I need (different) advice... what's the cheapest new car that wouldn't embarrass me?

Fiat 500 popular - shop around online (e.g. broadspeed.com) and it's about 7 1/2K

Apparently very popular(!) and cute - even Top Gear rates it!

I think he doethstst protest too much...

Jon

Whta's with the need for a 'new' car? especially if you just want to get 'from A to B'

I've been buying secondhand Mercs for over 25 years and you can get bloody good ones today for 8 grand. Mrs D has a C220 cdi which does 72 mpg on a decent run. Will probably see many of us out, so is both economic and environmentally freindly.

So, again, what up with the 'need' for a new car

Cheers

Don

If it were my money and if it had to be new, my choice would be:
Top Order:
1. Honda Jazz - fantastic engineering/ space/ economy/ reliability/ residual value.

2. Ford Fiesta - superb car not too long on the market - likely to stay 'current' for several years.

3. VW Polo - very safe, great perceived quality and refinement. Not so sure about adequacy of engines in entry level model.

Second Tier:

4. Skoda Fabia - built off new Polo chassis. A bit dull looking but very practical.

5. Renault Clio - great looking not so wee cars.

Leftfield:

6. Toyota iQ - a bit of a Smart sized car with Lexus spec - if you want a tiny car this could be the one for you. Could flop or else hold value extremely well - anyone's guess!

You would have to work hard to achieve your budget on the top three, but that's where I would start.

Good luck!

Peter

Why buy new when you could have a classic and look like you're in the know.





Dean...

Oooo the ladies are going to love you.






Dean...

quote:

a C220 cdi which does 72 mpg on a decent run

That's a heck of a stat Don - are you sure you have done your sums correctly? When I had a BMW 330d I used to be chuffed if I managed over 40mpg on an easy motorway cruise.

Peter

A classic British runabout on classic insurance cheap as chips.




Jon, these are just a few leftfield suggestions and if I was looking for a car thats not going to be used excessively what I'd look at.



Dean...

Peter

Yes, 72mpg is a dead cert. Measured it accurately several times. Round the houses Mrs D gets over 60 mpg.

Mind you, I can run most things on petrol fumes (although I try to avoid that in aircraft!!)

At present I'm in Canada and a couple of weeks ago got the orange fuel warning light in Roger's Pass with 70 clicks still to go to Golden. The Esso station in Roger's Pass was out of gas but we made it with plenty of fumes to spare. That was in a RAV4 from which I average 40 mpg (don't know if thats good, bad or indifferent?)

Changing the subject, and confirming your view above, If (why?) Jon 'needs' a new car, I would be inclined to look at the Fiesta and Polo models. Good value, reliable and respectable. That's what I bought my kids for their first cars.

Cheers

Don

Ah you make me laugh!!!!!!!

But I tell you what, that Fiat looks like it could be the one!

I will investigate further.

Many thanks!

Jon

You MUST buy a bike, to be an example for your students. Cars are out, just for old babyboomers that do not care about environment and their health...like us

'...to be an example to your students.....'

....get rid of the Deerstalker and pipe.....

the car, virtually any car, will take care of itself.

Cheers

Don

Renault Clio, why new ? get one that's barely been used, it's a lot cheaper.

I think the new Ford Fiesta is kinda cool, about £10K I think.



Otherwise, these never go out of fashion...

As long as you don't have elbow patches or try and be "down" with the kids, you'll be fine.

How about a Toyota Yaris?

I bet you could get old-shape second-hand versions for well under your budget.

Sod the credibility!!

I think you need a Bugatti Veyron.

If you don't get it now, you'll only have upgraded to one by Chirstmas anyway.

I've got a Citroen C1. It's a great little car, and everyone who sees it really likes it. It's a Splash special edition and is really bright blue with white mirrors. Electric windows, air con and remote locking, £35 a year road tax, £165 per year insurance, over 60mpg combined, CO2 emissions of 106g....

The Fiat 500 is nice but maybe trying too hard to be cute. And Fiat dealers can be dodgy from past experience when we had a Punto.

Nigel

Gosh many thanks for the responses!!

It really does seem that I don't fit into a male stereotype as I know nothing about cars. I bet the price of cars drops considerably as soon as you drive it off the forecourt?

Are dealers negotiable? I reckon in the current climate they should be, but I need to get a car before the start of next term.

The bike is an option, but a half houd drive each morning would make it a 2 hr cycle. Couldn't do that man!!

Jon

Get hold of a copy of the latest Which mag which has a car supplement this month. It gives details of prices depreciation etc. Or look at the car mags in WH Miffs and get one that covers the size of car you are trying to buy.

With new cars (unless it is a rare very desirable model) you should be able to get a decent discount. The money they have to provide for the scrapage allowance should be available under a diffrent guise to give you a thousand off.

Also look at the adverts for the car wholesalers - typical a whole page add with lists of different makes of cars with reduced prices.

Also be aware of the pre registered game where you buy a car that has been registered by the dealer so as to enable them to meet a sales target and so get bonuses, the car typically has had minimal usage.
- make sure that you do not lose too much warranty time.


I bought a pre reg three years ago - it was registered on the morning that we collected the car in the afternoon. All of 2 miles on the clock.

quote:

Originally posted by Consciousmess:
The bike is an option, but a half houd drive each morning would make it a 2 hr cycle. Couldn't do that man!!

John - I live 20miles from work and commute through the year on a bike - it's only about 1h10 each way, as opposed to 40m in the car. Once you get used to it, it's a habit and not a chore. Good bike (on the C2Work and some decent kit and you're sorted)

The upside is, I really do look lean and extremely handsome, as opposed to the fat and aging middle-ager I should be. No embarrassment at all on that option.

quote:

The upside is, I really do look lean and extremely handsome, as opposed to the fat and aging middle-ager I should be.

We want proof!
p.s. You really need to get that time under an hour, slacking man

a year old VW Golf should fit the bill

I suggest you do as I did and get a Defender 90. No frills, as you wish. Respectable, traditional English. Cool without being pretentious.

What more could you want?

Well, to answer my own question, double diff locks, mud tyres, 30% lower gearing in low range, chipped engine, snorkle, roo bar, winch, UHF radio, tacho, forward facing rear seats, cargo barrier, air compressor and stronger half shafts.

My wife has just bought one of these (good deal on lease anyway)in baby blue. Its great and v credible. It's wonderfully retro. I think you need to be kinda young and cool or female to get away with it (shoot me down in flames if you disagree). I've driven it a few times and its fine, particularly around town - I do though feel like flippin Mr Bean in it.

I think if you are a teacher and you're TRYING to GET DOWN with the kids you have already failed. Stick to being an adult

My dad was a headmaster and had VW 1500/1600 type 3 estates. It didn't embarrass him.

But, be sure, it did embarras me

JohanR