Car Hunter: Help! I need a small, stylish and spacious car for £7,000
Few are as funky as the Smart ForFour, which combines distinctive looks with a novel rear-engined layout and the sort of quality you'd expect from parent firm Mercedes.
Or how about the MINI hatchback? Ever since BMW reinvented the British icon two decades ago, it has set the small-car standard for eye-catching style and driver fun.
Taking a similarly retro-themed approach is the Fiat 500, which features cheeky looks and some of the lowest running costs in the business. For: Looks great, easy to drive, packed with equipment
Against: Cramped rear seats, weak engine and handling
Despite nearing its 20th birthday, the Fiat 500 still looks as fresh and trendy as ever, especially in Lounge trim that adds neat alloys and a range of funky colours. Only on the move does the car's age show, with its 1.2-litre engine being the most sluggish and least efficient here. The ride is also a little bouncy, and the light steering offers little feedback. Yet it's a doddle to drive in town. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below
Huge popularity when new means there's plenty of choice on the used car market, and £6,800 buys you a 21-plate Mild Hybrid Pop with just 35,000 miles on the clock. Advertisement - Article continues below
The style continues inside, where a full-width body-coloured dash insert and heavily cowled dials hark back to the original 500. The light-coloured trim materials and distinctive checked fabric on the seats make the 500 feels surprisingly luxurious. This is enhanced by a generous amount of kit, including touchscreen infotainment with Android Auto, a panoramic glass roof, air-con, cruise control and parking sensors. The 500's upright driving position is comfy, but the rear seats are cramped and are best suited to kids. Its 185-litre boot matches the Smart's, but there's less space with the back seats folded.
Used Fiat 500 deals For: Great fun to drive, punchy engine, refined
Against: Expensive, larger dimensions, least standard kit
The slightly bulbous third-generation MINI hatchback is the biggest car here, but it's still compact enough to make light work of crowded urban areas, plus it's packed with retro appeal.
It's the most engaging of these three to drive, and a range of responsive engines adds to the fun. Firm suspension results in a fidgety ride, but the refined MINI is the best choice for long trips. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below
Strong residuals mean you'll have a higher mileage at this price, but we found a 16-plate, diesel-powered Cooper with 70,000 miles for £6,000. Advertisement - Article continues below
Like its exterior, the MINI's cabin has been treated to some retro design touches, such as the large circular binnacle in the centre of the dash, some eyeball air vents and metal toggle switches. Quality is first rate, with soft-touch materials and a robust fit and finish giving the British machine a real upmarket feel. While the One is the entry-level model, you get air-con, electric windows and infotainment that features Bluetooth, DAB and USB connectivity. The low-slung driving position is great, but taller occupants will feel cramped in the back, and the three-door layout makes access tricky. But the 211-litre boot is the biggest here.
Used MINI hatchback deals For: Five doors, tight turning circle and low running costs
Against: Basic infotainment, not suited to long journeys
If you want head-turning kerb appeal, then the quirky Smart takes some beating. This is largely down to the trademark exposed Tridion safety cage, which is finished in a colour that contrasts with the rest of the car. Despite its rear-engined layout, the Smart ForFour isn't sporty to drive, but with its narrow body and tight turning circle of 8.65 metres, it's the most agile car around town.
It rides bumps well, while its 0.9-litre three-cylinder engine delivers decent urge and strong efficiency. For £5,600 you can bag a 15-plate 1.0-litre Passion with 44,000 miles.
The Smart is equally adventurous inside, where you'll find a distinctively designed dash and a bold, albeit possibly controversial, two-tone colour scheme. High-grade materials and solid build quality create an ambience that could generally be described as upmarket. The infotainment is fairly basic, but there's a neat smartphone cradle, plus air-conditioning and cruise control. A five-door layout boasts versatility, but while there's plenty of space up front, those in the back will feel a little hemmed in. At 185 litres, the ForFour's boot is on the small side, but the rear bench can be quickly folded flat to free up 975 litres of capacity. You can also fold the front passenger seat down to accommodate extra-long loads.
