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Recommend me a small car for daily commute #1627141
21/11/2018 21:25
21/11/2018 21:25
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,179
Sheffield
X19_pilot Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
X19_pilot  Offline OP
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,179
Sheffield
I will put a post up in due course about the outcome, but it isnt looking good for my Coupe frown . I had a bump in it the other morning and it has given me the wake up call that a 20 year old 250+ bhp is less than ideal for travelling from one side of Sheffield to the other (25 miles a day).

What I do with the car depends on the insurance offer, it will be with a very heavy heart that I let her get written off, but if they offer peanuts, then I will source a new bonnet and grill and take my chances with what lies behind the cosmetics. frown Maybe even shoehorn the engine into the X19! biglaugh

Anyway, back on topic! I want something fairly economical, reliable, big enough to get the kids in the back on occasion, £3k-3.5k tops, less than 60k miles and a bit different. Petrol preferably due to the nature of the vast majority of journey type.

The other half has a Bravo 150 t-jet, which suits our needs for longer journeys and I have the X19 for fun, so those boxes are ticked. cool

I cant seem to look past a Panda 100hp or a Mito tb. The Panda is favourite, I have driven a few and loved them, although only run them for a few days at a time - honeymoon period? - Its a bit harsh after the comfort of the Coupe after all.

I wont entertain anything French, especially after today's let down experience with a Meganne RS that came into stock at work. On paper it should have been comparable with the Coupe - circa 240 bhp, front wheel drive etc, but in reality it wasnt even on the same page, more refined/modern feel perhaps, but lacked so much in other ways including performance. Irrelevant really, as it is double my budget in any case.

What am I overlooking? I work in the used car trade, so I have driven pretty much anything you may suggest, but I cant seem to look outside the Fiat brand(s)... Never been without one in 25 years of driving!

Help!... or at least tell me I am doing the right thing looking at a Panda 100hp / Mito TB biglaugh

Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute [Re: X19_pilot] #1627142
21/11/2018 21:47
21/11/2018 21:47
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,385
Lightwater, Surrey
DaveG Offline
Club Treasurer Member 311
DaveG  Offline
Club Treasurer Member 311
Je suis un Coupé

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,385
Lightwater, Surrey
Punto Evo or Grande Punto 1.4? Doblo 1.4? Stilo? (hard to find below 60k) Some will have stop/start which will help with fuel economy

Lots more choice if you go down to 1.2 including Panda and lots more 500s


1996 Portofino 20vt & 2000 Pearl White Plus
1985½ & 2016 2017 Fiat 124 Spider + XF Sportbrake
Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute [Re: DaveG] #1627144
21/11/2018 23:13
21/11/2018 23:13
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,723
Brisbane, Australia
Possum Offline
My life on the forum
Possum  Offline
My life on the forum

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,723
Brisbane, Australia
I concur with DaveG's choices.

Have a couple of mates with Panda twin-airs and they are very happy with theirs. Another mate has a diesel one with which he 'moonlights' as an Uber driver. He gets very favourable comments about it from passengers.


Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute [Re: X19_pilot] #1627148
22/11/2018 08:10
22/11/2018 08:10
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
M
MeanRedSpider Offline
Je suis un Coupé
MeanRedSpider  Offline
Je suis un Coupé
M

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
I love the 500 - we have two and I love driving them. I think they suit having low power. TwinAir would be fun but I hear that the economy is nothing close that they claim.

I had a Mito 1.4TB and hated it (as did all the family that drove it) despite how stylish it was (silver with red leather and carbon effect trim). It had poor fuel economy too.

Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute [Re: X19_pilot] #1627149
22/11/2018 08:25
22/11/2018 08:25
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 869
Germany
neil_r Offline
Enjoying the ride
neil_r  Offline
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 869
Germany
What sort of a Mazda2 can you get at that price? Good all round car which is particularly reliable.


1997 20V
2000 V6 manual S-Type and 2011 5.0 XKR
2016 Tucson 1.6T AWD
2018 Mazda2 GT
Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute [Re: X19_pilot] #1627150
22/11/2018 08:58
22/11/2018 08:58

E
elder81
Unregistered
elder81
Unregistered
E



A shout for the 100hp from me. I bought mine as a stop gap a fair few years ago and it has been brilliant.

Its not the best on fuel, but equally not horrendous.

The thing I love the most about is how much fun it is drive. I can easily drive like miss daisy then, when I want to have a bit of fun drive like Jason Plato.

Mine has hit 214k now and is still looking and running great and has not <touching wood> let me down yet.

Incidently I will be selling mine in December as I have decided to get a more grown up car smile.

Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1627158
22/11/2018 10:59
22/11/2018 10:59
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 582
Guildford
wink Offline
Club member 1453
wink  Offline
Club member 1453
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 582
Guildford
Quote:
I had a Mito 1.4TB and hated it (as did all the family that drove it) despite how stylish it was (silver with red leather and carbon effect trim). It had poor fuel economy too.

