[mandragora]

My car died last week, it's valid under the scrappage scheme; I can get about for a while without one but need to replace it soon-ish. It's mostly going to be used for driving down country lanes to get to work; small is fine. Spend is up to £10k if necessary, what really matters most is value for money/reliabilty.

We hit the internet review sites and then the dealerships yesterday, and the shortlist is:

Suzuki Alto - looks like great value for money, practical but uninspiring
Mazda 2 - loved it, 2k more than the Suzuki, not too big for the lanes
Toyota Yaris - great spec at entry level - again, felt good to drive, more pricey - about 9k


and, finally - heart-strings rather than purse strings
Alfa Romeo Mito, turismo, 3 door - seems great price at
£9.4k, but there's a price difference of some 3k or so between it and the Suzuki

Didn't like the Citroens at all, ditto the Mitsubishi Colt. The Kia was ok, but I preferred the Suzuki at this price level.

[jenic]

Out of them i'd take the Mazda, more reliable than the alfa, nicer to drive than the yaris and shouldn't depreciate too badly either like the suzuki will.

[Tino]

I was recently looking at a used Golf for my dad, and realised that we could get a new 1.4 for £10250! Not sure however what the currrent deals are.

[moominy]

If you liked the mazda 2 then what about a new fiesta? they are the same chassis as the mazda with (imo) a nicer interior. Should be able to get the zetec for under 10k with the scrappage.
My mum has one and its very nice although on the 3-door the doors feel HUGE.

[Miss Chief]

I'd say Fiat 500 as they're cracking cars, but then you'll have to deal with a Fiat dealer.

new Fiesta is a lovely car, both inside and out and if you can get one at a good price it would probably be my choice.

[apolloa]

I got the top end Festa ZetecS on the scrappage scheme. As said, Mazda make the chassis, not sure who makes the engine but I don't think it's Ford. Anyway cracking little car. The Alfa is based on the Fiat Punto which I don't like, I was going to look at the Alfa before I found that out.
I won't argue that the Fiesta IMO has the best interior, really nice. But space in the back is tight if you are a tall person with a family and I think they are just about to be or have just been updated with new kit levels etc.

You could also look at the Ford Ka, bit smaller then the Fiesta but for your money you can get the Zetec model rather then the base model.

You can also look at the brand new base model Polo, the new Golf starts from 14k.

By the way, I'm guessing your 10K limit is plus the 2K you get of for the scrappage scheme? That means 12k which gives you a pretty big choice.
I would choose the Fiesta, for 12k I'd shop around and get a good deal but I'm biassed
Out of your choices, if you don't mind the interior, get the Mazda 2 1.5 3dr sport.
You can also get the Fiat 500 for your price range too.

[dejongj]

So you have a non-runner, you better make certain it stays taxed, insured and mot'd before taking delivery as otherwise you won't get any contribution :-)

In the under £10k I would probably be also looking at a VW Polo or a Vauxhall Corsa...Or even better the Mini First which comes in under £10k....

[DALG]

my vote would be for a fiat 500 tbh

Great, fun cars and currently resales are decent.

[FZR400RRSP]

The Mito's a cracking little car.
My mate bought one using scrappage, no problems with it at all.
Real head-turner and out of the ordinary.
Next to get my vote would be the new Fiesta.
The Mazda 2 is nice, but you can tell it's been built to be as light as possible.
Real tinny feel to it, which goes against the way small cars are going these days.
The Fiesta and Clio are extremely well built and refined cars.
Easily as refined as much more expensive cars were a just a couple of years ago.
The wife's new Fiesta is easily as quiet at 80mph as my BMW 3-series.
Quite amazing.

I wouldn't be seen dead driving a Mini or a Fiat 500.
I make no apology for thinking they're for women, no matter how good they are to drive.

[mandragora]

Thanks for all the ideas and advice guys - will pass on the comments about the Mito as a rebadged Punto - see what Himself says, but at the moment, he's smitten. My own car is well and truly dead - a 17 yr old Honda, head gasket gone, smoke and water everywhere, and me stranded miles from anywhere. It's taxed and Mot'd till may, if it needs to be, so scrappage is ideal for us.

If he changes his mind about the Mito, I think it'll be the Mazda, and again, your comments have been helpful to take everything into consideration.

In fact, we are now toying with seeing what we can do with the ancient Punto we keep on the road for our son - it's on its way out, and its tempting to see if we can get something cheap to replace it with - the Suzuki Z3 could be back in the frame (though I wouldn't want to be driving it anywhere..). Again, its taxed, Mot'd and vitually worthless, so ideal for scrappage. Anyone know of any internet retailers who would be interested in doing us a good deal on two cars under the scheme? Maybe that's tomorrow's project for OH who's on holiday at the moment.....