Used Smart ForFour deals
Now you can buy a car through our network of top dealers around the UK. Search for the latest deals…
Find a car with the experts Flawed hybrid car efficiency data to stifle UK EV sales and propagate pollution
Flawed hybrid car efficiency data to stifle UK EV sales and propagate pollution
Half a million extra PHEVs could reach UK roads by 2030 in place of cleaner EVs due to changes surrounding the ZEV Mandate New Ford Fiesta: latest details on supermini's potential return
New Ford Fiesta: latest details on supermini's potential return
The Ford Fiesta could be coming back as an electric car, and here's everything we know so far Kia is returning to its 'Keeping It Affordable' roots
Kia is returning to its 'Keeping It Affordable' roots
Mike Rutherford thinks new cars are simply too expensive, but some manufacturers are starting to do something about it
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Keir Starmer must fight for UK drug firms
The life sciences industry is among the brightest jewels in the British economy, generating £100billion a year and employing more than 300,000 people. At its heart is the development and manufacture of pharmaceuticals, notably by AstraZeneca, which spends vast sums on research and is worth £167billion. So, if this hugely successful company were to relocate to the US, it would be a disaster both for the London Stock Exchange and the wider economy. Worryingly, this is not out of the question. AstraZeneca already sells 40 per cent of its drugs to America and, following President Donald Trump 's tariff threat, is ramping up research and production there. While there are no immediate plans to desert the UK, chief executive Pascal Soriot is said to be 'flirting' with the idea. Mr Trump's latest demand that foreign drug companies cut prices to US customers or face penalties may be an added incentive. The Left has always been highly critical of 'Big Pharma', accusing it of profiteering on the backs of NHS patients. Under Jeremy Corbyn, Labour planned to create a state-owned drug manufacturer with the power to override the patents which enable firms to make profits from their research. Only last year, Sir Keir Starmer refused to help fund a new vaccine plant in Liverpool – while pouring public money into our ailing steel industry. This Government must understand that failing to nurture AstraZeneca, GSK and others would be a catastrophic mistake. And Sir Keir should realise that while they say they want to remain in the UK, they may yet change their mind. Car lenders off hook Banks and credit providers will have heaved a huge sigh of relief yesterday after the Supreme Court ruled they will not have to pay compensation to millions of motorists who bought cars on finance without being told the dealers were receiving commission on the loan. The Treasury was also delighted with the result. Had it gone the other way, damages could have been comparable to the PPI scandal, which destabilised the financial industry for more than a decade. The court decided that dealers did not have a duty to act solely for buyers and that commissions were not a form of bribery in the legal sense, as had been alleged. However, it was not a total exoneration. Court President Lord Reed also ruled that excessive commission payments were unfair and ordered one buyer who had been charged 25 per cent of the value of the car to be repaid with interest. This opens the way to further claims. Many brokers and dealers were paid behind-the-scenes commission by lenders to sign buyers up to car finance deals, a practice deemed 'unlawful' by the Court of Appeal in October last year - a decision that was successfully appealed by lenders at the Supreme Court The dealers and lenders have escaped their worst fears, but they do not come out well. They have certainly been guilty of sharp practices even if not illegal ones. The Competition and Markets Authority must now force them to clean up their act. OAPs feel the cold In September, Rachel Reeves promised she would 'put more money in pensioners' pockets'. What she didn't say is that she would take even more out. Research shows pensioner households are an average of £800 worse off after a year of Labour thanks to higher bills – mainly owing to the Chancellor's £40billion Budget tax raid. With more taxes coming down the track to fill Labour's ever-widening financial black hole, the cost of living is set to soar further. For all Ms Reeves' promises, the elderly are in for a bitter winter.
Auto Blog
an hour ago
- Auto Blog
The Forgotten Ferraris: 5 Models That Deserve More Love
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Looking for a lease on the new 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe? Find out the August lease special, including monthly payment, term length, and down payment for this popular SUV. A Ferrari is still a Ferrari (that is, unless it's a Mondial) When you think of Ferrari, chances are your mind jumps straight to icons like the F40, 250 GTO, LaFerrari, or even more modern fare like the SF90 Stradale, the 296GTB, and the new F80. While not all of the modern Ferraris are as iconic as the ones of old, they're still worthy road and track machines that command attention. But what about those lesser Ferraris that don't end up on teenage boys' walls or command high prices at auction? There are a handful of prancing horses that slip through the cracks—Ferraris that, despite their engineering excellence and distinctive character, remain underappreciated or overlooked. Here are five forgotten Ferraris that deserve far more love than they get—from collectors, enthusiasts, and the Ferrari faithful alike. 