Car Choice: Best small car value - Kia v Vauxhall

Gary Suley’s Hyundai Getz has stopped working and he has been offered £70 scrap. What are his options now?

(Vauxhall)

A Car for the Head

There are now an awful lot of scrappage schemes being offered by the manufacturers to encourage buyers into their showrooms. If Gary is after another small car then which manufacturer would offer the best value? Well, Vauxhall were the first to jump in and are offering £2,000 off a new car – although it isn’t always a simple as that. The £2,000 is a contribution to a finance deal, making a Vauxhall Corsa Limited Edition in the scheme £139.83 a month. Otherwise a straight £1,000 off a Vauxhall Viva, not under the scrappage scheme, makes it £8,765.

(Kia (Kia)

A Car for the Heart

Something rather similar in concept to an old Hyundai Getz would be a Kia Picanto. So that’s £2,000 off the model provided it is registered before the end of December. They start at £9,450, so £7,450 seems like excellent value. The trouble is, though, that Gary’s car isn’t a runner. There is nothing in the terms and conditions about this, so Gary needs to have a chat with the dealer. The upside of Picanto ownership is a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty and impressive 60mpg-plus fuel consumption. The Picanto One version has front electric windows and remote door locking.

If you would like James Ruppert to help with your car choice, email james@freecarmag.com. For more motoring views visit freecarmag.com