So many cars, so much confusion!!

[tammybear]

I am now looking to get a car in the next couple of months (YAYY!!!! ) and I did start a thread about what car to get not long ago but cant find it.

My main choices are:
Vauxhall Corsa
Nissan Micra
Renault Clio
Peugeot 206
Citroen Saxo
Fiat Punto

or any other smallish cars as its just me and dd, and dp on the odd occasion. I want a car that is cheapish to repair if anything went wrong too. I dont have a clue about cars, and dont know what the differences are between them so could do with some help. Thank you. xxx

I have a Saxo, its my third. Although some may detract from it, I love it, its cheap to run, (touching wood as I say this) nothing has gone majorly wrong with any of them, always pass MOTs (oh need more wood feeling nervous now ) and its big enough (5 door model). Have two ds 4.5 & 1.5 so have buggies etc in boot. Can also fit three kids in back seat (ok small kids, but they fit). Have done 3 adults & two kids in the car.

Dh had a clio and we loved it. Nothing ever went wrong - also passed its MOT's and was a dream to drive.

I had a Daewoo Matiz - brilliant - like you mainly dd and me - for me to drive to work -(1/2 hour commute) very cheap to run, easy to drive, cheap insurance, passed MOT no problems. Buggy fit in the boot no problems.

Now we are in OZ and I drive a large sedan and often see matiz's everywhere and miss my little matiz.

another ques, what would a reasonable price be for a used car but is still in pretty good condition?

not a 206, see my post under the 307 sw thread!

ive had 2 clios and liked them both

dh used to check on a website for us - as we were selling cars what the going rate was - taking into account age, mileage etc... think it was the prices guide ?!?!? sorry but he is at work so can't ask him. But we found that very informative.

You could check Parkers used car guide for guide to prices.

if I was choosing from your list I'd go for the Renault - they make nice cars (I've got a Ka at the moment - its a nice little car)

We had a 206 and loved it! Cheap, nippy and there's lots of them around so they should be pretty cheap for a used car. We test drove a Corsa a while back and thought that it handled like a brick on wheels. My all time fave is the VW polo though - now that was lovely.....I just like solid german cars though....!!

Personally I'd go for a Ford - Ka or Fiesta. I've had a few fiestas and all have been good.

Yup - I've had a fiesta too!! My first car actually - could tell you a few things ....but won't!!
They are cheap to buy, run, insure etc and perfectly fine.

I have been looking at ford fiestas too, but had a mental block when i was typing my list. my sister has a ka so dont really want to get one of those. ill never hear the end of it otherwise!!

Never had any probs with my Fiesta's either. I'm a Ford fan and we now have a Mondeo and Fiesta.

Apparantly the new Fiat Panda is fantastic, won all sorts of awards

I have driven a Corsa and it was fine and a Saxo but the visibility was poor I felt (both hire cars)

If it were me I would go for the Micra as Japanese cars much more reliable

I've been looking at similar size cars but have decided on one you don't have on your list - a VW Polo. But from your list, I'd choose the Citroen Saxo. I currently have a 10yo Citroen AX. It's very basic but has served me very well since new and been cheap to keep. Best of all, it's purple!

I test drove a new Panda a couple of weeks ago. It's very nippy! But it wasn't really big enough for us, plus the deals on Polos are v good atm.