Please recommend a small car

[Waffle12]

Hi. We will need a 2nd car when I return to work after having 2nd dc.

We have a middle size car at the moment, but due to logistics and where me and DH work, we will need a 2nd car to deal with school and nursery runs during the week.

We are thinking of getting something a year or 2 old. It will literally be for school/nursery runs, and then any emergencies where me and DH may need to be in different places at once. Will need to be big enough for 2 car seats, not bothered about engine size, ideally 5 door so we can easily get the kids in and out, low insurance, low tax, reliable make. Kids will be 1 and 5 by the time I go back.

Please let me have your recomendations. many thanks.

Hoping op doesn’t mind me placemarking. Great idea for a thread.

I’m currently housebound but HOPING that at some point this year I can get out and about and get driving again.

But...not driven for several years (was on meds that prevented not on them now) and...

I’ve never driven a car made this century!

I’ve also never had a small car but I really don’t need even a medium sized car as it’s just me and I just need a wee runaround but it needs to cope with steep hills around here. Being able to drive again would give me so much freedom I miss it loads.

I think I’d be leasing rather than buying (it’s why I’ve always had bigger cars in the past as bigger cars seem to have more longevity so tend to be what’s available and reliable 2nd hand and I’ve never had a new car) but I’ve never leased before so would need advice on that too.

In theory I could apply for motorbility as currently on higher pip but I’m not sure how much of that is cos of being housebound need to find out more, if I’d still be getting the higher rate if health improved even slightly.

But I’m very inexperienced with small cars and would like something solid, reliable, cheap to run and easy to drive/park. I don’t care how it looks or if it’s “trendy”.

Suzuki Swift, as long as you don't need to put a pram in the boot. Enormous fun to drive.

@Waffle12 re cost for a charging point... it varies, I think. If you buy/lease a new Zoe, Renault will install the charging point for free. If you have to buy one yourself, for a used or older car, I think they're about £300 - £800 depending on what model you get and whether you're eligible for a grant. You may or may not need a charging cable too, they're a couple of hundred quid I think. (One may come with the car)

Installation takes a few hours, again it depends on how accessible the point where you want it is.

Hands down a Honda jazz. So roomy for their size.

Thanks guys

Ok so the toyotas are on the list as they have been mentioned a few times aswell.

@mhahmnah thank you. We already have the base etc, so we can either move base and seat or just seat.

@Teddyreddy we probably wouldnt need pushchair on a daily basis as the nurseries we are looking at have on site parking for drop off/pick up, but would need to be able to get it in in case we needed for something else. We have quite a big buggy but the back wheels do come off luckily. But definately a consideration. Good to know the jazz is spacious. Will take the buggy base with us when we go looking for a car.

@Graphista I have a VW polo. Feels roomy inside but small enough to be easy to park. Doesn't use much petrol, feels solid and had only had minor issues (window regulator needed replacing)
I regularly drive long distances in it and it copes with motorway and country happily

Well, I've got a Toyota Yaris hybrid and it sails up hills, no bother at all. No idea if it has Isofix but the back is roomy and the boot surprisingly big. Economical and very easy to park too.

My Hyundai i10 is fabulous. Turns on a pin, great on petrol and is just the best car I’ve ever had in 40 years of driving.

I’ve currently got a Toyota IQ (discontinued) which will need replacing at some point. Nearly 100,000 miles and still going strong. I hear nothing but good things about Toyotas, in general.

I’m looking at the Fiat Qube. Hybrid car/van. Folding seats in rear, sliding rear doors. Quirky little boxy car that measures up like a Tardis.

If I could have my dream car it really would be a Tardis. I mean, it must be road tax exempt. No problems with CF driveway parking. Shove a ton of crap inside...

We got a Peugeot 208 for similar purposes - a small little run around, reliable and easy to park, cheap to run. It does exactly what we need it for.

I drive a Skoda citigo and use it for work where I drive three children around. It's very economical on fuel, good sized boot for a city car, it's great on the motorway and it's essentially the same car as a vw up but a lot cheaper (all the engine parts are vw).

Skoda Citi loads of space low raft, 5 door and made by the Audi VW group it is ultra reliable and solid. The o ly make of car I have ever repeat bought is skoda, and j have had merc.bmw.alfa.landrover, etc yet prefer the skoda

This is fab guys-thank you.

Skoda Citi added to list.

Love our Toyota Aygo.

ford fiesta its great and reliable

I also vote for an aygo. Had mine for 11 years now. Love it.

I'm on my 4th or 5th Aygo. Trade 'em in every 3 years. Perfect 2nd car, especially for city / town driving. Excellent parking in small spaces. Boot is small but it fits a push chair and a food shop (separately!). Had a yaris for a while but i prefer the aygo.