Well, Avant... small (in my wife's estimation - and, to an extent, it's her domain) means no bigger than the i10. That narrows it down considerably! But I'm assuming I can allow some flexibility in that regard. The Yaris is probably just about permissible but the Jazz is longer still and a good bit dearer too (although I have complete trust in the brand and in my local Honda dealer). The extension of warranty on a Fabia is £305 for 2 yrs.
Budget is flexible but would like a degree of common sense to prevail and not throw more than necessary down the drain (which is what we do when we keep buying new cars, is it not?).
Had you forgotten my repeated assertions that the 7 speed DSG in my 1.2 Yeti finds much favour? :-) I absolutely love the car and it's gearbox (but have a slight degree of uncertainty over what would happen if the (replaced under warranty) clutch pack started juddering again, or worse - the mechatronic unit went wrong. The question of extended warranty here has been raised and covered here and elsewhere (Briskoda) at much length.
Fiesta has been pondered over but I'm trying to get something not too low (the i10 is slightly taller and our 5 year old Yeti height is just right for us and a B Max would be OK height-wise but is a bit longer than is ideal to fit the criteria at around 4.77 metres). The Powershift would likely fit the bill but I read as much about troublesome Powershifts as I do about troublesome DSGs...however having had a new clutch-pack under warranty our DSG is trouble free and a Powershift might be the same. With a Fiesta you can have an automatic 3 pot one litre Turbo Boost but a B Max with an auto. box is 1.6 only.
V40 fulfill the desire to have something with a decent NCAP record but otherwise is too low, too long and too dear (don't really want to spend too much as I might swap the Yeti in the foreseeable). Another conundrum...but we'll not go there right now).
The Swift is short and has decent NCAP and isn't expensive and the Mrs. quite approves of it's looks but exceeds my attempts to get something VED group C if you have the auto model.
Like I say, I can't quite find the exact right one to fit all my self imposed criteria. In fact I now believe it doesn't exist (especially as I really wanted electrically folding morrors too)...but my search is hardly a matter of great significance in the grand scheme of things - and it keeps me off the streets :-)
Thanks for suggestions - if I've overlooked anything I'll be pleased to know.
The Yaris does come very close and attracts a broker discount of £2,300 as we speak The local dealer might not see things that way though and, ideally, I would like to PX the i10 to save the hassle of tyre kickers plus the convenience of swapping the personal plate over. No folding mirrors but it has a spare wheel (did I say that was another requirement?)...I'm not fussy am I? :-)
Edited by KB. on 03/05/2016 at 21:08
|