0:04 / 0:09 2025 Audi S3: 4 reasons to love it, 2 reasons to think twice Watch More Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (2004–2011) Engine: 5.7-liter V12 Power: 533 hp 0–60 mph: 4.0 seconds Top Speed: 199 mph At first glance, the 612 Scaglietti ('skal-yeti') doesn't scream Ferrari. Back when it was new, it didn't turn heads or grab headlines the way the 458 Italia did. The 612 Scaglietti is a big, understated 2+2 grand tourer with smooth, flowing lines that made it more elegant than aggressive. That design, penned by Pininfarina, didn't immediately resonate with traditionalists who wanted more muscular curves or mid-engine theater. Some viewed it as having too soft a look to be a hot performer, but they'd be wrong. The 612 was never meant to be a brash supercar because it was built for covering long distances in supreme comfort and style, with room for four. Under the hood sat a sonorous V12 derived from none other than the hyper-exclusive Enzo supercar, paired to either a six-speed manual or the F1-style automated manual transmission. In terms of practicality and performance, the 612 delivered in spades, and today it represents a surprisingly affordable gateway into V12 Ferrari ownership. Good versions sell for between $80,000 and $150,000, and the fact that you can have one for the price of a new BMW 7-Series is almost shocking. Its aluminum chassis, adaptive suspension, and usable rear seats make it a rare offering in Ferrari history—one that's aged with quiet dignity and whose appearance has held up quite well over time. It's time the 612 Scaglietti got its due as a refined and capable GT machine. Ferrari FF (2011–2016) Engine: 6.3-liter V12 Power: 651 hp 0–60 mph: 3.7 seconds Top Speed: 208 mph Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. The FF is what you'd call a 'family Ferrari'. That's right, the slinky all-wheel drive, four-passenger, hatchback shooting brake was touted as just that. The 'FF' name stood for 'Ferrari Four,' denoting its four-wheel drive. Ferraristi didn't know what to make of it because there had never been anything like it before (unless you consider the 1962 250 GT SWB Breadvan). The mere thought of putting your child in the back seat of a Ferrari was pretty radical, but the FF could do it with luxury and aplomb. Source: Amos Kwon The FF's V12 remains one of Ferrari's finest, delivering instant throttle response, an engine note from the automotive gods, and relentless acceleration. The innovative 4RM all-wheel-drive system was rear-biased and incredibly lightweight, preserving much of the classic V12 grand touring Ferrari driving feel while adding all-weather traction. Despite its polarizing styling and hefty price tag when new, the FF has developed a niche following. It's eminently practical as a daily driver thanks to its AWD and room. It offers practicality, exclusivity, and real-world versatility that few exotics can match. For those in the know, the FF is a modern classic in the making, and the average used price right now is just over $132,000. That's about $30,000 less than a new Maserati GranTurismo. That's a no-brainer, we say. Ferrari 456 GT/GTA (1992–2003) Engine: 5.5-liter V12 Power: 436 hp 0–60 mph: 5.1 seconds Top Speed: 186 mph The 456 GT marked Ferrari's return to the front-engine V12 grand touring formula after a break from that effort in the '80s. The long, sculpted hood, the eggcrate grille, and the flip-up headlights gave the 456 GT presence. Credit goes to Pietro Camardella at Pininfarina for giving the 456 GT an understated yet undeniably elegant look. Like its 360 Modena sibling, nothing about the styling of the 456 GT was overdone. With a sloping roofline that terminated into a lovely integrated decklid spoiler and capped off by quad round taillights and quad tailpipes that sang mellifluous V12 notes, the 456 GT was a gentleman's GT. At the time, it was one of the few Ferraris available with an automatic transmission, known as the 456 GTA, which made it appealing to a wider swath of customers. That said, the gated manual shifter is our choice. Despite the 456 GT's luxurious appointments, it was no slouch. The V12 engine delivered strong performance, and the car's dynamics were impressive for its size and layout. Today, the 456 remains one of the most affordable V12 Ferraris on the used market, with good examples going for about $72,000. It's a Ferrari classic that can be had for a little more than a Mercedes E-Class. Tough choice? Not really. Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina (2001) Engine: 5.5-liter V12 Power: 485 hp 0–60 mph: 4.4 seconds Top Speed: 186 mph If you love the 550 Maranello as much as we do, the Barchetta ratchets it up a notch. Built to commemorate Pininfarina's 70th anniversary, the 550 Barchetta (Italian for 'little boat') was a limited-run, open-top version of the iconic front-engined V12, rear-wheel drive Maranello. The 550 Barchetta embodied everything wonderful about the 550 hardtop but chopped off the roof, added roll-hoops at the cowls, and a manually removable and abbreviated fabric top meant only for light rain. Ferrari made a mere 448 units, which is part of the reason why you never see them. They also didn't get as much love as the F50 or the Enzo did. The Barchetta was like an Italian speedboat on wheels. It was a pure-looking and pure-driving Ferrari that came with a gated six-speed manual and minimal driver aids. This was a car designed for blasts down sunny Italian coasts listening to the sonorous V12 soundtrack. The heavily bolstered seats, the gated manual shifter, and the waterfall center console all contributed to a driving experience that elicited nothing but grins. While it's not nearly as affordable as some