Talk to me about your small cars

[Icedlatteplease]

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?

Hyundai ncaps are not good. Wouldn’t want to crash but definitely Wouldn’t want to crash in a hyundai

Our C3 is good for my coccyx. Even the Zoe is ok but the suspension is very hard. Our Volvo XC90 slaughters my coccyx.

The Zoe is saving us about €500/month but we arent Uk so reasonable electric prices here.

I have a 2019 Yaris which I generally live (although it’s in for repair after someone drove into me!). I don’t like the single wiper blade (petty I know) but the hybrid engine is nippy and has got me out of a tight spot from time to time.

I’m currently tkt driving around in a Suzuki ignis and hate it. It’s vile, doesn’t go fast but somehow has the turning circle of a ford transit. Looking forward to giving it back once mine is fixed!

My jazz is a 19 reg.

Honda Jazz, my answer is always Honda Jazz.

Ive got a brand new honda jazz and im surprisingly addicted to it. Tonnes of space, really economical. I find the driving position excellent.

I also drive a BMW X1 and if i need to take a car out i take the Jazz.

The only thing about it that i dont particularly like is the stereo system its dog shit and clunky. But i have my phone plugged in most of the time.

Another vote for a Leaf. You mentioned going electric in a few years time why not now? Electric is so easy to drive and it doesn't have a gearbox at all.

We have solar panels so our last couple of months' motoring was completely free using our excess solar generation. If you can charge at home it's ridiculously cheap to run a small EV.

@VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji what is wrong with 1litre Ford engines? I was considering one.

My two favourite cars I've ever owned before I needed a big boot for buggies and a family grocery shop, were a VW Polo and a Beetle

What’s your definition of ‘small’? Skoda Fabia and Honda jazz are not my definition of small. Truely small cars don’t tend to do so well on ncap so that will limit you and most would be ok for a quick lift for 2 adults in the back but wouldn’t be my idea of comfy!

@deplorabelle I have concerns that electric cars might not turn out to be as good as we we think for the environment yet eg lithium mining or ultimately economical eg higher rate of insurancewrite offs. This article explains it Here. And i worry about range issues in cold weather, although clearly not everyone has that problem. I also worry about the life span of the present generation of solar panels and challenges of disposal. Much of what I hear is basically saying wait for the time being

That said there's a few Toyota and Honda hybrids I'm going to take a look at at the end of next week.🤣😁

@BungleandGeorge your right. A bigger car will always have a easier run of it on ncap than a small one. But then there's a big ncap difference between a hyundai or wv up and a citigo or yaris.. I will only buy cars with high ncaps so that very much is a natural restriction on how small i can go.

Also I really do need comfy in the back seat which between the two things I think with the help of this thread this thread that the jazz or the yaris is about as small as it gets for me I think

@Leafblow I too love the citigo, talked a family member into buying one new about 10 years ago!!! It definitely would be on the shortlist if there was a newer version. Good, paired a little back on the luxuries but safe solid car. But tbh my present car is of the same generation as it with very similar advantages (clever basic economic) just a little bigger. It probably wouldn't be worth the hassle of changing.

And I think maybe I want a little indulgent this time..

I've been given one as a fleet car for work. Done 10k since February - love it! Its got quite a small tank, 36l, that's my only moan.

There was a problem with the coolant on some models, and another issue as well that apparently wasn't related to the eco-boost engine, it could have happened on any car.

I have a 2013, Fiesta 1.0L ecoboost, and I've loved it, it's really nippy, I bought it, because it was the most powerful fiesta, and I haven't had any problems with the engine. The only other issue is that it will be an expensive cam belt change at 10 years or 125,000 miles, because they have to have special equipment to take the whole engine out. I'm okay with that though considering the car has been great.

Thank you @MurielThrockmorton .