Frank Bullitt
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HOW MUCH!Scanning through my copy of CAR the group test is of economical hatchbacks, a few things caught my attention.
The Insight chosen has full FG spec - loosing the sat-nav and bluetooth (which I don't think any of the others on tes have, certainly not the former) would make it £2K cheaper.
They chose a Megane with the 1.9dCi engine when the perfomance stats suggest the considerably cheaper 1.5dCi would be the best comparrison, thus making it seem less of a rip-off.
However, HOLY SHAMOLY - a plastic wheel-trimmed Focus diesel for £18,000. That can't be right surely? Now, I know that you'll be able to get some pennies of the Foci but surely the 13% company car tax means it still looks quite expensive as that's based on the P11D price.
Apparently the Golf looks like good value at £17,500 - it would do if not so bone-crunchingly dull.
A surf of broadspeed suggests all but the Honda will cost £14-15,500 - still way too much in my opinion...
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Martin
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You're right, even the discounted prices are mad. Buying nearly new is really the only way to go with this type of car. The new Megane seems to be as highly discounted as the old one, we got our top of the range max FG Megane when the last model came out at a decent discount (cost £12,200) and they gave us 3 years 0% finance as well.
I know a better economical small car that also has decent performance, a quality feel and lots of lovely FG! I'm also pleased to see that you can't get one the same spec as ours for what we paid, so we aren't losing money at the rate you would in other small cars.
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PG
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Prices for these "bread and butter" type cars always look completely mad to me. Seems to me that you may as well spend £5-10k and throw it away after 3-4 years or £20k on something that at least has a little perceived value and may even retain some.
Which means a Fiat Panda or a MINI 
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