Yep.

I get a car allowance instead of a company car so I'm expected to run a new(-ish) vehicle of a certain size - I can't just pocket the cash and run a banger.

With that in mind I'm trying to pick one that I can run for four or more years that will be as economical as possible. Over 4 years a 13k Bravo would potentially save me 7k or more compared to another Octavia like my current one which is a big difference.

Now makes a bit more sense. You do hear so many people not in your fortunate position that move from say a 4x4 to a fiesta to save money on fuel, forgetting about depn.

My mates just got a cracking deal on a vectra sri, 1 year old 20,000 miles. Have some fun on the autotrader website or car supermarket website. With your budget it's amazing what you can get, and don't forget although the kia and hyundia have a long warranty you can always buy a warranty from other sources.

My 55 plate octy still looks like new, so could you get away with a really good clean and a private plate? If I were you I'd work my way down the jd power list or other reliability/satisfaction list and see which you can live with.

As you've said, the whole wait 12 months is a reasonable option, perhaps 9 months might be stronger if buying new. You could always wait until christmas next year and then do the whole car thing at the best time of year to buy a car in December / January.

best of luck

Vectras make sense on paper as there are huge discounts off list price which will keep depreciation down but I just don't like the interior.

I had a sit in Kia earlier and if all you are after is a car as a form of transport it would be good but it is very soulless and I don't think I'd want to run one for 5 years. By contrast the Bravo has something about it that just clicks with me.

I did wander past a Ford dealer as well and I could get a Focus Estate or Mondeo for quite a tempting price as well. They wouldn't have been my first choice , but purely on financial grounds they make a good case.

The other option is just to stick with the Octy of course as I don't *need* to change it just yet.

If it stays reliable then it's cheaper to do that for another 12 months rather than start the cycle of depreciation off again , but it only takes an expensive repair like another failed turbo and it's all gone.

I've got an MOT booked on monday and am still waiting to see if Fiat have a car in the right spec and colour so both of those will have an affect on my decision.

If there are lots of advisories that will cost me money in the next year then that pushes me towards a new vehicle.

If it gets a clean pass and I can't get the Bravo in the spec I want at the right price then I'll stick with it.

A bit of an update - it seems that Fiat have discontinued the 5 year warranty - it's now back to a three year and 60k one.

On the other hand the dealer has found a Bravo 1.6 TDI Eco Dynamic with a sunroof which I can have for £12500 brand new. That's exactly the spec I wanted and it's in the nice deep metallic blue as well. List price for that is £17025 which is a huge discount and they are offering top book price for my Octavia.

Decisions , decisions......

I just hope your local FIAT dealer is better than the two i dealt with, great cars, abysmal customer service.

I just hope your local FIAT dealer is better than the two i dealt with, great cars, abysmal customer service.

My GF used to use one of them when her Punto was under warranty and didn't have any complaints , but there's at least two or three more nearby including one that's within walking distance from my office so I have plenty of choice.

The calculations are leaning quite heavily in favour of a Bravo at the mo even with just a three year warranty.

I had a sit in Kia earlier and if all you are after is a car as a form of transport it would be good but it is very soulless and I don't think I'd want to run one for 5 years. By contrast the Bravo has something about it that just clicks with me.

My second time today in the Ceed 1.6crdi LS. Whilst I am impressed by it, there's no way I would want to own one for a considerable length of time. Not as nice to sit in or drive as the competitors and the 41 mpg I got I consider absolutely shocking

I just hope your local FIAT dealer is better than the two i dealt with, great cars, abysmal customer service.

I feel for you dude, I know of your woes... but my fiat dealer is better than any of the skoda dealers I ever used luck of the draw I think!

And that new 1.6 deisel is a mint engine, 120bhp, good performance and £35 a year to tax! :eek: remember fiat sell their deisels to Ford and Vauxhall, they are that good.....

I feel for you dude, I know of your woes... but my fiat dealer is better than any of the skoda dealers I ever used luck of the draw I think!

And that new 1.6 deisel is a mint engine, 120bhp, good performance and £35 a year to tax! :eek: remember fiat sell their deisels to Ford and Vauxhall, they are that good.....

Yes , I've had some horrendous experiences with Skoda dealers.

There's bad ones for just about every brand.

It's been mentioned already, but if I was in the market for a decent cheap car to run that's pretty depreciation proof then it's another vote for the 118d from me £35 a year road tax, 55mpg+, 140 bhp and rwd seems quite a decent package in my mind

It's been mentioned already, but if I was in the market for a decent cheap car to run that's pretty depreciation proof then it's another vote for the 118d from me £35 a year road tax, 55mpg+, 140 bhp and rwd seems quite a decent package in my mind

I did have a look , and for a mid-spec one with a few options (cruise , climate , sunroof , metallic) it's going to be £19k!!!!

I have no doubt at all that it's a better car than the Bravo , but it's 50% more expensive and there's no way the residuals are that good on them.

Oh , and it's too small.

Even a basic 116d with no aircon is £16k

I did have a look , and for a mid-spec one with a few options (cruise , climate , sunroof , metallic) it's going to be £19k!!!!

