Downsizing from a Focus
I'm driving a Focus 2.0l TDCI averaging 44-47mpg on a 55 mile daily commute (25miles each way) mainly on dual carriageway and fast A roads. Plus shorter trips of 4 - 10 miles each way on fast A roads to the shops. Annual mileage of 15,000, of which around 12,000 is the commuting.
I'd like to down-size to a smaller car with better mpg. I've driven a Fiesta 1.6D, Clio diesel and Mazda 2 1.6D - the Mazda felt nippier than the other two.
I'd like the car to be responsive and fun to drive, hence trying the 1.6 engines. However, they all feel 'tinnier' and a more noisy on dual carriageways and at speed than the Focus (or my last car, a 2001 Seat Leon 1.9TDCI), which doesn't feel so good.
My budget is £6000-£7000. Is there a similar sized car that fits my requirements, maybe the Seat Leon? Or is the 'tinnier' feel something common to all the smaller cars in this bracket and I'll just have to live with it?!
I'd like to down-size to a smaller car with better mpg. I've driven a Fiesta 1.6D, Clio diesel and Mazda 2 1.6D - the Mazda felt nippier than the other two.
I'd like the car to be responsive and fun to drive, hence trying the 1.6 engines. However, they all feel 'tinnier' and a more noisy on dual carriageways and at speed than the Focus (or my last car, a 2001 Seat Leon 1.9TDCI), which doesn't feel so good.
My budget is £6000-£7000. Is there a similar sized car that fits my requirements, maybe the Seat Leon? Or is the 'tinnier' feel something common to all the smaller cars in this bracket and I'll just have to live with it?!
Asked on 11 August 2012 by js6969
Answered by
Honest John
If you want real economy for a low price, then has to be a small diesel and for £6k - £7k you are pretty well forced into something with the PSA/Ford 1.6 90PS diesel. Fiestas and Mazda 2s are best on the smaller wheels and deeper profile tyres, I think 175/65 R14. At lower speeds these tyres make them feel more grippy. The other way to go is a Panda or FIAT 500 with the 1.248cc (1.3) Multijet, but hard to get a 500 for the money.
Our honest used car pricing is a little bit different to all the others. You can get to our values through make or model - you don’t have to follow a prescribed route. Plus, it’s live, which means we can react to changes in the market quicker than any printed price guide.
Honest Used Car Prices
From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.
Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....Similar questions
I'm looking to downsize from 2008 Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 as I no longer the need an MPV. I like the look of the 2008 Ford Fiesta - what's the best engine? I do about 8000 miles a year (mixture of motorway/urban),...
Can you advise on which 5 seat car would be the best option as a small family car? We have heard good things about the Ford 1 litre 3 cylinder engine, and wondered if we should wait for when the Fiesta...
I am reluctantly considering part exchanging my Volvo V70 D5 (55 reg) for a smaller car to reduce running costs. The car will mainly be used to commute from a rural area into a city centre, a distance...
Related models
Well built with an upmarket interior. Enjoyable and involving to drive. Cheap to run 1.6TDCI ECOnetic. Exceptional reliability record. Very few problems reported despite more than 500,000 sold.
.jpg?width=115&height=75&rmode=crop)
Enjoyable and fun to drive. Economical engines. Sensibly priced. Feels well built. Ride harshness over bumps improved for 2011.
.jpg?width=115&height=75&rmode=crop)
Clio facelifted for 2009 with same look as Laguna. 1.5 Eco2 diesel down to 98g/km CO2.
Elsewhere on 
.jpg)
