Car suggestions

[Ardius]

Hi guys, I wrote off my beloved Swift a few weeks ago and I'm left having to find a new car. I've been driving my Mum's old 2003 Focus in the meantime (which I love) but I really need to find something with a low mileage as the Focus has seen better days.

I've had a look around at a few cars today at a used cars place to get an idea which I fit in and like the look of. The biggest factor which decides which car I get is can I fit in them? I'm 6'2 with long legs so many cars I have trouble sitting in comfortably - usually because the steering wheel is too low and my knees hit it.

I'm really just looking for suggestions for cars to look at and consider - I can find out if I fit in them but what I don't know is how reliable some cars are and the potential hidden issues.

So far I've found the cars that suit me best currently are:
-2007 Suzuki Swift
-2007/8 Vauxhall Corsa
-2009 Alfa Romeo MiTO
-2007 BMW 1 series
-2007 Fiat Punto
-2008 Honda Civic

Now I would happily get another Swift but I feel like getting something new, so thats a last option.
The Corsa I've driven a fair bit during my driving lessons+test back in 2007/2008 so I'm comfortable with it but its not an exciting car.

I'm very tempted with the Honda, BMW and Alfa but all of these have various worries.
-The Honda I read various stories about engine troubles and various bits and pieces breaking. It doesn't sound great to own but great to drive. Insurance seems reasonable.
-The BMW is naturally high insurance - I'm also worried that maintenance will be expensive though it might be more reliable.
-The Alfa Romeo naturally has plenty of reliability worries plus its got poor rear visibility.

So if anyone could give me any more information or advice about Civics, 1 series and MiTo's I would be grateful!

If anyone has any alternative car suggestions, these are the car specs I'm looking for:
-<£10,000
-Around Fiesta/Swift/mid-compact size car...though this is quickly changing to bigger cars like the Focus as I'm finding I don't fit in a lot of cars.
-Petrol
-ideally <1.5l engine
-low mileage
-ideally 5 door but I'm happy with 3 door

One of the things I really like about the 2003 Focus is the excellent visibility but it seems a lot of cars these days have very high windscreens and a further back seating position. I'm considering perhaps buying a low mileage older Focus but I'd prefer to get a newer car that will last me a few years without breaking down. The newer Focus is slightly out of my price range but I am considering it.
I originally thought I could go for a new Peugeot 207 or VW Golf but the 207 has a horrible seating position where I'm sat far too far back in the car and the Golf has a steering wheel which is too far away.

Here's a list of cars that I sat in and didn't fit right or had things I didn't like:
-Skoda Fabia
-Seat Ibiza
-Renault Clio
-Ford Fiesta (gutted as I like the new model)
-Toyota Yaris
-Newer Vauxhall Corsa
-Citroen C4
-Peugeot 207
-Newer VW Golf
(I can't remember the exact model years for all of these...the older Golfs I seem to fit better - I've not tried the newer Polo, etc).

I would also be all ears to any unique suggestions that would be in my price braket! I'm very open to getting an older used car. I'm mainly looking to get a low-mileage car though.

 

[Kent]

If I absolutely had to pick one from the top and money wasn't an issue it would be the 1 Series BMW... If money is genuinely a consideration I'd take the '08 Civic (did it before and got the Si). Great little car and from a company I trust (relatively). All that said, you're in the UK and I can't speak for the UK car experience, things are different over there and I wouldn't know left from right if I were to actually be in your position on that side of the world buying one of the cars listed above.
Subaru ftw?

Honda Civic 👍
BMW 1 👍 $

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

Well, you're not an enthusiast until you've owned an Alfa.. But, Civic isn't a bad option. I'd reckon you'd better drive examples of them all and decide what suits your economic and other needs.

 

[Pagey279]

Out of those you have mentioned I would lean towards the Civic, however I can't help you out with issues with the cars you have suggested sadly, but I can point out a few more cars you haven't mentioned:

2010 Renault Megane

2010 Toyota Auris

2010 Nissan Note

2009 Mazda 2

2010 Citroen C3

2008 Seat Leon

^^ All of the above are around the size you want, you can pick up any of them with a 1.5L or 1.6L engine, with mileage less than 15 000 for around £8000

 

[Ardius]

Yeah the BMW is very nice and all - I was surprised I could fit in it! We're looking at possibly part-exchanging the Focus so my Mum would probably drive the car too and she's naturally taken with the BMW.
Personally I don't like the look of the BMW and I don't fancy the price or the insurance. But as I can fit in it and BMWs (as far as I'm aware) are good quality I have to consider it.

