My sis in the UK needs to buy a new, small, well-appointed car: something in the Polo size bracket, except not VW Group because of Dieselgate & Monkeygate. She's not a car enthusiast; she just wants something reliable, with the goodies one expects in the upper trim levels.
Any ideas?
Mini Pooper.
MINIs are notoriously unreliable
Manual Fiesta is probably her best bet.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on May 31, 2018, 07:43:39 AM
MINIs are notoriously unreliable
Manual Fiesta is probably her best bet.
Always with the same nonsense. It's a new fucking car. It will be reliable for years FFS.
Back to Morris's need:
Funny how excluding the VW group excludes tons of the options that came first to mind. Lots of small good(ish) cars from them.
How are Clios these days? We no longer get the euro version apart from the RS.
Hyundai i30?
208
I'd get a Mini or a Citroen C3.
http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/recommended/best-small-cars
That C3 looks very cool.
Quote from: MexicoCityM3 on May 31, 2018, 09:04:10 AM
That C3 looks very cool.
Yeah. It stands out in a pretty boring segment.
Oh wait she's in the UK? Twingo GT!
(https://elcarrocolombiano.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/20161129-RENAULT-TWINGO-GT-02-1024x727.jpg)
The Fit is Go!
Its reliable, I imagine good fuel economy, probably cheap, and not exciting at all. Sounds like exactly the car she needs.
Quote from: MexicoCityM3 on May 31, 2018, 08:07:10 AM
Always with the same nonsense. It's a new fucking car. It will be reliable for years FFS.
There is no need to take this personal man. Every year CR has data for the MINI from 2015 and below, it has the worst rating. They are only just becoming average, but we will see once time passes and warranties end. They are not great values either for someone just looking for basic transportation.
Mazda 2? I'm not sure what kind of features she is looking for but reviews for the latest model have been good and if the Toyota iA is anything to go by, it should be a great subcompact (small size, easy to maneuver, good ride, great fuel economy and excellent reliability since it still has a NA motor.) If she wants an automatic (and relaible) I would steer clear of the Fiesta since I believe the new model still uses a dual clutch automatic and has turbos throughout the lineup.
http://www.evo.co.uk/mazda/2
Quote from: Morris Minor on May 31, 2018, 06:10:03 AM
My sis in the UK needs to buy a new, small, well-appointed car: something in the Polo size bracket, except not VW Group because of Dieselgate & Monkeygate. She's not a car enthusiast; she just wants something reliable, with the goodies one expects in the upper trim levels.
Any ideas?
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on May 31, 2018, 12:32:03 PM
There is no need to take this personal man. Every year CR has data for the MINI from 2015 and below, it has the worst rating. They are only just becoming average, but we will see once time passes and warranties end. They are not great values either for someone just looking for basic transportation.
Morris specified premium small car, and I wouldn't wipe my ass with CR "data". ZOMG the cupholders are too small!
My friend had that attitude, got a Mini, and he's been like the Dutch kid popping his fingers into the dike with all the random sensor failures he's been getting.
Passenger airbag, windshield wiper fluid, a TPS monitor, I think there was something fucked up with the window position sensor (?), and some others.
Anecdotally, I've known three people with Minis. Every single one of them really liked the car... when it was working correctly. Every one of the cars was a POS.
Actually CR gives more balanced reviews nowdays. The GTI for example, they highlight its fun to drive factor, ride and quietness but also balance it out with its quality issues. They even gave the BMW 2-Series a 92 overall. I still have qualms with how they rate reliability (the 2016 MX-5 was given a reliability rating of Far Below Average and the 2017 was given Far Above Average) but they are better than they used to be.
Quote from: Rockraven on May 31, 2018, 12:58:52 PM
Morris specified premium small car, and I wouldn't wipe my ass with CR "data". ZOMG the cupholders are too small!
Above all I've heard that Mini's are difficult to repair because of how they're assembled.
Quote from: 93JC on May 31, 2018, 01:01:53 PM
Anecdotally, I've known three people with Minis. Every single one of them really liked the car... when it was working correctly. Every one of the cars was a POS.
Quote from: 93JC on May 31, 2018, 01:01:53 PM
Anecdotally, I've known three people with Minis. Every single one of them really liked the car... when it was working correctly. Every one of the cars was a POS.
You know 4. Ours has been flawless for 4 years.
Quote from: MexicoCityM3 on May 31, 2018, 01:23:24 PM
You know 4. Ours has been flawless for 4 years.
25% odds of a car not being a POS.... solid :lol:
Quote from: Rockraven on May 31, 2018, 12:58:52 PM
Morris specified premium small car, and I wouldn't wipe my ass with CR "data". ZOMG the cupholders are too small!
