Recommend me a fun small car ...

Hawk13

Member
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1,471
For as long as my daughter has bled me dry with her horse habit (trust me, a cocaine addiction would be cheaper!) and we have needed a big 4WD (horsey tow car).

But she is now in Australia for a couple of years and so the horses have gone - as has the 4WD - and the wife has been bouncing around in a Toyota Yaris.

And so she has decided she wants a fun small car - the Polo GTI being at the top of her list at the moment as it has 5 doors and space in the back.

In addition to Polo GTI, I have suggested an Abarth 500 or the Colverleaf Mito. She thinks Fiesta STs are chavvy but anything else you can suggest would be appreciated.
 

Vampyrebat

Member
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3,117
The first thing that springs to mind is a 500 Abarth convertible! I wanted my wife to have one but as she says it is a bit too small for a family. There is also the Audi S1 but I have not driven one so I cannot really comment on this.
 

dickygrace

www.richardgracecars.co.uk
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7,309
Cooper S or JCW is miles ahead of the rest of the cars in that class. We’ve had 7 of them and they’ve got better each time. Just avoid 2006-2010 models.
 

Vampyrebat

Member
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3,117
Cooper S or JCW is miles ahead of the rest of the cars in that class. We’ve had 7 of them and they’ve got better each time. Just avoid 2006-2010 models.
That is the one we had an 09 Cooper S cab with the Pug engine. Nothing but problem after problem. Cost us way more than the Maz to have on the road. We only had it for 11 months!!
 

Hurricane52

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1,211
My wife is thrilled with her second MiTo - a TwinAir and my Dad is thrilled with his Abarth 595 - so thrilled he’s just been on a speed awareness course at the age of 78.

I think both are Punto based, so very old tech, but for driving pleasure, they both deliver (only in Dynamic and Sport mode though). I don’t believe the mpg figures for the MiTo though- everytime she lets me drive it, it’s tank is empty.

I’ve never bought a German car - drove company 944s and Mk 2 GTIs and found them ponderous in comparison with my GTA but that was 25 years ago or so - unlike my brother and his wife whose dailies are nearly always the newest VWs. Her latest Polo has really long gearing apparently, which spoils the fun. Don’t think it’s a GTi though. My mate has had BMW Minis and enjoyed them, but he’s in France where they fetch big money. I can’t get on with the rear lights on the more recent models, but I guess if you’re sitting in it, that doesn’t matter so much.

I expect there are plenty of dynamically better small cars out there, but you’d have to try them all - could be a good laugh.
 

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Hawk13

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1,471
The first thing that springs to mind is a 500 Abarth convertible! I wanted my wife to have one but as she says it is a bit too small for a family. There is also the Audi S1 but I have not driven one so I cannot really comment on this.


I love ragtops so that cold be an option. I have driven the S1 and, although amusingly quick, it's just not engaging.
 

Hawk13

Member
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1,471
Cooper S or JCW is miles ahead of the rest of the cars in that class. We’ve had 7 of them and they’ve got better each time. Just avoid 2006-2010 models.

I hadn't considered a Mini - mainly because I don't like them but ......
 

Hawk13

Member
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1,471
Thanks Dicky - Mrs Hawk has just said that her friend has got a mini and she didn't think it was that small? And if she was going for something that size she would rather have a Golf GTI or a Civic Type R.

Can't say I have ever paid attention but size wise are they more Polo or Golf?
 

dickygrace

www.richardgracecars.co.uk
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7,309
Thanks Dicky - Mrs Hawk has just said that her friend has got a mini and she didn't think it was that small? And if she was going for something that size she would rather have a Golf GTI or a Civic Type R.

Can't say I have ever paid attention but size wise are they more Polo or Golf?
Polo I’d say, not Golf big. Drive one, they’re ace. Build quality is superb and the interiors are too. Spec dependant and the variations are huge.
 

BuckRog64

Member
Messages
334
Mito. Its Punto/Corsa based so compact but well packaged with 4 good seats. Cheap to buy and run and mine was reliable. Only 3 doors though.