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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:
Iloveanicegarden · 14/07/2023 19:05

@Icedlatteplease Yes. The Jazz really is a tardis. We've had 2. The current one is so technical it practically drives itself. A good amount of space for 4 people and loads of space with or without the seats down for transporting stuff. Honda engines are so reliable. Our previous Jazz failed its MOT an we were going to scrap it, but because it was in such good condition otherwise it was bought by someone who could attend to its problems. Hondas keep their value. Our other Honda is now worth more than we paid for it over 12yrs ago,

Kazzyhoward · 14/07/2023 19:06

I'd suggest a Citroen C3 which has a decent sized interior, perfectly fine for 4 adults, etc., smaller only because of a very small boot. I've had two of them and had no problems whatsoever. Lovely, reliable, little cars that seem to last forever. You see a lot of them on the roads, often 10-20 years old.

Bluevelvetsofa · 14/07/2023 19:08

I was going to suggest Mazda too. Their safety rating is good.

RaininSummer · 14/07/2023 19:09

I have a Jazz which I loved and now a skoda citigo which I am also fond of. The jazz had more poke when overtaking etc and a more sophisticated interior.

GenialHarryGr0ut · 14/07/2023 19:12

After years of big cars I am now Honda Jazz convert. Lovely little car with a big interior.

iamnottoofatiamjusttooshort · 14/07/2023 19:14

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.

Same here
Love mine ! Great in fuel , comfortable to drive
Bigger inside space than expected
Cheap insurance

TheFairyCaravan · 14/07/2023 19:15

Icedlatteplease · 14/07/2023 17:39

I have a feeling I would end up buying a Honda over polo on price. Is the polo much nicer?

Show quote history

I would buy a Polo over the Jazz, yes. It’s just a nicer car all round imo

Bananaspliff · 14/07/2023 19:19

I love my Audi A1, has a five star ncap rating, lovely to drive.

SamSaid · 14/07/2023 19:20

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).

I've had my Mazda 2 for 10 years, 150k miles and (naughty I know) only had it serviced twice in that time.

Not a single issue - never broken down, never failed an MOT on anything over £100 to fix.

Decent tyres are cheap! It was the "safest small car of the year" the year I bought mine!

10/10 would recommend

Frith2013 · 14/07/2023 19:21

I have a 20 year old Toyota Yaris!

No problem. Passes its MOTs.

User63847484848 · 14/07/2023 19:22

v happy with my Yaris hybrid and eyeing up the Yaris Cross

Original poster
Icedlatteplease · 14/07/2023 20:33

Frith2013 · 14/07/2023 19:21

I have a 20 year old Toyota Yaris!

No problem. Passes its MOTs.

Without outing myself too much we life in an area that creates specific wear and tear on cars that are kept outside. The engine of the yaris has goodness knows how many years left, drives like a charm. I (still) love it. However Specific parts of the bodywork are very dodgy and likely to let the car down.

OP posts:
VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 14/07/2023 20:36

Icedlatteplease · 14/07/2023 20:33

Without outing myself too much we life in an area that creates specific wear and tear on cars that are kept outside. The engine of the yaris has goodness knows how many years left, drives like a charm. I (still) love it. However Specific parts of the bodywork are very dodgy and likely to let the car down.

Show quote history

ah

they’ve not improved much and jazzes suffer the same fate.
the polo / Ibiza should fair slightly better

Original poster
Icedlatteplease · 14/07/2023 20:37

Songbird54321 · 14/07/2023 17:55

We downsized to a toyota yaris cross. We loved the yaris but it was too small in the back & boot (got to fit 2 kids in) and the cross was great. Excellent fuel economy, decent space, hybrid so they're all automatic and I with it being a 'compact suv' it's slightly higher than the yaris so should be better getting in and out of for your back.
Have also had 2 mazdas and loved them. Also had a hyundai which I hated with a passion. What can I say, I'm a japanese car kinda girl 😂

I suspect I am also a Japanese car girl at my heart, I've only owned 6 cars in my life time. Out of those 6 cars only my last one was not a Honda or Toyota and that was because it was stupidly boring and sensible.

I thought the crosses were stupid cars, now I've watched a few reviews it's got me wondering....

OP posts:
Original poster
Icedlatteplease · 14/07/2023 20:39

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 14/07/2023 18:38

The polo is slightly sturdier than the jazz. The quality of the plastics slightly better, the metal slightly less likely to dink.
both mechanically brilliant little cars, I prefer the driving position of the polo and I think the polo feels a little more plush, the jazz is more practical in its approach. It’s a personal preference.

Thank you. Not so many polo's about in this area. But if I can take one for a test drive I will

OP posts:
Original poster
Icedlatteplease · 14/07/2023 20:40

Loving all the love for the yaris and jazz.

OP posts:
Original poster
Icedlatteplease · 14/07/2023 20:41

Shouldisign · 14/07/2023 17:43

Love my Suzuki Swift. Second one I’ve had. I passed the first on to DH and he reluctantly swapped it after a further 5 years, for a Suzuki Vitara, cos he needed a bigger boot for the dogs
I tend to buy top of the range small cars, rather than spend the same money on a mid range medium car.

Thank you but suzuki fails on ncap

OP posts:
Original poster
Icedlatteplease · 14/07/2023 20:42

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 14/07/2023 18:56

I've had a Yaris and an Aygo and they're both good cars, I've got a Hyundai i10 now which is also great.

I love a small car.

Off down an aygo rabbit hole, but I fear they are too small. I need to carry two adults in the boot

OP posts:
Original poster
Icedlatteplease · 14/07/2023 20:43

Icedlatteplease · 14/07/2023 20:42

Off down an aygo rabbit hole, but I fear they are too small. I need to carry two adults in the boot

Show quote history

Oh my!! In the backseat not the boot 🤣🤣🤣🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
Icedlatteplease · 14/07/2023 20:44

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

Thank you. I will definitely check that out. Does something similar happen on the insurance groups or is it just because of emissions?

OP posts:
Original poster
Icedlatteplease · 14/07/2023 20:46

NordVeg · 14/07/2023 17:54

I've got a 5 year old Yaris hybrid, I love it! Would recommend, it feels huge inside, have 6'2" plus height DS & DP both are comfy in the back

Show quote history

That helps hugely. I have two adults often in the back.

OP posts:
Original poster
Icedlatteplease · 14/07/2023 20:51

Kazzyhoward · 14/07/2023 19:06

I'd suggest a Citroen C3 which has a decent sized interior, perfectly fine for 4 adults, etc., smaller only because of a very small boot. I've had two of them and had no problems whatsoever. Lovely, reliable, little cars that seem to last forever. You see a lot of them on the roads, often 10-20 years old.

Not over keen on citreon. Perils of having previously worked in car insurance claims 🙄

OP posts:
Original poster
Icedlatteplease · 14/07/2023 20:51

Iloveanicegarden · 14/07/2023 19:05

@Icedlatteplease Yes. The Jazz really is a tardis. We've had 2. The current one is so technical it practically drives itself. A good amount of space for 4 people and loads of space with or without the seats down for transporting stuff. Honda engines are so reliable. Our previous Jazz failed its MOT an we were going to scrap it, but because it was in such good condition otherwise it was bought by someone who could attend to its problems. Hondas keep their value. Our other Honda is now worth more than we paid for it over 12yrs ago,

Thank you. I'm going to try and get myself down a dealership I think

OP posts:
RoseMartha · 14/07/2023 20:53

I had a Nissan micra for years, very reliable. Also Toyota Yaris which I have had for past 6 years.

MargaretThursday · 14/07/2023 20:57

Love my e-up. It's a lovely little car.

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