WIBU to buy the car I want not the one that is suitable?

[WhenTheDragonsCame]

Yesterday I had a fairly minor accident but it left my car as a write off. At least that is what I have been told so far.

I am a single parent with 3 DC, one of which is a teen and about the same size as me. We go away for the weekend at least 7 times a year (visiting relatives) and between us can have a lot of luggage. I also commute an hour each way regularly with someone else.

I think I should probably get something Astra sized but prefer small cars and would love a Mini or Fiat 500. In the 11 years I have driven all of my cars have been bought because they were the cheapest I could get and I just want one that I chose because I wanted it.

Thank you.

A friend of mine from years ago had a gulf and loved it so I will take a look.

Trendy, safe, reliable.
Matters of opinion.

What's not to love?

Trendy = ubiquitous.
Lot of money for what you get - Seat and Skoda sell mechanically same car for less, Audi for more.
VW's emissions behaviour.

I am a single mum of 3 with a teen - our mini didn't last long - waaay too small!

Most posts on here are just a matter of opinion

My budget is some what limited so the car will probably be at least 8 years old.

I need something that will be able to do motorway driving regularly up to an hour and on occasions much further. Whether it is trendy isn't a huge issue but it would be nice if I liked the look of it.

Skoda Octavias or Fabias of that age are cheap and as reliable as anything else out there. You will get more car for your money than Golfs.

Comparing the sizes of a mini cooper and my yaris is appears that the yaris is 12.4cm longer and 11.2cm taller but the mini is 23cm wider. That doesn't seem a huge difference plus the boot looks bigger.

I meant the boot looks bigger on the mini.

Octavia has Golf mechanical bits anyway.

A boot on a mini is tiny, absolutely pointless. Unless you've got a countryman which are bigger.

My DSis has a Mini Countryman and it is surprisingly generous. She loves it.

are you sure that Corsas or Clios are cheap to insure? I thought they were now quite pricey precisely because they are being driven by lots of inexperienced drivers...

as for the question; the car will be too small for all of you plus your luggage, so you won't be able to do the long trips in it.

the 500 Twinair can be a bit gutless, 0.9 engine after all. I have the 1.2 and love it, it's nippy and very economical but bear in mind there are only 2 seats in the back. You wont fit a lot of luggage in the back either (true story, after a row with DH I stomped out of the house with a very small suitcase, opened the boot, it wouldn't fit. )

I occasionally have us all and one of DD1s friends in the car but I don't need to do that.

SistersOfPercy :D Not laughing at your argument, but you do paint a humorous picture. Like something out an old Beeb sitcom...

To be fair on the 500, DW disliked the interior more than me. I thought it was quirky. I felt the TwinAir was beyond 'gutless' though. Driven plenty of under-powered (but smooth) vehicles in my time - the tester I drove felt more like a chicken chaser (!!!)

Lupo it was funny, kind of ended the argument as it all felt a bit like a bad sitcom

I love mine, I drove a Morris Minor for many years and it has that kind of vibe to it. Just about to start shopping for another for DD, though again it will be a 1.2 Lounge. One of the first things I did with mine was take it to the local Graphics guy and had some stickers on it to make it a little different. DD would like a white one and has plans to turn it into R2D2.....

Skoda Fabias a good cars that aren't huge. They have a surprising amount of boot space. They do an estate version too of you wanted more room to play with.

Skoda Fabias a good cars that aren't huge

Totally agreed. The wise man's Polo I say. Just make sure the Skoda dealership near you is good for customer service. Mine was tripe.

GREAT car. Crap stealership...