Best car out of these 3 hatchbacks?

[davidstone28]

All are the same / similar price.

Out of these 3, what do you think is the best car as a overall package (taking into account driving, reliability, and running costs)?

1)



2001V, 1.3SR, 3 Doors, Manual, Hatchback, Petrol, 70,000 miles, Metallic lagoon blue, 3 Owners. ABS, Air conditioning, Alloy wheels, Computer, Driver airbag, Electric mirrors, Electric windows, Head restraints, Folding rear seats, Immobiliser, Power assisted steering, Remote locking, Adjustable seats, Radio/CD, Adjustable steering column/wheel, Rear headrests, Full service history. Insurance Group:5,

2)



2001, 1.6 Lusso, Manual, 57,000 miles, 51 REG.Finished In Metallic Silver With Charcoal Interior, Comes Complete With Service History And Spare Keys, Usual Lusso Refinements Including Climate Control, Cruise Control, Traction Control, CD Player, Alloy Wheels And Full Electric Pack

3)



2003, 1.2SE, Manual, 48,000 miles, 2003 48000 miles Two pervious owners, ABS, Air conditioning, central locking, alarm, passenger, Drivers airbags, CD player, computer, MOT, road tax, just had a service and in good condition

[Shad]

If you live in a city and don't venture out much, I'd get the Yaris. Otherwise, the Alfa.

In fact if it was my money it would always go on the Alfa. Much larger and much more refined than the other two, but reliability can be an issue particularly with one that old. The Yaris is a lot of fun to drive and very nippy in town. The Alfa would be quite expensive to run too, in terms of insurance, servicing and parts.

The Micra is just pig ugly.

[schmunk]

You can't easily compare the Yaris and the 147 - the 147 is much bigger...

Don't get a Micra - it's just wrong

[capt_cornflake]

The Micra is a bit roomier than the Yaris. (I've got a Yaris and the Mrs has a Micra).

Given the difference in age and mileage for the same price I'd probably plump for the Micra (not keen on the alphas myself).

The only thing that might make a difference is the legroom when driving the Yaris. I'm not ridiculously tall (6'0") but I've always felt rather cramped when driving other cars. In the Yaris I can slide the drivers seat all the way back have plenty of legroom, and still fit someone in the back behind me.

My main sticking point with the Micra is the girly looks, but I assume if you've shortlisted it this doens't bother you too much?

[MSIC]

A Yaris vs a micra I can understand, but an Alfa Romeo (I thought i was a 146 rather than a 147 actually)...!
Not the same type of car at all, even if it is a similar price (really? what price?).

Clarkson and the Top Gear lot reckon that a true 'petrol head' (a car fan) needs to own an Alfa at some point in their life. I havent done it yet, but will do I hope. They are fun, stylish, and generally great to drive. They are also expensive to run (insurance, repairs, tyres, petrol etc etc) and generally break down more than japanese cars.

The Yaris on the other hand (i am discounting the micra as i think it's ugly) is almost the polar opposite. Not attractive, not wild, but cheap to own, cheap to run, reliable, and functional. To be fair, a friend owns one and likes his alot, but he hardly throws it into corners all the time.

So there you go.

Do you want a car to impress others and throw around, or do you want something that will defintely get you from a to be without hassle?

Edit: Just re-read, seen that the Yaris is a 1.3SR, which will of course be more fun. But the principal remains.

[behappier]

Definitely an odd mix of cars!

It depends on your needs and how much of a petrolhead you are. If not too keen on cars, go for the yaris, if quite keen go for the Alfa but fuel consumption will be high so will insurance costs and maintenance.

Avoid the Micra unless you're 70+

Out of interest, how did you come up with such a list ?

[davidstone28]

LOL, thanks for the comments.

I think they're all good cars in their own way. As to how I came up with the list, well, I was after something a bit more original than the likes of Focuses or Fiestas. I was intending to buy a 147 and saw five different cars, but all of them had varying issues of one sort or another which would have cost £££s to fix.

So I thought, well why not just buy a supermini type car that's reliable and reasonable to run in terms of cost but still vaguely fun at the same time and avoid the hassle of high maintenance costs or reliability issues. So I thought of the Yaris which has had good reviews.

Then I also remembered that I had driven a Micra 1.0 previously which was actually a pretty decent drive and you could bomb along at 90mph on the motorway without too much trouble if you wanted to. I quite like the looks as well - the styling is quite interesting - but to find one with air-con takes it significantly above the price of the others, so that will probably rule it out.

[Shad]

Stop buying with your head and start buying with your heart

And we all know there's only one car that fits that criteria...

[mycarsavw]

VW Polo, similar style, better build, bit more money.

[arbitor]

if i see anyone recomend a honda jazz il flip lol.

i reckon the yaris for pure smallness and cheapness, and the alfa if you do some longer journeys

[madmaca]

An Alfa?!

I hope you have deep pockets!

After the Alfa I owned completely ruined my dream of owning a proper Italian car, I would never buy anything Italian again....

But they do say you're not a proper petrol-head until you've owned one...

[directhex]

what do you want a car to do? what is your usage pattern likely to be? what's your buget (TCO, not just purchase price)?

[h4x3r920]

honistlly i dont like any. I like Audis but nissans are VERY reliable.