on!
I have bought a 100HP. I cant help myself with quirky Fiats! I have driven quite a few and done plenty of miles in them, so I know what I am in for with the ride quality, but I have found a low mileage FSH car in my prefered colour, its a late car, so the bulbous round door mirrors will be replaced with the earlier square mirrors, but otherwise it should suit my needs.
Still awaiting the insurance outcome on the Coupe though, I might end up keeping hold of it yet... the damage is superficial and a new bonnet, grill and side light/indicator unit should sort it, but the process has been started with the other guy, so time will tell...
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Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute
[Re: X19_pilot]
#1627623
05/12/2018 22:17
05/12/2018 22:17
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,831 Haslemere, Surrey
Mark_S
Forum is my job
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Forum is my job
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,831
Haslemere, Surrey
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Merc A class diesel (type W169 - 2nd gen). I am on my second A200. Does 50mpg and plenty of quality and poke
997 C4S
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