The others are one the right tracks, for small, I'd look at Skoda Fabia, Toyota Yaris, Ford Fiasco or VW Polo (more expensive than the Fabia, but I prefer the trim inside). For the size up, I'd go for Toyota Corolla (the Auris is probably a bit new), Ford Focus or Skoda Octavia.

The Toyotas has a reputation for being bullet proof and relatively low maintenance. I'm happy with my new Verso.

The Skoda is basically VW running gear, so reliable, assembled in a land that makes them a bit cheaper.

The Fords are unspectacular and either run for years or cost a fortune... My last Mondeo needed a new GPS antenne every 18 months and I had to replace the rear brake callipers twice, because they kept seizing. But generally it was reliable, cost little in routine maintenance and was econimical (2.0L TDCi). With the improved economy (55-60mpg) and diesel being 12c a litre cheaper than petrol, it was very cheap for high mileage.

There's nowt wrong wit' o' bi' spice in yer life!!!

In all seriousness do try some of the recommended cars out at the local dealers, including the vRS. You want something that you'll get on with. My Golf GTI and I live in near-perfect harmony that can only be complete with a wench at my side.

+1. The vRS has the same 2.0 TFSi engine in the golf GTI but you could always go for the diesel version - not as much fun but still punchy.

Ford Focus EcoNetic - Well built, very economical, pretty reliable and not expensive to maintain.

Another +1 for a Skoda Octavia too - they are very good cars.

VW if your budget will make it that far - they are nowhere near as expensive to maintain as I had been told.

Another +1 for Skoda Octavia. Most of the taxis around here are Skoda Octavia's and they are nice cars to be in.

Wolfie's rather emphatic, but you can forgive him given he has a V GTI. They are rather lovely. He makes a very good point about the vRS (I should know, I have the old model) but they most certainly are not cheap to run. Don't get me wrong, mine's built like a tank and just saw 146k this week since 2002 (I'm the third owner), but the extra big brakes and sports suspension etc, mean bigger bills for consumables.

However, the Octavia is, I believe, where you wanna be in a medium size. Forget the VW thing, they aren't what they used to be. Warranty numbers show the Czech built items are more reliable than both VW AND Audi. That's why the 5-0 use them and there are tons of taxis.

The MK1 runs til about 2004 and will cost you £5000 tops for a well specced DERV. I wouldn't buy an early MK2, because they had a few issues which were ironed out by around 2007. Specs run: Ambiente, Comfort, Elegance, vRS, Lauren & Klement (L&K is rare and has full heated leather). The MK1 in a 2004 will be a 130ps 1.9 unit which is punchy and economical, although the earlier 110 has arguably less to go wrong on it, but you've said don't won't anything older.

I wouldn't buy a Golf unless it was the GTI. The V has been plagued by niggles, especially on earlier ones and whilst they drive very, very well, that's not a priority for you.

Going smaller, I still say Fiesta, or possibly the Yaris. The Fabia is a great car, but not quite as well put together as the Octavia. That said, depends what you find. They come in 1.4 TDIs with approx 75ps (it was revised at various points) which is a 3 pot unit that is very economical, but a little bit slow for motorway driving IMO. The rarer 4 pot 1.9 100ps unit is the same as the Octy/Golf/Leon lump, just with a lower output. Punchy, but still economical it's well worth seeking out.

I keep thinking of one of those toyotas that taxi drivers have. Avensis I think. Dull, but a comfortable, reliable, cheap a to b machine.

It's an edition 30 so a little more powerful. Plus remapped so making around 270ish bhp.


Wasn't aware of this. I know of a few vRS owners who love their car and given they have the same TFSi engine, make similar power. I'd imagine the diesel version would have been similar but obviously oblivious to the downfalls.


I know the turboed diesels have had problems with turbos failing but didn't know if they've had other issues. A lot of the solid quality has been shifted from VW to Audi to maintain the perception of Audi being high quality.

Heather, get a Rover 75, or a SAAB.

Mark

Rover 75s are a nice place to sit while you wait for the AA.

SAABs are just Vauxhalls with a face lift these days.

Both too big. I have been tempted by the MG version of the 75, though. The one with the V8...

I wish there was an option not to have so much electronic gubbins in a car. It seems to be the part that gives out first in many cases. At least with a car from the 1960s or 1970s you could mend it on your driveway. The Haynes manual for the Vectra basically has "refer to a Vauxhall dealer" under every entry.

Oh look, someone doing a spot of Rover bashing. How quaint. (8+p

Mark

Nope, just scrap bashing. With good reason.

Yeah, it's almost de rigueur to hear such comments whenever Rover is mentioned in a car thread.

Mark

Which is a pity. While it wasn't actually a Rover, I owned a Metro for some years. Sold it to my boss's wife. Horribly reliable little motor - because it didn't have any electronics in it.