Well, I had hoped to be married and with my wife in the UK before getting a new Motability car, but it ain't gonna happen. So, I have short-listed the following cars - most of which have NIL advance payment on Motability... 1. Kia Cee'd 42.8 mpg The biggest car and probably the safest in an accident and I don't have to use all my government allowance to pay for it but fuel consumption is not as good 2. Fiat Qubo 68.9 mpg Diesel. Excellent fuel economy will carry a lot of stuff but a little underpowered. Has sliding rear passenger doors, questionable safety in an accident 3. NIssan Note 41.5 mpg Very big boot (trunk) and roomy inside, despite the small size but fuel consumption is the worst 4. Citroen C3 83.1 mpg Diesel. Amazing fuel economy but not much room in the back and fitting a child seat may be difficult. I would also have to pay an extra £295 for this car 5. Vauxhall Corsa 44.8 mpg I won't have to give up all my government allowance to pay for the car and has slightly better fuel consumption than Kia 6. Volkswagen Polo 48.7 mpg A good all-rounder 7. Ford Fiesta 42.8 mpg Same size as Polo and Corsa with no great advantages over them and worse fuel economy 8. Nissan Micra 52.3 mpg Good fuel economy but reviews of the Micra are not good My fiancée has once child and we hope to have a second, so which car would you choose? Any ideas on how my fiancée (4' 11" tall) would manage to drive the cars above?
It hasn't anything to do with flying the flag, italian pride and all that blarney, but just forward planning and coomon sense.... Presumably the car will be used mainly for shopping, school runs, short journeys.... So if a lot of stops and starts are in the equation, I personally reckon that the Fiat could be the best option. Fuel consumption is increased during short journeys dramatically, and Fiat is the only car that could still give you a good return as it is the most frugal of the lot. The safety issues arise mainly on long jouneys or motorway travel, which I think won't be much. As per driving it................ Size doesn't matter, as all car seats, regardless of brand, are fully adjustable for heights and legroom. As per the sliding doors at the back, I would regard this as a bonus, because of the kids angle, especially if you are planning on having another one. As a father I can only wish I had something like a sliding door when my sprogs were little, everything would have been much easier, getting them in and out, carrying bigger loads on the back seats, child's seats, pram tops, and the rest..........when babies are involved, one forgets to plan for how much stuff is really needed just to go out on a shopping trip to the supermarket........ Every time we went out it was an ordeal............. And I had a Volvo estate.........
Yes, I would certainly consider a Fiat Punto - just not available on the scheme at the moment as a new model is due to come out soon. If it is on the scheme by 19 March I will certainly consider it; had one 2003-2006. I only do about 3,500 miles per year though this could increase when my mahal is here! Truthfully, I think only the top three in my lists have enough internal space - the Nissan Note having (by far) the biggest boot with rear seats up and parcel shelf in place; the Fiat Qubo has (by far) largest boot with rear seats down or removed. Euro Ncap have not tested the Fiat Qubo but have tested the very similar Citreon Nemo but it only got three star safety rating - it also rolled over when Which? tested it, prompting the makers to fit stability control on all versions - that is a requirement now anyway to sell any car in the UK. I am not loyal to any brand - I currently have a Honda Jazz but the initial payment is a little high this time; the car had been reliable. I should add that I can only drive automatics and my licence conditions require that I have a left foot throttle - which Motability supply and fit for free! Motability is a great scheme, but I sometimes wonder if it would be cheaper to buy because of the low mileage - the leasing costs are exactly the same whether I do 3,500 miles/year or 20,000 miles/year!
All Fiat Puntos now have start/stop technology - saving fuel around town and the Punto automatics are quite frugal anyway. The only problem is that Punto automatics do not 'creep' on tick-over - which can be a great boon when parking, especially as I have the use of only one leg.
I spoke with my loved one to ask her opinion but she wants to leave the decision to me! Kia Cee'd it is - unless Fiat offer cracking deal of course!
I spoke with my loved one to ask her opinion but she wants to leave the decision to me! Kia Cee'd it is - unless Fiat offer cracking deal of course!
