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

[ian789]

The C1 can do this -
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoOcpyk7zfU

 

[Fab Foodie]

We'll, we're buying the Citroen C1 in metallic blue

Thanks for all the advice cycle-chatters.

When it came down to it, both cars were good, I'd probably would have gone for the Panda particularly for it's build quality c/w the C1 and it was my first choice going for the test-drive (Head over heart). But as Mrs FF pointed out it feels very dated and old inside and felt narrow (In the front passengers side I was always against the door pillar) and it was not as comfortable seat-wise as expected. The ride was lovely and sprightly and it was swift and handled fine in it's enthusiastic bouncy way around Oxfordshire imperfect B-roads. The C1 by comparison, actually feels more spacious, more airy, modern, fun. It's like hopping into a Go-Kart and just zooming-off. The ride is a bit firm and chattery, but the handling round the twisty-bits was more fun than a barrel of Monkeys.

Mrs FF's view was unshakeable after the test-drive, C1 all the way, modern, fun, funky.
Add to that the fact that with th great Citroen deal leaves-us better-off; Over the 3 years (Finance terms) of FF family average bimbling around, the C1 will save us approx £900 per year over the Panda with 3 years with continued significant savings in Fuel costs. The space is sufficient for our current needs.

Quite excited at it's arrival!

 

[ian789]

Good choice and you've gone for the best colour!

 

[The Jogger]

I originally picked the Fiat but if I was buying a car for my daughter, this is the reason I would pick the C1 I think you have made the right decision.


http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/fiat/panda-100hp-2006.aspx?page=4

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/citroen/c1-2005.aspx?page=4

 

[Proto]

Not reading five pages of replies, sorry, but if you want my opinion, new driver, 17 yo, then what you want is a 1.4 litre Peugeot 306. Cheap as chips, very reliable, roomy and comfortable enough to be a proper car. Cheap insurance and low tax class. Fast enough for motorway work. Make sure it's got power steering, not all of them have.

Buy one pre-scratched so you (and the new driver) don't have to worry about it, as sure is eggs is eggs, they will ding it. £1500 will buy you a very nice example.

Here you go, perfect.
http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/uv...max_records=200&id=201044372394775&distance=0

 

[Renard]

I had a Panda diesel for just over a year. It was very economical and very quick off the mark. Road tax was £30 a year and tyres were £30 a pop. Only thing was the turbo failed twice. This was repaired on warranty but after the second time I traded it in as I didn't want to chance it after the warranty expires.

 

[slowmotion]

Well done FF. You dodged a Fiat out there. A near escape.

Happy motoring....oh Hell is that allowed hereabouts?

 

[Archie_tect]

I like the way you've let Mrs FF think she made the decision... [cough]

 

[Black Sheep]

Both are cheap cars to buy and run. Take in to consideration that the Panda is the same mechanically as the new Ford Ka and Fiat 500, and with a warranty, rust issues won't be your responsibility. You get 4 doors as standard and loads of room for passengers in the back. The C1 is cramped and tips and wollows on roundabouts, and has all the boot space of a fag packet. With 19 fags still in it. And you have to buy the glovebox lid. And the dashboard looks like it was made by Fisher Price.

I test drove a lot of small cars last year and bought the Panda for it's practicality and that it is fun to drive, especially with it's City Steering. You can really chuck it about, and visibility is really good. James May also has one :-) Takes a while to get used to, as the matchbox-sized engine isn't very torquey. 3rd gear uphill on the motorway isn't unusual, but yet it doesn't feel like it's about to blow its valves through the bonnet even then. Just keep the revs up and it's loads of fun :-)

Panda and Ka similar? Didn't know Ford and Fiat were working together or sharing parts. I do know that the Fiat 500 and Panda are the same mechanicals, different body, different price tag.

Not sure what you mean about visibility, I had to duck on left hand bends in order to see under the rear view mirror after nearly stuffing my dads' panda (that he'd driven for all of 7 miles) into a car parked just round a blind bend as the rear view mirror is in the way of anyone 6ft! (dads is the lowest spec so doesn't have height adjustable seats or i'd have lowered the seat, lots) It also rolls a lot on roundabouts, even when conpared with the C1 that a friend has.

we seem to have found the opposite experience of the same two cars...