You can buy these down-to-earth, spacious hatchbacks for €10,000

The advantage of such a gray mouse is that these types of used cars that are not on the radar are more favorable in terms of price, year of manufacture, mileage, motorization and/or equipment than the standard models such as the Volkswagen Golf. Now everyone knows that German, but what do you get if you spend 10 grand on a Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Pulsar or Skoda Rapid? Gray mice or not, we choose other colors!

Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback 1.6 Cleartec Edition Two – 2013 – 103,075 kilometers – €9,945

‘Steeled perfection’ was Mitsubishi’s slogan for many years and applied in particular to the backbone of the brand: Colt, Lancer and Galant. All these models are a thing of the past. Yes, the Colt is back, but that is a Renault Clio with different nameplates. For the rest we have to make do with memories. Or buy this white Mitsubishi Lancer: ten years old, a ton of money on the clock and waiting at a Nissan dealer for its third owner. The asking price includes a one-year Bovag warranty. The 3-KZF-76 is not as noticeable in traffic as the Ferrari Roma Spider (in which case you would be better off taking the Evo), but the Jetfighter grille literally gives it more face than Pulsar and Rapid combined. Behind that grille is a naturally aspirated 1.6 that stands out for its smooth character and relative economy, but it is not a stripper.

Black and various shades of gray predominate in the cabin. The materials used are not of the highest quality, but ergonomically the dashboard fits together neatly and it – plus the rest of the car – will undoubtedly last a long time without too much inconvenience in terms of reliability (and finances), because at that point, the old slogan still applies. As Edition Two, it is more than well equipped: leather upholstery (very smooth), electrically adjustable and heated front seats, a knee airbag, cruise control and climate control (but no separate temperature control), traction control, light, rain and parking sensors. and keyless entry are things that were not (yet) commonplace in the C-segment ten years ago.

There is plenty of living space for the occupants, but the trunk is very small. There are also areas for improvement in terms of refinement. We sometimes call it a lumpy chassis, while the steering wheel and lever are quite difficult to operate. Not an occasion for gourmets, but for those who want to get from A to B dry for years at acceptable costs and without (much) inconvenience.

Signaling

Brand Mitsubishi
Type Lancer Sportback 1.6 Edition Two
Construction year September 2013
Mileage 103,075
Asking price €9,945
Where to buy? Nissan dealer Zeeuw & Zeeuw, Wateringen

Technical data
Engine 4 cyl. in-line, 1,590 cc
Max. assets 86 kW/117 hp at 6,000 rpm
Max. couple 154 Nm at 4,000 rpm
Luggage compartment 276 l/nb
Max. trailer braked 1,100 kilos
Avg. consumption 1 in 17.5
0-100 km/h 11.1 sec
Top speed 185 km/h

All data according to factory specifications

Nissan Pulsar 1.2 DIG-T Business Edition – 2015 – 103,372 kilometers – €9,450

After the colorless Almera, Nissan struck hard with the Qashqai crossover, which was soon nicknamed ‘Cash cow’. Apparently some people couldn’t forget the Almera or they simply didn’t like high seats, because the fact is that Nissan at one point included a ‘normal’ C-segmenter in the program again, called Pulsar. However, it could not make any progress and remained a model on the margins for four years. We can’t remember the last time we saw one (we haven’t seen the Roma Spider driving here either, but we’re looking forward to it!). Such a model can be interesting for down-to-earth used car seekers for reasons as we mentioned earlier. Take, for example, this brown Nissan Pulsar, which is two years younger than the aforementioned Lancer (however, the advertiser, a universal car company, does not mention warranty) and (therefore) more modern: here is a blown 1.2 that, helped by a six-speed gearbox, is faster and more economical. and offers more pulling power at lower speeds.

