Bit of a weird one this...

I have to have a automatic for my daily. I can drive a manual a fair bit but after repeated use my knee plays up so only suitable for fun stuff and mucking about long term, not for commuting.

My old beamer was recently sold and now i need another car for work and usual running about. My wife has a 5 door mini countryman which is great for family stuff and running our little girls about.

I may have to drive long distances for work, so comfort and economy are important. But we all like a bit of power and a decent drive. i also like things a bit different.

So for me I've narrowed it down to these two very different options.

Alfa Guilietta 1.4t TCT 170bhp - it alfa red, has upgraded wheels and flappy gear paddles, was a cracking drive. 18k on the clock. 15 months old. - available this weekend.

A brand new mini coupe cooper SD auto. takes about 4 weeks to arrive - factory order. Really nicely kitted out. (I could go the the 1.6T also i guess which is 180bhp- same price almost)

The reason they are so different but compared, is that they work out the same payment monthly with the deposit i have. (baloon payment on the mini - but thats not for ages )

No sirocco in the list as 1. its about to be face-lifted. 2. no great new deals. 3. the interior is the same as the mk6 golf - banality! 4. I've had nothing but trouble with vw's post 2000 manufacture.

Otherwise would have loved one.

What are your thoughts?

I think id be happy with either..... but cant decide.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201307177868571/sort/default/usedcars/transmission/automatic/engine-size-cars/2l_to_2-5l/fuel-type/diesel/maximum-age/up_to_1_year_old/model/3_series/make/bmw/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/radius/1500/postcode/ip225sn/page/1?logcode=p

Mini for me don't like Alfa cars as they have such rubbish write ups.

Why go for a smaller car? If you're going to be racking up the miles how about an old Mercy diesel?

Or one of these, they are different :)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261283249637?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_sacat%3D0%26_from%3DR40%26_nkw%3D261283249637%26_rdc%3D1

Mini also, Alfa's are ugly

Or go for fabia/Octavia vrs

I know fabia has 180bhp unsure off Octavia,

I went and test drove a fabia and loved it!

I have to agree with GDBdub, Skoda's are often overlooked but for a workhorse I wouldn't choose much else!

Skoda second hand prices seem to suggest they are not overlooked. I have been looking at them for a while but nothing seems a good bet. Its either expensive or has 100k.

I wanted a new car as my experience over the last 10 years with high mileage cars is that while apparently they might "go on and on" is that every few months they need a shock or a boot or bushes or a cracked pipe replacing etc.

If i want a car to fix and tinker with I have my mk2, but my main car needs to just work.

I agree big cars are better mile munchers, but if its new its got to be a great finance deal and not boring, so thats why the mini and alfa are in the running.Always wanted and alfa. Mini's are great to drive.

Thanks for thoughts.

After 3 years with a giulietta do not get one ! If it Isn't a company car and it is your money your spending you will cry your self to sleep every night I'm telling you !!

Polo 1.4 GTi.

Its technically advanced, well built, auto only - as small fast autos go it will hold its value and you can't really be too concerned about needing to use its warranty when you're considering Italian!

Or be common and get a MINI like everyone else.. Alfa is a Fiat Punto isn't it? Or is that the Mito? Or is the Mito a 500/Ka?

Skoda are doing 0% finance on a lot of models at the moment, so you might get a deal on a Fabia/Octavia VRS.

Polo 1.4 GTi.

Its technically advanced, well built, auto only - as small fast autos go it will hold its value and you can't really be too concerned about needing to use its warranty when you're considering Italian!

Or be common and get a MINI like everyone else.. Alfa is a Fiat Punto isn't it? Or is that the Mito? Or is the Mito a 500/Ka?

mito is punto giullietta is a new platform and uttter utter utter utter shit !

its really not good and even worse with the 18" teledials