Or maybe I'm being too picky

 

so I'm considering moving on from my Octy vRS Blackline estate

 

with the kids getting a bit bigger we don't need such a big car, so I'm considering something small and sporty/fun

currently my restrictions are

 

- it still has to have 4/5 seats because the kids or other people will need to be included from time to time. 5dr is not important as they are big enough to climb into their seats.

- I don't want anything older than my current car (Jan 2013, 62 reg), but the newer the better.

- I don't want to spend too much in my "cost to change" so the budget is probably 13k, but the lower the better.

 

Should I be thinking about anything else other than an almost brand new (or maybe even new) Suzuki Swift Sport - or an older Fiesta ST ?

a late Fabia Mk2 would just fit into the age restriction, but is it a good idea ? There aren't many around.

Edited 13 May, 201610 yr by Wet Kipper

If I were in your position think I would be going down to my nearest Suzuki dealers. The idea of a modern interpretation of a 205 Gti is very appealing. :sun:  

Kia Ceed GT? About the price mark with 201hp from a 1.6 turbo and still very practical.

A Swift is very tempting. There's a new version coming which I expect should lower the price of the current one

One local dealer has some delivery mileage examples with 1.5k off the list price on their website - though suspiciously these are not coming up on autotrader any more when they were yesterday.

Edited 13 May, 201610 yr by Wet Kipper

Kia Ceed GT? About the price mark with 201hp from a 1.6 turbo and still very practical.

The Ceed GT is dull IMO..the specs look good but having done a few hundred miles in one it wasn't anything to write home about.

Edited 13 May, 201610 yr by chris_1d

Thanks. We're considering one ourselves but they're so rare I've not been able to get a drive in one yet.

Current shape Fiesta ST would be very high on my list, with that list of requirements.

Sporty fun small hatch.

 

The current Fiesta ST is the best of the current crop.

 

Couldn't buy it myself due to the lack of 5 doors but by far the best to drive. 

 

Lee

That's the thing.

Swift can be nearly new, and 5 doors possible.

Fiesta would be older, and only 2 doors but probably the better car

One thing holding me back from the ST is that the kids may be big enough to climb in, in the back of my head there would always be a worry that they couldn't get out easily in an emergency

Have you been out for a test drive in either, a proper scoot aboot.?

 

The Suzuki is a revelation and just all round a good car to use to own.

5 door hatch that will run trouble free for years.  Inexpensive to service at Dealerships that care.

Worth grabbing a bargain now while you can, 

or even see what the next version is and still grab a bargain of the present ones.

Have you been out for a test drive in either, a proper scoot aboot.?

 

The Suzuki is a revelation and just all round a good car to use to own.

5 door hatch that will run trouble free for years.  Inexpensive to service at Dealerships that care.

Worth grabbing a bargain now while you can, 

or even see what the next version is and still grab a bargain of the present ones.

Think they're going to bolt a turbo onto the next one?

There is a lot to be said for KISS.

 

Like many Road Testers are now saying, Analogue is good in a Digital World.

 ie Avoid Electric Hand Brakes and the likes.

 

The current model might be the Suzuki Swift sweet Spot after years of manufacturing, 

but the next model could be a real cracker, time will tell.

 

You can always buy New Launch Models after 6 months from Launch once you know if they are as good as the hype says.

 

 

This would be special, but not 'Cheap'.

Edited 14 May, 201610 yr by GoneOffSKi

The idea of an ST has been officially shot down in flames.

SWMBO has the same worry about the kids, and says she does not want them strapped in the back of a 3 door car.

 

Am a bit surprised there's been no-one suggesting a late Fabia mk2 vRS (when did they stop ?), or the equivalent in a SEAT.

You can get a late model Mk2 Fabia vRS cheaply, 

even one registered in 2015.

 

There is a reason nobody is suggesting one, the buyer beware can of worms.

They are brilliant, roomy, come as an estate and a 5 year old car can be bought for £5,000, 

a 2 year old for £10,000.

 

Best look through the Fabia Mk2 Section.

You will get a CTHE Engine Car from 2013 on that would be perfect.    Buyer Beware,  but a replacement engine should not put you off.

 

A Seat Ibiza Cupra 2013-2015 has the 1.4 TSI CTHE Engine 3 door,

or you can get a VW Polo GTI 2013-2015 3 or 5 door.,

even a Audi A1 1.4 tfsi 185ps 3 or 5 Door all with the same engine and gearbox.

 

a cracker is a Seat Ibiza FR 1.4 tsi 150ps if you find one.

Edited 16 May, 201610 yr by GoneOffSKi

PS

You can get a 65 Plate Mk3 Fabia Monte Carlo 1.2 TSI 110ps DSG for under £13,000 (5 door.)

(Tuning box fitted and that is 130ps, and no remap required.)

Edited 16 May, 201610 yr by GoneOffSKi

I really need to give a Swift Sport a test drive - it seems to be the sensible choice for my needs - I'm only going to be doing 3,500 to 4,000 miles per year so don't want to spend too much. I know it's not exactly rapid but 134bhp in a car that weighs 1045kgs should be adequate - my Lupo GTi had 123bhp and weighed 995kgs (although on paper a quicker car than the Swift - 0.5s faster 0-62mph and an extra 6mph top end - obviously in the real world 0.5s is nothing and top end is irrelevant unless you're an idiot or on a track). My main reservation is that although I like the Swift interior I may wish for something slightly more 'premium' e.g. Cooper S.

2 Briskoda members just recently have been trying to sell 64 Plate Mk2 Fabia Monte Carlos and are getting offered ridiculously low trade ins for beautifully kept cars.

Maybe worth checking out the For Sales, i have not recently, there good be a good deal there for someone.

Edited 9 October, 20169 yr by Offski

2 horse race - has to be a Citroen 2CV  

Right - I've discounted the Swift - I like a bit of low-down power so not for me. However, no idea where I'm heading next...

 

I'm pretty busy between now and Christmas so putting off new car decision until January. There's a nice Edition 30 Golf for sale on Autotrader though and the guy seems to be advertising it considerably cheaper on SVAG...

in the end I didn;'t have to make the decision - my wife downsized her car first, so I've kept my vRS

However I was interested to see news of Ford putting 5 doors on the Fiesta ST soon.