Wanted - Small Car £3000-£4250

[Nayf]

Twingo? Good shout bar the tax and insurance.

However, it could be a decent upcoming “modern” classic in the making? What do you think?

Yep. Relatively rare, RenaultSport dynamics, looks cool, it's a Top Gear car (that will have some affect on values as we have less car stuff on TV and thus Youtube for rewatching).
In objective reality it lives in the shadow of the more powerful Clio 197/200, which is not much more money to buy and far more powerful and honed. But I love small cars, and the 133 ticks many boxes.
The downside is the driving position, which I can best describe as me, a very north-western European man at 6ft5, using a very Brazilian-sized toilet. But that's common to a lot of French hatchbacks, and Italian ones for that matter.

 

[Nayf]

Twingo? Good shout bar the tax and insurance.

However, it could be a decent upcoming “modern” classic in the making? What do you think?

Sorry, yes the Twingo – such a cool design

 

[Cyclone1]

Been to look at a Yaris recently, highish miles, but a touch tired for a 2015, not a bad price but we couldn’t agree on a deal. Hopefully view a few more this weekend

 

[gb-gta]

Seems a bit obvious but a fiesta is a great option. I’d go for a 1.4zetec, before ecoboom. Bought a 1.25 zetec for daughter, which is fine for new driver, and I really enjoy driving it. You can tell gazillions were spent on ergonomicics, ride/handling. It’s a great car, but 1.25 is a bit weak with just 82ps.
Suzuki swift is a good shout too.

 

[Cyclone1]

Seems a bit obvious but a fiesta is a great option. I’d go for a 1.4zetec, before ecoboom. Bought a 1.25 zetec for daughter, which is fine for new driver, and I really enjoy driving it. You can tell gazillions were spent on ergonomicics, ride/handling. It’s a great car, but 1.25 is a bit weak with just 82ps.
Suzuki swift is a good shout too.

Yes that’s a good call and would be happy with a 1.25 also

 

[Guy]

Isn't that Yamaha based engine in the Zetec a sealed unit, no parts available motor? We swear by R52/3 Minis, v well made, no depreciation and pre the chocolate Prince engines so up to '06 in hatch and '08 in conv. Just buy a well looked after car. Great fun to drive too.

 

[zagatoes30]

Always liked the 1.25 Fiesta, never going to set the world on fire but enough and ride and handling are good for a little car

 

[DLax69]

Daughter has a Ford Ka.
She wanted a Fiat 500 initially but the Ford Ka is the same engine and underpinning, but much cheaper.
Paid £4k 18 months ago from a local trader who specialises in 'first cars' for a one owner 12k example. 2010 but was 'as new'. In the deal service, cam belt and waterpump too.
Couldn't get any car cheaper for insurance.

Was gonna say that...so, since it's been taken, how about a Miata?

 

[Ebenezer]

Yes that’s a good call and would be happy with a 1.25 also

Got both my kids 1.2 Fiestas
Eb

 

[dem maser]

An excellent run around for me few years ago was the Panda 100hp
Loved that car, great handling and sound and can be had for 2k

 

[Gazcw]

Currently on the lookout for an Alfa Mito as daughters first car. She has the Italian bug!

 

[Zep]

Currently on the lookout for Alfa Mitos as daughters first cars. She has the Italian bug!

Fixed that for you. Still can’t be worse than that Mini is Coventry (Where Matt buys all of his Giuliettas).

 

[mjheathcote]

Currently on the lookout for an Alfa Mito as daughters first car. She has the Italian bug!

The Miti was on my list for my daughter, however it wasn't on hers she thought it was ugly! Girls can be very picky, on colours too.

 

[Ebenezer]

The Miti was on my list for my daughter, however it wasn't on hers she thought it was ugly! Girls can be very picky, on colours too.

Yes - we had to search high and low for a purple Fiesta!
Eb

 

[Gazcw]

Fixed that for you. Still can’t be worse than that Mini is Coventry (Where Matt buys all of his Giuliettas).

That's what happens when dope heads try to put a car back together!

 

[Cyclone1]

We’ve now switched to looking for a Fiat 500…… viewed two yesterday and despite one being spot on, I hedged my bets and went to view another (500C) a few miles away which wasn’t any good, so by the time I rang the first one back it was sold! You couldn’t make it up!

 

[mjheathcote]

We’ve now switched to looking for a Fiat 500…… viewed two yesterday and despite one being spot on, I hedged my bets and went to view another (500C) a few miles away which wasn’t any good, so by the time I rang the first one back it was sold! You couldn’t make it up!

Do remember like I posted earlier, the second generation Ford Ka is a Fiat 500 underneath incl. engine, but much better VFM as you are not paying the '500' tax!

 

[Cyclone1]

Update

Thanks for all the advice and guidance, we finally decided on a 2014 Mini Cooper D - 1.5

 

[Cyclone1]

……and because I couldn’t resist, bought this for a bit of fun, thanks @Nayf