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Original poster

Talk to me about your small cars

115 replies

Icedlatteplease · 14/07/2023 16:14

I'm was very much in love with my old but very economic, paid for outright medium sized sensible family car. I always thought i would drive it into the ground then buy electric in 5 to 10 years time

However it developed engine problems recently and has been stuck in various garages for the best part of three weeks while they fail to work out what's wrong.

I've been borrowing other cars from family and suddenly I have cold feet. I might have realised that maybe the grass is greener and when it is finally fixed it might be time for a change.

I have recently driven a small beautiful 20 year old still very nippy Toyota yaris and a way too large skoda fabia which frankly is all style and no substance. However it does have a very comfortable driving position which given I have a significant back injury that refuses to go away has been an absolute revelation. And I like the blue tooth connectivity.

So recommend me a small car.

I like them small and economic but still comfortable enough for two adults in the back. Must be an auto and properly adjustable driving seat/stearing wheel. A decent ncap safety rating is high up the list too. I'm unlikely to buy new on principle but its not entirely inconceivable. I have good credit and a small amount of savings so have a range of finance options for the right car. But it must be the right car

Any suggestions as to what I should be looking at?

OP posts:
VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 14/07/2023 16:20

Would have recommended the fabia, hands down one of the best small-mid size cars on the market for reliability and driving.
as you say driving position is great! perhaps the seat Ibiza may suit you better? the VAG DSG auto is really hard to beat.
I would have said the up/citigo/mii but their autos aren’t DSG. They are tardis like inside though.

don’t touch any of the Ford 1.0 engines they are a pile of chocolate shit.

StillMedusa · 14/07/2023 16:20

I have had many small cars, Toyota, Citroen, Smart cars (plural!) Nissan, to name but a few and by far my favourite is my Fiat Panda!
I have the 4x4 and it is brilliant. OK they look a bit square but they are so capable! Despite being small it fits my large dog in the boot, the seat is adjustable (I have arthritis in my hip and back and I'm older) and I can still get the grandchild's massive car seat in the back. I like the 4x4 as it's slightly higher so good road position and good for getting into. Brilliant on fuel and dead cheap to tax! Mine has been bombproof.. I've needed new brake discs and that's it, in 5 years. I think Fiat used to have a bad rep for going wrong but we haven't found that at all.

My second favourite was my Nissan Micra which I ran into the ground :) But I'll get another Panda when mine eventually goes, as long as my dog can still jump in!

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 14/07/2023 16:21

the Yaris wasn’t a bad shout at all. What was wrong with that?

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 14/07/2023 16:23

Pandas are good and good value, there’s a big cult following for the 100hp 4x4. I personally didn’t get on with the driving position.

have you looked at a jazz? Always trust the old people, they know where it’s safe to put their money

Haggisfish3 · 14/07/2023 16:25

I love my vw up.

Original poster
Icedlatteplease · 14/07/2023 16:27

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 14/07/2023 16:20

Would have recommended the fabia, hands down one of the best small-mid size cars on the market for reliability and driving.
as you say driving position is great! perhaps the seat Ibiza may suit you better? the VAG DSG auto is really hard to beat.
I would have said the up/citigo/mii but their autos aren’t DSG. They are tardis like inside though.

don’t touch any of the Ford 1.0 engines they are a pile of chocolate shit.

I'm not necessarily a fan of DSG gearboxes as they were potentially to cause of my current cars incarceration in the garage. It is of an age where potentially I still have to get the dsg done at some point which is the argument for getting rid now. I'm assuming you are thinking of the small fabia estate? I do love the citigo. Ought to look at the up, how is the space in the back and driving position of the up?

OP posts:
justasking111 · 14/07/2023 16:27

Love my mini cooper 17 years old now. Have had a new exhaust, brake pads and tyres. Never failed the MOT. But my mileage is low.

Have a test drive of a few for comfort if you drive a lot.

prettybird · 14/07/2023 16:27

Mazda 2 or Mazda3 if the 2 is too small.

Lovely cars that are reliable, drive well and are comfortable.

Ds has a 2 and we have a 3 (having previously had a Mazda6 which we loved, followed by a Vectra, which we hated).

Grazka · 14/07/2023 16:28

I love my little Kia Picanto, it's the second one I have, and honestly its a great little car.

