1.0 GS 5-seater 5dr Hatchback

great smiles per pound

I bought this car as it was so cheap; i paid £200 for a 2 owner 102,000 mile car with full service history. I needed a cheap run around as I didn't want to 'soil' my 'best' 2015 BMW 330d with trips to the tip, DIY store etc.
Since then, it has sailed through 2 MOTs and been 100% reliable. When there is snow and frost, the little Kia gets into action and performs admirably.
I have to say that for 'smiles per pound' this car has taken some beating. I always use it for local trips, using the BMW for 'best' as it were. It is a distinctive colour (metallic orange) and it looks like a slightly scaled down Ford Fiesta of the same period. The performance is adequate in town and it will (and does) cruise happily at motorway speeds. Overtaking on normal roads takes some planning; it is no 'ball of fire'.
As for practicality, it is well thought out. For long loads, you can recline the front passenger seat forward which means that you can accomodate even longer loads than you might think.
Despite now being 13 years old, it has no rust; colleagues cannot believe that it is such an immaculate car for the money.
My first car nearly 40 years ago was an old 850 Mini; I would suggest that this is a spiritual successor of the original Mini with 5 doors and more practicality and far better rust protection.
My only real problem was that I needed to replace the driveshafts; got the pair for £200 brand new and a local garage charged £120 to fit. The smoothness of the car was transformed. However, I had had the car for well over a year when they needed replacement.
Note that the MPG quoted is for heavy town use. On the few long runs it does over 45 mpg.
This is an ideal first car and almost classless as was the first Mini. RECOMMENDED.

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