Petrol or diesel?
I am looking to buy a new small car, so far I like the Fiat Panda, good deals to be had, and good space for me as I am 6ft 4.
The car will stand for 4 weeks at a time, and have mixed use for about a week at a time. The car will cover 3,000 miles a year.
I will be keeping the car long term, 7 to 10 years, and reliability is important to me.
I need to know if a petrol or a diesel would be best suited to my needs and also if people have any other suggestions. I am looking for a car in the lower vehicle tax bands either new or 6 months old.
The car will stand for 4 weeks at a time, and have mixed use for about a week at a time. The car will cover 3,000 miles a year.
I will be keeping the car long term, 7 to 10 years, and reliability is important to me.
I need to know if a petrol or a diesel would be best suited to my needs and also if people have any other suggestions. I am looking for a car in the lower vehicle tax bands either new or 6 months old.
Asked on 25 April 2011 by stebe
Answered by
Honest John
Diesel will be completely wrong for this kind of use, and likely to be expensive.
I, too, have had excellent reliability from a FIAT. Mine is a 3 year old 500 1,242cc petrol on which nothing at all has gone wrong. It did 2,000 miles first year, 5,000 miles second year and 6,000 miles third year. It has been left unused for 4 - 6 weeks on about ten occasions. 500s have good seats, so try one.
But if you don't want to spend money on buying a fashionable shape, check out a Hyundai i10 1.2 Active.
Not quite as problem free as a 500, but chain cam engine and excellent economy potential.
I, too, have had excellent reliability from a FIAT. Mine is a 3 year old 500 1,242cc petrol on which nothing at all has gone wrong. It did 2,000 miles first year, 5,000 miles second year and 6,000 miles third year. It has been left unused for 4 - 6 weeks on about ten occasions. 500s have good seats, so try one.
But if you don't want to spend money on buying a fashionable shape, check out a Hyundai i10 1.2 Active.
Not quite as problem free as a 500, but chain cam engine and excellent economy potential.
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
Our Fuel Cost Calculator shows you which will be the best choice for you.
Compare the running costs of petrol, diesel and electric cars to make the right choice for you.
Dear Honest John,
Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
Similar questions
I live in the Isle of Man and I'm looking for a new, very cheap to run car. Have been warned off the Hyundai i10 Blue due to the hills on the Island and I'm getting mixed reviews about the MPG of the Hyundai...
Have a Nissan Micra R reg and have only done 60,000 miles.
She sadly needs to be replaced. What would you recommend for someone who usually only does town mileage, with occasional trips out in GB at...
My wife has seen a 2009 Seat Ibiza 1.4 se 5dr on sale at a garage for £7,000. It has only done done 10k miles. It has had only one service in 2011. The garage has told her it does not need another until...
Related models
.jpg?width=115&height=75&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=115&height=75&rmode=crop)
Cheap to own. All models have airc on, five seatbelts and flat folding rear seats. Rides and handles quite well for its size. 99g/km Blue model from early 2011.
![2021 Fiat Panda 1.0 Mild Hybrid City Life [5 Seat] 5dr](http://images.honestjohn.co.uk/imagecache/url/crop/90x60/https/assets.heycar.co.uk/t_default-export/f_auto/application_assets/vehicles/pictures/7e65142288fdd4c1e10fe2dc32ef24a8/3984db1ef0606bbfaad7bef9017a1166.jpg)
Elsewhere on 
.jpg)
