Decisions Decisions - What Car To Purchase?

[Fanriffic]

I'm thinking of downsizing my car later this year due to the rising costs of running the car i.e. petrol, road tax & insurance etc.
I currently have a Ford Focus 1.6.

From my short list, they are all the latest models and 1.2 petrol engines.
I only do 5000 miles each year (average).

Vauxhall Corsa
Volkswagen Polo
Honda Jazz
Toyota Yaris
Mazda 2

I'm leaning towards the Polo. Is this a good option?

[Zacs-Master]

Assuming (always dangerous) you're talking new, you're facing the old Volkswagen dilemma. Expensive to buy and you'll probably get farfewer 'goodies' on a Polo than the others but good residuals when you trade it in. At the end of the day it depends what matters to you. Personally I'd take a test drive in them all.

[Hymie]

Better the devil you know – stick with what you’ve got.

At 5,000 miles per year your largest cost is likely to be depreciation – so if you really want cheap motoring, buy a good old car.

[Fanriffic]

Zacs: That's what I was thinking about the Polo. It has good residuals when selling in the future but you don't get much 'goodies' without paying extra.
My mate has a 2 year old Polo from new and said it was the best car he's bought.
I've driven both the Polo and the Mazda and both are comfy and nippy around town.

Hymie: I never thought of it like that in terms of paying out for a new car but only doing 5000 miles each year so it will be a large outlay in terms of cost against the car over the milage. Better the devil you know indeed.
I'm not a fan of second hand cars because you don't know how the car was treated by the previous owner. They may also be smokers (tobacco).
All my previous SHC have ended up costing me money to keep on the road.

I won't be changing until September/October so still plenty of time to decide.
I was just fishing for info.
You've got me thinking now Hymie - I may just keep my Ford for another year.
Thanks guys. No more replies necessary.
Fanriffic.

[Hopkirk]

The cheapest option is probably to keep the car you have got.

If you only do 5000 miles a year, the saving on fuel of a slightly more economical car won't be much.

[Fanriffic]

Thanks Hopkirk.
That's another point to consider.
My Focus is 6 years old and I would like a change but the answers so far all say keep the Focus.
I thought a 1.2 litre engine would use less fuel than a 1.6 litre.

[oneinam]

Most important factor is depreciation and the cost of changing. If yr Focus is reliable there is an impelling reason to keep it. If u just want a change, Yaris is very cheap motoring due to its reliabilty.

[tamborine]

Insurance on older cars can be less than on new cars. Check your insurance costs before you commit to a new car.

[Fanriffic]

Thanks for the extra comments guys.
Even my work mates are saying keep the Focus.
This is maybe what I'll end up doing in the end.

[pips1]

I have had a VW Polo, A Toyota Yaris and now a Mazda 2. All are good and I seriously didn't think I could better the Yaris but I love the Mazda 2 more and would not change back. Hope this helps (btw I only do about the same mileage as you).

[karenmac60]

Hyundai i10 is wee, nippy and gets loads of 'goodies' as standard. It's also one of the cheapest you can get new, is £30 a year tax, low insurance and economical to run. I love mine.

[MASS1961]

My 10 year old Focus 1.8 Diesel Estate is THE best car I have ever owned, had it 6 years now and it's now run in (136,000 miles) I plan to keep it running for another 10 if possible. Really smooth drive, 20,000 mpy. Reasonable mpg, reasonable insurance, and low tax. Only car I would change it for is another Focus, but not new, let someone else have any teething problems.

[paddywak]

I'm lucky in that I get a new car every three years through the motability scheme. I get my new one in six weeks time and it's going to be another Focus Diesel !.6 titanium Estate. I really rate the Focus this will be my forth though having said that the best car I've ever had was an old T reg i.6 Escort Estate I had it 10 years it did nearly 100k and I'd probably still have it if some pissed up arse hole hadn't written it off in a car park.

[JonnyBoy12]

I would suggest a Toyota Aygo as this can get about 68mpg. A good friend of mine has got one and it is the most economical car she has ever had.

[Fanriffic]

Wow - more great feedback. Thanks everyone.
pips1: The Mazda 2 is a great wee car, very good around town.
I can't compare with Yaris as I've yet to test drive but most people do say Mazda has a good reputation.

karenmac60: I'm not that keen on Hyundai cars. Don't like the shapes or the interiors. I was given a lift home in one and wasn't that impressed.
Mind you, that was about 3 years ago so they may have improved since then.

MASS1961 & paddywak: You're both clearly fans of the Ford Focus.
My insurance seems to go up every year yet the car is getting older.
It could be that old postcode lottery ripoff.
Don't get me wrong, I like my Focus but just feel like a change and want to cut my motoring costs.

You've all given me plenty to ponder over. Cheers good people of AB.
Rinky Dinky Doo.

[Fanriffic]

Sorry JonnyBoy12 - the Toyota Aygo is a no no.
It's to small and horrible shape.
I have my street cred to uphold.

You wouldn't survive a serious crash in that thing.

[JonnyBoy12]

Okay I understand. I was only trying to help. In that case I would suggest a VW Polo as that is the best car on your list of maybes.

[Fanriffic]

I wasn't having a go at you JonnyBoy12, I know you were trying to help. Very much appreciated. You do get very good MPG but it's a tight squeeze for the passengers. Not my style of car. Prefer the Yaris for size.
The Polo was originally my first choice until I started to look at the other cars on my short list.

I've now taken the Honda Jazz OFF the list.

It's still looking like I will now keep my Focus but if I do decide to change, it won't be until September. I've still to test drive the Corsa and Yaris.

Whatever I decide come September, I will post my final decision here to let all the helpful posters know my outcome. Not that anyone could give a flying funky monkey ;o)