I have no doubt at all that it's a better car than the Bravo , but it's 50% more expensive and there's no way the residuals are that good on them.

Oh , and it's too small.

Even a basic 116d with no aircon is £16k

Fair Do's.... at the end of the day only you know what the right combination of factors is for you.

I supose the reason BMW get away with such a high price for the 118d is for the reason I out lined above (badge aside!)

You've been on about the Brava for a while so it obviously ticks a number of boxes for you!!! Best of luck with the new purchase

I got SWMBO into a 118d to try (pointless attempt to shift the Tigra) she liked the car but could hardly turn the steering wheel at parking speeds. I thought she was just being a moan but when I tried it was by far the heaviest steering I've ever felt on a car fitted with power steering. It was ridiculous, I assume there was a fault. Put her off anyway.

Solid cars but overpriced.

Fiat currently are the manufacturer with the lowest average co2 emmisions as they dont do a 4x4 or people carrier in their range. There are a Few other manufacturers using the Fiat diesel engine in their new small cars ( Ford Ka !! ) .

?

Sedici = 4x4

Doblo = People carrier

Qubo = People carrier

Multipla = People carrier

All models available in the current range

Alfa (Fiat really) actually invented common rail (Well, productionised it as we know it). Fiat diesel engines are even used by Saab and Vauxhall applications.

BTW, have a look at the prices of Fiats on Motorpoint....

?

Sedici = 4x4

Doblo = People carrier

Qubo = People carrier

Multipla = People carrier

All models available in the current range

Alfa (Fiat really) actually invented common rail (Well, productionised it as we know it). Fiat diesel engines are even used by Saab and Vauxhall applications.

LOL Sorry but i cant see how you can compare those to the ' Real ' 4x4 ( range rover x5 etc ) & people carriers ( Galaxy,Picasso etc ).

?

Sedici = 4x4

Doblo = People carrier

Qubo = People carrier

Multipla = People carrier

All models available in the current range

Alfa (Fiat really) actually invented common rail (Well, productionised it as we know it). Fiat diesel engines are even used by Saab and Vauxhall applications.

The sedici may have 4x4 but it's only about Fabia sized and all three of the others are mid sized at best,

Most of them they sell are diesels so still do ok , plus the figures are based on the amount of cars sold of each model and these are ones they barely shift. As a result they'll be hugely outweighed by hordes of pandas and puntos

Just to bring this back on track , the deal is done and I shall soon be the owner of a shiny new Bravo.

The deal was just too good to ignore , I liked the car a lot and after 150k in octavias I fancied a change.

I have no doubt that it won't be as good as the Skoda in some respects but it's better in others and there's always something nice about a new car.

Pictures and a review will follow in due course.

The wife's Fabia is in for repair at the moment due to someone hitting it while parked at the supermarket. The courtesy car is a 58 plate Fiat panda. The car drives OK, but the brakes are really spongy and it doesn't feel as sturdy as the Skoda.

Only Fiat I ever fancied was the Strada estate .(except for the poor wiring on the fuel pump - theconnection kept falling off over bumps)

But on other hand -had a 500 (old style) once - real fun motoring (and lawn mower economy)

Only Fiat I ever fancied was the Strada estate .(except for the poor wiring on the fuel pump - theconnection kept falling off over bumps)

But on other hand -had a 500 (old style) once - real fun motoring (and lawn mower economy)

I'd love a new 500 , but they are just too small to run as a main car.

Hopefully we can get one to replace my GF's punto at some point

Dr Z

Another defector to Fiat pity the dealers arent as good as Skoda, as I will admit the cars aren't anywhere near as bad as they used to be.

I do agree with you that the 500 is not an everyday family car ( I cant get all the weekly shop in the boot, but it will go in SWMBO's Smart - how embarrasing).

Which Bravo did you get , the diesel ?

Dr Z

Another defector to Fiat pity the dealers arent as good as Skoda, as I will admit the cars aren't anywhere near as bad as they used to be.

I do agree with you that the 500 is not an everyday family car ( I cant get all the weekly shop in the boot, but it will go in SWMBO's Smart - how embarrasing).

Which Bravo did you get , the diesel ?

Yep , 1.6 ECO dynamic in a rather nice blue colour.

63mpg and £35 tax will help keep the costs down

Nice choice Alex...the Bravo's on my list of potential candidates for swap-time next year so I'll be interested in how the ownership experience works out...

Rob.

Nice choice Alex...the Bravo's on my list of potential candidates for swap-time next year so I'll be interested in how the ownership experience works out...

Rob.

Reputation would suggest it won't be as good as owning a Skoda , but after 13 trips to the dealer to fix noisy suspension and then a blown turbo I know that there's no guarantees whatever car you buy.

I'm basically after comfortable economical transport for three years and this looks like it will do the job nicely.

The deals that are on offer are great (4.5k off list price for a new car!) and I also got three years servicing for £350.

Al I have to do is basically keep it fueled and drive it and the lower purchase price means the loan will be paid off in full before the three years are up which is a big help.

I'm looking forward to having a play with the Blue&Me stereo when it arrives as well - all car stereos should have this sort of functionality now.

Look forward to seeing some pictures and reading your initial review on the car.

When do you collect?