Going to buy a small cheap car, what's your choice and why?

[vernon]

And the 107 doesn't leak.

Honest John reports otherwise

 

[ian789]

Honest John reports otherwise

It says "reports" does not specify numbers, out of 4000 member on the owners club there are very few cases. And its an very easy fix if you've got one of the very few which suffer.

Also Honest John has exactly the same report for the Aygo - the Aygo has completely different back doors and seals. The lights are also different. The leaks are more common on the Aygo.

 

[Over The Hill]

Just thought I would note that the new Ford Ka is out now and may be a contender. Being a new model it will get a good price when you sell it as the first ones tend to be attractive on the second hand market.

Aside from that I would simply say go with whatever you like the most and would be happiest seeing in the drive.

They are all good cars these days and it is not a help to make a comparison to a car 20 years ago. I think these surveys are dwelling on the negative and just box ticking.

Jump in each one and see how you feel driving it.

 

[vernon]

It says "reports" does not specify numbers, out of 4000 member on the owners club there are very few cases. And its an very easy fix if you've got one of the very few which suffer.

Also Honest John has exactly the same report for the Aygo - the Aygo has completely different back doors and seals. The lights are also different. The leaks are more common on the Aygo.

How many active members are there in the owners club?

I wasn't documenting the Aygo leak problem. It's just that when I was looking at the possibility of purchasing a 107, the widely reported water leaks and the self destructing clutch were sufficient to dissuade me from buying one.

There are fine examples of 107s out there no doubt about it but at the time of considering the purchase of one there was sufficient doubt about the reliability of the car to make it a non starter (sic) for me.

 

[ian789]

Not sure but the leaks have now been addressed as have the clutch problems. It now has a better waterpump as well and that was a big problem.

He's buying a new car and it'll have a warranty. It's a simple car so you won't have many problems, especially with its Toyota engine.

 

[fossyant]

Get a late model 1st gen Yaris......awesome............ had one 11 years from new, not been any trouble.

 

[fossyant]

Make sure you get one with a Made in Japan sticker............the French ones aren't as good !

 

[Fab Foodie]

Make sure you get one with a Made in Japan sticker............the French ones aren't as good !

Ah so!

 

[Smokin Joe]

As an aside, whenever a discussion on cars come up someone always points out that Fords are easy and cheap to repair.

They friggin well ain't.

 

[biggs682]

would rather walk , try and find an early Yaris or some other jap made car with history

 

[asterix]

IMO your two choices are both pants. I'm in the Toyota camp (have an old Toyota van - very solid) I'd commend their reliability but I am planning to drive 750 miles home tomorrow and don't want to tempt fate! I wouldn't buy another French car after having had Renaults with dodgy electrics. I wouldn't buy a Fiat because bits drop off.

 

[ian789]

The C1 has the engine and most other mechanical components off the newer Yaris, so will be just as reliable.

 

[Black Sheep]

Yes the C1 is a three cylinder 1 litre. It is more powerful and faster than the Panda and still gets better MPG.

Doesn't really matter, I (the wife) had a 3 cylinder 1 litre swift that had a remarkably balanced engine

The C1 is more economical mpg-wise, but feels like it's made of tinfoil and cheap plastics. I drove one once and wouldn't want to drive one far. Space-wise it's all a bit tight, it has to be able to carry Mrs FF, 2 teenage daughters and a 10 y/o lad plus school kit. It may have to do the occasional motorway run to H'row and Bristol.

Your going to be a bit stuck there then, the Panda is only 4 seats and only 4 seat belts!

Having driven one, I'd say there's no way on earth you'd get 5 people in a C1. Even four is uncomfy for long.
Perfectly OK for two and luggage, but not a lot more IMHO.

True, again, only built for four people

Well I hope we'll never need to fit 5 into either. 4 at the most on a regular basis for school runs and the like. We can alsways swap cars if we know we need the extra seating or a long-run.

You'd have to swap as I've pointed out - the Ka (someone suggested it) and the panda are definately only 4 seaters, I think the C1 is also (I know the C2 was only a 4 seat)

 

[PeterD]

Hi
Why not look at the Nissan Micra -- cheap to buy - built like a tank and their drivers drive them like tanks. My daughters first car was a Micra and for the money and ongoing costs cannot fault it

Peter

 

[mark barker]

Your going to be a bit stuck there then, the Panda is only 4 seats and only 4 seat belts!

My Panda had a centre seat belt in the back, its available as an option (£150)