Hello all,
We're looking at replacing our Fiat 500 this time next year, perhaps sooner. It's been a great little car but we could do with something larger.
I very much like the look of the 500X, and will also look at the Nissan Juke and the Renault Captur. Are there any others that we should consider?
Cheers.
|
How's about a Citroen C4 Cactus? You and Zero can get a matching pair.
FIAT 500X is the same under the skin as a Jeep Renegade (I believe), so maybe consider that too.
Mazda CX-3?
|
I cannot recommend the Vauxhall Mokka which is a shame as it is a good looking small SUV and the engine is quite powerful at 130 BHP, but a bit course.
I currently drive the Tech Line with Winter Pack and it has a very good level of equipment including a proper 3 pin plug socket, heated front seats and steering wheel, electric windows all around, heated wing mirrors, proper climate control, built in Sat Nav, DAB radio and Bluetooth, automatic wipers and headlights all standard.
Unfortunately it has a few problems that can't be fixed...
The four wheel drive doesn't work sometimes.
The brakes still on and the dealer hasn't been able to do anything about it - I need to put my foot under the pedal and lift it up.
The highbeam assist function does not work and the dealer has failed to fix it over 3 years!
|
>> I cannot recommend the Vauxhall Mokka
Sorry to hear you've had trouble with your car. I had thought of the Mokka but a work colleague has one and has told me of a few problems (all different to yours!) that he has had with his, so that has put me off. Coupled with your experience, I think I'll steer well clear!
Alanovic - thanks for that, I'd not thought of the Cactus previously. The Renegade has been pooh-poohed though as Mrs B doesn't like the look of it. I'm also having a gander at a Mercedes A-Class, even though that's not strictly speaking an SUV.
Last edited by: Badwolf on Thu 28 Jan 16 at 15:46
|
>> having a gander at a Mercedes A-Class,
What about the GLA? Not a proper SUV granted but a nice looking car.
|
>> What about the GLA?
They are very nice looking cars, yes. But sadly a little trop cher for us. Good suggestion, though.
|
|
You say you want a bit more room, don't be fooled by the SUV bit and remember the small bit. In general they are no bigger than a supermini inside. You mentioned a Captur, my daughter has one, no bigger than the Clio it is based on inside and less room than my Yaris. Most I have had a brief look at remind me of a supermini (Fiesta) on stilts as the Ford Fusion was known and I doubt if the Ecosport is much different in size.
Last edited by: Old Navy on Thu 28 Jan 16 at 16:14
|
>>In general they are no bigger than a supermini inside.
That's good to know, ON. To be honest, we're only really after a slight improvement in interior space. Being able to carry three in the back, and having an extra couple of doors are our main wishes.
Interior space needs to be balanced with the overall size of the car. Mrs B isn't keen on 'big' cars.
Last edited by: Badwolf on Thu 28 Jan 16 at 16:17
|
>> Interior space needs to be balanced with the overall size ofthe car. Mrs B isn't keen on 'big' cars.
>>
In that case you might be better off with a Focus sized car, small SUVs are designed to look bigger than they are.
Last edited by: Old Navy on Thu 28 Jan 16 at 16:27
|
>> In that case you might be better off with a Focus sized car
Hmmm, you might be right. Pity, as I do like the look of a small SUV. They're just a bit different from your average small/mid-size car. Cheers for your input, ON.
|
|
Don't be a marketing or fashion victim. :-)
|
;-)
Ha! One thing I am most definitely not is a fashion victim! However, I have been described on more than one occasion, by more than one person as an ad-man's dream... :-)
|
|
Steve-next-door's son-inlaw has got a Suzuki SX4 S-cross. I haven't taken a very close look or been able to ask him about it yet, but it appears to be a well-proportioned vehicle. A 4WD version is available if you require it.
|
>> I very much like the look of the 500X,
I would be straight down to specsavers myself.
|
|
500x is OK looking actually. The 500L is hideous though.
|
>> 500x is OK looking actually.
www.fiat.co.uk/fiat500/500x-city-look
Seriously?
|
Don't mind the looks, but the online brochureware is appalling. No hint of how the 4WD works, or the automatic that appears to be compulsory if you want the 4WD. There's another form of drive (a jumble of letters) with no obvious way to find out what it is.
They've obviously spent a fortune on the website without making it useful. I conclude the car is a fashion accessory.
|
>> I conclude the car is a fashion accessory.