Morris specified a loaded car, not a premium one. Fiesta Vignale, loaded Clio/V40/A class/1 series, she has a lot of options in both camps that isn't a MINI
Quote from: HurricaneSteve on May 31, 2018, 01:12:28 PM
Actually CR gives more balanced reviews nowdays. The GTI for example, they highlight its fun to drive factor, ride and quietness but also balance it out with its quality issues. They even gave the BMW 2-Series a 92 overall. I still have qualms with how they rate reliability (the 2016 MX-5 was given a reliability rating of Far Below Average and the 2017 was given Far Above Average) but they are better than they used to be.
The 2016 had a brittle 6MT.
Quote from: MexicoCityM3 on May 31, 2018, 01:23:24 PM
You know 4. Ours has been flawless for 4 years.
:tounge:
CR is pretty damn objective.
Why the CR hate?
I have heard that, especially on early models but they are also predicting the 2018 model to have Below Average reliability.
Quote from: Laconian on May 31, 2018, 01:57:21 PM
The 2016 had a brittle 6MT.
CarSpin, where the only thing that matters when recommending a car is reliability. Because anything below average is hell and means public transportation all the time.
I do get it more when shopping for a used car. Or if you like to hold on to cars for 10 years. Other than that, with most modern cars, it's a non-issue.
Unreliable cars are infuriating. Having to deal with the bullshit to fix them is infuriating. It is a colossal pain in the ass to deal with all that crap. I refuse to put up with it, and can't imagine why anyone would.
Minis are fun and charismatic and drive like nothing else. :huh:
Giving up reliability for a 500 is dumb. A MINI is worth taking a little risk for. And the failures tend to be small too, not catastrophic like HPFP failures.
I think it's one important factor to consider and since many of us may not have the space or funds to have multiple vehicles, a car that is fun but also less likely to spend time in the shop or be costly to repair would be a huge bonus.
Quote from: MexicoCityM3 on May 31, 2018, 03:46:03 PM
CarSpin, where the only thing that matters when recommending a car is reliability. Because anything below average is hell and means public transportation all the time.
I do get it more when shopping for a used car. Or if you like to hold on to cars for 10 years. Other than that, with most modern cars, it's a non-issue.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on May 31, 2018, 07:43:39 AM
MINIs are notoriously unreliable
Manual Fiesta is probably her best bet.
She has the Fiesta on her radar. It's top of What Car ratings for the category. (Fit, funnily enough did not thrill them, but on her shortlist too)
I'll float the idea of a Hyundai I30 and the Mazda 2.
Quote from: MexicoCityM3 on May 31, 2018, 03:46:03 PM
CarSpin, where the only thing that matters when recommending a car is reliability. Because anything below average is hell and means public transportation all the time.
I do get it more when shopping for a used car. Or if you like to hold on to cars for 10 years. Other than that, with most modern cars, it's a non-issue.
Hardly the only thing that matters, but for people who don't have 8 cars an unreliable car can be a hassle. Warranty or not, a car being in and out of the shop all the time = PITA.
Quote from: Laconian on May 31, 2018, 07:28:26 PM
Minis are fun and charismatic and drive like nothing else. :huh:
Giving up reliability for a 500 is dumb. A MINI is worth taking a little risk for. And the failures tend to be small too, not catastrophic like HPFP failures.
It depends what you're looking for. IDK that Morris' sister is looking for driving thrills... and if so, Europe has quite the selection (Renaultsport anything, Ford ST anything, i30N, etc).
Quote from: 93JC on May 31, 2018, 07:11:26 PM
Unreliable cars are infuriating. Having to deal with the bullshit to fix them is infuriating. It is a colossal pain in the ass to deal with all that crap. I refuse to put up with it, and can't imagine why anyone would.
The Ford Focus has been a segment leader for most of its existence. Imagine my surprise with all the DCT issues (when I bought my '13 in late '12, the issue wasn't well known to the public). The "best" cars can have their issues, and the cars dumped on most (500, Mini, VW, etc) have in many cases proved to be every bit as reliable as others.
Quote from: Morris Minor on May 31, 2018, 07:55:53 PM
She has the Fiesta on her radar. It's top of What Car ratings for the category. (Fit, funnily enough did not thrill them, but on her shortlist too)
I'll float the idea of a Hyundai I30 and the Mazda 2.
Twingo! Rear engine RWD ZOMG!
Renault Clio.
What's Monkeygate?
Quote from: Rockraven on June 01, 2018, 11:31:54 AM
Twingo! Rear engine RWD ZOMG!
Oh no way, I had no idea...! I thought they were still FF. That's awesome!
