Minxminnie Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 I'm looking into buying a new car, and I thought it might be a good subject for a thread - advice in general, that is, not just for me, but I'll start. I currently have a 6 yr old Yaris. It's fine, reliable, pleasant to drive, and I'm not much of a petrolhead. I'm in the happy position of being able to go slightly upmarket, but I have a frugal streak that says I shouldn't. So, I'm torn. I want something small, reliable, and ideally a bit cool / desireable. I'm leaning towards a newer and swankier version of what I've got - there are good deals around just now - or a Mini. Head says Yaris, heart says Mini. What should I go for?? Any alternative ideas?? Anyone been there, done that recently?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tagesmann Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 Head says Yaris, heart says Mini.I heard that 80% of mini drivers didn't even bother with a test drive.Minis are not cool, don't go there. Cool is a Fiat Panda (but not a Fiat 500). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
My Friend Jack Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 He's right. And they are over-priced. Minis, I mean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minxminnie Posted September 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 Cool is a Fiat Panda (but not a Fiat 500). That's so funny. My first car was a Fiat Uno, and my friend had a Fiat Panda. Back then - early 90s - a Panda was about the most uncool thing on the road, except in that nerd-chic way, like wearing National Health specs held together by tape. Strange how things can change! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blithe_spirit Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 Back then - early 90s - a Panda was about the most uncool thing on the road, except in that nerd-chic way, ... I had a Fiat Panda at that time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minxminnie Posted September 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 I had a Fiat Panda at that time. Oops ... My sick-green Fiat Uno was the most uncool thing on the road! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blithe_spirit Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 Oops ... It's alright MM, actually it was rather uncool looking back although I used to think I was the bee's knees when I was driving it. I'm afraid I don't know a great deal about cars so I'm not the best person to offer advice on your next choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucyb Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Ditto - I'm a car salesman's nightmare - if it goes from a to b without a surprise stop at g I'm happy. I would have a look at the NCap (?Encap?) rating for whatever you choose though to see how well you'd survive a bump in it. I seem to remember the difference between a 2 and 4 star car was coming out of a head on crash with your knees still pointing the right way. Edit: found the link: http://www.euroncap.com/Content-Web-Start/$c7dad01d-a23c-4ae6-bc4c-2676e24a78c2/home.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkC Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 I am a petrolhead so probably not best placed to offer advice here . Either car should be reliable, Japanese cars tend to go on for interstellar mileages without major failures, especially the ones built in the UK, German cars are pretty comprable in that regard though. My brother's wife had a Mini until recently and she was very happy with it, they only sold it to pay for the wedding. Being a BMW it will likely be a bit more expenisve to run than a Toyota, especially if you have it main dealer serviced. My employer's wife has a Yaris (02 or 52 I think) and it has given them no problems. I'd say go with your heart and don't consider what other people will think (good or bad). If you're spending a lot of money then it's better to buy what you want and will be happy with than what you think you should have for whatever reason. I realised that around the occasion of my 35th birthday and gave up compromising, which is why I now drive a "small" car with only two seats rather than a big four seater. I will ask one question - why replace what you have at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lipstick_librarian Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 I'd concur with Mark on the Japanese/German thing. MOH's friend has the rule - never buy a car from a country that won the 2nd world war. I've broken this rule twice & although I like the cars (a Clio and a Fiesta), they have proved very costly in repairs. MOH has a J reg VW Polo that has just hit 200,000 miles. It's never failed an MOT, has had very little on it replaced, and he treats it like s**t! I guess there's something in that rule... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlowRain Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Get yourself a good sensible Volkswagen diesel or one of these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minxminnie Posted September 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 I will ask one question - why replace what you have at all? Good point. I do wonder if I should just run my lovely Yaris into the ground and have fun with the money I'll save. If I am going to buy, though, now seems like a good time, as there are good deals around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tagesmann Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Good point. I do wonder if I should just run my lovely Yaris into the ground and have fun with the money I'll save.If I am going to buy, though, now seems like a good time, as there are good deals around. It is a good point. I always think that you should keep your car until it becomes uneconomic to run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nospacesallowed Posted September 17, 2008 Report Share Posted September 17, 2008 I think you should get a Suzuki Swift. They're small little nippy things, and look great imho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tagesmann Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 I think you should get a Suzuki Swift. They're small little nippy things, and look great imho. They've always been good little cars. Although not as little and not as cheap as they once where. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minxminnie Posted September 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 I think you should get a Suzuki Swift. They're small little nippy things, and look great imho. Hmmm. I had a look in my What Car book, and it does look nice. I can get a pre-registered Citroen C1 for peanuts after my trade in(relatively speaking.) I'm tempted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tagesmann Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 I can get a pre-registered Citroen C1 for peanuts after my trade in(relatively speaking.) I'm tempted.They're nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flingo Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 They're nice. Expensive parts though should anything go wrong. Having spent nearly a grand on my Focus this year (bought just over a year ago when it was 18 months old to avoid spending too much for a couple of years), I've also been very surprised at how much Ford parts can be - and they make a lot of them 3 miles away from where I live! I reckon if you are happy with your Yarris, stay with it a bit longer - there are bound to be many more good deals over the next couple of years as the "credit crunch" hits even harder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minxminnie Posted September 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 Have just test driven the Mini. Really lovely car to drive. I'm smitten. I'm pretending to be considering other cars, but I'm not really... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.