Original poster
Icedlatteplease · 14/07/2023 16:28

StillMedusa · 14/07/2023 16:20

I have had many small cars, Toyota, Citroen, Smart cars (plural!) Nissan, to name but a few and by far my favourite is my Fiat Panda!
I have the 4x4 and it is brilliant. OK they look a bit square but they are so capable! Despite being small it fits my large dog in the boot, the seat is adjustable (I have arthritis in my hip and back and I'm older) and I can still get the grandchild's massive car seat in the back. I like the 4x4 as it's slightly higher so good road position and good for getting into. Brilliant on fuel and dead cheap to tax! Mine has been bombproof.. I've needed new brake discs and that's it, in 5 years. I think Fiat used to have a bad rep for going wrong but we haven't found that at all.

My second favourite was my Nissan Micra which I ran into the ground :) But I'll get another Panda when mine eventually goes, as long as my dog can still jump in!

I love the shape of the panda but didn't think they were great on the ncap rating. I'll have to check

OP posts:
Tinkietot · 14/07/2023 16:29

Seat Ibiza was recommended to us by a
few mechanics. Never had a problem with it

Original poster
Icedlatteplease · 14/07/2023 16:33

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 14/07/2023 16:21

the Yaris wasn’t a bad shout at all. What was wrong with that?

Nothing, I loves it. It was my car years and years back (as a family we have a tendency to swap cars a bit). But it's about 30 years old and been given warning that it is unlikely to make the next mot. At a cursory glance the modern yaris just don't have the same space in the back, but I may be wrong on this.

OP posts:
Vegemiteandhoneyontoast · 14/07/2023 16:33

Been driving a Nissan Note for about 8 years now and am happy with it. Very much an about-town car but it suits me very well. It's comfortable, reliable, has enough space and doesn't use loads of fuel.

AnnieSnap · 14/07/2023 16:33

I’ve often considered getting a Toyota Yaris Hybrid. The fuel economy is fab and it’s a little way to being eco friendly without the range anxiety. It’s nippy and comfortable.

Original poster
Icedlatteplease · 14/07/2023 16:35

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 14/07/2023 16:23

Pandas are good and good value, there’s a big cult following for the 100hp 4x4. I personally didn’t get on with the driving position.

have you looked at a jazz? Always trust the old people, they know where it’s safe to put their money

I had a jazz before my current car. But that was about 12 years ago and the shape is very different from the newer models. Do the newer models still have the space?

OP posts:
sqirrelfriends · 14/07/2023 16:35

until recently I had a seat Ibiza, it was brilliant and very cheap to run (and buy).

Iheartmysmart · 14/07/2023 16:37

I love small cars, my Smart ForTwo was my favourite but obviously only a two seater so no good for you. Don’t know what the ForFour is like but might be worth a look. Also a big fan of my current Fiat 500 sport, my old Panda and of course my very impractical but best fun ever classic minis which I’ve had 8 of over the years.

Daftasabroom · 14/07/2023 16:37

My last Toyota did 280,000 miles.

Iheartmysmart · 14/07/2023 16:39

Oh yes and the Honda Jazz, that was like a tardis inside yet really easy to drive. The new shape does rather remind me of someone who’s forgotten to put their false teeth in though.

soupmaker · 14/07/2023 16:40

DH bought a Ford Ka+ for city driving and absolutely loves it. Tiny boot but proper nippy and comfortable in the back.

Original poster
Icedlatteplease · 14/07/2023 16:46

Kia, up and panda are out due to rubbish ncap ratings....

I'm putting the seat ibiza and mandatory on the list to look at...

Reading through everyone's posts

OP posts:
bigdinkydoodah · 14/07/2023 16:50

I had a Polo and loved that, it is now 13yrs old and is still going strong ( I sold it to my friends son). I now have a Honda Jazz and it's economical, has loads of room and magic seats to make even more space. I'm disabled and can get my scooter in the boot.

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 14/07/2023 16:51

Small cars tend to have shit n caps just purely on size. If your getting hit up the arse in one, there’s not a lot between you and the car that’s hitting you. there’s a bit more travel room

not sure on the new facelift ones but Kia and Hyundai both had really shit auto boxes, when everyone else is doing great ones they are still fitting clunky old style ones. I came across an i20 auto with a 4 speed box the other day, it was a 17/18 plate.

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 14/07/2023 16:55

Polos are great. Really really holding their money at the moment though. ibiza is slightly better value. I would go 1.2 DSG in any of the vag stuff.

Toyota do seem to have dicked about with their rear seat ability lately, that and the chr should be better than they are. I would look if I was passing a dealer as it’s still a strong contender.

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 14/07/2023 16:57

it will be the same with most of the small cars listed here . There’s a cross over early 17’s are £20 / £30 a year to tax. Whilst some 17’s are £120/£140 a year. Same cars, same everything just different tax rates. So that’s worth checking

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