What is the Best Value New Small Car on the market?
In terms of:
*MPG
*Resale value
*Build Quality and Reliability
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What value do you attribute to each criterion? How can you price build quality? Every driver's mpg will vary, as will their mileage, and mileage affects re-sale price.
Almost impossible to answer.
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If value is the key here, with the other criteria as further guidance, id plump for the Hyundai Getz diesel.
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another vote for that
or toyota yaris
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How long is the piece of string?
Suzuki Swift/ Ford Ka/Nissan Micra/Toyota Yaris/Aygo/ Citroen C1/C2/ Daihatsu Sirion etc. etc.
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Interesting, it depends how you measure value. I've been educating Mrs. Bong! about the difference between "cheap" and "good value". Our experience makes the Yaris "cheap" but an expensive buy and so bad value.
The Jazz that we've been trying is more expensive than the Toyota but is immeasurably better in terms of fit, finish and practicality. So that's better value in my book, but maybe not in yours. If we had a Daihatsu or Toyota dealer where I live I'd be looking seriously at a Sirion or Justy.
In this part of the market you can spend 25% more and get a car that's 100% better and also the converse.
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er, that should be Daihatsu or Subaru.......
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What is the Best Value New Small Car on the market? In terms of: *MPG *Resale value *Build Quality and Reliability
I would say the Aygo/107/C1 would probably be the best based on your criteria. I think they probably have the lowest fuel consumption for a petrol engine and I think they may beat all of the diesels too. They are built by Toyota so should be reliable. Resale value should be good too. They are fairly cheap to buy, but they aren't the cheapest cars you can get, although you didn't mention the purchase price.
Test drive cars and see which ones you like, I think that should be the most important factor when choosing a car.
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Honest John seems very impressed with the hyundai i10- and it looks a good bet, alongside the fiat panda, and the daihatsu sirion. However, if resale value is the top priority, surely the MINI, especially the diesel cooper version, should be included.
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I was going to suggest the i10 too. It has won a few group tests and I've only seen one negative review out of about 15-20 odd.
Other people must think so as we ordered ours in mid-April and we'll be lucky to have it for the new reg in September.
£7095 for a car with £35 a year tax, aircon, electric widows and mirrors, 4 airbags (4 star ncap) remote central locking etc. I know you can get base model Aygo/C1/107 thingies for cheaper, but some of them don't even have a glove box lid!
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Are there any stability issues with any of these small cars ?
I watched with horror when they drove a Smart car around a test track in damp conditions and the car just went straight off the track when it lost grip and no one could recover/prevent it from going off or stop it spinning.
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What's the OP's definition of small?
Some have mentioned Yaris/Micra/Getz - but they are a class above other sugestions such as the C1!
I'd say something with more space would be better value to me than the city cars, so I wouldn't say they were good value....
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All I would say when choosing a small car is that a rear seat which slides forwards/backwards with one lever - as we have on the Yaris - makes carrying lotsofshopping or 4 adults. easy. And folding flat it holds furniture.
So if you do buy any small car as your main vehicle, I suggest you check:
boot space
rear passeneger foot space
sliding rear seat
and folding flat rear seat.
They make a small car much more practical.
(I have carried 4 pallets in the Yaris:-) )
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Or get the estate version - Fabia, 207 or forthcoming Clio...
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That sort of requirement would lead you to something like a Jazz I think. The "magic' seats provide an option that seems to be unique in the small-ish car range.
Sorry to rain on the barbie but if you slide the Yaris seats you need to use two levers and you leave a socking great hole in the floor. Then you have a two seat car so folding the seat down is a better option if you only need two seats.
Four pallets? Can't even get a set of golf clubs and an electric trolley in ours...... and that's even allowing for the space vacated by the trim that has fallen off.
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Mike Torque
No issues whatsover. You drive them well within their limits, something Top Gear didn't do when they had the experience with the smart you mentioned. Weren't they doing about 50mph round a 90 degree corner?
I once saw someone do a 360 in a smart - he took a right turn with an acute camber in the wet and the backend stepped out. He admitted he was going too fast!
Edited by daveyjp on 08/06/2008 at 21:32
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Are there any stability issues with any of these small cars ?
I'm not sure, but when I test drove an Aygo it felt horrible, as if it was going to roll over even at relatively slow speeds.
I don't understand why people like the i10. It looks a bit dull, it is slow, I don't think it handles very well and you can get a lot of cars for less money.
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Let's keep this simple! - there is nothing to touch the Fiat Panda 1.2 Dynamic, which can be bought brand new for under 5.5k! - unbeatable value for money!
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panda diesel
6300 brand new
35 quid car tax
fantastic car
beats the pants off all the stuff listed above
like hens teeth 2nd hand cos of all the folk wanting the congestion charge excemption, will keep the value up nicely
thinking of buying another one as i like the one i just got so much
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Without a doubt,I am running a Smart forfour 1.3 at the moment superb piece of kit but no longer made I think the Panda is my next choice.
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There are so many great small cars it's very difficult to decide.
I like the Colt because it suits my room needs and it's cheap with reasonable MPG, the C1,107, Aygo for the MPG. Sirion for the MPG and space, Fiat Panda because of the great value and all round abilities, especially in diesel form. i10 is a nice car all round and a 5 year warranty. Jazz for the boot space (not front space!) and quality of materials.
There is no best car they all excel at slightly different things, as for the trade in there is virtually no difference in any of them if kept for several years, more expensive cars usually loose the most in terms of money but not in percentage.
Edited by carl_a on 09/06/2008 at 22:18
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I think you have summed it up! I have owned Yaris, Colt, Panda, and now 500. There all great cars but each had a minus, Colt too noisy, Yaris too expensive, Panda rolls on bends, 500 too girlie and expensive. Its all down to personal feelings and after all thats what makes buying a car different from buying a vacuum cleaner.
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