New small car suggestions - not a Fiesta/Mazda 2/VW Polo

[Rev28K]

Friends want to get a new, small, city car (automatic). They had a deposit down for a VW Polo 77TDSI Comfortline (1.2 litre engine) and now they have been told that they’ll have to wait another 3 additional months until delivery.
This has pushed them over the edge they are about to pull the pin and try and get a different car – the question is which car. They’ve test driven the Mazda 2 and Fiesta and don’t like them.
Their criteria are:
New,
small,
safe (5 star rating if possible),
automatic,
cheap
economical to run,
economical to service.

Other than the Citroen DS3 has anyone got any ideas? It’s a pity that they don’t like the Fiesta but they don’t and wont change their minds. Honda Jazz = doesn’t seem that good, FIAT 500 = ditto and expensive. They also don’t want to go second hand.
Everything else seems nothing special (and sometimes crap) – Hyundai 130, Hyundai Getz, Holden Barina, Toyota Yaris, Cheely, Nissan Micra, etc

[Windsor220]

Not really a lot left to choose from. I know that new Holden Spark thing they brought out is manual only so thats out straight away.
You cant get too fussy at this price range. They may as well wait the 3 months.

[XR Martin]

Whatever car you recommend them doesnt really matter, because they'll be speaking to some random at the supermarket who will recommend something terrible and they'll go buy that instead.
Thats what ive found happens over the years....

[Rodge]

Honda Insight Hybrid or if that's too expensive what about a Suzuki Swift ?

[dave289]

Have you got a price limit for us ?

[Rev28K]

Originally Posted by dave289

Have you got a price limit for us ?

Low to mid 20's.

For some reason the male doesn't want to get a Ford so it's hard to get a Fiesta though.

They are reasonably smart and keen. They drive manuals at the moment and like them, it's just that 90% of their driving is in heavy city traffic therefore an auto makes sense.

Thanks for all the replies guys. I couldn't think of any car that stood out (or that I could recommend in good conciense) and I was hopping that someone out in AFF land could think of an alternative.


Just an idea -
Is there anyway of forcing VW to deliver on a car that they have a contract for? They have been offered a Polo with different option packs and a different colour in June but it's not what they want colour or options wise. If VW could deliver what they wanted when they were supposed to deliver it then they'd be happy and any problems would go away.

[Yellow_Festiva]

You would be MAD not to consider I30. Best small car 3 years running.

They have great drive away sales at the moment.

Same with the Cerato hatch with 6sp auto.

My vote would be the I30 to be honest. Fits your criteria and is FAR from crap motoring.

[dave289]

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

You would be MAD not to consider I30. Best small car 3 years running.

They have great drive away sales at the moment.

Same with the Cerato hatch with 6sp auto.

My vote would be the I30 to be honest. Fits your criteria and is FAR from crap motoring.

The hyundai does rate well. My draftsman has a hyundai i30 and also a focus, he says he much prefers to drive the hyundai than the focus. Personally for that money ,if I was after a small car I would definately look at the madza 3.

[chevypower]

I'd go a Mazda 3 sedan

[starkersEB]

I just bought a new lancer sportback 22k driveaway, safe, long warranty, fixed price services. Baisicly all the criteria you are after but maybe a little big??? Also maybe a ralliart colt?

[DJR David]

Originally Posted by starkersEB

I just bought a new lancer sportback 22k driveaway, safe, long warranty, fixed price services. Baisicly all the criteria you are after but maybe a little big??? Also maybe a ralliart colt?

yep, we bought one of these this week too!!

cant go past it for the features vs $$$$$$

Got in in black - noice!!!
from the ad
Lancer SX
The sporty Lancer SX is the latest addition to the Lancer range, and includes these great features and more:

•Sporty Rear Spoiler
•16" Alloy Wheels
•7 airbags inc driver's knee airbag
•Active Stability Control
•Active Traction Control
•USB connectivity
•5 speed manual
$20,990
including 5 year warranty, fixed price servicing

http://www.buyamitsubishi.com.au/sin...ew-south-wales

[Rev28K]

Thanks Guys.

The Lancers and Mazda 3's are a bit big. They are DINKs with dogs who dont need or want a big car. The dogs preclude a pure 2 seater like SMART cars.

A friend has a 130 and loves it. I cant remember if they tested it when they were looking (I know that they were hoping that the 120 made it out here so that they could try it). 130 seems to be one of those weirdies where the brand name holds it back - if it was me and I tried it I might like it and buy it but there would be resistance to get me behind the wheel in the first place.

Mitsubishi Colt? They always seemed a bit NQR in some areas. I had a look on the Mitsu website and it looks like they don't offer the Ralliart anymore.

Personally I reckon that something like the Toyota iQ (nee a rebadged Aston Martin) would suit them down to the ground. If the Gordan Murray T25 ever makes it in to production that would be amongst my top of the tree small city cars.

