Best value small car?

[MannaMax]

Posting here for traffic 😅.

We urgently need a second car but can't afford one, really. Or maybe just.

What is the best value, low cost small car that can drive 2 adults and 2 teens around. It's mostly needed for short distance.

Is leasing a good idea here? Absolute max we could afford would be 250 a month but we'd have to save in other places. We have only little savings.

I love Hyundai i10

I loved my old Corsa. Reliable and cheap to run, insure and repair.

New or used?

New — probably some kind of Dacia, Suzuki or MG. Don’t expect frills, but they’re decent. Maybe an Ora Funky Cat if you’re interested in/able to have electric. Although I don’t know what the monthlies will be like on that, it’s new.

Used — anything Japanese or Korean with a good service and MOT history. I’d prioritise Toyota, Honda, Hyundai and Kia and work from there.

Hyundai i20, its a bit bigger than the i10 which might struggle depending on the size of your teens.
I've had 3 i20s since 2010 and they are all still performing well, having been donated to our kids.
Utterly reliable and cheap for insurance and road tax.

VW tsi polo (of a golf for a prettier car!)

Don’t lease anything if you’re tight on money!! As costs go up if you’re skint you’re much better off having a runaround you can ditch quickly.

I have a 20 year old corsa, still going fine and very cheap to run.

I’d second the little Toyotas or Hyundais. Heard lots of good things from people who’ve had them.