help me choose my new car-?

Question

i need a small, relatively cheap and reliable car.
here are the possible candidates (you may offer others):
-Fiat Punto
-Fiat Grande Punto
-VW Golf
-VW Polo
-Citroen C3
-Honda Civic
-Honda Jazz
-Suzuki Swift
-Toyota Auris


what's your verdict of them?

Answer 1

The old Punto isn't really worth considering when compared to the rest on your list, as it's a considerable step back from them all. The Grande Punto is getting very good reviews, and would certainly be kinder to your pocket initially, but may hammer it come resale time. The Auris has been panned for being too similar to the previous generation Corolla, and may also suffer later on for resale values. The C3 is already old hat and has a reputation as a bit of a "cheap turn" or a clunker, as it's apparently very flimsy. The latest generation Civic is an acquired taste, but should remain popular. The Jazz is about to be updated, so if you do buy the current version, make sure you get a discount, but is widely acclaimed as the perfect supermini. The Swift is going down an absolute storm, but again may suffer from less than sparkling resale values, time is yet to tell. The Polo is a good little car, but has rather lacklustre performance and stodgy looks against it. Also VW have been a bit stingy with the standard equipment. The Golf is at the top of many people's lists for good reason. Well built, classy image, good to drive and retains it's value better than most. It's definitely one to consider further.

You might also consider the new Vauxhall Corsa, the new Skoda Fabia, the new Toyota Yaris and for something different, how about the Suzuki SX4/Fiat Sedici?

Answer 2

Don't Americans get that there this site is for people all over the world??
Anyway......
I'd go with the Civic
Auris
Swift
Jazz
Polo......
The golf quality isn't really up to the standard of a price brand new....French cars generally don't have great build quality (Citreon is french) The old Fiats never used to be any good but the new Punto (the one on TV) seems to be alright.
I'd personally go with the Japanese Honda or Toyota or Suzuki because they just keep running and get you to where you need to be. If not German (VW) would be my second choice.

Answer 3

My best advice is based on research when we were last searching for a vehicle with the following priorities in mind:
1. reliability
2. affordability
3. fuel efficiency and
4. safety in an accident.

The Nissan Micra came out ahead in priorities 1, 2 and 3.
(We settled on this, bought a red S-reg & have found that our Micra has entirely lived up to our expectations.)

Toyotas and Hondas, however, come out ahead in priorities 1, 3, and 4, so if you have the money I'd recommend these choices. (My top picks are the Honda civic and the Toyota Corolla.)

A great tool is found at www.parkers.co.uk if you want to make sure you have the measure of the pros and cons of a model.

Remember, your best bet for minimising depreciation while enjoying reliability is to buy secondhand. Ideally, look for a vehicle which is 2-4 years old, has all its maintenance records, has had only one owner, has lower than average mileage for its age and shows no sign of collisions.

Hope this is helpful! (o:

Answer 4

Go for the Golf...good build quality and will hold its value better than any of the others. Avoid Fiats due to poor quality n resale value. You dont say if its a brand new purchase or secondhand. If not the Golf..go for the Polo if not the Toyota if not that the Honda's. Others i wouldn't reallly bother with !

Answer 5

My choice would be in order...
1. Toyota Auris
2. Honda Civic
3 VW Golf

Answer 6

The Honda Civic or the VW Golf.
I had a Honda for years with no problems.
The Golf however keeps its value better.

Answer 7

Do you live outside the US? As far as I know not all of those cars are for sale over here. As for cars that I know of, the Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra and the new Mitsubishi Lancer are all great smaller...cheapish cars. If you dont mind going a few years back, a 2001-2005 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec-V is one of the better all around values period, combining economy, performance, and reliability. Volkswagens are great cars, until they break down, and from what I've heard are a little less reliable, and more expensive to fix

Answer 8

vw golf. The reason for that is it has the best engine, looks good and has a good resale value when the time comes and you want to upgrade to a better model like the Passat which we have at the moment and think is wonderful

Answer 9

avoid the fiats - electrical and build issues although cheap too buy. Awful residuals

VWs great image and perceived quality, in our experience terrible reliability and high repair costs. Good residuals

Citroen C3 , dull but good and seems reliable, awful residuals

Hondas as above but very reliable and strong residuals

Suzuki Swift - unless its the latest model AVOID!

Toyota - as honda

I would personally also consider Clio, Corsa, not 206, rubbish build quality.

Answer 10

Toyota and Honda have the best reputation for reliability on that list.