[Franco Cozzo]

Hyundai i20

Or a Toyota Corolla, the car for people who have given up on life.

[starkersEB]

Originally Posted by DJR David

yep, we bought one of these this week too!!

cant go past it for the features vs $$$$$$

Got in in black - noice!!!
from the ad
Lancer SX
The sporty Lancer SX is the latest addition to the Lancer range, and includes these great features and more:

•Sporty Rear Spoiler
•16" Alloy Wheels
•7 airbags inc driver's knee airbag
•Active Stability Control
•Active Traction Control
•USB connectivity
•5 speed manual
$20,990
including 5 year warranty, fixed price servicing

http://www.buyamitsubishi.com.au/sin...ew-south-wales

I got black aswell, sooooo paranoid about scratches!!!!!

[muzz]

Perhaps a Honda Jazz (get a higher model with curtain airbags and 1.5 engine) or Honda City?

Otherwise, yeah, Polo and Fiesta would be my top two in the light car class.

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by Turbofest

Honda Insight Hybrid or if that's too expensive what about a Suzuki Swift ?

I was gonna suggest the swift. Nice little car.

[geckoGT]

Before I read the price range I would have said Mini Cooper. Safe, economical, great service, so funky its insane, well appointed and a great drive. The problem is they are on the low side of $30k to start but they do retain good value. They also suit two adults and 2 dogs, our dogs like the Mini more than the Typhoon.

But as Mini is too expensive, how about Peugeot 207, very impressive for the price, same engine as Mini and it is a gem.

Here is just one I have found http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...1011&keywords=

[Rev28K]

Thanks for all of the replies and suggestions.
Part of the problem is that they have slightly champagne tastes on a beer budget.

Gecko - they want new (im trying to get them on to demonstrators) one of the guys at work had a 207 GTi and it lunched it's engine (poor servicing ran too long with the cam timing out by a tooth or two) so that's put them off a bit. I'd thought about the low-end Citroën C3. I think that the Citroën, the Pug and the Toyota Yaris were all spun off the same platform? Certainly the Mini/Pug GTi/RCZ and the DS3 all use the same engine/driveline.

[In Focus]

Use this, and plug in what you want.

http://www.carsales.com.au/new-cars/...ed-search.aspx

An interesting choice yet to be mentioned is the Renault Megane.

[BULFALC]

Bought the wife a Suzuki swift . Test drove other cars around the same price range & found the suzuki by far the most comfortable & well built of anything in that price range . Doing deals on them , now would be a good time. Hope it helps.

[geckoGT]

Originally Posted by Rev28K

Thanks for all of the replies and suggestions.
Part of the problem is that they have slightly champagne tastes on a beer budget.

Gecko - they want new (im trying to get them on to demonstrators) one of the guys at work had a 207 GTi and it lunched it's engine (poor servicing ran too long with the cam timing out by a tooth or two) so that's put them off a bit. I'd thought about the low-end Citroën C3. I think that the Citroën, the Pug and the Toyota Yaris were all spun off the same platform? Certainly the Mini/Pug GTi/RCZ and the DS3 all use the same engine/driveline.

Citroen C3 uses the same PSA 1.6L as the Peugeot 207 and Mini Cooper, the cam timing problem was caused by an issue with the timing chain adjusters. Our Mini had the same issue and ended up jumping a tooth on the cam timing. We were lucky and it did not lunch the engine and BMW fixed the issue at no cost to us even though the car was 11 months out of warranty, without a fight. This happened to ours as it is an early model R56 (Dec 06 build) and was one of the first delivered in Australia.

They no longer have this issue with the PSA 1.6L as they have upgraded the timing chain tensioners, very similar to the story of the Boss motors.

[Fiesta God]

Absolutely baffling why they will not consider a Fiesta. What did they not like about it?

Clearly the best car (along with the Polo) in this class. If I were you, I would print off every motoring review of the Fiesta and hand it to them, and ask them why they don't like to get behind the wheel of the safest, most fuel efficient and best-handling car in its class?

(Perhaps I am biased).


The Suzuki Swift is the next best option - the newly released model has a more premium feel inside, and is good on fuel. Very safe and handles pretty well. Absolute Suzuki reliability too - know someone with 260,000kms on the first series EZ model (2006) and it hasn't missed a beat.


Citroenz, VW's, Renaults - all well and good for the first 3 years under warranty, but they will be spending $$ after that.

Agree with the i30 Diesel ... sensational vehicle for the money.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Fiesta God

Absolutely baffling why they will not consider a Fiesta. What did they not like about it?

Has a Ford badge on it.

[drew`SEVNT5]

Originally Posted by Fiesta God

Absolutely baffling why they will not consider a Fiesta. What did they not like about it?


