General What's the supermini equivalent of a Croma?

[Doofer]

We've had our Croma for 3.5 years now, and it's our only car. But we'll be looking for a second car next year.

The requirements are that it must have wheels and seats and be economical. That's about it really. I'm shocked looking at the prices though.

I've tried thinking of obscure (but decent) cars that might be a bargain, e.g. Daihatsu and Perodua (which are both pretty much Toyotas), but even the most basic little car with windy windows, tiny engine and steel wheels costs about the same as a Croma, and does about the same mpg.

It's starting to look like we might end up with two Cromas, but she want something smaller as she hates parking it.

We could go up a size (e.g. Focus-sized) if that helps.

Does anyone know what the small car equivalent of a Croma is? - i.e. a decent car that nobody's heard of that you can buy for toffee papers!

 

[dave]

Fiat idea

 

[Doofer]

Fiat idea

Wow - I like very much. That's one I hadn't looked at. It's literally like a mini-Croma. The driveway would look hilarious if we got the same colour as the Croma.

Cheers Dave.

Any more ideas very welcome.

 

[dave]

my daughter has an idea, when looking for a new car they was about half the price of a lesser specked punto of the same age, they take up the same parking area as a punto so easy to park.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

my daughter had an idea, when looking for a new car they was about half the price of a lesser specked punto of the same age, they take up the same parking area as a punto so easy to park.

I like them myself. Not sure why they never took off really. Nearly looked at getting a Dualogic one at one point.

 

[cjlar]

Had one. Lovely car, good handling and 90 bhp made it nice to drive. Suzuki SX4 not nearly as nice and not very economical.

 

[tarquin1867]

Had to help a family friend chose a car after her husband died. She had a list of requirements longer than you and we tried out most cars available Seat Altea was /is a great car. But she finally bought a Vaux Meriva and is thrilled to bits with it. The only thing she wished she had on it is parking sensors but she had some fitted from Halfords and she aint looked back. ----literally

 

[Radlet6]

Nissan Cube?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...dcars/model/cube/make/nissan/page/1?logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...dcars/model/cube/make/nissan/page/1?logcode=p

 

[Radlet6]

or if you want to go totally barking there is this

http://www.dcyeurope.autoweb1.co.uk/details.asp?cdID=9652964#top


My personal favourite is this: although not exactly a super mini.

http://www.dcyeurope.autoweb1.co.uk/details.asp?cdID=13386768#top

 

[Radlet6]

And let's not forget the Nissan Pao

http://www.algysautos.com/pao_homepage.html

 

[Doofer]

Now you're getting silly. I've already tried (and failed) to get her to like this...

http://www.renault.co.uk/cars/model/twizy/product.aspx

Looks fab to me, but not really practical or comfortable.

I think the Fiat Idea looks absolutely spot-on. Thanks for the input from all.

 

[Radlet6]

Seven grand for a car without doors and you think I'm silly?????

Hasn't this been done before? Now let me think, ah yes it's called a motorbike.

Seven grand will by you a second hand Fireblade. !!!!!

 

[Doofer]

Yes, but then we'd have to spend months riding round cones and passing a test.

I really like that Renault thing, especially the fact that you charge it up from your home power for a quid or so and never pay fuel duty. But you do have to lease the batteries, for £48 a month.

The doors are an optional extra, but you can't have a heater.

Mind made up, the Idea looks perfect. That will be our first real Fiat, after owning our Vauxhall Croma.

 

[Hellcat]

Too late to suggest the Panda if you want a really small car? It's quite similar in driving position to the Croma - you sit on it rather than in it. They also seem to be one of the best built Fiats for some time. On the road they're a fun car to drive. Very nippy, will U-turn on most roads.

 

[Doofer]

Cheers, I did look at the Panda but it's just too small to be of much use. It also seems to keep its value quite well. I'm looking for a decent car that nobody's heard of (like the Croma), and it looks like the Idea's just the thing.

This is an "over the next few months" project anyway. I'll wait for an auction and get a bargain like Dave's.