Fiat Punto

[redser]

We hope to get a chance tomorrow to visit the Toyota garage. A friend of mine has one and likes it, but they seem very "tricked-up" with gadgets, widgets and electrics which we either don't need or which will probably go wrong in the longer term.

They come in different trim levels and that is reflected in the price. Terra is the bottom level, which we went with.
We also have a 2000 Micra which is bullet proof. I'll never part with it. Runs on fumes and never gave us any trouble. It's fine space-wise for kids up to toddler age but after that the leg room in the back is a problem. Could suit your needs for a couple of years?

[RedThorn]

I've owned a few toyotas over time all yup all have been very reliable work horses!


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[Glutton4...]

...Not for Toyota, apparently ... all jobs have to take the same proscribed time - jobs taking less or more time were both viewed equally as a no-no.

That's encouraging! My Dad had a couple of Toyotas, and they were built like tanks; very solid and robust, and ultra reliable. My F-i-L currently has one, and has had it a long time. I think the build quality is very good.

[Two_Sheds]

Fiat: 'Fix it again, Tony'


We had a Stilo, and it was always in the garage, but apparently we were unlucky: Fiat Stilo (2001-2006) - Car Reliability Index | Reliability Index | How reliable is your car?

[Veggielot]

I had a new punto as a courtesy car for a couple of days and found it to be a nice car to be in and drive although a little under powered at times but don't know what engine it had. At eight grand I think it is certainly worth considering but would definitely recomend a test drive first.

[WendyC]

We're on our third Skoda, had two Felicias and now an Octavia estate. We can get masses in the boot as you'd expect with an estate but is a good car to drive and easy to park. I've also had a Fabia and Roomster as courtesy cars and liked them too. The Roomster has the adaptable seating inside and we would have gone for one had it been a little small for four of us. OH hankers after a Superb but we really don't need anything that big. My sister has a Seat and it is awful. Had numerous breakdowns and still in warranty, also it feels like the door is going to fall off when you shut it.

[salome2001]

1. 4 door is a must. Do not even *think* of wrangling a screaming, tantruming 2 year old into a Britax on the back seat of a 2 door

2. Can you fit the pushchair in the boot?

3. I would look at a Honda Jazz. I have one and it is FAB. Wouldn't think of another car. Cheap to run, mega reliable (read the reviews online) and has a bigger boot than anything else in its class (including the Yaris. We hired one abroad and were appalled at how little you could get in the boot)

Plus the back seats can fold up and down, making it into a very handy 2-door wagon, great for loading up with bags of pony poo or compost

(mum of one 5 year old and one 13 month old so lots of experience in cars+kids)

[FB.]

3. I would look at a Honda Jazz. I have one and it is FAB. Wouldn't think of another car. Cheap to run, mega reliable (read the reviews online) and has a bigger boot than anything else in its class

Agreed. The Honda is very nice.
But the results of the NCAP crash tests are worrying - the Honda's structural integrity is much worse than most of the other small or medium cars. In the crash test videos you can see it crumple like a tin can compared to other similar-sized cars.
Here's an extract from the NCAP crash test (Jazz scored 11.4 points for front impact, 13.8 for side and 21.9 for children in the back):

".....pedal displacements were high and that of the clutch incurred a penalty. Structures in the dashboard posed a hazard to the knees and femurs of the driver and passenger. In the side pole test, chest protection was poor, with rib deflections exceeding safe limits....."

Here's an extract from the NCAP crash test for a Polo, for comparison
(Polo scored 15.0 points for front impact, 14.8 for side and 24.0 for children in the back):

"....The car scored maximum points for the protection offered to the passenger. For the driver, the steering column was the only stiff structure which might pose a risk to the femurs. In the car side impact, the car lost a fraction of a point for chest protection. Chest protection was rated as marginal in the more severe side pole test....."

[FB.]

Videos of crash tests:

Honda Jazz:
Euro NCAP Media | Honda Jazz

VW Polo (notice how even the windscreen didn't shatter):
Euro NCAP Media | VW Polo

[FB.]

