Small Cars

[Grunt]

Rachelle wants a small car and is getting sick of the PT.

Not sure if running up the arse of another car today has prompted the decision or not. Makes sense to get a small car though. Does very little trips as if I am off work my car is used as the petrol is paid for.

Options so far are:

Toyota Yaris
Nissan Micra
Hyundai Getz
Ford Festiva
? Any others

[WBennett]

Get the Yaris (allwomen so their opinions on cars may be taken with a grain of salt) - I know three people with them and not a bad word amongst them.

However, its a bit more expensive but a better drive. How much do you want to spend?

[Grunt]

Looking at getting at decent trade in for the PT and parting with say 3-4K.
So about 17-19K

[henno]

Two close friends of mine have a Yaris, and one has a Getz. I wouldn't be caught dead in either, but they both talk rather highly of them (as do their masculine partners).

[Courty]

Mazda 2?

[shazza_rs]

suzuki swift.... they look pretty cool

[Grunt]

Yeah Mazda 2 is in the game too, I could not remember any others earlier, I forgot about the Honda Jazz too.

[Grunt]

suzuki swift.... they look pretty cool
They lose out in the interior space to the others

[Webster]

mazda 3

[Grunt]

mazda 3

3 is out of the budget, The Focus I have fills the spot of a 3.

[henno]

the Hyundai i30 might just creep into your budget if you do some wheeling and dealing.

[adlo]

I would put the Toyota HEAD and SHOULDERS above the other options in your list Grunt. You will pay a bit more for it but you won't regret it. Other small cars are built down to a price and it really shows. I think as Henno suggested, the other option could be the i30.

[jaybam]

Get her a mini :)

[andylo]

Smart - solid and economic
Fiat 500 -great handling and economic

Both has better handling than all you have thought, the service cost isn't high and very, very light on fuel. Most importantly its much more solid and safer than the Japs rival.

[Rod Morri]

If the budgest allows, go the Yaris (but make sure it's not built in South Africa). If not the superceded model model Mazda 2 is the go.

[BrisVegas]

Mazda 2 or Ford Fiesta. freshest and best models in the class, IMHO.

[PeteyD]

If you like the focus why not get another Ford? Pretty much all the cars come out equal on review. I do like the look of the i30s, but they are a bit more?

[BrisVegas]

The i30 is meant to be the same size category as the Focus. There is a (light car class) i20 coming out shortly which should be ok.

[PeteyD]

So many different sizes now. I can remember when Corollas were small.

[adlo]

Yaris/Corolla craps on Fiesta/Focus

[henno]

Yaris/Corolla craps on Fiesta/Focus

Without question.

[Grunt]

If the Fiat 500 fits the bill, Rachelle likes it.

[goonie]

The Toyota Yaris is a solid car, but does have it's problems and isn't the best looking car either, keep away from the Korean cars or Mitsubushi, Fiesta ia a good car but resale will suck compared to some others. You'll most likely pay threw the nose one way or another for any european small cars. Check out the Honda Jazz, I think a new one is coming soon.

But it really is an easy choice, the new Mazda 2 is by far the best looking and from all reviews the best driving current small car. World car of the year, and would have been Wheels car of the year (came second I think) if the base model had better standard tyres (which may have been fixed now) It's a no brainer, and it will have good resale. Mazda are making some of the best cars around at the moment.

[Grunt]

Thanks for all th input guys & girls and keep it coming . You all just have to remember I think outside the square for car choices, the Focus is the tamest car I have ever owned.
Previous cars have been: PT Cruiser, Mini Moke, Ford XR6, Gemini Wagon, Datsun 120Y Coupe.

Rachelle has had, Gemini, Charade, Camry, Pulsar Q & now PT hand me down.

[goonie]

Can i guess which ones caused you the most grief.

[Grunt]

Have a go?
Remember I am an engineer

[goonie]

Gemini, Mini and the PT (don't know how many K's on this thou)

[Dotty]

I don't know much about small cars, but I had a rental Nissan Tiida for a fortnight. Very impressive, and I thought I saw them advertised a couple of months back at $17K.

[amanda]

I think the Tiida is the old Pulsar - so a bit bigger than what you're looking for.

The Fiat 500 starts at $23k + onroads - so maybe a bit out of your price range.

We hired a Toyota Yaris a few yrs ago at the champs - just felt a bit plastic on the inside but otherwise a good car (though too many internal compartments - I'd forget where I put things! That could be just me though)

[v205]

Definitely have a look at the Honda Jazz.

[Bungeye]

have you had a look at the VW Polo? built like a tank for a small car, and I was amazed when I looked at one, the interior size was almost the same as the Golf I bought. You could get a diesel one as well if that appeals.

[BrisVegas]

Yaris/Corolla craps on Fiesta/Focus

perhaps, but i'd rather drive the Fiesta/2/Focus/3 than any Toyota made in the last 10 years (and i own a Corolla too). Resale on ALL cars is rubbish these days, so you might as well own something that's nice to drive.

[Chris32]

We've hired a Getz and a Corolla in the last year for holidays. We thought both were excellent, I liked the Corolla from a space point of view. The Getz used the least amount of juice, both were good to drive

[Bruce]

I think I'm about to go shopping for a ~$5k small car for myself.
This is the first step towards playing golf when I want to instead of when I can.

I was going to lead with corolla - what else should I consider?

[BrisVegas]

scooter & carry bag.

[henno]

Get a rickshaw!

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/5605/rickshaw843tt3.jpg

[3oneday]

I bought a new Echo 4 door 2 years ago for 17k new, 400+ k's per tank.

[BrisVegas]

that doesn't sound like much 31d? how much in the tank? i'd have thought something as small as an echo should be getting 600-700kms out of 40 litres or so.

[3oneday]

Dunno, I stopped looking after the first few months, maybe it was 700.

Good car, good speed but lots of road noise on long trips. Can't have everything I guess :)

[goonie]

I think I'm about to go shopping for a ~$5k small car for myself.
This is the first step towards playing golf when I want to instead of when I can.

I was going to lead with corolla - what else should I consider?

good cheap second hand small car is a Toyota Starlet, or a little bigger a 323/laser (same car) or a corolla, but the corolla will be older with more Ks for the same money. My mum just picked up a 98 Corolla for $6.400.

[Grunt]

A few have been knocked off the list

Getz
Swift
Micra

Tilda is too big as Amanda has said.

[goonie]

Gemini, Mini and the PT (don't know how many K's on this thou)

Are you ignoring me Grunt? :-)

[Grunt]

Are you ignoring me Grunt? :-)

Sorry replied last night but it obviously did not post

Moke was a reliable car, especially as I had rebuilt it myself. Built the engine and gearbox at home. Was a great car wish I never got rid of it now.
PT has been great car, I had it for 3 years as my car and has just racked up 98000km
Gemini was a good one too, was a wagon, I traded it in for the XR6 and got a good deal as it was in good nick.

[990B Luva]

IMHO Mazda 2 or the Fiesta, personally i prefer the look of the Fiesta, but the 2 is better drive. also the Hyundai Getz is crap, inferior plastics, poor fitting and full of rattles, Honda Jazz seem like a good buy, i havent driven a new one yet though

[kobbsno10]

Grunt my wife and I recently bought a new car (6 months ago now). Before we bought we were given a bit of a helping hand in deciding what car to buy, Her father gave us a book/guide called "The Dog & Lemon Guide". Strange name for a guide on the best cars out there but it's fantastic, If you can get your hands on one of those books it would help you and your wife out with your decision. http://dogandlemon.com/

PS We bought a Toyota Corolla, Great car!