Ok folks, I've recently moved, and now have a garage. Unfortunately this isn't a large double, but a brick built nineteen fifties single, about 2.4 meters by 4.8 meters. As I have a motorbike I want to keep in here during the winter, and to placate the insurance companies, I will need around a meter at the rear to park the bike.
So, with about 3.8 meters to play with, and sub 1.8 meters in width to allow for door opening, what are the recommendations for affordable (sub £9k) transport. This will be without any Scrappage Allowance.
Main use - commute / transport for two and sometimes a labrador.
Would like to see 50 mpg or more.
Used mainly in town and fast A roads. So very little motorway miles.
Must be four seat capable - leg room doesn't need to be great in the back.
Annual mileage less than 12k so no need for diesel.
Me - 6ft in height, average build, so shouldn't be any accomodation issues, although I once test drove a Saxo and kept hitting the door with my elbow the seat was so close to the handle.
Did once own a Smart ForFour (shared same platform as Mitsubishi Colt) and found it amazingly versatile, so I'm keen to look at the new Colt, especially at £8k new.
I'm quite lucky in having all the major marques near me, and am no badge snob, so what would the recommendations be? Horror stories welcome as well as the positive.
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panda diesel
diesel because panda diesels are faster and more powerful than the petrol pandas, have chain cams, and hold onto their value much better
fantastic cars
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panda diesel diesel because panda diesels are faster and more powerful than the petrol pandas have chain cams and hold onto their value much better fantastic cars
Seconded - we had a Panda Multijet and it was great. Very reliable too.
Panda 100HP is quicker, but the ride is very harsh and therefore not everyone's cup of tea.
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Sorry to be boring but a Panda is what you need.
These cars are really bullet-proof in terms of build quality.
1.3MJ diesel would give the required economy.
Look at this deal, especially if you don't have a trade-in www.fiatsupasaver.com/SpecialOffers.aspx
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£6500 for a used 2008 model year Panda? Is that really a good deal?
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£6500 for a used 2008 model year Panda? Is that really a good deal?
>>>>>>>FiatSupaSaver seem to like it ;-)
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Dunno, really, it was just a starting point.
New small cars without scrappage and used small cars have got really expensive just recently compared to a year ago when I got a £3000 discount, about 25%, off my Panda Cross.
Trade-in offered was not good but I got a bit more on a private sale.
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The OP isn't so worried about costs as size.
The Panda is a good solution to the problem. The usual default for this question is the Hyundai i10. BUt is this not a little too small for two adults and a large dog. It may not be and it is a very good car, much more modern than the Panda.
OP said he also liked the Colt - still made, but will it fit?
Is a Ka too small? Its only 2 door as well.
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IIRC, the Fiat Multijet is one of the engines that can be affected by particularly nasty DPF problems (the kind where the engine oil becomes flooded with diesel, causing the engine to run on its own sump oil until it blows up). I think I read this in HJs DT column a few weeks back. (The other culprits were the Mazda 6 and the Subaru Legacy Diesel). Couldn't swear to it, but worth checking.
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Panda's with the 1.3 MJ engine do not currently have a DPF.
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Toyota Aygo would fit the bill.
Small city car but happy on A-roads,3 or 5 door.
4 seats and tiny boot,but (easily)folding rear seats(50:50) will allow dog in back.
Characterful 1.0L 3 cylinder engine very economical and fun to drive.
£35 VED(going down to £20 this year),insurance cheap as chips(Gp 1).
Worth giving it a test drive.
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>Panda's with the 1.3 MJ engine do not currently have a DPF.
Anyone remember which Multijet has the DPF problem - or did I dream this?
Yawn - back to sleep!
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No dream, df - HJ was referring to a problem with a Fiat 500 multijet.
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