We were initially thinking of buying a Citigo Sport as a cheap second car runaround, however having looked at Fabias recently we're leaning that way (mainly for the bit of extra space given that we have a sprog on the way)

The main aim is to have a car that costs as little as possible to run, taking purchase price, MPG, tax and servicing costs into account. I also want something with a bit of visual appeal, so have narrowed the options down to a 1.2 12V Reaction (not to everyone's taste but I love the colour) or a 1.2 TSI 105 Monte Carlo.

Reaction...cheaper to buy (barely used are about £8k), but old engine

Monte Carlo...modern engine, looks great, but about £1k more for a very low mileage example

Tax is the same for both, whilst my heart says Monte Carlo, my head says Reaction as it will have a longer warranty, be cheaper to buy and may be cheaper in the long run (simpler engine, smaller tyres etc).

Any thoughts, particularly on MPG? It will mostly be used for short commutes, 99% of journeys will be under 20 miles.

Edited 7 May, 201412 yr by ukaskew

The TSI will return better mpg than the 1.2 12v but maybe not enough to offset the higher purchase price.

It's a great engine and is a lot more powerful than the 12v so will be better and smoother to drive.

Why not look at 1.2 TSI that are not 'Monte Carlos', ?

 or have a look and seen if there are any 'Monte Carlo Techs' with low mileages and possibly cheaper than a Monte Carlo that was much more expensive at purchase.

Why not look at 1.2 TSI that are not 'Monte Carlos', ?

 or have a look and seen if there are any 'Monte Carlo Techs' with low mileages and possibly cheaper than a Monte Carlo that was much more expensive at purchase.

My max budget is £9k, Techs are at least £11k used.

Main reason for a Monte or Reaction is simply down to a bit of visual interest, not often I get to spend this much so I may as well pick something I really like.

I only paid £11500 a year ago for a brand new one with 3 yrs free servicing, there must be room for haggling.

The Reactions were only about £9500 new as well, how far are you searching?

Test drive them both

The tsi 105 is a lovely engine, and goes alot better than the 12v does.

But the 12v isnt a bad engine. I like mine. Its not fast, but you dont have to rev it too much for the power its got, and its nice enough to drive. The engines been around for a while now, and pretty simple. so youd have thought any niggling problems would have been ironed out by now.

Mine regularly returns 48-50mpg on decent trips put.

There is a 63 reg 1.2 TSI Tech 105 ps in Black with 1,500 miles,  pretty near to me advertised at £9,999.

so in Scotland, & its on Autotrader. Private Seller.

There are some near £ 9,000 Asking but 11,000 mile ish.

 

Asking Prices are not what you have to pay for them.

Have you looked at the Roomster SE TSi 86 for £10k brand new that's a whole lot of car for the money - granted it's no looker, but for practicality they're fantastic.

You can get a fabia estate tsi86 SE for £9999 brand new too i think, if the offers still on

I have owned them both. I had the 1.2 HTP 70 for around 3 years and it's willing little engine but is not economical at 70 mph say on motorways. It is after all a 3 pot and as a result it's working it's nuts off at high speed thus killing the mpg.

 

On the other hand the 1.2 Tsi 105 is a completely different animal. A superb engine that will happily sit at 70 mph and return excellent economy.

 

As for your question, the mileage you do is important. As you say it will be used for only short journeys you will have to use a hell of a lot of petrol to get back the difference in purchase price and the HTP may well suit your needs better.

I have owned them both. I had the 1.2 HTP 70 for around 3 years and it's willing little engine but is not economical at 70 mph say on motorways. It is after all a 3 pot and as a result it's working it's nuts off at high speed thus killing the mpg.

Depends what year HTP. The 2010 onwards ones have a revised engine and different gear ratios.

My 2013 has got (on many occasions) an average of 50-53mpg while cruising at between 70-80mph on the motorway.

I used to drive a pre 2010 htp engine before i got mine, it was nowhere near as good on the motorway as mine is

We had both a 1.2 12V HTP 70 and a 1.2TSi DSG (Both SE's)

 

The HTP was a little more economical around town, both were pretty similar on a run out but the TSi was better on the motorway.

 

All in all the average mpg was pretty similar, the TSi is slightly better but I nothing that would sway any purchasing decision.

 

Lee

Depends what year HTP. The 2010 onwards ones have a revised engine and different gear ratios.

My 2013 has got (on many occasions) an average of 50-53mpg while cruising at between 70-80mph on the motorway.

I used to drive a pre 2010 htp engine before i got mine, it was nowhere near as good on the motorway as mine is

 

Yes I know what you mean. Mine was the original engine and while it wanted to go at 80 mph on the motorway the fuel consumption was woeful, as low as 35 mpg at speeds of 70 or just above. My comments were based on the op saying his option was  the "old engine"

I know what you mean mate. Its revving towards 4000rpm then isnt it. I always found cruising at 70mph max was when its happiest in the 2005 polo.

Mines happy cruising at 80mph all day long though, and will still return pretty decent mpg for a petrol.

I think hes referring to the 12v being part of the old range of engines, where as the tsi is a newer engine. Replacing the 1.4 and 1.6 on the previous generation.

He'll be getting the revised 12v in the new reaction, for £8k .

Edited 10 May, 201412 yr by Otaylor38

This is the MPG i got today 11/5/2014 doing a steady 60mph (1.2 TSI 105 monte)