Phonix Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 Hey guys, bit of advice and your opinions wanted! From September onwards im hopefully going to be travelling to and from Chester to liverpool twice a week and will probably be getting a new, small car in the £7,000-£8,000 range. So my question is what you go for? What are the pros/cons of different cars. So far ive looked at Ford Ka (the new one), Kia Picanto, Fiat 500 and Nissan Micra! Thanks guys xXx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 I've got an 04 Picanto and absoloutly love it, its easy to park and cheap to run, tax and insure. The only negative is the boot is very small. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 We have a Fiat Panda. Him Indoors prefers it to the big car.....he looks like an elephant in a baked bean tin when he drives it. It is very nippy, dead easy to park and economical to run too. The boot is a reasonable size for a small car. The only thing I don't like is that (basic model) you can only unlock it from the drivers side, so I'd splash out and get central locking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 A car would probably work out more expensive than getting the train twice a week. Chester to Liverpool (and vice versa) is a very common commute. Would it not be an option for you? or do you want a car anyway? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phonix Posted January 10, 2009 Author Share Posted January 10, 2009 I may be living in Billinge by then so it would involve 2 buses and 2 trains! Even if im still in Liv it would be 2 buses and trains and im afraid my experiences of both have put me off with them forever being late or not coming at all anything to avoid being late is necessary as im only there 2 days a week and can't be late for the sessions (LEgal Practice Course - reflects badly on you if your late lol) So car is probably the best option! Just no idea what to go for! Im edging towards the picanto or the micra at the mo! xXx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 We have a Fiat Panda. The boot is a reasonable size for a small car. The only thing I don't like is that (basic model) you can only unlock it from the drivers side, so I'd splash out and get central locking. So do we, we all love our Marge She is a Fiat Panda Eleganza, with a glass roof,central locking & air con, & I think she cost less than £7000 Great little car - nippy, cute & fun Fits us 2, plus our 2 lanky teenagers with no problem,although we do have a roof top box for suitcases if we are going away. And if its good enough for James May........................ Here she is.We call her Marge as she is the colour of Marge Simpsons hair Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phonix Posted January 10, 2009 Author Share Posted January 10, 2009 off to look at the panda now! xXx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 I meant to add that when we got the Panda 3 years ago, we previously had a very large very smart Merc, & at the time I saw it as a real downgrade. But I honestly would never,ever go back to a large car again,however much I won on the lottery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 I cant really recommend anything as we have a 4X4. Just wanted to say that a dealer will bite your hand off this time of year for a sale, so barter barter barter & get yourself a good deal! Walk away if your're not getting a real good bargain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weathercoc Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 I think the FIAT 500 and the new Ka are the same car under the skin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phonix Posted January 10, 2009 Author Share Posted January 10, 2009 I meant to add that when we got the Panda 3 years ago, we previously had a very large very smart Merc, & at the time I saw it as a real downgrade.But I honestly would never,ever go back to a large car again,however much I won on the lottery Looks really good! BUT is it 4 seats or 5 i can't seem to get an answer!!??! I think the FIAT 500 and the new Ka are the same car under the skin. I thought that too but the 500 has much more safety stuff in it (More airbags as standard etc) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 I have a Toyota Yaris - the old model diesel 1400 cc which does between 60 - 70 miles per gallon and costs only £35 per year on road tax as its very green - its wonderful and the most economical car I have had and I have also had 3 pandas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phonix Posted January 10, 2009 Author Share Posted January 10, 2009 I like the panda!! Just looked at the Yaris and I think it a bit pricey for me shame cos I really like it! x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 The Micra is a car driven by a LOT of old people. Round here you never want to get stuck behind one.... I saw the new KA today and had to do a double take as I thought it was a Micra. Nuff Said. The Yaris is a nice little car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 Phonix, its a 4 seater, but if I remember rightly you can get an extra lap belt put in in the back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ardene5 Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 Hi We have 2 cars one is a volvo and the other is a 5 door Honda Jazz. We would recommend the Honda Jazz a it is nippy, easy to park, cheap to run, makes up to a small estate if needed, great use of space, OK on motor ways and great in towns. Everyone has their own special car what I would say is take a test drive in several different cars, make a short list of cars, fours and against, insurance groups, mpg, and likes of cars. Then go and see what you can get in reductions from dealers. Play one of against the other even the same dealers say Fiat dealer in one area against an other Fiat dealer in an other area. Tell them you can get a,b,c,d, from the first them what are they going to offer. Walk away from any dealer who will not give you any offer or is heavy handed. Take a friend or an other member of the family with you so you are not pushed into getting a car you find later you do not want. Good luck in your car hunt have fun in what ever you buy. Best regards for 2009. Ian & Valerie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 I like the panda!! Just looked at the Yaris and I think it a bit pricey for me shame cos I really like it! x I love mine and its a 5 seater 5 door car too! I bought it at 3 years old so not so dear at the time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 The Fiat Panda and Honda Jazz have both had very good reviews. I used to have a 1.5 Diesel Renault Clio I regularly got 70 miles per gallon out of it and its cheap tax, has really decent boot size, was comfy and did well on the motorway for a little car, I did 80K in two years in mine with not a single problem One thing I would recommend is to go for a six month old ex demo model or trade in main dealer model - it will still be under warranty and will usually come serviced etc.. It means if your budget stays the same you can get a higher spec model of the car you want for the same money as they lose so much of their worth in the first six months - better than getting a basic model new car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ardene5 Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 The Fiat Panda and Honda Jazz have both had very good reviews. I used to have a 1.5 Diesel Renault Clio I regularly got 70 miles per gallon out of it and its cheap tax, has really decent boot size, was comfy and did well on the motorway for a little car, I did 80K in two years in mine with not a single problem One thing I would recommend is to go for a six month old ex demo model or trade in main dealer model - it will still be under warranty and will usually come serviced etc.. It means if your budget stays the same you can get a higher spec model of the car you want for the same money as they lose so much of their worth in the first six months - better than getting a basic model new car. Totally agree with the second paragraph of Redwings comments. Also you do not get the devalue of the car which you would if you bought new. E.G new price say £7,000 month later car only worth £5,999 so by buying as Redwing suggest you can get a better car for the same money. Best regards in the car hunt. Ian & Valerie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janepie33 Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 Iwent from driving an automatic Landrover Discovery to a manual Ford KA and I love it! It is nippy, easy to park and economical. Go for one of those. You won't regret it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ygerna Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 Hondas are great cars, we have an FR-V but love the standard of everything, I should imagine its the same with all their cars. I had a Micra, old version several years ago but it was a good sound car with cheap costs (mileage, tax, MOT'S etc). Another option would be a Corsa, great little cars again cheap running costs too. Have fun shopping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 You just have to get a mini Think of all that lawyer street-cred I'm just biased, I love minis You may be living in Billinge- you'll practically be my neighbour. Send me a PM & pop around for some lemon drizzle cake On the serious side my neighbour has been to Chester doing what you will be doing, & she drove there ( a VW Polo). My friend has a Jazz & it's really nice- big boot , too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 Or a Citreon - C1 is very economical and cheap to run and comes in some fun colours. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 Oh yes the KA (the old stylish one!) has a pathetic boot - Mum has had one for years and loved them but just couldn't stand anymore that the back seat was always being used to carry stuf fas the boot was full. But then again she does leave 3 empty wine bottle boxes in there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 I can get a bale of aubiose & a sack of chicken mash in the Pandas boot, or 3 bags of mash. Its a good size for us - I can always fit the family food shop in there, along with a box of bottles for the bottle bank which I go to on the way home. The back seats also fold flat for if you need to carry anything really large. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
