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Help me pick between Lupo or same era Yaris or Mini?


NotAParrot
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Good afternoon, I'm a new member and it's great to be here! Before I start, I should say that I have always liked the Lupo since I was a child, because it's small and stylish.

So anyway... I've had my license for a few years now but haven't owned a car yet due to insurance costs and since I live near good transport. I've been delaying it but am now preparing to finally get one sometime within the next year I hope.

I would like a car which is cheap to buy and run but also has a sense of style. The Mk1 Focus comes to mind (I actually did my lessons in one) and it has a solid reputation... however, I decided that I'd rather have a smaller, cuter car, hence why I'm looking at Lupo! But I also really like Mk1 Yaris and 1st gen MINI One/Cooper, both of which are also cute with good reputations.

I know asking here may be a little biased, so I'd appreciate if anyone could give fair and neutral opinions between these three. Any particular pros/cons between them? Thank you for reading!

FYI, I also considered a Ford Puma of that time but seeing it being insurance group 20-something held me back.  

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I have owned every version of Lupo bar the GTI, I also own a Mini Cooper r50 and have experience of a family members Mini Convertible. For costs and reliability the Lupo TDI wins every time, however driving, and style its not as good as the Cooper, the soft top is best avoided, heavy cramped in the rear and poor visibility. If your budget is tight get a Loop or an Arosa. 

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On 3/6/2021 at 5:33 PM, ObjectiveAway said:

I dont know anyhing about yaris, būt cooper has way more expensive maintaince parts than lupo.

lupo is very simple and cheap if you can repair your car yourself.

 

Thank you.

On 3/6/2021 at 6:25 PM, mk2 said:

Between Yaris and Mini same age ---> Yaris every time.

Buy a Lupo with £30 tax.

Why Yaris over Mini?

Also wow I had to double check and I'm impressed there's a Lupo type with just £30 tax. That's a fraction of others (Yaris also has a diesel £30).

7 hours ago, weslangdon said:

I have owned every version of Lupo bar the GTI, I also own a Mini Cooper r50 and have experience of a family members Mini Convertible. For costs and reliability the Lupo TDI wins every time, however driving, and style its not as good as the Cooper, the soft top is best avoided, heavy cramped in the rear and poor visibility. If your budget is tight get a Loop or an Arosa. 

Thank you. Yes it does seem that Lupo except the GTI is in lower insurance groups, though does Mini also have higher repair costs? I guess what I'm trying to say is that the Mini is pricier but it's surely not too much to eat my modest wallet?

Also you do you know anyhing about the Puma, 1.4? Higher insurance group but road tax is about same as petrol Lupo.

Edited by NotAParrot
Ford
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The Mini sold and continues to sell well, there are lots of sources for spares and a huge number being broken, so not expensive to fix, a clutch replacement is quite a big job though, gear box out, so a minimum of £500 and they don't last very long, just done that on mine. Seats wear and don't last or clean up like a VW one will, the interior is stylish but the quality is indifferent so they cant hide the mileage in the way most VAG vehicles can. If you are thinking of a Mini, study the form I mean the extras, there are so many you won't find two vehicles the same, leather is very desirable as is the sun roof and air con but they came at a price. The 1st gen Mini diesel is well regarded as it should be with a Toyota engine fitted, worth a look. 

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2 hours ago, weslangdon said:

The Mini sold and continues to sell well, there are lots of sources for spares and a huge number being broken, so not expensive to fix, a clutch replacement is quite a big job though, gear box out, so a minimum of £500 and they don't last very long, just done that on mine. Seats wear and don't last or clean up like a VW one will, the interior is stylish but the quality is indifferent so they cant hide the mileage in the way most VAG vehicles can. If you are thinking of a Mini, study the form I mean the extras, there are so many you won't find two vehicles the same, leather is very desirable as is the sun roof and air con but they came at a price. The 1st gen Mini diesel is well regarded as it should be with a Toyota engine fitted, worth a look. 

That's useful advice. So it seems there's many sources for parts/repair due to popularity (that is a valid point), but certain work could be pricey. And I'm glad you mentioned the diesel; I looked into it yesterday, it provides good mpg with lower insurance/tax than standard 1.6 petrols. It having a Toyota engine makes me trust it more speaking of reliability. The Lupo also has the efficient 1.7 diesel as does Yaris with a 1.4. According to my average calculations, I may be spending £300 more a year with a petrol Mini or Puma vs. a diesel Lupo or Yaris. Diesel Mini is cheaper but still more than Lupo/Yaris.

So, Lupo beats Mini in interior quality and running costs, while Mini probably wins the style. I know Lupos weren't ever so common over here, are parts easy to find for them? Or rather, what would be a likely big maintenance job for Lupo that could cost much like clutch replacement on Mini?

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On the 1.4 tdi diesel gearbox problems around the 3rd gear synchro's, quite common and you are looking at £500 for a rebuild, down to driving style really. The other models suffer from pedal box failures and again gearbox problems that start with the loss of 5th gear. That though is just them being crap gear boxes. The tdi and the GTI have hydraulic clutches so don't have pedal box failures. Mini gear boxes also problematic but were changed after 2004 to stronger units.

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If you want cheap to maintain I would say lupo, aygo mk1, 107 or C1.