It would be boring if we were all the same - I had a Mito 1.4TB and loved it smile. I think the MultiAir engine is brilliant. I'd have another without question. No brainer for me.

Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute [Re: X19_pilot] #1627164
22/11/2018 11:47
22/11/2018 11:47
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,290
Staffs
Dazvr6 Offline
My job on the forum
Dazvr6  Offline
My job on the forum

Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,290
Staffs
What about a Volvo C30 1.6 R-Design?
A bit different to the norm and they drive really well.

Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute [Re: X19_pilot] #1627169
22/11/2018 12:33
22/11/2018 12:33
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,621
Leicester UK
Ballypete Offline
Club Member 1578
Ballypete  Offline
Club Member 1578
My life on the forum

Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,621
Leicester UK
I use a 1.2 Nissan Micra 2008 plate. Boring jap design yes, but Its pretty economical, a bit more pokey than you might expect and has never ever let me down. Just passed the 100k miles mark and still going strong. Neither my Coupe or the 500 convertible need to take the hammer that this little car gets on a daily basis.

Last edited by Ballypete; 22/11/2018 12:37.

Doris the 1998 Portofino Blue 20V and Zoe the 1999 Alfa Romeo 916 Spider
Bog standard needn't be boring...
Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute [Re: X19_pilot] #1627177
22/11/2018 13:51
22/11/2018 13:51
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 151
Troon, South Ayrshire
Alan_K Offline
On a journey
Alan_K  Offline
On a journey

Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 151
Troon, South Ayrshire
Double up on the Bravo is my thoughts

Me and girlfriend each had one she had a non turbo
I had the 120 1.4 t jet and just sold last week to get my fiat Coupe turbo

It’s the best of both worlds very practical and is a sporty wee number when you want it to be
It’s not much bigger than a panda
And is more than cable of getting 40 plus mpg

Very underrated cars which mean prices are low to buy for what you get compared to punto and panda

Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute [Re: X19_pilot] #1627190
22/11/2018 18:00
22/11/2018 18:00
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped Offline
Club member 1924
Gripped  Offline
Club member 1924
Forum is my job

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
I would recommend a MK1 Fabia vRS. Fast, very good on fuel (55+mpg) and reliable. Diesel, but awesome. Plenty of room in the back too. My mate had one with 3 kids and managed.

Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute [Re: X19_pilot] #1627198
22/11/2018 20:18
22/11/2018 20:18
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,179
Sheffield
X19_pilot Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
X19_pilot  Offline OP
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,179
Sheffield
Some good suggestions so far, thank you all thumb

The Punto I had sort of over looked, I dont know why as it sits between the Panda and the Bravo, and its what the Mito is based on after all. I will have a look and see if any take my fancy I had an Abarth one about a year ago, it was great fun, but probably does not fit within the criteria, unless I start using man maths! biglaugh I helped a friend buy one not so long ago and he loves his, I think he has a 120 t-jet. cool

I dont fancy a 1.2 Panda or a 500, I have driven a few and the 100HP is so much more fun, if a little harsh on poor roads, it also has longer legs for the odd motorway journey if required.

I could probably pick up a Mazda2 in the trade with ease and save a fair bit on retail, but I find them a bit bland. I know they are reliable, have plenty of gadgets if you get the right edition, but they dont have any fizz about them IMHO. Dont get me wrong, some of the cars I am looking at are no more exciting, and it will do the commute in ease and comfort, but they do nothing for me.

I do like the Volvo C30, I have had a few of them through work and I have always like the shape - different! I have only ever had the 1.6 diesels though, which I am cautious of with the kind of miles I will be driving, but otherwise, they do drive really nice. They are a bit cramped in the back in terms of trying to strap an angry toddler into a rear facing seat though. But they might be worth another look to remind myself of what I am over looking. cool

Sorry Pete, but I have a built in hatred of Micra's ever since one ran into my Cinq 22 years ago. It was my first car, bought new and I still own it to this day... Never have, never will forgive Micra's, the icing on the cake was that I was given one as a courtesy car while mine was repaired! grr biglaugh

I completely agree with the Bravo's being under rated, I have often recommended them and I really enjoy driving SWMBO's, but I cant get my head around having two of the same cars - as lets be honest, if she has a 150 t-jet, mine has to be at least the same! laugh I have toyed with freshening her car up with a newer one, but she loves it and wont trade until she has to I dont think.

Not thought of a Fabia VRS, although once again, the majority of my mileage is sitting in slow moving traffic, so not sure if a diesel will be my best way forward, although I presume one would be pre DPF?