Quote from: Raza on June 02, 2018, 09:31:57 AM
Renault Clio.
What's Monkeygate?
http://www.dw.com/en/vw-bmw-and-daimler-denounce-toxic-diesel-fume-tests-on-monkeys/a-42339027
After testing a Fiesta, Nissan Note, & the Fit, She bought a Mazda 2 which "knocked out" the others in her view. It's a loaded demo model, manual transmission, with 3,000 miles and 34 months remaining on the warranty.
Same car as Mark!
It's a Mazda 2 Sport Nav 90 with a 1.5L petrol engine. 2,000 miles, not 3,000 as previously stated. She's v happy.
Nice to see her life coming together.
Quote from: Morris Minor on June 03, 2018, 07:38:06 AM
After testing a Fiesta, Nissan Note, & the Fit, She bought a Mazda 2 which "knocked out" the others in her view. It's a loaded demo model, manual transmission, with 3,000 miles and 34 months remaining on the warranty.
Good choice.
Love the simple interior in these.
(https://newsuvprice.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2018-Mazda-2-Interior.jpg)
Quote from: Rockraven on June 03, 2018, 11:16:37 AM
Good choice.
Love the simple interior in these.
Thanks, agreed. I had no idea until I checked that, here, these are badged as Toyotas & sold as Yaris iA sedan. It gets decent reviews.
I've suggested to her that, for privacy, she should tint film put in the windows.
Congrats to her. That kind of car is a lot of fun in Europe. Somehow the laws of physics there are different, and 100HP cars feel more than adequate.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on June 03, 2018, 12:47:03 PM
Congrats to her. That kind of car is a lot of fun in Europe. Somehow the laws of physics there are different, and 100HP cars feel more than adequate.
Roundabouts. You maintain a lot of momentum.
Mazda 2 is a beautiful little thing.
Last week I asked her if she was going to get an automatic: I got a withering stare, "Andrew I'm not completely incapable."
Americans = completely incapable
Mazda tends to offer the best driving car in most of the segments they have an offering. Good choice.
I remember driving a rental out of the deck at Milwaukee Airport a few years ago, hardly aware of it - assuming it was just another typical mediocrity that gets dumped into rental fleets to boost sales numbers. It took about a mile before its goodness woke me up - Holy shit this thing is fun, a pleasure to drive.
It was a Mazda 6.
My sis had the same epiphany when she test drove the 2 - big contrast with the others she'd tried.
Wow that's great to hear, congrats to her and please welcome her to the Mazda family! I own a 2011 Mazda 2 which is mostly the same car (the newer ones are obviously more efficient and styled better inside and out) and it's a fantastic city car. It's too bad that Mazda decided against selling the new 2 here because the Toyota iA is nearly a foot and a half longer and that makes it less desirable in tight parking spots. Hope she enjoys her new supermini!
Quote from: Morris Minor on June 03, 2018, 07:38:06 AM
After testing a Fiesta, Nissan Note, & the Fit, She bought a Mazda 2 which "knocked out" the others in her view. It's a loaded demo model, manual transmission, with 3,000 miles and 34 months remaining on the warranty.
Quote from: HurricaneSteve on June 03, 2018, 07:08:32 PM
Wow that's great to hear, congrats to her and please welcome her to the Mazda family! I own a 2011 Mazda 2 which is mostly the same car (the newer ones are obviously more efficient and styled better inside and out) and it's a fantastic city car. It's too bad that Mazda decided against selling the new 2 here because the Toyota iA is nearly a foot and a half longer and that makes it less desirable in tight parking spots. Hope she enjoys her new supermini!
A 2, a 3 & an MX-5.... you are our resident Mazdadude. :ohyeah:
Quote from: Morris Minor on June 02, 2018, 02:53:54 PM
http://www.dw.com/en/vw-bmw-and-daimler-denounce-toxic-diesel-fume-tests-on-monkeys/a-42339027
Yikes. Not cool.
What can I say? It just feels right!
Quote from: Morris Minor on June 03, 2018, 08:58:35 PM
A 2, a 3 & an MX-5.... you are our resident Mazdadude. :ohyeah:
She picked it up today. I'm jealous. Fun, chuckable little hatch.
(https://s26.postimg.cc/pe69ghusp/IMG_0178.jpg)
(https://s26.postimg.cc/xjobeo66x/IMG_0179.jpg)
(https://s26.postimg.cc/oonh459op/IMG_0180.jpg)
(https://s26.postimg.cc/lhsxkihix/IMG_0181.jpg)
Good choice.
Quote from: 2o6 on May 31, 2018, 02:57:40 PM
CR is pretty damn objective.
Why the CR hate?