To ask where the cars board is?

[XantheBreeze]

I’m looking for a small automatic car to suit a small (5’3) person and budget of up to £4500, low tax, probably 10 years old.
I’m hoping 10 year old cars can still be reliable!

I’d thought there must be a cars board on mumsnet but can’t seem to find one.

Can anyone point me in the right direction, or even better recommend a good car or website to look on?

Or tell me your positive or negative experiences of small, old (or high mileage) automatics?

Thanks!

Honda Jazz!

Thanks, I was thinking about Japanese as they’re supposed to be reliable aren’t they.

I have a lovely Peugeot 2008. It's automatic and I'm only 5ft tall but my dh sometimes drives it and it's fine for him. It is still immaculate and is a 13 plate. Automatic and 0 tax.

In your position I would get either a Honda or Toyota. My BMW small car was a money pit. Ford's are ok they are cheap to get spare parts for but I would stick with a Honda jazz or Toyota Yaris

I bought a Skoda Felicia a few years ago. It was 15 years old at the time but had only done 37k miles. It was bloody brilliant!

Honda jazz's are meant to be very reliable cars.

One thing my MIL and SIL have noticed is that driving a small car does make you more prone to people trying to bully you off the road.

They both have a Skoda Fabia although my SIL now has a Nissan Juke that she loves.

I had an auto corsa. It was nice

I just found a great car on Auto Trader:
www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112100400554

Depends how small you want but we have a Hyundai i10 and it’s brilliant. Surprisingly roomy inside, 5 door, both my DC fit in it.

I find autotrader great! You can put loads of filters in and put in how far you're prepared to travel.

Or this one....

Depending on where you live you have to pay £12:50 a day to drive a car of a certain age, definitely in London so check this out too. X

I've recently borrowed a friends Kia Picanto automatic while my car was being fixed. She's about 5'3 too.

It was lovely to drive, and quite economical too.

Something like this maybe

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112020152450

I have owned Peugot 306, VW polo and Honda jazx.
The Honda Jazz is by far the best. I am even shorter than you and it has amazing raised seat feature better than any other car I've owned. Plus it's very spacious inside: it's our main car for family of 4, and is big enough to do camping holidays/ski-drive holidays, etc.

Thanks for your tips, very helpful!

I’m in the South West so I’ve no need to worry about ULEZ etc. It seems harsh for London drivers who can’t afford new cars though.

I’ll do some digging on Autotrader. If anyone has a small reliable automatic that fits the bill feel free to PM me ( if that’s allowed?).

I’ll start my search with the Honda Jazz as it has 3 votes from @JabNotInArm @Blueuggboots and @XantheBreeze

I did test drive a 2005 Toyota Aygo yesterday but it sort of lurched through the automatic gear changes which was a bit off putting- not sure if it was just that one car as it was so old.

Jazz definitely.

I would say Up too but it's manual.

@XantheBreeze

Thanks, I was thinking about Japanese as they’re supposed to be reliable aren’t they.

My 11 year old Japanese car has always been reliable. It’s currently in the garage having an engine strip down to find a major problem. £1500 just to find out what is wrong. (But still cheaper than a new/second hand car. (Second hand cars are at premium prices right now due to shortage of new cars, just FYI.))

@sharksarecool

I have owned Peugot 306, VW polo and Honda jazx. The Honda Jazz is by far the best. I am even shorter than you and it has amazing raised seat feature better than any other car I've owned. Plus it's very spacious inside: it's our main car for family of 4, and is big enough to do camping holidays/ski-drive holidays, etc.

Seriously?! We struggle to fit everything for 3 into a big SUV - last time we camped we needed to hire a roof box as well!

@WouldIBeATwat - whixh SUV? Most these days are just raised hatchbacks with terrible storage and boot space. The Jazz did us as a workhorse and family car for years. As much space as our current 3 series touring.

See also Skoda Yeti! Considering ditching my Focus for one of these

[quote JabNotInArm]@WouldIBeATwat - whixh SUV? Most these days are just raised hatchbacks with terrible storage and boot space. The Jazz did us as a workhorse and family car for years. As much space as our current 3 series touring.

[/quote]
Outlander. Definitely not a hatchback on taller wheels!

I suspect you don’t take a multi fuel fridge and 8 person tent when you go camping……. ;)

I had a Toyota Yaris for 20 years. It never let me down, they are brilliant little cars.

@Theoldcuriosityshop that’s impressive! So it lasted 20 years from new? How many miles before it died?

I drive a Honda Jazz.
Years ago I had a BMW which I loved but it was a money pit as soon as it got older.

Have had to downsize quite drastically recently owing to money issues on moving back to the UK, I have never had a Honda before but the Jazz was recommended. It's a great little car, never goes wrong, starts in all weathers, copes well with the country lanes as well as motorways and last year, got me home in thick snow when other cars were stopping by the roadside. It even got me up a snowy hill (weaving between jackknifed lorries!)

I'm 5'4", it's a good size for my height, and the car has plenty of room for passengers, luggage etc. The seats drop completely to make a flat surface....so much so, I reckon I could put a small duvet in there and tour Scotland (not tried it, just a fanciful idea I have for a cheap holiday!)