Class car

I would appreciate your advice in the purchase of a used car for myself. I currently drive a Ford Ka to work but I would like something a bit smarter and with a little more street cred. As a teacher, a Ford Ka is not the best. It would really just be a run to work and perhaps for short trips at the weekend. We have a C-Max for longer journeys, which we bought on your recommendation. So the car will cover about 5k per annum. The quandry I am in is whether to get a MINI One/Cooper (about a 02/03 plate), which I like, or get something much newer such as the Suzuki Swift you have recommended or a Fiesta or Grande Punto? I don't think I really want a tinny car like a Citroen C1 or similar. It will have to last a good few years and I have a budget of about £5K plus whatever I can get for the KA in part exchange.

Asked on 7 February 2009 by

Answered by Honest John
The most fun to drive small cars are the Suzuki Swift 1.5GLS and the Mazda 2 1.3TS2 (Not the Mazda 2 1.5). But for a bit of cred, you might not go far wrong with a FIAT 500 or with the new FIAT 500 based Ford Ka. Tests of all four and video tests of three at www.honestjohn.co.uk
Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
    Select a few terms below
Similar questions
I'm interested in buying the Abarth 500. I really like the car but I'm having second thoughts about it because of the hard suspension. I currently own a 1.4 Fiat 500 and while I like it, I hate it's ride...
The garage has just confirmed today that my beloved FIAT Barchetta is almost certainly a write-off. I'll really miss it. But I think I'll go for something more solid next time. How do you rate the FIAT...
I'm due to retire shortly and my Audi 3.2 quattro lease goes at the same time. I'm looking for a replacement second car and I'm looking for something small, practical but fun and speedy. I thought about...
 

Value my car

Save £75 on Warranty using code HJ75

with MotorEasy

Get a warranty quote

Save 12% on GAP Insurance

Use HJ21 to save on an ALA policy

See offer