To think that car reviews are no bloody use to me?

[entropynow]

It's all about the trim, the excitement of driving it, the look, the styling for at least the first five paras/minutes video. Even the alleged nitty gritty bit runs up inadequate.

I DON'T CARE about any of that crap. Is it quiet, comfortable, safe, reliable, affordable?

We are not all petrolheads. Where is the market for "I just want a good tin box on wheels for getting from A to B predictably and comfortably without spending a mint" reviews?

And if any of you know such a review site, please link in comments. PLEASE. I've taken on the task of pre-sorting for the new-to-us car purchase, and I'm bored already after an hour.

I went to one of those large car supermarket type places where they have loads of different brands/models on display. I’d had my old car (Honda CRV) for over 14 years, so I wasn’t up to date with what’s available currently and I wanted to find a similar size car that’s going to be as reliable. I categorically do not want to change cars every 2-3 years.

It was handy to be able to compare boot size and seat comfort front and rear, seatbelt fit, etc., and it really helped narrow down the choice for me so I could then look for my preferred model at the right price.

In the end, I bought a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and I’m very happy with it.

www.honestjohn.co.uk/

I’ve found this site really helpful

@emmathedilemma

No, because looks really don't matter to me. I want to know what it's like to own and drive and pay for for years and years. As another poster has said, I can't be arsed changing cars often if one doesn't suit.

I'd second honestjohn. It has different sections, where it can tell you about trim etc if you want it, but it will also tell you about reliability, any known issues, real world mpg, insurance groups, parking, whether you can overtake etc etc. Also tells you similar cars to look at (eg I started looking at fiestas and polos for my needs, HJ prompted me that Skoda fabias and Kia Rios are similar but budget versions so much cheaper, and cheaper to service/repair)

I think a Honda Jazz sounds like a good fit for you. Someone upthread mentioned Kia Venga which might work too. We bought one as we couldn't find a good secondhand Jazz locally. It's been very reliable and fine so far. I went from a very upgraded R Line VW Tiguan which was 4X the price and am still pretty happy with how nippy it is!

We're having baby no 3 and now need a bigger car so thanks for starting this thread, loads of good general advice.

@igelkott2021

Well, we did have a troublesome Toyota once, so it's not entirely prejudice. But unless it's the only brand with comfortable seats (unlikely), it's off the menu.

I agree with you OP, and find car adverts on the TV farcical. There's never any other traffic on the road, and the most important thing seems to be how easy it is to play music from your mobile.

My kids are now adults (or so they claim), but can remember the look on many show room staff faces when we turned up with two car seats to see how easily they fitted. It almost like manufactures don't realise that the vast majority of their potential customers use cars to transport themselves and their family around.

It was a tip off from MN that got us looking at the Kia Venga, it has amazing interior space and legroom for its size. Both our parents and PILs have this kind of "small MPV" car because it has a higher seating position, they are popular for Motability too.

You basically need to work out the size / "class" of car and then compare different manufacturer's models. Some are near -clones due to being the same manufacturers, others are quite different. So the Venga is "small MPV" but you might be looking at "family hatchback" i.e. Golf/Focus/Astra/Ceed etc. If you don't have dogs or do camping or otherwise need boot space, a small hatchback might be OK for you. You need to narrow it down to a few brands at this point and you could look at reviews for particular features.

Then work out engine/fuel/hybrid type and trim level within your shortlist, e.g. I knew I wanted onboard satnav so that ruled a lot out. Consider future and whether low emission zones will affect you.

Then you should have a shortlist of cars to look for on Autotrader and go and look at in person and you will probably find one or two options emerge as the front runner.

What I love is that the people who care about torque etc would never ever drive an automatic. So when they draw up in the outside lane at traffic lights expecting to get in front of you, you are up and away and ahead while they're still changing gears.

@NotMeNoNo

The thing that would concern me about the Venga is it is already a ten year old model and we want something to last at least another 8 or 9.

@MereDintofPandiculation

What I love is that the people who care about torque etc would never ever drive an automatic. So when they draw up in the outside lane at traffic lights expecting to get in front of you, you are up and away and ahead while they're still changing gears.

Huh?

@NavigatingAdolescence

An "I just looove driving" poster popped in to tell us all that we hold her up by driving ordinary, non-souped up cars.

Seriously folks, not the tread for this, for or against. I just want recs for what I want in a car.

I don't know what the fuck torque is. Or what 2WD/4WD are. Or what a split tailgate is. (Isn't tailgating sitting close behind someone to threaten them into driving faster, therefore risking an accident?)

Torque is how much pulling power something has. It’s why you don’t see Nissan Micras pulling horse boxes.

You don’t understand what 2 wheel drive is and how it’s different to 4 wheel drive? Quite important to understand this if you drive in snowy/slippery conditions.

The tailgate is the boot opening. A split one has part that opens up and part that opens down, making it easier to lift heavy things into the boot/dogs to jump in etc.

Tailgating is driving too close to someone’s tailgate.

I have no idea what torque is, but I would never drive an automatic.

I find driving quite dull, and the only thing that keeps me focussed is having to change gears. If I didn't have to do that, my mind would wander quite dangerously.

Then again, my complete lack of interest in cars is a bit untypical. I have no idea what make my first car was. I have only the vaguest idea where the engine is, and I certainly have no clue as to how to open the front lid. And you know that squirty thing that squirts on the windscreen? When it won't squirt any more, my feeling is that the car's broken and it's time to get a new one.

yanbu
I'm more interested if my adult size teens can sit in the back without breaking their knees and that the electric charge range is realistic.

You are asking how long a piece of string is. Some people may be comfy in a fiesta but find a merc uncomfortable. It's so subjective. You just have to ignore the BS and trial everything that fits your criteria to see what you like the most.

What's difficult about that?

Op, I would recommend Honest John as well or parkers, look for owners reviews for all the little niggly things.

@chocolateorangeinhaler

You are asking how long a piece of string is. Some people may be comfy in a fiesta but find a merc uncomfortable. It's so subjective. You just have to ignore the BS and trial everything that fits your criteria to see what you like the most.

What's difficult about that?

It's not difficult, obviously. However, it's (to me) boring as fuck. Looking to pare down my choices, that's all.

Shopping (for anything, really) is not a recreational activity in this house.

Parker's is an excellent place for car reviews

Journalists and owners alike. It's my go to site when researching cars and it will tell you what you should expect to pay

You need Honest John, or Parkers car buyers reviews, thats where I looked up mine.

@PixieKitten

Thanks. Will rec that and Honest John to DH.

That will teach me to read all the posts, someone has already said it !

On the seatbelt thing I gave up and bought a booster cushion. I'm 5'6" but have needed it in every car I've driven including rentals to make the seatbelt more comfortable and have a better view. Google "seat wedge pillow" and there are lots of different ones but I have needed it in everything from a Saab estate, Ford Ka, Vauxhall Astra - now driving a DS3 Crossback electric SUV and still using the old booster cushion!

Seatbelts are designed for men, which is why women find them so difficult to use comfortably.