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.

@Hankunamatata

I get ya. Iv got long legged teen and two more coming behind him. Plus long legged husband. I need to find a car that can sit 5 people and 4 of them 6ft

The problem tends to be shoulder room rather than leg room. I had a Nissan Note and you could slide the entire back seat further back which was great for leg room but the car wasn't any wider so shoulder space became a problem. So, a car with individually adjustable rear seats is probably going to work better so you can stagger the middle one further back or forward. The old Renault scenic was ideal for that but I bet there are others in the market - also watch the headroom, estate type cars fare better as the roof doesn't slope down so quickly.

For when tall teens start to drive, I thoroughly recommend a Skoda Citigo, no longer produced new but plenty available second hand. DS1 was 6'3 and all legs and he struggled to fit in a lot of cars (even biggish ones) as his legs were jammed round the steering wheel. He fitted in the Citigo with room to spare and it's very reliable, easy to drive and cheap to insure and run.

I recommend Carwow too

I love my Fiesta 2016.Its got everything i need.Reverse Park camera,Bluetooth phone connection,electric Windows etc and v v good on fuel.Brilliant car.

Just want to make a case for Toyota, I love ours! Has been a great family car (have back trouble and seats are really comfy), we have the Rav 4 - Toyota ranks really high for reliability ( family member has had his for 12+ years never had a problem, had ours 5 years now and no problems, all smooth sailing). Is so comfy, reliable and roomy we were planning a euro driving trip holiday before Covid hit. V roomy interior, two car seats in and space to spare. Massive boot. Has level slide in boot so v easy for getting buggy in/out. Seat belts don’t dig my neck ( am 5” 3) and the visibility out of the windows is great ( we tried the Kia Sportage but found the small letterbox windows quite claustrophobic). If reliability and comfort are high priorities also check out Mazda. Kia also rates well, we just didn’t find it as comfy and spacious as the Rav

[quote entropynow]@RincewindsHat

Civic or Jazz? We are an older couple and don't need it as a family car but do need to watch our backs and will mostly be taking longish drives (anything under 3-4 miles, we walk)[/quote]
I have a Jazz, it wasn't my choice, it was supposed to be temporary but despite it looking a bit of an OAP car it is so bloody good I have had it for several years and have no plans to replace it.

The load space is incredible, I can get so much in it, I didn't need to collapse the handles on the wheelchair or remove the back wheels. DH's bike can fit in without too much fuss. I can get loads of animal feed/bedding in.

The seats are comfy, the driving position decent, plenty of room for rear seat passengers. It holds motorway speeds comfortably and is nippy around town.

The visibility is amazing, it turns like a black can and you can park it anywhere.

I can't critisise it for anything other than not being "cool"

I'm 5ft 1"

I have had 3 Ford Kuga's and now drive a Dacia Duster

they are all fine - get you from a-b reliably - fit lots of stuff in (I camp) and comfortably fit us all - one small adult and two tall teens one short one!

also I'd go to one of those car supermarket places (NOT to buy!) and sit in lots of different cars - our little legs need the kind of seat that allows us to reach the peddles without the steering wheel being in our laps or our heads under the dash!

@ghostylovesheets

Exactly!

@Jellyfishnchips

No argument from me but DH simply won't consider a Toyota. Everyone thinks he is super helpful and easy going, which he is UNLESS he makes his mind up about something (usually trivial).

Huge vote for Honda Jazz. Big windows (can't stand tiny tinted back windows) huge amount of space inside - a tardis! Hugely reliable. Not tiny and cramped like other little cars. Cheaper than similar cars.

YANBU at all OP. We bought a car recently. I whinged about the process on here - I felt totally unable to compare anything to anything. I think if you focus on your top 3 requirements - e.g. price, reliability ratings, boot space and start comparing cars by that on WhatCar or similar, or by asking on here, you'll sort through things quickly.

We needed 3 car seats in a row, boot space and ulez compliant. I now have a pint of milk bottle on wheels suitable family car and can spend my evenings not on WhatCar.

I felt the same way OP so asked an RAC man which brand of car he went out to the least...he said Kia so I narrowed search down to that then looked at mileage. Plus no tax required on it (picanto)

Ah never mind! Know where you’re coming from though! My DH had a massive aversion to an particular shrub when we were re-doing our garden a few years ago, like a really extreme reaction(!), it was just a small green shrub and I couldn’t see what was so offensive, lol! In that case I will also vouch for the comfort, practicality and reliability of the Honda Jazz, a real honest work horse of a car, v comfy and never had problems with it

I currently drive a Kia Soul , our son has just bought a new Rio and my dsis also has a Kia . Their base spec is generally good and the warranty is fantastic . I wouldn’t touch Ford now even though I have had several fords in the past , as I think the build quality is dreadful . I’m also going to look at Ssang Yong ( I think that’s how you spell it ) when I get a new car next year as they also do a 7 yr / 100000mile warranty .

@entropynow Ok, for example, I looked and found this. The video is from 2017 so it’s been available in the cars since then at least, but it shows Honda has four-way power lumbar support available for Civics.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=19pxvMNZ6Eg

To avoid bias, it looks like Kia (another of the reliable used brands) also have power lumbar support. Here’s the page from the manual on it with a picture from their Sportage (you may have to check other models or specific types):
www.ksportagegl.com/lumbar_support-19.html

Unless you have an independent garage that you really trust you could start by identifying which makes have a servicing dealership fairly easily accessible. Nothing worse than booking a service and having to entertain yourself in a far-flung location for hours while they do it or having to get home and back again on 27 different modes of transport.

You may get a recall at some point, even on an oldish car, that necessitates going to the main dealership.

What's parking like where you live/go frequently? Have a look at the dimensions.

I'd second wandering round one of those car supermarkets - you can learn a lot. I generally buy from them and have never had a problem.

Another thought: if you've found something you think you like, if you buy online, without physically seeing the actual car, it will be delivered to you and will count as distance selling, so you have the right to drive it around locally for a week or two (check selling Ts and Cs) and then return it if it doesn't suit. I'm not sure how much of a pain the paperwork would be if you did return it, though.

[quote entropynow]@ghostylovesheets

Exactly!

@Jellyfishnchips

No argument from me but DH simply won't consider a Toyota. Everyone thinks he is super helpful and easy going, which he is UNLESS he makes his mind up about something (usually trivial).[/quote]
The Beloved says much the same about me, but she’s misunderstanding what’s going on. There’s a whole thread in that.

@RightYesButNo

thanks, those are helpful. Looking like Honda and Kia both on the list, will look at both the small family and supermini sizes

@WalkingOnTheCracks

I have no theory on what's going on; I merely observe and adjust accordingly

OK so: didn't like the Jazz, sorry Jazz owners. Ditto the Focus, Golf, Polo, Kia Rio, Skoda Kamiq and Citroen C3.

Did like the VW T-Cross. Anyone here got one - there was only one owners review on honest john? I've read conflicting accounts of whether it's good for long journeys. Did like the Kia Xceed, though a bit big for just us two. Views?

Trying the new i20 (with staff discount could even buy new)

Why an SUV?
I really don't understand the obsession with SUVs

@AnotherEmma

Why an SUV? I really don't understand the obsession with SUVs

Better driving position, easier to get in and out of as they tend to sit higher are two reasons.