I just wondered what you would recommend as a low maintenance reliable
small hatch?

I was thinking of something of a similar size to a Megane, Civic, Golf
size.

I have a 53 plate Megane at the moment and it is not an easy car to
maintain. To do something that should be relatively simple like
changing a headlight bulb is extremely difficult if not impossible.

The good thing about the Megane is that you can get one fully loaded
with all the bells and whistles for a fairly cheap price so it is good
value in that respect.

However besides the headlights as one example there are also a lot of
other issues and faults with the car such as water filling in the side
pocket, door rattles, electrical faults, starter problems etc etc.
It's a shame because it is a quite stylish car, well the 3 door is
anyway. If it wasn't for all the faults it would be great.

My next car though I'm am going to go for something that is easy to
maintain, reliable and good value so if anyone can recommend any
specific models or even just car manufacturers in general that make
reliable and easy to maintain cars that are good value and you can get
a good spec with I'd appreciate your advice.

I know that German washing machines and dish washers etc are pretty
good and well built such as Bosch, Siemens, Miele etc, is it the same
deal with Germans cars as well?

Thanks

John

PS. I don't suppose anyone knows when Top Gear will be back on the box
again?

John wrote:

Personally? In that case a Focus.

Rationally? A Corolla.

Pretty common these days that something so simple needs a trip to the
dealer.

Ditto Focus.

Not in my opinion. In particular, Volkswagen build quality seems to be at an
all time low.

Tonight. BBC2. 8pm.

Chris

--
Remove prejudice to reply.

"John" <uk (AT) nYg (DOT) com> wrote


Radio Times
Most national newspapers on Saturday and Sunday
www.bbc.co.uk
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Looking back a whole day in your newsreader.

HTH

cheers,
clive

John <uk (AT) nYg (DOT) com> wrote:

Something old, if you don't want the issues with taking it to dealers to
have simple bulb changes done.
--
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"John" <uk (AT) nYg (DOT) com> wrote

Go for the Golf, it will cost a bit more than a Focus, Astra etc. but
they're well made solid cars to drive, not that expensive to service and
hold their value well.

Me wrote:

One out of three is pretty poor!

Chris

--
Remove prejudice to reply.

"John" <uk (AT) nYg (DOT) com> wrote

Focus, Corolla, Leon.

Welcome to relatively modern cars.

The bad thing is that these bells and whistles stop working in due course.

Ta da.

The previous generation Focus won awards at being reliable. The Golf, long
considered to be one of the best for reliability, isn't and hasn't for at
least a decade now.

Think: Japanese for reliability. The Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic are
pretty much top of the class for reliability. As far as specification, that
depends on what you want or need.

No. Only the perception.

Tonight, BBC2 with footage of the Hamster's crash too.

--
The DervMan
www.dervman.com

John (uk (AT) nYg (DOT) com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

I thought you said you wanted a *SMALL* hatch?

Thanks for all the advice.

I think I would also have to give the Focus a miss too because
speaking to a few people who own one of them as well, the headlights
on them don't sound like they are much easier to change yourself and
have the same issues as the Megane.

I have always liked Seat's and I like the design of the Leon. Is it
Reliable and easy to maintain though? A few people here have been
saying that VW's are not as reliable as they used to be or as well
made and Seat is part of VAG now so....?

I am thinking I probably will have to go for Honda or Toyota next.

I wonder how long it will take for car manufacturers to get it into
their heads that we also want a good value, reliable, easy to maintain
well built car with a good spec? I'm not surprised a lot of car
manufacturers are up a creek with only one paddle at the moment in
Europe and especially America.

John

"John" <uk (AT) nYg (DOT) com> wrote

How often do you change the headlights anyway????

Fraser