Citroenz, VW's, Renaults, European Fords - all well and good for the first 3 years under warranty, but they will be spending $$ after that.

Fixed for you.

Tell them to wait for the Polo, or ring about other dealers to see if they can get what they are after.

[Rodge]

Originally Posted by Fiesta God

Absolutely baffling why they will not consider a Fiesta. What did they not like about it?
Clearly the best car (along with the Polo) in this class. If I were you, I would print off every motoring review of the Fiesta and hand it to them, and ask them why they don't like to get behind the wheel of the safest, most fuel efficient and best-handling car in its class?
(Perhaps I am biased).
The Suzuki Swift is the next best option - the newly released model has a more premium feel inside, and is good on fuel. Very safe and handles pretty well. Absolute Suzuki reliability too - know someone with 260,000kms on the first series EZ model (2006) and it hasn't missed a beat.
Citroenz, VW's, Renaults - all well and good for the first 3 years under warranty, but they will be spending $$ after that.
Agree with the i30 Diesel ... sensational vehicle for the money.

I think you've hit the nail squarely on the head, Fiesta is a very good small car, I30 good, Swift nice too.

Its clear the OP friends are very pedantic and fussy for people spending such little money and its best they simply take a deep breath and realise they should stick with the car they originally ordered notwithstanding the extra wait. Personally, for what its worth, I'd have any of the above mentioned 3 cars ahead of a Polo and we have dogs too.

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by Rev28K

Friends want to get a new, small, city car (automatic). They had a deposit down for a VW Polo 77TDSI Comfortline (1.2 litre engine) and now they have been told that they’ll have to wait another 3 additional months until delivery.
This has pushed them over the edge they are about to pull the pin and try and get a different car – the question is which car. They’ve test driven the Mazda 2 and Fiesta and don’t like them.Their criteria are:
New,
small,
safe (5 star rating if possible),
automatic,
cheap
economical to run,
economical to service.

Other than the Citroen DS3 has anyone got any ideas? It’s a pity that they don’t like the Fiesta but they don’t and wont change their minds. Honda Jazz = doesn’t seem that good, FIAT 500 = ditto and expensive. They also don’t want to go second hand.
Everything else seems nothing special (and sometimes crap) – Hyundai 130, Hyundai Getz, Holden Barina, Toyota Yaris, Cheely, Nissan Micra, etc

Was the Fiesta auto tested with the new Powershift dual clutch transmission or 2010 with conventional auto?

The Fiesta is the equal best car in the segment. After some colleagues of mine had many horror stories of their late model VW. So bad, one got out the lease early... I wouldn't go near a Golf or Polo.

Overall, just sounds like they are being want it now snobs. As you said, champagne taste with beer budget.

I agree with the 'give them every article on the Fiesta as it always rates highly!'

[Danny]

The new base Megane. Comes with a lot of kit, and is as respectable looking as a Mazda 3 or 6 now.

Price rance Mid 20's to low 30's.

http://www.renault.com.au/cars/megan...tion/home.html

Otherwise, WAIT for the Polo. They hate everything else and you can't milk blood from a stone..

[Jimmyd]

With small to medium dogs - Suzuki Swift

With medium to large dogs - I30 Diesel wins hands down

[Rev28K]

Thank you all for replying. I'm throwing everything at them.

Even taking in to account that this is a Ford forum I still think that the Fraud Siesta (Ford Fiesta - sorry it's an old joke from an Iain Banks novel) is the best, Polo second and some very good Euros filling up the minor placings.

I don't know what they have against Fords but apparently it's non-negotiable and a deal breaker. They test drove the Mazda 2 (the Fiesta's prettier if slightly worse handling sister) & still thought that the Polo was more "them".

They are good people, not badge snobs. This will be their first new car and I think that it'll be around for a while so they want to chose right.

[zetec]

To be honest and not waste your time any more, if they're unwilling to pay more money, buy the known best 2-3 cars in the class, buy used or even discuss something that isn't a VW, why the he'll are you pleasuring their every folly? They clearly want and need the VW BADGE IN THEIR DRIVEWAY!! I know the type to a tee.

I gave up trying to convince my best mate to be logical when he lusted for a magnificent $45k Golf VI GTI with 18" rims, no Bluetooth and no leather. Almost considered committing him to a mental home for denying a $33k Drive Away XR5 with Leather and voice control plus standard 18"s imported straight from Germany or something else other than a Golf until I realized that he wanted to knowingly and openly pay $13k more for virtually the same thing. One word - Volkswagen.

I ended up helping him find a ripper deal on said GTI and even visited dealerships interstate for him to check out some Internet cars. I just helped him get what he wanted and accepted I wouldn't be paying for it so it was his choice.

I told him to not call me when the DSG self-lunches or even after he sees the bill for his first service but he couldn't be happier.