Car Choice?

[Spyke]

Hi All!

Have started looking round at NEW CARS!
No rush (lots of saving to do , but what U think of these-

• Fiat Punto 1.2i Sporting
• Citroen Saxo 1.4i Furio
• Ford Ka 1.3 "Collection"

Just looking for thoughts...

[BMan1113VR]

not familiar with these cars at all (looks or specs) but from a few shots that i have seen on the web, i would go with the ford, it looks the sportiest


p.s. auto forum

[pete]

I don't know about this 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 business. They are very small engines, even by Australian standards, where we have always had many 4 cylinder options and 6 cylinder 2.5 to 3.0 has always been the norm over the years.

For economy you can't go past them but engines that small don't have nearly the life expectancy as larger ones even the larger 4 cyls. This can be important if you are buying a car a few years old.

For example, I have a Ford, Family sedan (Falcon) it's 13 years old and has done 240.000 kms and still runs beautifully without any sign of wear. There is no way on earth a small 4 cyl will last that long without a rebuild, let alone major work.

Couple this with the fact that sometimes it's quicker to run along side the car.................................lol  ;D

[Spyke]

Well, up here in the UK it's extortionately expensive to run cars everyday with that sort of engine size. We pay higher "road tax" for engines larger than  1.6l (?) and the price of fuel is ridiculous. I travel 24 miles to work and 24 miles back. In a 1.2 Nova that works out to about 6 gallons of petrol which costs

[pete]

All very valid and considerably important factors.

I'm just a larger car bloke..............lol. Even though I only have the Mrs and I now, (and we both have cars) I still have a family sedan. I used to have 6 kids at home at any one time, so I suppose it's what I'm used to.

Although a 2 ltre isn't considered large over here anyway. I suppose the size and distance between places here makes a difference, at least historically anyway, so the larger car thing is a bit inborn. Younger people do seem to be driving smaller these days.

With all the technical advancement in engines, they have the 4 cylinder ones going like the 6 cylinders used to, anyway.

Good luck in your search.  ;D

[pete]

Also try to get hold of some depreciation figures for these cars.

All the cars you suggest are more than likely extremely economical (the way the world is going for new cars) - most cars today are very reliable - so really I think depreciation is the most crucial LOGICAL factor.

This is of course aside from the 'emotional' factor - buying a car simply because you like the look of it  ;D

& make sure you do - you don't want to find yourself sitting at the traffic lights in your new lady - casting a wishful eye at one of the others  ;D

[BFMF]

[quote]& make sure you do - you don't want to find yourself sitting at the traffic lights in your new lady - casting a wishful eye at one of the others

[Craig.]

one of the main reasons i hate living in the UK and am waiting as long as possible to get a car. it would cost almost

[Spyke]

Hi again

Yep, I've bought. Thought I'd better let you know I went for the Punto Sporting in Metallic Scilla Red. I'm not gonna get all anally retentive about it but I tried the Furio and Punto back to back, and the Punto was a way better car, with more toys too!

I like it. I'm happy.

Thanks for your opinions though!

Oh, and yep, insurance is a killer for you "young people"! I sympathize