Super boring "what hatchback" thread

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

Ditto that. Seat's are good cars.

Except when they start frying ignition coils/coil packs and you end up treating them like consumables and getting them replaced on a regular basis.

My Ibiza had 3 ignition coils and I think I must have replaced them all at least twice at around £85/each. Its gearbox also started slipping and I ended up having to have it reconditioned (cheaper than a new gearbox). Also had an issue with the car constantly stalling in first gear and had to have some sensor on the clutch replaced. It eventually gave up the ghost when the timing chain started slipping which was effectively terminal. I got rid of it for £150 scrap.

[ladymuck]

Except when they start frying ignition coils/coil packs and you end up treating them like consumables and getting them replaced on a regular basis.

My Ibiza had 3 ignition coils and I think I must have replaced them all at least twice at around £85/each. Its gearbox also started slipping and I ended up having to have it reconditioned (cheaper than a new gearbox). Also had an issue with the car constantly stalling in first gear and had to have some sensor on the clutch replaced. It eventually gave up the ghost when the timing chain started slipping which was effectively terminal. I got rid of it for £150 scrap.

You must have been unlucky? Never had a problem with the two I had. A friend of mine has had one for donkey's years and they're trying to run it into the ground, with the plan that it will be scrapped when it fails its MOT on something serious. Damn thing sails through every MOT.

[sal]

Except when they start frying ignition coils/coil packs and you end up treating them like consumables and getting them replaced on a regular basis.

My Ibiza had 3 ignition coils and I think I must have replaced them all at least twice at around £85/each. Its gearbox also started slipping and I ended up having to have it reconditioned (cheaper than a new gearbox). Also had an issue with the car constantly stalling in first gear and had to have some sensor on the clutch replaced. It eventually gave up the ghost when the timing chain started slipping which was effectively terminal. I got rid of it for £150 scrap.

You must have had bad luck with a heap. Engine and Gearbox are 100% VW, same that go into Polo and Golf. The wheelbase is 90% Polo.

I have had 2000 Ibiza, 2003 Ibiza and 2007 Cordoba (Ibiza sedan). My Father is still happily driving the 2003 Ibiza. Zero issues with any of them, outside the normal wear and tear / servicing.

All in all Seat are a better option than Skoda, as they share the same VW parts, but the interior is of a much better quality in the Seats.

I have heard good things about Hyundai, but never owned or driven one. Not sure how they are on price nowadays. Like other Korean brands they started taking up market share by being cheap and crap and started improving the quality but also the prices.

[LondonManc]

My dad's got a Fiesta - same age as you're after - and it looks like a very nice car. Decent boot size too. The enemy currently has a Clio, which she's very happy with. We went looking at her potential next car (already knowing the Fiesta and Clio) and took a look at the Audi A1 and the Merc A-Class. The boot on the A1 is crap - you couldn't store a cat in it let alone swing one. Overall, the Merc A-Class is the winner - decent boot, nice car and seems ideal for what she wants. Obviously depends on your priorities and how high price features in the considerations.

[lukemg]

The standard answer to what car should I get is - which Golf do you like ?
You can't go wrong and will always be able to get money for it later (need to consider TCO, don't get distracted by initial price).

[vwdan]

Audi a1

Rented an A1 in Ibiza - lovely little car. I'm not a small car person at all, but I'd probably make an exception for that - really enjoyed driving it.

[sasguru]

If brand kudos are not important I'd get a Hyundai. Get a 1 year old on their Approved scheme and you have 4 years unlimited mileage warranty and roadside assistance. Essentially no more expenses (apart from petrol and tax) for those 4 years.
And Hyundais are typically fully loaded with all the gizmos, comfortable, safe and reliable.

Of the small Hyundais, the i10 is by far the best - feels like a much bigger car when driving it.

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

If brand kudos are not important I'd get a Hyundai. Get a 1 year old on their Approved scheme and you have 4 years unlimited mileage warranty and roadside assistance. Essentially no more expenses (apart from petrol and tax) for those 4 years.
And Hyundais are typically fully loaded with all the gizmos, comfortable, safe and reliable.

Of the small Hyundais, the i10 is by far the best - feels like a much bigger car when driving it.

And no VED for the first 2 years of ownership either. Just remember the roadside assistance might be a downgrade if you've already got cover for driving any car as the assistance plan doesn't cover that (but I think it covers anyone who is driving your car).

I have driven the i10 as a loaner car when mine was being serviced, must admit I didn't like it much. It being an automatic didn't help the feeling that I was driving a dodgem.

The Met police use Hyundai i30s too.

[ladymuck]

Saw a gorgeous A-Class AMG the other day. Sounded great. Possibly a bit OTT for a weekly trip to Sainsburys.

[SueEllen]

Saw a gorgeous A-Class AMG the other day. Sounded great. Possibly a bit OTT for a weekly trip to Sainsburys.

Especially as scrotes will scratch it.