Hey everyone, iv been broswing these forums lately and today, finally, i ventured my way down to Cardiff to look at buying a new car. A clue as to which ones can be seen in the title.
Anyway, im going to try and summarise so please feel free to comment.
Fiesta Zetec S
First impressions were that it was a fantastic looking car, nice alloys, big roof spoiler and side skirts (which are important when your 19). Dealer said they retail for about £13,000 new which i thought was exceptionally reasonable.
There was a 2nd hand one on the forecourt, 59 plate with 4,000 miles on the clock selling for £10,999. I took it out on a test drive and i was a little dissapointed, i thought the rear of the cabin was very small, also as a 6ft, a little on the chunky side male i was not 100% comfortable, seats were too hard, small and the driving position was not great. In terms of performance, it was ok, not particularly fast - nothing special. Also the steering was light - something which i am not a great fan of.
Pro's - Great looking car, cheap to purchase,
Con's - Small cabin, stiff ride, not great steering, will loose all value within 3/4 years.
Fiat Punto Abarth Essesse
I wasn't originally going to look at the punto, but thought why not. Walked into the showroom and it was a real head turner. Red with black alloys, absolutley stunning car. Got inside, and even better, i actually felt like a fighter pilot inside with all the switches. There wasn't one there to test drive so im going back on Tuesday to try one out.
Pro's - Amazing looking car inside and out,
Con's - Most expensive of all three, costs most to insure of all three, in three/four years i may look a little silly with stickers plastered all over the car (personal opinion).
Seat Ibiza Cupra
Walked into the showroom where there was not one on display, but there was one in their lockup which had already been bought by a customer (in the spec i want funnily enough). Great looking car, classier look than the punto. Unfortunatly dealer could not let me sit in it as keys were locked in the lockup where nobody was working today. He also said his area manager was coming down next week and he would ask him to source one for me to test drive within the next two weeks.
He also mentioned that there was a speed blue cupra within the country without the options that i want, which i could have within two weeks if i wished. The first figure he gave with 1/2 VAT was £16,300 - which is not a bad starting point
Pro's - Great looking car, fastest of all three, cheapest of all three to insure
Con's - Long waiting list, not as sporty looking as the punto
I think overall now its clear im going to be going for the Cupra. The only problem being that do i go for the car which is availible within two weeks and potentially be dissapointed with the spec, or do i wait till around April / May for a spec which is the one i want...
A long read i know, but somebody somewhere may find it interesting/handy
Anyway, im going to try and summarise so please feel free to comment.
Fiesta Zetec S
First impressions were that it was a fantastic looking car, nice alloys, big roof spoiler and side skirts (which are important when your 19). Dealer said they retail for about £13,000 new which i thought was exceptionally reasonable.
There was a 2nd hand one on the forecourt, 59 plate with 4,000 miles on the clock selling for £10,999. I took it out on a test drive and i was a little dissapointed, i thought the rear of the cabin was very small, also as a 6ft, a little on the chunky side male i was not 100% comfortable, seats were too hard, small and the driving position was not great. In terms of performance, it was ok, not particularly fast - nothing special. Also the steering was light - something which i am not a great fan of.
Pro's - Great looking car, cheap to purchase,
Con's - Small cabin, stiff ride, not great steering, will loose all value within 3/4 years.
Fiat Punto Abarth Essesse
I wasn't originally going to look at the punto, but thought why not. Walked into the showroom and it was a real head turner. Red with black alloys, absolutley stunning car. Got inside, and even better, i actually felt like a fighter pilot inside with all the switches. There wasn't one there to test drive so im going back on Tuesday to try one out.
Pro's - Amazing looking car inside and out,
Con's - Most expensive of all three, costs most to insure of all three, in three/four years i may look a little silly with stickers plastered all over the car (personal opinion).
Seat Ibiza Cupra
Walked into the showroom where there was not one on display, but there was one in their lockup which had already been bought by a customer (in the spec i want funnily enough). Great looking car, classier look than the punto. Unfortunatly dealer could not let me sit in it as keys were locked in the lockup where nobody was working today. He also said his area manager was coming down next week and he would ask him to source one for me to test drive within the next two weeks.
He also mentioned that there was a speed blue cupra within the country without the options that i want, which i could have within two weeks if i wished. The first figure he gave with 1/2 VAT was £16,300 - which is not a bad starting point
Pro's - Great looking car, fastest of all three, cheapest of all three to insure
Con's - Long waiting list, not as sporty looking as the punto
I think overall now its clear im going to be going for the Cupra. The only problem being that do i go for the car which is availible within two weeks and potentially be dissapointed with the spec, or do i wait till around April / May for a spec which is the one i want...
A long read i know, but somebody somewhere may find it interesting/handy