The Civic I loved. The interior is amazing. But I've read a lot about engine problems and various little issues with bits and pieces breaking and electric issues. The more positive feedback on that car, the better! 👍

I don't like the looks of the Megane but I will have a look if I see one.
I tried sitting in a sport version of the Auris (RRS?) and I liked it. I need to look at that car again. I think I didn't like the windscreen visibility.
I can fit in an older Mazda 2 and I'm considering it.

I've not tried the C3 or Leon and I'm looking to find one and sit in them.

I'm not ideally looking for 1.5 or above, I'm looking for 1.5 or below. The lower capacity engine, the better..especially with regards to insurance!

I would love to take the Alfa but like the Civic I'm worried about the reliability with it.

I'm definitely going to be test driving a fair few as if I'm going to switch from a Swift to something else I'm looking for something that handles nicely and has a bit more forgiving clutch!

 

[Jahgee]

What about something a little bigger like a used Subaru Hatchback (You get AWD)

 

[Ardius]

Subaru is out of the question as its above my budget.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

Hm.. What about the VW's with 1.4 twincharged motors?

 

[Ardius]

I'm not looking at getting high-performance engines. If I got the Civic, 1 series or MiTO it would be at the lowest spec.

 

[Guardian]

Well, based on your OP, it seems like your only after something reasonably new ('07 onwards).
But, regardless, my Fiesta (an '04 model) has more leg room in the front than any other car I've ever been in. You can easily sit with your legs right out.
Or, you could get the '06 model, seeing as how it's facelift makes it looks a bit more modern.

Oh, and im sure you'll find one that suits your requirements:
1.2/3l
3dr/5dr
<£2000-<£4000
Petrol

 

[Ardius]

I will definitely check out any 2004 or 2006 Fiestas then 👍.
I think I might have checked one out back when I got my Swift and I didn't fit but I will double check.

The problem isn't just my legs - my height means the roof can be too low, the steering wheel too far away (or too near), etc. I also found in one car that the footwell was way too small for my big feet. But usually in most cars its the distance to the pedals and the height of the steering wheel causing my knees to come up against the wheel. So it might be (and I seem to remember it being the case) that that model Fiesta had a roof that was too low.
But I will check it out anyway!

 

[Guardian]

I will definitely check out any 2004 or 2006 Fiestas then 👍.
I think I might have checked one out back when I got my Swift and I didn't fit but I will double check.

The problem isn't just my legs - my height means the roof can be too low, the steering wheel too far away (or too near), etc. I also found in one car that the footwell was way too small for my big feet. But usually in most cars its the distance to the pedals and the height of the steering wheel causing my knees to come up against the wheel.

I'm pretty sure the footwell is big enough, but now that you've mentioned that sometimes the roof is too low, you've made me skeptical. The Fiesta isnt the tallest car in the world. That would be an obvious problem.

 

[homeforsummer]

I'd be tempted to push you towards the Swift, and possibly even the Swift Sport if insurance wasn't too bad - it's one of very few cars that virtually everyone who has driven it declares amazing. I've not yet had a go, but know dozens who have and they all love it.

I'd personally not put as much stock in the Alfa's supposed reliability problems and put a little more in the 1-Series having some - modern Alfas like the MiTo are hugely improved on Alfas of old*, and I've heard more than a few about modern BMWs having endless electronic issues etc. Mechanically BMWs are sound and pretty much always have been save for a few exceptions, but it may be just as well you're looking at basic ones (116i and 118i I'm presuming?) as they'll have less electrical equipment to go wrong.

Please don't get a Corsa: You can do so much better. The Mazda 2 already mentioned is a good start. Corsas have fairly average reliability - they're solid mechanically, but have lots of niggly issues and have had a million recalls in the past to fix other issues. And I know it sounds like I hate on Vauxhall a lot but the Corsa is a really poor car to drive too** - worst steering, gearbox and throttle response of anything I've ever driven (including my 74 Beetle...), and to top it all, everyone with any sense will automatically think you're a Travelling Wave Amplifier Tube.

The Punto may be a bit disappointing after you've had a Swift too. They look nice enough but they don't really have any stand-out features.

The Civic is a decent choice, if you can afford the insurance - cool interior, generally reliable as far as I've heard (not as much as old ones, but most new cars have electronic problems now and then because they're so damn complicated) and as long as you can put up with a bit of a bumpy ride, they handle well enough too.

