Yes. Couldn't fault it for the price. In fact, I saw a second hand 2 year old model for sale that cost more? There was a £700 optional pack that we could have that included:

1. door handles in matching trim
2. mats
3. remote locking as opposed to central locking
4. alloys
5. adjustable seat height.

checked these features with my daughter who responded:

1. matching door handles looked like they couldn't be bothered to paint around them
2. why do I need mats that won't see for rubbish anyway
3. I won't remember if I have pressed the button and probably wouldn't trust it anyway so best to make sure by using the key in the hole.
4. if the alloys get scuffed you would have to buy new alloys. Much cheaper to buy new wheel trims surely
5. The ordinary seats fit my legs and anyway the steering wheel is adjustable

Saved £700 - good girl.

Have handed over the money and will be picking it up next Tuesday so will report back in more detail then.


TBH, cars at this price level appear to all be very similar and this car had more for less. Handling was fine; performance was fine with 4 up; 4 doors and space in the boot; looks are okay; reliability is OK according to internet searches and I reckon if she is sensible with it then in a couple of years she should be able to get most of the initial cost back if using it towards the next model up. By then she will be earning and have some NCB and will have left the nest.

 

The trouble is, these crappy little cars are actually so good, they make practically everything else looks silly.

It's the sort of James May argument - Panda & Porsche (sounds a bit like a right-on London baaaaar) rather than some tossy old C-or D-segment poshmobile. It's very hard to see where all the extra money goes on a car that's more boring to drive.

The FIAT Uno (briefly) performed a similar trick back in the 80s.

Despite the full knowledge the car's gonna get damaged (it's not always the inexperienced driver's fault they do - they just end up getting blamed by received wisdom) I can see why a new one might make sense.

 

Suzuki Swift Sport

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3629115.htm

or Fiat Panda 100hp

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3655332.htm

Both raved about at little warm hatches.... she might as well have a bit of fun!

I'd go for the swift personally, as think it looks great too!

Otherwise, go for the (yawn) mini... probably the best on the market in class in my opinion. mini one or cooper cheap to run / insure and very frugal.

 

Yes. Couldn't fault it for the price. In fact, I saw a second hand 2 year old model for sale that cost more? There was a £700 optional pack that we could have that included:

1. door handles in matching trim
2. mats
3. remote locking as opposed to central locking
4. alloys
5. adjustable seat height.

checked these features with my daughter who responded:

1. matching door handles looked like they couldn't be bothered to paint around them
2. why do I need mats that won't see for rubbish anyway
3. I won't remember if I have pressed the button and probably wouldn't trust it anyway so best to make sure by using the key in the hole.
4. if the alloys get scuffed you would have to buy new alloys. Much cheaper to buy new wheel trims surely
5. The ordinary seats fit my legs and anyway the steering wheel is adjustable

Saved £700 - good girl.

Have handed over the money and will be picking it up next Tuesday so will report back in more detail then.


TBH, cars at this price level appear to all be very similar and this car had more for less. Handling was fine; performance was fine with 4 up; 4 doors and space in the boot; looks are okay; reliability is OK according to internet searches and I reckon if she is sensible with it then in a couple of years she should be able to get most of the initial cost back if using it towards the next model up. By then she will be earning and have some NCB and will have left the nest.
[/quote]

Can't say I blame you in going for the i10. A colleague of mine's wife has the i20, he was really happy with the deal he got and his wife was happy with the car she got. The car it replaced, Honda jizz, was definitely a Friday afternoon car, whereas the Hyundai has been faultless.
European manufacturers really do have to start upping their game, as the Koreans are starting to make good cars.

 

Another vote for the Mitsubishi Colt. We have three scattered round the family as town/shopping cars.

 

When did you last get an insurance quote for a 17 year old?!

 

Can't say I blame you in going for the i10. A colleague of mine's wife has the i20, he was really happy with the deal he got and his wife was happy with the car she got. The car it replaced, Honda jizz, was definitely a Friday afternoon car, whereas the Hyundai has been faultless.
European manufacturers really do have to start upping their game, as the Koreans are starting to make good cars.
[/quote]



It's strange. Honda was, for me in my day me at least, a car manufacturer that cost more than the the rust buckets of Europe but worth the extra for the relaibility etc. Honda has lost this advantage (again for me at least) bit still charge a premium over other manufacturers. Will I buy another Honda? I have had 4 Honda's but my S2000, which I still love, is probably the last one.

 

It's not only Honda putting up the prices, Phil. Before getting my S2000, three consecutive Renaultsport Clios, two of which I bought brand new.
The first one's (182 Cup) list price was £13,500 - I got £11,900. The second one's (197 R27) list price was £17,850, which I also got brand new with a cracking deal at £13850. But by the time I got round to a Clio 200 the list price for the spec (equal to my previous) was over £21k! Crazy! 21 grand for a bloody Clio!
So I bought a year old one for £13000.

 

Did you see Evo this month. The new BMW 320d they reviewed was £39k's worth YOu could have the 1M for £2k more. Ridiculous.

More than happy with my 8 year old 318i for £6k