Great minds...
Form over function in the best possible way - Top Gear
www.topgear.com/car-reviews/fiat/500x
:)
|
>> I very much like the look of the 500X,
>> I would be straight down to specsavers myself.
Hired one last year for a couple of days - awful thing - couldn't pull the skin off a custard.
I was visiting a client who, couldn't quite contain his laughter when he say two blokes in suits decamp from it!
|
>> I very much like the look of the 500X, and will also look at the
>> Nissan Juke and the Renault Captur.
I had a juke on hire in Spain last year, put 1k km on it - Its a fantastic motor, refined, smooth, quiet, nippy, boot is a little small and awkward shaped tho.
|
>>I had a juke on hire in Spain last year, put 1k km on it - Its a fantastic motor, refined, smooth, quiet, nippy, boot is a little small and awkward shaped tho
The Juke is on the Ex's short list. She likes it because the rear lights are "cute".
When choosing a car, she is one of the - "I will have the pink one please" set. :-)
|
Suzuki Vitara can be a candidate.
|
Surely the Juke is the ugliest car on the market. My neighbour* has one. Very
restricted space in the back and rearwards vision none too good either. Seem popular though so what do I know.
*Neighbour has a collection of gnomes in his garden as well.
|
>> Surely the Juke is the ugliest car on the market.
I thought that, but in the right colour it does grown on you.
My neighbour* has one. Very
>>
>> restricted space in the back
A little yes,
>>and rearwards vision none too good either.
Its absolutely fine. Even driving one for the first time in Spain, it gave me not a moment of problems.
|
I have never driven one myself - going by what my neighbour says. Climbing into the back last week definitely cramped. Less room than my Golf which outwardly looks a lot smaller.
The looks are definitely challenging.
Last edited by: CGNorwich on Thu 28 Jan 16 at 18:14
|
If the 500X is anything like the 500L its awful - worst hire car I've had in a long time, and given the carp Europcar have given me recently that's quite an achievement
No idea about practicality but the juke was a nice drive
|
After a succession of MPVs and SUV, I would ask what exactly is it that you are looking for as they don't all do everything, if you know what I mean.
Is it the high seating position, is it flexibility of seats, is it the ease of getting in and out?
Of the ones that have been mentioned I would definitely go for Mokka or Juke - Juke is useless if you need a boot though (I once heard its usable boot space was smaller than a Micras?)
Loads of deals available on Mokkas (is that because they have issues) but whatever you get, don't get the 4WD version!
What about a Ford B-Max?? or Eco thing?
|
>> Surely the Juke is the ugliest car on the market. ....... Seem popular though
>> so what do I know.
They're popular despite their looks rather than because of them, I reckon. They can be had on very attractive lease deals, at about the same price as standard hatchbacks, so image-conscious people think: "Hmm, I'll have the SUV thing because it makes me look more like Victoria Beckham/one of the country set/whatever fantasy it is that drives people who live in flats in Reading to want an off-roady type vehicle."* I'd rather have a Nissan Pulsar if I were to get a Nissan of any kind.
*People are free to make their own choices, and I am free to mock them, as they are mine, Renault Lagunas and dodgy used SAAB gearboxes etc. I am not mocking Badwolf either, it's up to him what he gets and I have no real understanding of his needs and desires.
There, hope those caveats help.
Hope you find something you like and enjoy Badwolf. I'm half tempted with a Cactus myself because of the price they can be had at - a real bargain. However, I've heard from some sources that the seats are made out of cardboard, which puts me off a bit given that I'm in love with the fabulous seats in my shonky old SAAB. That would be a shame if it's true as Citroen should really be all about comfort.
|
|
If you're not worried over badges, is a Dacia or Skoda worth considering?
|
|
Good call. Skoda Yeti. I tried to talk my Mum in to buying one, she went for a FIAT 500L. :shrug:
|
|
Abominable in the snow though.
|
I've owned a few Fiats.The 1.2 Punto and the Punto diesel.
The 1.2 Punto petrol was the best economical and nice to drive.Citroen cactus looks the part,i have seen a few must be populair.
Spend about two hrs yesterday cleaning and hovering daughters Fiat Panda.I don't mind checking the car over once I am working on it.Exhaust still in good nick after five years and no rust.Engine is a strong little motor 1.2.Petrol.The car is good handling in snow must be the narrow tyres.
|
Small SUVs - Alanovich