* Alfas are more reliable than they used to be but I'd no longer call it the automatic car enthusiast choice. I've driven a top-spec MiTo Cloverleaf, and while it was nice to have ~170hp and it looked great, it just felt like "a car" to drive. Nothing really special about it, and I didn't get a buzz from driving an Alfa like I did in an old 146 or an even older Giulia GT coupe.

** Exception: The VXR versions, but a) These will be out of your insurance range and b) You'd need a reinforced spine to drive one day-to-day. A basic Corsa has a nice ride quality but that's not even slightly enough to offset all the other awfulness.

Other suggestions:

E46 BMW 3-Series Compact: Alternative to the 1-Series. Plenty about, good build quality, good handling and smaller-engined versions have decent insurance too. <£10k should easily be enough to get one with low miles and a full service history. 3-door only but good space.

MINI: Of some description. Millions of them about. Handle great, good on fuel. An acquired taste, but still good cars. Not a lot of rear room but plenty in the front. Also 3-door only for obvious reasons.

Nissan Cube: For the lulz. But seriously, it actually meets all your criteria. Small engine, five doors, loads of space, petrol only. Looks awesome IMO. Your opinion may differ But wildly more interesting than the Micra it's based off (though Micras are also a sound choice and handle pretty well too).

 

[Ardius]

I finally decided on Sunday to go for another Suzuki Swift - I actually found the exact same age, model, trim, etc as my old one with only 11,000 miles on Autotrader!
Sorted out insurance, payment, etc and will collect the car next Sunday! Pretty happy with getting my old car back, albeit in a different colour. Nice to have one again without all the paint scratches from the days of commuting to Liverpool too!

In the end it came down to either a Swift or a Focus and I decided on the Swift again just because why not? I had no problems with my old one and I fit perfectly well in it. Its also far cheaper to run, maintain, insure and buy.

I'm contented that I did have a sniff around at what else I could get but really it wasn't sensible going for anything more expensive yet seeing as I once again have build a bit of my savings back up.

I don't intend on looking for a car again for a while and until I get a higher paid job. And then I will be looking a lot further up the ranges to 370Z/S2000 perhaps even BRZ levels. Thats the goal anyway.

I test drove a Honda Jazz (think it was a 2007?) and I didn't mind it but the particular one I tested was in horrible condition. The Civics were just a little too pricey in the end.
The Alfas and BMWs were never really serious consideration but I flirted with the idea a fair bit. When it came down to it though, it was never a sensible idea.

The Mazda 2 was good - had a much better boot than a Swift but traded back-seat leg room for it. But it wasn't as numerous and hence was a bit more expensive.

I went back and tried various Golfs, Polos and Fiestas but couldn't really fit properly. Nearly all versions of Focus were great though and I saw some very good prices. Its just the Swift is cheaper all-round.

So thanks guys for the suggestions! Even though my options are quite limited at the moment, it was good to hear more thoughts and even some suggestions I hadn't though of.

 

[symustafa1996]

I was looking at a small car myself the other day too.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C294722

I've decided not to buy it, just stick with my E30 BMW.

Anyway, back to OP's question, have you looked at the Koreans? They are actually not bad. Of course, not comparable to the Germans, but still, good value. And don't get a Vauxhall. I find their recent attempts poor, although the new Insignia and Astra is good.

 

[homeforsummer]

I finally decided on Sunday to go for another Suzuki Swift - I actually found the exact same age, model, trim, etc as my old one with only 11,000 miles on Autotrader!

Glad to hear it 👍 Had a feeling you'd struggle to do much better than the Swift again.

 

[Ardius]

Anyway, back to OP's question, have you looked at the Koreans? They are actually not bad. Of course, not comparable to the Germans, but still, good value. And don't get a Vauxhall. I find their recent attempts poor, although the new Insignia and Astra is good.

Kias are great value but just not my taste at all. I like the fact my Swift has a bit of style to it and handles quite well (not as well as the Focus but that is a very good car). From my experiences in two different C'eeds, I'd rather have something more interesting if possible.

Not to mention I'm not sure I'd fit in the smaller Kias. But anyway, its not a problem anymore as I've stuck with Suzuki.

Glad to hear it 👍 Had a feeling you'd struggle to do much better than the Swift again.

I was actually surprised at how little there is out there that is competitive in that price range! When I got my first Swift I was in a hurry to get a car as I needed it within days to commute to work. So I always assumed there were cars out there that I hadn't considered. To be fair, a lot of the good deals are no good because I can't fit in the cars but even so, I thought the Mazda 2s would be a bit closer in price as I seemed to be finding they were a few hundred more pounds sterling than their Swift equivelants.