In terms of safety and luxury features, this Business Edition is also a bit more contemporary: folding exterior mirrors, a tire pressure sensor, WWB (reversing) camera, a navigation system and lane monitoring. Leather and electrically adjustable and heated front seats are missing. The Pulsar also beats the Lancer in terms of living and luggage space. When it comes to driving, the approach is different. Where the Lancer sometimes comes across as harsh and unrefined, this Japanese does its job without inspiration. If you go from A to B, you will never be tempted to take the winding route C. Just nice, just like the appearance. This creates an image of a compact middle class car that does not rely on external frills or special driving qualities, but peaks in terms of space and equipment. Precisely those points that the rational car buyer attaches so much importance to.

Signaling
Brand Nissan
Type Pulsar 1.2 DIG-T Business Edition
Construction year April 2015
Mileage 103,372
Asking price €9,450
Where to buy? HDM Auto’s, Elst (Ut.)

Technical data
Engine 4 cyl. in-line, 1,197 cc, turbo
Max. assets 85 kW/115 hp at 4,500 rpm
Max. couple 190 Nm at 2,000 rpm
Luggage compartment 385 l/1,395 l
Max. trailer braked 1,200 kilos
Avg. consumption 1 in 20.0
0-100 km/h 10.7 sec
Top speed 190 km/h

All data according to factory specifications

Skoda Rapid Spaceback 1.0 TSI 95 hp Greentech Drive – 2017 – 120,884 kilometers – €9,400

Skoda has a somewhat special model policy. The Octavia rests on a Golf chassis, but is significantly larger, somewhere between the C and D segments. Because the Fabia is a real B-segment car, there is room for another model between the two, the Czechs must have thought. At least that’s how we imagine it, because in terms of sales numbers, the Rapid seems to be the answer to a question that no one has asked. After six years it quietly disappeared from the price list. There was another facelift in 2017, and that is this Skoda Rapid. It is the entry-level entry in the series, but make no mistake: when viewed soberly, you will miss very little. Well, the air conditioning is manually operated, but you can live with that, right? The PR-631-X is two years younger than the Pulsar, but has driven a few more kilometers, by the way – just like the Nissan – by one owner. It leaves with a six-month warranty.

The Rapid is also a somewhat peculiar Skoda. Plenty of space for luggage and passengers, but the latter mainly in length: in width it is quite narrow for three people (in the back), which makes the Rapid dangle a bit between the B and C segments. Engine-wise, this red rascal is on paper the weakest of the trio and there is one less cylinder at work, but here too a turbo provides a more lively character than that of the Lancer power source. We have already mentioned a few plus points: space, equipment and power source. And the driving? Just like the Pulsar, a bit uninspired. However, the chassis is sturdier; the Nissan is more comfort-oriented. The interior corresponds to that of the Lancer: somewhat harder and less attractive materials than mother Volkswagen uses, but above all: all black with a different piping or strip here and there. The Roma Spider does that better…

Signaling

Brand Skoda
Type Rapid Spaceback 1.0 TSI 95 hp Greentech Drive
Construction year September 2017
Mileage 120,884
Asking price €9,400
Where to buy? Seldenrijk, Harderwijk

Technical data
Engine 3 cyl. in-line, 999 cc, turbo
Max. assets 70 kW/95 hp at 5,000 rpm
Max. couple 160 Nm at 1,500 rpm
Luggage compartment 415 l/1,381 l
Max. trailer braked 1,000 kilos
Avg. consumption 1 in 22.2
0-100 km/h 11.0 s
Top speed 184 km/h

All data according to factory specifications

Which of these forget-me-nots suits you?

In summary: the Nissan Pulsar seems to have the most attractive overall package, but the Mitsubishi Lancer has a one-year warranty, something that weighs heavily for many. And the Skoda Rapid? On some fronts it seems to be half a size smaller, but if your family has a maximum of four people, then there is little obstacle to purchasing the youngest of these three. Which forget-me-not should return to the streets as quickly as possible? Or do you have a better alternative yourself? Let us know!