7 grand budget small sporty hatch

widdyst

widdyst

widdyst

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minis work out about 3 years older than the couple of cars I listed for the budget and plus she does need a boot big enough to fit a baby buggy in (should have said that in the op )
 
I'd recommend putting some of the budget aside for running costs and insurance rather than limit yourself to IG9.
 
widdyst said:
minis work out about 3 years older than the couple of cars I listed for the budget and plus she does need a boot big enough to fit a baby buggy in (should have said that in the op )
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There is no way on earth a buggy will fit in the boot of a Swift Sport. It's a good car (I have one), but I wouldn't want one if it was my only vehicle. The boot is miniscule (very slightly bigger than a MINI boot), the interior quality is atrocious, it's noisy, is badly affected by crosswinds, has ridiculous servicing costs for what it is, and is not the comfiest car to be in. However, it is brilliant fun to blast down backroads in. Seriously, if she doesn't like driving fast on the twisty bits from time to time, there's no point in getting one.
 
Tute said:
I'd recommend putting some of the budget aside for running costs and insurance rather than limit yourself to IG9.
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Or ignore the insurance group and look at the actual cost. My car is the same insurance group as cars that would cost a lot more to insure.... Groups are a rough indicator only
 
Do you really want something that small if you've got a buggy to lug about?

If the buggy fits but nothing else where does the shopping go? :) I also find 2 doors a PITA when you've got kids. You either have to lift them into the back seat which means at some point you'll bounce their noggin off the roof. Or once they are older risk them jumping out, getting their foot caught in the seat belt and their nose breaking their fall on the pavement (I did this personally at about 5 and still remember it!)

Personally I would go for something slightly bigger with 4 doors. A mum needs a mums car not a small hatchback. (my wife used our scooby, so not mumsy but very practicle!)
 
Defcon5 said:
Why do I know, without even looking that they are all Fiats
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Fiat make very good cheap small cars :confused:

You'll find me suggesting a Ford or other brand most of the time, but for £6k-£7k you get a lot more Bravo than you do Focus.

Obviously the OP isn't a badge snob otherwise they would be looking at Minis etc... instead of Suzukis and Renaults.

It's actually a perfectly good suggestion.
 
I can see where everyone is coming from with the four door thing but this wont be our only car :) its mainly for mum to go back and to to work (without baby) and small buggy is really all thats required to fit for the occasional drop off at mums etc. All shopping trips etc will be done in my car (as usual).
I know its more difficult to put kids in the back of a 3 door but not impossible :) but we are not against 5 doors either
as to the quote "save some of the budget for running costs etc" ....well thats just not required. We can afford to run the car 7 grand is the budget to buy.
do like the fiat bravo sports. to be honestt I didnt think they came in budget
 
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MikeHiow said:
Fiesta ST or even a MK6/6.5 Zetec-S?
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Going by his sig I'd assume he may already have an ST.

If you want a smaller car then Punto Tjet Sporting (120bhp) or last generation Fiesta ST?

widdyst said:
do like the fiat bravo sports. to be honestt I didnt think they came in budget
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My Bravo is well documented around here. 18 months ago I paid £8k for a 16 month old example with 11k on the clock. 150bhp from a 1.4 (90bhp, 120bhp and 150bhp from the same engine are all available) is now 180bhp after £380 and I timed a 0-62mph run in 7.02 seconds. Everyone who gets in it comments on how good it looks, quick it goes and well built it is inside. It's just the badge some people have issues getting over.

The 150 Sports are IG10 but I pay £420 for it, with mods at 20 years old; it was cheaper to insure for me than a 1.6 Focus. 120's are IG6 and 90's are IG4 if it matters that much to you.
 
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Peerzy said:
Going by his sig I'd assume he may already have an ST.

Not a fiesta though :)

If you want a smaller car then Punto Tjet Sporting (120bhp) or last generation Fiesta ST?

Unfortunately she doesnt like fiestas well not the old shape anyway



My Bravo is well documented around here. 18 months ago I paid £8k for a 16 month old example with 11k on the clock. 150bhp from a 1.4 (90bhp, 120bhp and 150bhp from the same engine are all available) is now 180bhp after £380 and I timed a 0-62mph run in 7.02 seconds. Everyone who gets in it comments on how good it looks, quick it goes and well built it is inside. It's just the badge some people have issues getting over.

The 150 Sports are IG10 but I pay £420 for it, with mods at 20 years old; it was cheaper to insure for me than a 1.6 Focus.
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I have no hangups on badges whatsoever , just has to be a good reliable car and do what it says on the tin :)
 
widdyst said:
I have no hangups on badges whatsoever , just has to be a good reliable car and do what it says on the tin :)
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Pop down to Fiat and check out the Bravo - worse comes to worse you don't like it and cross it off your list. Try and have a little go in a 150Tjet, I was 19 at the time and they let me rag one with no issues.

Mine will be going soon as I'll be getting something much bigger and quicker but when my Mum had £8k to spend on a Focus sized car she ended up with a Bravo as well, she got a 90bhp 1.4 and loves it. I took her round every car dealer you could think of but she liked the look and interior of the Bravo more than anything else and it was great value for money so she got climate control etc where as other cars she was getting sod all.
 
EddScott said:
Do you really want something that small if you've got a buggy to lug about?

If the buggy fits but nothing else where does the shopping go? :) I also find 2 doors a PITA when you've got kids. You either have to lift them into the back seat which means at some point you'll bounce their noggin off the roof. Or once they are older risk them jumping out, getting their foot caught in the seat belt and their nose breaking their fall on the pavement (I did this personally at about 5 and still remember it!)

Personally I would go for something slightly bigger with 4 doors. A mum needs a mums car not a small hatchback. (my wife used our scooby, so not mumsy but very practicle!)
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I never broke my nose, but done the same getting out the capri. I was only about 3-4. Did get a massive box of lego though :)
 
Couple of weeks ago me and the girlfriend purchased a grande punto 1.9 multijet.

By far the best car we drove in budget, doesn't feel any smaller than a focus, solid enough interior (no squeaks or rattles) which also looks 'nice', comfey enough for long journeys. £50 fills the tank which gets you 500 miles, only £150 a year to tax.

Can't comment on the buggy situation however!
 
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