The aygo, C1 and 107 are £20 Road tax and they don't drive so bad .... also faster and quieter than the Lupo 1.0

Lupo has character though and I wouldn't have a mini given me. Try getting someone to change a clutch or sort out the gearbox when it starts thinking it's a cabbage lol

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On 3/9/2021 at 11:28 PM, Chonpy_snake said:

If you want cheap to maintain I would say lupo, aygo mk1, 107 or C1.

The aygo, C1 and 107 are £20 Road tax and they don't drive so bad .... also faster and quieter than the Lupo 1.0

Lupo has character though and I wouldn't have a mini given me. Try getting someone to change a clutch or sort out the gearbox when it starts thinking it's a cabbage lol

The Aygo/107/C1 is great and cheap yes, but like you say Lupo has more character and to me personally that's a critical criteria. Hence why I want that or a Mini or Puma. £20 tax is a steal admittedly. If I get a Lupo or Mini I would probably get a diesel for their lower taxes too. 

Edited by NotAParrot
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a mini cooper or mini one with the blufin box on it would be my first choice - plenty of spares - plenty of guides - plenty of groups, mini runs etc - i have had 7 minis so far so maybe i am biased? I currently have a 2012 cooper S clubman

i obviously own a lupo too but the mini will be more fun, handle better and the community is larger - young and old. my lupo is my daily hack,tip run, reliable soldier

personally i wouldnt touch a yaris or pug but i have only ever had german cars. 

i think the lupo looks older than a similar age mini - but thats it. servicing i would say are they same. plenty of specialists for both - lupo parts i would say are cheaper for sure. 

cant go wrong wth either i think 

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Lupo. Yes I'm biased but:

Yaris is exactly what you expect it to be. It's a cheap Japanese runabout. They run forever on marbles for oil but they're also a favourite among those with a fondness for recycled pop bottles for trim and uncomfortable seats. Reliable, and good mpg, but the interior alone leaves a lot to be desired.

Mini's are expensive, awful MPG and I don't think they're reliable at all. The reliability thing with them is a myth and they are expensive to fix. 

Finally, neither have anything remotely competing with VAG-COM and in my opinion, that should factor into decisions when buying your car.

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 3/17/2021 at 3:37 PM, Sarahs Lupo said:

a mini cooper or mini one with the blufin box on it would be my first choice - plenty of spares - plenty of guides - plenty of groups, mini runs etc - i have had 7 minis so far so maybe i am biased? I currently have a 2012 cooper S clubman

i obviously own a lupo too but the mini will be more fun, handle better and the community is larger - young and old. my lupo is my daily hack,tip run, reliable soldier

personally i wouldnt touch a yaris or pug but i have only ever had german cars. 

i think the lupo looks older than a similar age mini - but thats it. servicing i would say are they same. plenty of specialists for both - lupo parts i would say are cheaper for sure. 

cant go wrong wth either i think 

Thanks for that detailed response. Lupo would win in costs and reliability then while the Mini gives more fun. Hard to choose!

On 3/17/2021 at 7:43 PM, Skezza said:

Lupo. Yes I'm biased but:

Yaris is exactly what you expect it to be. It's a cheap Japanese runabout. They run forever on marbles for oil but they're also a favourite among those with a fondness for recycled pop bottles for trim and uncomfortable seats. Reliable, and good mpg, but the interior alone leaves a lot to be desired.

Mini's are expensive, awful MPG and I don't think they're reliable at all. The reliability thing with them is a myth and they are expensive to fix. 

Finally, neither have anything remotely competing with VAG-COM and in my opinion, that should factor into decisions when buying your car.

Yes, I have realised that the interior of the Yaris just isn't special. I have pretty much decided not to consider that anymore. Even with the strengths you mention, I'm personally looking for more than strictly reliability and economy.

I have checked figures for a standard R50 Mini One and it gives up to 43 mpg, or 58 in the diesel. Lower than Lupo but surely those numbers aren't awful, or are they? Anyway, it looks like they do cost more to fix. I imagine a One would be more reliable than a faster Cooper? (Cooper is surplus to my requirements anyway). Do you know anything about the Mini's fun factor?

I might as well ask then, how is a Ford Puma if you know? Not as economical as Lupo but I hear they're fun and cheap to fix.

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13 minutes ago, NotAParrot said:

Thanks for that detailed response. Lupo would win in costs and reliability then while the Mini gives more fun. Hard to choose!

Yes, I have realised that the interior of the Yaris just isn't special. I have pretty much decided not to consider that anymore. Even with the strengths you mention, I'm personally looking for more than strictly reliability and economy.

I have checked figures for a standard R50 Mini One and it gives up to 43 mpg, or 58 in the diesel. Lower than Lupo but surely those numbers aren't awful, or are they? Anyway, it looks like they do cost more to fix. I imagine a One would be more reliable than a faster Cooper? (Cooper is surplus to my requirements anyway). Do you know anything about the Mini's fun factor?

I might as well ask then, how is a Ford Puma if you know? Not as economical as Lupo but I hear they're fun and cheap to fix.

You won't get those MPG figures.

Rust buckets.

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Out of those.

Yaris.

That era, I'd say just get a 6n2 or a golf four, but if you're stepping to golf platform then get the best one that it came in. (TT)

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