Best City Car

[DRD]

Do folk have any views on vw up, fiat 500, aygo type cars please ? These very high mpg petrol 3 door city cars

Something like 5 yrs old, low mileage

Would sit alongside a v70 estate and vw california campervan.

Reliability, driving position and spares availability key for me

Thanks

 

[SteadyP]

I’ve had an UP GTI- lovely car driving through morning traffic and fairly economical still. I’d say the build quality is on par with bigger classes of car. Skoda do the CitiGo but have stopped production of new ones- I’d imagine they’re similar build quality and nearly identical. Have driven a Fiat on holiday and car share in an Aygo, both decent cars. FIAT still have that Fix It Again Tomorrow reputation, but they’re pretty decent compared to the cr**p they used to make. Speaking from lots of years experience in the motor trade in a past life- hope that helps, and good luck with your search

 

[DRD]

Thanks

I am probably going to dump my 40k mile 1994 sl500 to buy one.

It feels like a dinosaur now. Love the engineering integrity, build, design philosophy.. ..

But these wars, eco zealots, fuel outages ..... all challenge the viability of a 5l 32 valve car

I wonder at what point these big cube cars become traction engines. A mate with a 70s v8 vantage is having similar thoughts, though with a 6 figure price tag

 

[taz turbo]

VW UP! that Mrs taz turbo used to have had a horribly noisy gearbox, 3 cylinder engine without a dual mass flywheel is the apparent cause, a well know issue, but in VW’s opinion (similar to the horrific oil consumption) it’s actually fine

 

[SteadyP]

Maybe the flywheel was warped? I’ve seen it happen on cars less than a few years old. The GTI while still a 3 cylinder didn’t ever feel bouncy when ticking over and never any issues with the oil. Tbh, I got it as it was more of a hot hatch and I couldn’t believe how gutless the engine was on most of the other super mini options. Might be a compromise if your used to your Merc

 

[taz turbo]

Maybe the flywheel was warped? I’ve seen it happen on cars less than a few years old. The GTI while still a 3 cylinder didn’t ever feel bouncy when ticking over and never any issues with the oil. Tbh, I got it as it was more of a hot hatch and I couldn’t believe how gutless the engine was on most of the other super mini options. Might be a compromise if your used to your Merc

Here’s VW’s official stance on it….


Rattling noise from engine bay at idle vehicles fitted with 02S 5 speed manual gearbox (UK TPI) Release date: 05-Dec-2012 Technical product information Transaction No.: 2032109/1

Customer statement / workshop findings

Rattling noise from the engine bay area with the engine running at idle.

Technical background

Neutral gear rollover noise describes the condition whereby a rattling noise from the constant mesh gearing in the transmission is heard while the engine idles with the clutch engaged (pedal released).

It is caused by engine torsional vibration and is particularly prevalent on vehicles with a single mass flywheel and low idle speed requirements. The intensity of neutral gear rollover noise will increase with transmission temperature and / or an increase of torque loading, for example air conditioning or heated rear window activation.
The rollover noise is inherent to transmission design and will disappear when a gear is selected and the vehicle is driven. The noise is not detrimental to the transmission or engine components and does not constitute a manufacturing defect.

Production change

None.

Measure

When evaluating transmission complaints please draw on the statements above when assessing the complaint, remembering to account for engine refinement, gear selection ""feel""�, and clutch operation.

Warranty accounting instructions

Normal warranty guidelines apply.

Parts information

No parts information.

Customer information

Neutral gear rollover noise will not negatively affect the longevity or performance of the vehicle. It is concept related and does not constitute a manufacturing defect.



So, it’s not a manufacturing defect, just a poor design, when I say poor, maybe I should say cheap!

 

[Monkeyboypaul]

EV's are perfectly suited to city driving, nothing else comes close in terms of economy or convenience for low-to-mid speed stop/start driving, but I get the feeling it's not something you'd entertain due to price. Spares availability seems good, but zero faults with my Kia so far, and it's got a 7yr warranty so i don't care. Charging it overnight at home on reduced rates is pretty convenient too, £5 to charge fully 0-100% - range 220 (depths of winter) to >300 (summer) miles is plenty for my needs. Seem to be holding their value too. I appreciate this is not for everyone, I just know it works incredibly well for us. A test drive won't kill you

 

[SteadyP]

Like pins- best to try them all out before you decide, see what you like

 

[DRD]

I can see that electric cars are the long term future, or maybe hydrogen. When tesla did the original lotus Elise platform cars it was clear what was ahead

I don't trust the charging infrastructure now. I have friends with EVs and most suffer range anxiety and have nightmare tales.

I lived in South Africa when it was all powercuts, Strikes, protests, water outages ....

At times like that petrochemicals rule.

 

[Wayne J]

I had an Aygo as a hire car for a trip down to London (I know that's not the use you intend it for).
I'm not as tall as you, but didn't feel in the slightest bit cramped inside for me.
It trundled along happily at 50-60, but you knew you were doing 70 (or over )

 

[Monkeyboypaul]

I don't trust the charging infrastructure now.

Agreed it's not there yet, unless you do a little bit of forward planning perhaps. However, with a home charger and a guaranteed 220-300 miles available each and every morning I've never needed to use public charging infrastructure, but as an observer with a vested interest i can see it is rapidly advancing - just look at companies like Gridserve, Ionity, Osprey, FastNed, Instavolt and of course: Tesla. This is a transition, not a cliff-edge.

The commonality of fast charging tech onboard the vehicles isn't quite there yet either, but it's definitely advancing e.g the Kia eNiro can do ~75Kw, but the EV6 can do up to 350Kw - and that's only 1 generation of vehicles apart.

 

[russdx1]

Me and my gf call them rat cars lol, nice big saloon cars for me

 

[GezTheHealer]

I think the fiat 500’s have the most style and nicest interior. The diesel’s give very high mpg as well. I’ve ridden passenger in both but the up. Honda Jazz fits a pinball though..

 

[Deleted member 2463]

BMW M5* - it’s the perfect city car. 30MPG seats 5 and you clubs/shopping/pin tools in the boot, seats fold down so you can get a full ikea load. Parks it’s self in the hardest parking spots. tv/video entertainment in all seats so when the mrs is in picking curtains you can stay in the car and watch the F1. Also does long distances well.
*5 series also available in slower versions but just as great city car!

 

[AndyB]

I think the Fiat 500 may be too small inside for you @DRD A friend had one and it was a cool little car but very cramped for me, and you're a fair bit taller than I am

 

[M4carp]

Yaris 1.4 diesel is a pretty good little car, you can get 70/80 mpg if you really try but I used to thrash mine around and always had 50mpg.
Plenty of room for big blokes too and very reliable.

 

[Colywobbles]

Got the perfect car for you and on your list too!
best part is no need for MOT or tax for that matter and I’ve upgraded it too a 650cc so it goes a bit.

Ive not used it for a bit but its always turns over 1st time every time and she turns heads wherever she goes not that Ive used her since lockdown due to my other classic.

 

[Rob zombie]

I don't really get the 'city car' thing. Seems pretty pointless, just settling for a cramped little car that fits into the same space as a 7 seater SUV. If you want a cheap runabout that's super economical have a look for an old Audi A3 TDIe 60-80mpg, £30 road tax.