Some food for thought there, thank you thumb

Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute [Re: X19_pilot] #1627203
22/11/2018 21:23
22/11/2018 21:23
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped Offline
Club member 1924
Gripped  Offline
Club member 1924
Forum is my job

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Yep, vRS is pre DPF. It's the bullet proof 1.9 TDi.

My dad has had 2 in a row and can't think of anything better to replace it. It would be my first choice if I had to garage the Coupé.

Although diesel is a dirty word these days, they are still better on fuel and have more grunt than most petrols.

Last edited by Gripped; 22/11/2018 21:26.
Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute [Re: X19_pilot] #1627217
23/11/2018 09:54
23/11/2018 09:54
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 869
Germany
neil_r Offline
Enjoying the ride
neil_r  Offline
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 869
Germany
Originally Posted By X19_pilot
I could probably pick up a Mazda2 in the trade with ease and save a fair bit on retail, but I find them a bit bland. I know they are reliable, have plenty of gadgets if you get the right edition, but they dont have any fizz about them IMHO. Dont get me wrong, some of the cars I am looking at are no more exciting, and it will do the commute in ease and comfort, but they do nothing for me.


I do know what you mean smile

We bought a new red Mazda2 with the 115PS engine, which to our eyes looks great for a mini car and is real fun to drive. However the older ones are a bit plainer looking. What surprised me though while I was doing my research was how really reliable the previous generation was, which was also supposed to be even better to drive. My aim when buying older work-horse cars is reliability first, style later. There is nothing worse than a cheap car that need loads of money to keep it running smile


1997 20V
2000 V6 manual S-Type and 2011 5.0 XKR
2016 Tucson 1.6T AWD
2018 Mazda2 GT
Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute [Re: X19_pilot] #1627234
23/11/2018 14:40
23/11/2018 14:40
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 575
Ayrshire
ScouseCoupe Offline
Enjoying the ride
ScouseCoupe  Offline
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 575
Ayrshire
A bit left field, but like a Bravo with a MultiAir engine...Chrysler Delta aka as a Lancia Delta outside the UK.


1999 Rosso Corsa 20VT ( Restored )
2000 Rosso Alfa 916 Spider 2.0 T.S Lusso ( Under Restoration)

Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute [Re: ScouseCoupe] #1627614
05/12/2018 17:50
05/12/2018 17:50
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 23,294
North Wales
Theresa Offline
Former Presidentessa Club member 58
Theresa  Offline
Former Presidentessa Club member 58
Forum Fossil

Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 23,294
North Wales
I'd be a bit wary of getting that Panda: https://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/news/fiat...ocid=spartanntp

Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute [Re: Theresa] #1627615
05/12/2018 19:00
05/12/2018 19:00
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Brilly1uk Offline
Club member 1034
Brilly1uk  Offline
Club member 1034
Competition Level

Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,162
Glos
Originally Posted By Theresa
I'd be a bit wary of getting that Panda: https://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/news/fiat...ocid=spartanntp


The latest Tipo I think scored very low on recent crash testing as well?
Why would Fiat skip on this critical issue? shocked
A serious rethink is needed???


Fiat Coupe 20VT
Alfa Romeo Spider
BMW X3
Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute [Re: Theresa] #1627618
05/12/2018 19:53
05/12/2018 19:53
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
J
Jim_Clennell Offline
Forum veteran
Jim_Clennell  Offline
Forum veteran
J

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
Originally Posted By Theresa
I'd be a bit wary of getting that Panda: https://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/news/fiat...ocid=spartanntp


Hmmm... We love our 2 Panda courtesy cars. Just better hope nobody decides to crash them... Scary!

Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute [Re: X19_pilot] #1627620
05/12/2018 20:29
05/12/2018 20:29
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,179
Sheffield
X19_pilot Offline OP
Enjoying the ride
X19_pilot  Offline OP
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,179
Sheffield
I hate to say it people, but despite all advice, thank you, I kept the blinkers on!

I have bought a 100HP. I cant help myself with quirky Fiats! I have driven quite a few and done plenty of miles in them, so I know what I am in for with the ride quality, but I have found a low mileage FSH car in my prefered colour, its a late car, so the bulbous round door mirrors will be replaced with the earlier square mirrors, but otherwise it should suit my needs.

Still awaiting the insurance outcome on the Coupe though, I might end up keeping hold of it yet... the damage is superficial and a new bonnet, grill and side light/indicator unit should sort it, but the process has been started with the other guy, so time will tell...

Re: Recommend me a small car for daily commute [Re: X19_pilot] #1627623
05/12/2018 21:17
05/12/2018 21:17
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,831
Haslemere, Surrey
M
Mark_S Offline
Forum is my job
Mark_S  Offline
Forum is my job
M

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,831
Haslemere, Surrey
Merc A class diesel (type W169 - 2nd gen). I am on my second A200. Does 50mpg and plenty of quality and poke


997 C4S

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