Just heard that that the Fiat dealership I have my new Panda diesel on order with has gone into receivership. So I'll try and get my deposit back via the credit card company and consider what to get instead. And quite quickly ideally. The Panda was ordered with options so I can't source an equivalent without starting the process again. So I'm considering alternatives.
The car is going to be a commuter hack (mainly motorway) and should be big enough to seat three adults (its a car share and the other two are paying me!). The main criteria are comfort, reliability, cheap to insure, service and must be economical. I don't care about the badge or the glamour and I intend to keep the car for many years. I would prefer a diesel and am happy to spend up to £6K (maybe a bit more). I would prefer to buy from a main dealer if poss.
My initial thoughts were something like a last of the line Xsara 110BHP 2.0HDi (maybe estate), a Focus TDCi or maybe another Seat like an Ibiza?
If anyone has any experience with any of the above or can suggest alternatives I should consider then great. Thanks
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If the car was on order from an official dealer, shouldn't another dealer be able to find the same car and do the same deal?
JaB
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Without a local dealer for warranty work I'm not sure I want to proceed anyway.
Car suggestions anyone?
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A Totota Yaris D4-D? Reliable, economical etc and the engine is great.
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New Corsa (due end of month?) or new Yaris would be my favourites.
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I'd say take a look at used Yaris D4D. Toyota reliability, low running costs and a good bet for many years service.
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Pricey beasts those!
Will investigate.
Do you think they are big enough to transport an adult in the back in comfort?
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As you were thinking of something small in the Panda, what about a Skoda Fabia 1.9tdi hatchback or estate?
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Local dealer has a 2003 D4D 5dr GS model (seems pretty basic spec) with 27000 miles for £6795.
I have requested a test drive for the weekend when I'll go through the baby seat, pushchair, test drive 3-up malarkey again..
What should I look to pay for this?
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I have requested a test drive for the weekend when I'll go through the baby seat, pushchair, test drive 3-up malarkey again..
Pushchair is a new factor.
I hope is is compact if it is going in the Yaris boot or if you are just two up with a little one, in which case you can slide the back seat forward.
Three adults maybe a little snug.
Avoid the Yaris petrol 1.0 models.
The boot on the Focus Hatch is also snug so I hope you do not carry golf gear.
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The Yaris facelift ' 03 on has a much better sliding mechanism on the rear seats.The 3 door has poor rear access.The 5 door is very good.
Great small diesel: best I've driven.
madf
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I'd go for either the Fabia or Yaris. Depends on:
- how big the car sharers are and how far you go to work
- how much luggage space you need
- which has the nearer local dealer.
The Yaris has a tiny boot if the rear seats are slid back, as they need to be to accommodate someone comfortaby in the back. The Fabia is quite a bit bigger.
Both should be a lot more reliable than a Fiat. Avoid the small petrol engines in either (I think you may have already decided on diesel).
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Good questions Avant!
1) Car sharers are adult males! one 6ft the other 5ft9. Journey is about 35-40mins all dual carriageway
2) Luggage space required during the commute=zero. However at the weekend it must be able to fit in the pushchair and baby seat if required. The pushchair fitted in the Panda boot btw.
Will find out at the weekend hopefully.
3) Toyota dealer nearest (2miles). It is opposite the receivership ridden Fiat garage.
D4D is only one being considered.
Can't find a diesel Fabia around here so Yaris is leading the way at the mo.
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Just some thoughts of my own, not that I have kids, but have car shared. Does it have to be so small, or is that mainly to get the low insurance/good economy?
How tall are you? The 5ft9er would be likely to go in the back, and find it uncomfortable behind the 6footer if he has the seat in the right place.
Would you be leaving the child seat in place in the back to save hoiking it out all the time? If you're keeping the car for many years, even if the child is in a front baby seat right now, it will eventually migrate to the back. If you have a preference for the child seat on a particular side, it may leave the smallest back seat space for the rear passenger.
Would a small boot, filled with pushchair and other gubbins, leave you enough room to get any other shopping in there. If another child could feasibly be on the way in the long time you plan to own the car, could two lots plus your other shopping fit?
Given the amount of use the car would get, my preference would be something definitely more than Panda size, better at least Punto, preferably at least Stilo size.
If brand or glamour are not essential, would something a few years old, reliable and economical but poor image fit the bill better?
James
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Low insurance/good economy is indeed a priority.
I'll feed back on the ability of a Yaris to cope with a max of 3 adults with no boot required, just like I did with the Panda. The Panda was definitely capable.
This is very much a 2nd car (we have a Leon that will turn morph into a Picasso or suchlike someday), but in addition to the commute it must be capable of transporting us and the baby (due in March) if required. It won't ever have to cope with family + shopping + baby stuff. More like me + shopping + my choice of music at the weekend OR me + 2 blokes no luggage during the week :-)
If you can suggest something a few years old, reliable and economical but poor image then fire away
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I'll feed back on the ability of a Yaris to cope with a max of 3 adults with no boot required, just like I did with the Panda. The Panda was definitely capable.
In the back of the Yaris, don't just consider leg room -- see whether you can cope with the very short seat base in the back. My knees stick out over it so far that it feels like only my bum is supported -- not fun for anything other than v short journeys.
If you can suggest something a few years old, reliable and economical but poor image then fire away
Nissan Almera. Reportedly v reliable, cheap to insure, and reasonably economical. Untrendy, so cheap second-hand.
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Perhaps I can be controversial and suggest a newish example of the outgoing Astra. Very cheap prices now, low insurance and good economy, fine on your dual carriageway run and the space and comfort your car sharers need.
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I have a late (2002) Xsara HDI 110 estate (75000 miles when purchased, last May. Has been reliable for the last 13000 miles, but I've just had to renew the heater blower fan. I commute 50 miles a day (round trip). The car is a real pleasure to drive in all respects, engine power delivery and economy (50mpg)are excellent. At motorway speeds, the car is the most capable and quietest I've owned. The estate is practical and good looking. In my experience, smaller cars loaded with passengers can be hard work. Maybe take your passengers on a few test drives!
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Thank you Derekr. Most helpful Xsara post. Will investigate
Against all odds I have I have found a Yaris D4D at the local Toyota main dealership that is in my price range. These things seem to be very rare.
Car in question is this one:
dealers.toyota.co.uk/bluesky/jsp/public/used_cars/...1
After having engaged the dealer, he has reserved the car for me until the weekend (returnable deposit) and has indicated he's not going lower than this deal
Toyota Yaris D4D 5dr in Caribean blue(??)
'03 plate 27k miles one owner (confirmed by RAC vehicle check)
£6495 OTR
includes:
1yr Toyota approved car warranty (inclues RAC membership)
1yrs road tax
Full service and yrs MOT
tank of diesel and new set of mats
Obviously not a cheap car - these beasties are pricy (and rare)! Parkers indicates main dealer price of £6300 for 20k example from franchised dealer so not a million miles away from that with the tax, fuel and mats.
Ready to receive cutting comments chaps...
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