Update......

After lots of note-taking, discussion, research, sitting, adjusting, fiddling, inspecting, test-driving, haggling and suchlike (a car is often second only to a house in terms of its cost, so deserves thorough research and inspection) we eventually settled on........

Vauxhall Astra "Energy" (also known as "Excite").
Silver paintwork.
1.6L/115HP, 4-cylinder petrol.

Manufactured October 2013 (although not yet got a registration number; it's a new car) but by being "physical" stock it means we can have it next week rather than having to wait several weeks (possibly getting close to when the baby is due) and it gives us several weeks to get used to it before the baby is due.

By telling the Vauxhall salesman that Ford had quoted for a Focus "Edge" or "Zetec" (1.4/1.6 or Ecoboost 1.0T engine) we were able to trim over 20% off the Astra's list price, although the salesman said lower models are harder to offer as much discount.
The discount would have been closer to 15% off list price if we'd taken a 0% finance deal. Crazily, the Ford Focus worked out cheaper to take a finance deal than pay cash and I grumpily pointed out the insanity of it to Ford's salesman!

Ford Focus came second, so we weren't bluffing the Vauxhall salesman when we compared the Astra to the Focus.

Honda Jazz joint third with Seat Ibiza.

It was quite surprising how many cars we had to eliminate simply on the basis of the car not being able to be adjusted to accommodate drivers of varying sizes.
Even more surprising was that I find a VW Up has more headroom and more legroom than the Ford Focus or Fiesta or the VW Polo or Golf!

Link to Vauxhall's Astra models here:
http://www.vauxhall.co.uk/vehicles/v...or.html#engine

.

Edit:

Worth noting that I think the Astra 1.4/87PS (87HP) engine is underpowered except in the 30mph roads around town, especially when running the air conditioning - the aircon has its own clutch mechanism which attaches to a drive shaft coming out of the engine, so the engine loses probably 15-20HP turning the aircon compressor.

The 1.4/100PS (100HP) engine is OK for average drivers (including myself and my wife) but might not have enough pull-away power for those who like to get up to speed at a brisk pace, or who like to drive at 80+mph on the motorway, or who like to overtake a lot, or when trying to drive quickly up a steep hill with aircon on while carrying a full load.

We chose the 1.6/115PS (115HP) so as to be able to make good progress along the motorway with a full load of passengers and suitcases while also sucking engine power to run the air conditioning. We don't expect it to be as economical nor as low on road tax, nor as cheap to insure as the 1.4/100PS engine.

[Glutton4...]

Sounds like you've done some thorough research there, FB. I hope you like your new car when you get it.

[out in the cold]

Perhaps a better option would be a Skoda Fabia estate. (You will get a pram in the boot easily).

I bought one in November with change out of 10k for a brand new one with a 1.2 litre petrol engine. I genuinely get 45 mpg out of it, driving around 60miles per day on cross country roads round trip to work.

It lacks a bit of oomph, but I am only noticing it as my last car had 240 horses.

[out in the cold]

Sorry, posted the above without reading to end of thread and didn't realise you had done a deal.

Not trying to be a smarty pants...

[FB.]

Sorry, posted the above without reading to end of thread and didn't realise you had done a deal.

Not trying to be a smarty pants...

I recently drove a Skoda Fabia and got on very well with it. I would have been happy to get one.

But "her indoors" (SWMBO) said no because she doesn't like the look of them and the brand still has a bit of a stigma in her mind. So that was that.

[veggiechicken]

Perhaps a better option would be a Skoda Fabia estate. (You will get a pram in the boot easily).

I bought one in November with change out of 10k for a brand new one with a 1.2 litre petrol engine. I genuinely get 45 mpg out of it, driving around 60miles per day on cross country roads round trip to work.

It lacks a bit of oomph, but I am only noticing it as my last car had 240 horses.

I've had one for 5 years - the 1.4 Diesel. Takes me up and down the motorway without complaint and carries dogs, furniture and manure. Has averaged 57mpg since new. No complaints and I've been very happy with it - I'm not worried about "image"