[FZR400RRSP]

Originally Posted by mandragora

Thanks for all the ideas and advice guys - will pass on the comments about the Mito as a rebadged Punto

As with many cars these days, it shares underpinnings with another car (namely the Punto, in this case).
But to say it's a "rebadged Punto" is lazy nonsense.

[mandragora]

Originally Posted by apolloa

IThe Alfa is based on the Fiat Punto which I don't like, I was going to look at the Alfa before I found that out.
I.

Originally Posted by FZR400RRSP

As with many cars these days, it shares underpinnings with another car (namely the Punto, in this case).
But to say it's a "rebadged Punto" is lazy nonsense.

Sorry - not an expert - will think more carefully before posting next time!

What's your view of the Mito, in that case? I loved the look of it - but did get a raw deal with the Punto we've had - I'd not want another limp car like that again. I thought Alpha's had improved recently - or is that just wishful thinking?

[apolloa]

In regard to the Mito, it too does have a nice interior and some nice options. I had a Fiat Uno once though and the electrics were atrociously unreliable in it. It's made a lasting impression really so I won't touch anything made by them. But that is my personal view based on an old car.
You do buy an Alfa with your heart first, so they say? I would also mention that the Ford dealer is about 12 miles from my house, when I looked I think the nearest Alfa dealer is about 30 miles.

But as I said the Mito is BASED on the Punto. Shares the chassis etc. And also as said a lot of manufacturers these day's share components, the next Focus for example has the same chassis as the Mazda 3 and the Volvo S40.

IMO the Mito will have a MUCH more interesting and better interior then the Mazda 2. It would be my choice out the two so long as Fiat don''t make the electrics haha.

[davidwatsonok]

Alfa Mito
Mini First
Fiat 500
Suzuki Swift
New Fiesta

[FZR400RRSP]

Originally Posted by mandragora

What's your view of the Mito, in that case? I loved the look of it - but did get a raw deal with the Punto we've had - I'd not want another limp car like that again. I thought Alpha's had improved recently - or is that just wishful thinking?

Love it.
But I would avoid the non-turbo petrol.
We test drove it first, it was a bit gutless.
We then tried the turbo-diesel and the 120bhp turbo-petrol.
My god, the 120bhp turbo-petrol is a fast little thing.
So much so that my mate's budget went out of the window and he bought that.
I say bought it, it's actually on Alfa's PCP.
He gave them his old Alfa 156 as scrappage, he then pays £210 a month for four years.
He then has the choice of handing it back, trading it in, or buying it off them for an pre-agreed amount.
Well built, well equipped, including 'blue and me' bluetooth phone function.
All working perfectly.

[un1eash]

Originally Posted by davidwatsonok

Alfa Mito
Mini First
Fiat 500
Suzuki Swift
New Fiesta

I'd go look at the Swift Sport, by far the best handling FWD car ive driven. You really need to push it to get the most out of it but its so much fun.

[moby125]

Check the warranties on the manufacturers as well.

Most have a 3 year/60,000 mile warranty, 3 year paintwork & surface warranty & 8-12 year anti corrosion, perforation warranty.

Hyundai have the best 5 year/unlimited mileage warranty, a 6-10 year anti perforation warranty and a one year road side assistance programme.

You might as well get as much, for your money as you can!!!

[dejongj]

Originally Posted by moby125

Check the warranties on the manufacturers as well.

Most have a 3 year/60,000 mile warranty, 3 year paintwork & surface warranty & 8-12 year anti corrosion, perforation warranty.

Hyundai have the best 5 year/unlimited mileage warranty, a 6-10 year anti perforation warranty and a one year road side assistance programme.

You might as well get as much, for your money as you can!!!

Question is whether you want a car or a warranty

[mandragora]

Decision's made. I'll give in to the Italian temptation - found one at a great price, dealership I can get to.

Today's challenge is finding the MOT certificate for the scrappage car - I know it's around here somewhere! (Not usually this disorganised, but hubby's been going through a course of radiotherapy, so the stuff that normally gets done, just hasn't been in the last couple of months - including the wretched filing)

[FZR400RRSP]

Originally Posted by mandragora

Decision's made. I'll give in to the Italian temptation - found one at a great price, dealership I can get to.

Today's challenge is finding the MOT certificate for the scrappage car - I know it's around here somewhere! (Not usually this disorganised, but hubby's been going through a course of radiotherapy, so the stuff that normally gets done, just hasn't been in the last couple of months - including the wretched filing)

You can obtain copy MOT certs easy enough.
Enjoy the Mito, fantastic little car.
I'm jealous, I so want to be an Alfa owner again...
Be a 159 for me though.

[mandragora]

Well, there was a bit of a wait while they built and delivered it, but we picked the new car up a couple of days ago - lovely!! Thanks to all for the help and advice. Now all I have to do is wait for the ice to melt so I can get out and drive it!!