of the other Ferraris here, averaging about $480,000, it's a very reasonable price to pay for such stunning and powerful exclusivity. Ferrari Dino 308 GT4 (1973–1980) Engine: 3.0-liter V8 Power: 240 hp 0–60 mph: 6.4 seconds Top Speed: 155 mph The Dino 308 GT4 isn't nearly as prominent as the Dino 206 and Dino 246 GTs, but it stands out in Ferrari history as the first first mid-engine V8 production car, the first Ferrari badged as a 'Dino' (named for Enzo's son) before eventually wearing the Prancing Horse badge, and the only Ferrari designed by Bertone rather than Pininfarina during that period. The Bertone style stood out in the 308 GT4's straight-edge styling, which was more reminiscent of a Lotus Esprit than a Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona. Its angular, wedge-like styling wasn't universally loved, but the GT4's 2+2 layout, balanced handling, and high-revving V8 made it a rewarding driver's car. It offered Ferrari thrills in a more practical and attainable package. Not exactly beloved in the Ferrari collector world, the GT4 has begun to gain appreciation as enthusiasts seek more accessibility into vintage Ferrari ownership. With its racing DNA, daily usability, and unique place in Ferrari's history, the Dino 308 GT4 is pretty affordable, unlike other Ferraris from the same era. Examples sell for between $40,000 and $80,000. Final thoughts Each of these Ferrari models represents a unique chapter in Ferrari's history. They may not have the instant-name recognition of the Testarossa or F40, but they offer something equally important: individuality. Whether it's the grand touring prowess of the 612, the all-weather usability of the FF, or the nautical-themed 550 Barchetta, these forgotten Ferraris remind us that the brand's greatness isn't confined to just its most boisterous and head-turning models. Granted, not everyone can find (nor afford) the Barchetta, but that 456 GT might be calling your name. About the Author Amos Kwon View Profile
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Car finance judgement 'a hard pill to swallow'
A ruling by the UK's most senior judges later has closed down an opportunity for millions of motorists to claim compensation for motor finance Supreme Court decided not to uphold an earlier ruling which found that hidden commission payments to car dealers were the ruling left open the possibility of claims for compensation for large commissions that were BBC talked to two of the people who brought the case to the Supreme Court, plus a person who is planning to make a claim. 'A really big bag of salt' Marcus Johnson from Cwmbran, Torfaen, was one of the claimants in the landmark described the the outcome as "a bitter pill to swallow", although was awarded just over £1,650 on the grounds that his relationship with the lender was said he was "pleased for myself, but not for the hundreds of others" who will now miss out."It's weird," he said. "It's a win, but it's a really big bag of salt to go with it".He was 27 when he bought a blue Suzuki Swift in 2017, and did not know that the commission had been paid, although the lender said he had signed a after passing his driving test in June of that year he walked into a car dealership, and within an hour was driving away in a car he liked, "very excited".It wasn't until threes years later, when he had paid off the finance on the car, that he realised he still had almost the cash price of the car left to was then he decided to contact the three claimants won their test cases, it could have opened up lenders to compensation claims totalling about £ it stands, that bill could shrink to between £5bn and £13bn, according to accountancy and advice firm BDO. 'There's still meat on the bone' Andrew Wrench has been described as "a postman with a penchant for fast cars".He says that description "made me chuckle". The 61-year-old is ex-forces, and also held other positions before becoming a postman, but he is proud to have been described as "the Erin Brockovich of Stoke-on-Trent".He says he is pleased that Marcus was awarded compensation, and that there will be further claims arising from that judgement."There's still meat on the bone," he says, adding that he is glad he helped throw light on the subject, even though his own case was not successful."I just want people to be accountable, and I don't want them getting away with being deceitful and dishonest," he adds. "It all comes down to: honesty is the best policy."Andrew's lawyer, Kavon Hussain of Consumer Rights Solicitors, says that the judgement was "a mixed bag", but showed that the Supreme Court expected car dealers to "always be acting in their own interests" and people should not expect a good deal. 'I'm going to chase my claim' Although it has been a mixed result for the claimants in the case, some people are determined to pursue dealers were paid a bigger commission if they sold a higher interest rate on the were known as discretionary commission arrangements (DCAs) and were banned by regulators in Caffrey, from Blackburn, bought a car in 2009 after maternity leave. Her son was born with certain medical needs, and she wanted a car to get to work and multiple doctor appointments."I'm going to pursue my claim, but I do feel for the people it's put a stop to," she says. "They won't be compensated and I find that quite sad."Jemma feels she was "taken advantage of as a vulnerable new mum". She trusted the car dealership to give her the best deal it could, and paid a high interest rate for her blue Corsa, which she named "Colin". It was not until years later, having read about car finance in the local press, that she went to a law firm to bring a now intends to pursue it.
