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buying advice
Want a car that will make your driveway stand out? 4 real head-turners for under €15k
Family cars don’t have to be boring, you know.
THERE ARE SOME that stand out from the crowd.
They’re cars that maybe drive that little bit better or feature styling that is a break from the norm.
Sometimes these cars aren’t always a huge sales success initially. But just like the way The Shawshank Redemption struggled at the box office before going on to become a cult hit, these cars are on their way to being great buys – and maybe even future classics.
1. Citroen C4 Cactus
The chances are that you will either love or hate the Citroen C4 Cactus. There doesn’t seem to be any middle ground with its divisive styling.
It’s a compact crossover that goes up against established rivals like the Nissan Qashqai. Space inside isn’t quite as generous, but they’re good value for what you get. On the road, it drives well, but our advice would be to go for a petrol version, which feels a bit nippier.
There were numerous colour combos, and some worked better than others, so shop around for one you like.
2. Peugeot RCZ
Think of the Peugeot RCZ as a stylish alternative to the Audi TT, but without the premium brand price tag attached.
Some might scoff at the prospect of a Peugeot sports car, but the truth is that the RCZ was great to drive. It was well made too, built by Magna Steyr in Austria.
Most cars sold in Ireland had the 2.0-litre diesel engine, which had 163hp and delivered reasonable fuel economy but the 1.6-litre petrol was sweeter still, with 200hp.
3. Suzuki Ignis
The current generation Suzuki Ignis is more of a tall hatchback than a compact SUV, but either way it has loads of character. Add to that a good choice of bright colours, and you’ve got yourself a car that easily stands out in traffic.
Even though it has compact dimensions it feels roomy inside and being reasonably lightweight its 1.2-litre petrol engine gives it enough pep.
Buyers will do well with equipment, too. Good quality plastics for its price are helped by a colour touchscreen with good smartphone connectivity. Everything feels robust, and Suzuki has a decent track record for reliability.
4. Skoda Yeti
In many ways the Yeti was unconventional. Its boxy image and unusual headlight design (in the pre-facelift models) weren’t what you might call stunning. Function indeed overruled form in this car, and practicality was excellent.
Generous amounts of headroom and enough boot space for it to almost qualify as a van made it a much-loved car with owners. High ground clearance and the option of all-wheel drive versions makes it a great all-rounder.
If looking at a used automatic (DSG) do check that it has had the proper servicing carried out. The 1.6-litre diesel can be economical to run, but if you’re going to be loading up the boot or towing, go with the 2.0-litre diesel.
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