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

[Fab Foodie]

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



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



True, again, only built for four people




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)

IIRC (according to a motorcycle engineering mag) 3 cylinders can have better primary balance than any other layout.
Sorry, I must have typed ambiguously, there is no need for more than 4 people to have to go in the car, Mrs FF driving + 3 kids. We have a 7 seater for more people.
Sorry to confuse!

 

[Fab Foodie]

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.

Citroen C1s are built by Toyota...

 

[Black Sheep]

IIRC (according to a motorcycle engineering mag) 3 cylinders can have better primary balance than any other layout.
Sorry, I must have typed ambiguously, there is no need for more than 4 people to have to go in the car, Mrs FF driving + 3 kids. We have a 7 seater for more people.
Sorry to confuse!

Fair enough,

The panda may be your best bet as that has a bit of room between seats for teenagers to fit without argument

i (6ft of me) don't like being in the back of my dad's panda for long but for trips of under an hour i'm fine. depends how tall the driver is

was panicked that you might be about to order a car that couldn't do what you needed.

 

[Baggy]

I don't have any experience of modern Pandas, but my 1987 version was great and I'd happily own another. We currently own a Punto that's been doing a good job for over 7 years.

It's neck and neck on the poll

 

[Piemaster]

Nothing new about 3 cylinder car engines a former gf in canada had a Chrysler with one around 20 years ago.
We used to have a Perdoua Nippa. Lift the bonnet and there sat a Daihatsu 3 cylinder 850cc engine (think the whole car was a former Daihatsu 'something' with the entire factory bought by and moved to Malaysia . Engine was fine but car - ugh. Recycled biscuit tin, it would however go through gaps Rik Waller wouldn't

 

[Fab Foodie]

was panicked that you might be about to order a car that couldn't do what you needed.

Appreciated

 

[ian789]

[QUOTE 1240415"]
Is it not a shared factory built between the 3 companies?

[/quote]

The cars are made by TPCA - "Toyota Peugeot Citroën Automobile" in the Czech Republic.

 

[Black Sheep]

and the diesesil is probably a peugeot as they seem to make diesel engines for everyone else now.

 

[jack the lad]

Jackie the Lass has a 107. Just cost her £500 to get the clutch repaired after 40K miles. Good fuel economy - 60+ mpg. Only 4 seats, but 4 six footers will fit (just). It's OK on the motorway - a bit buzzy but what do you expect. Do bear in mind that there are no bike racks that fit due to the glass rear hatch and no towbars available. A bike with wheels removed will just fit with seats down.

Don't know anything about Pandas, so won't comment.

 

[ian789]

A bike with wheels removed will just fit with seats down.

It's expensive but it does exist http://www.towbarsdirect.co.uk/cyclecarriersC1.htm

 

[Fab Foodie]

Well guys, thanks for the insights.
I've got all the costings and am familiar with both wagons... and it's a hard choice.

The Citroen is undoubtably the all-round winner on costs, purchase and running, by a fair distance.
The Panda wins on space (particularly trhe boot which is important) and build quality... by a fair distance.

It's down to the wire.

Test drives are on Saturday at 2pm

 

[slowmotion]

Please, please , please, .....do not buy a Fiat. All Italian engineering has an amazing specification and looks good. The actual delivery is crap and very short-lived. Trust me on this one. BTW, wasn't the Hatfield rail crash down to Italian steel? Nice Urban Myth anyway.

Do not be seduced by looks.

 

[Archie_tect]

So FF, after the test drive, which is it to be? ...since you'll never get a definitive answer from any of us!

 

[Fab Foodie]

So FF, after the test drive, which is it to be? ...since you'll never get a definitive answer from any of us!

Well, the CC public votes are in and the Judges (me and Mrs FF + FF junior) have been out for our test rides today and have made their decision.

















And the verdict is....

.....


.....





.....





























We'll be right back after this break!

 

[wmtlynx]

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 :-)