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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to want someone to just pick a car for me?

91 replies

PyongyangKipperbang · 20/01/2023 21:55

I am getting a new (well, new to me) car in the next few weeks and it is frankly pissing me off. I have to get rid of the shed on wheels I am driving before it falls apart, it is costing a fortune to repair/run so I have no choice. However I have no fucking clue what I am replacing it with!

At one point I had 6 kids plus me and (then) DH so needed a big car, there was much less choice so the decision was easier. Now there is me and DC6 in the main, plus occasionally DC's 4&5 so I am looking at a small ish hatchback..But there are so fucking many!! And the extras.....FFS! I dont know what half of them even are....I mean what the actual fuck is "Anti Submarining Ramps on Seats"?! That is something I saw on an ad for Corsa iirc on Auto Trader! A/C and rear parking sensors are a must but after that.....no fucking idea!

I quite like the Fiat Punto but they are cheap.....suspiciously cheap iykwim, so I am wondering if there is something about them that other people know that I dont!

Any advice, recommendations, warnings etc would be gladly received!

OP posts:
DistrictCommissioner · 20/01/2023 22:01

I bought a Nissan Almera based on somebody on MN telling me it was a good car. It was a great car!

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 20/01/2023 22:05

Why don’t you come up with a list of what you do want? And go from there?
EG:
Age
Price range
Petrol/Hybrid
Manual/Automatic
3/5 door
4/5 seats
Engine size
High driving position

and then the added extras you night want,
EG:
Leather Seats
Sunroof
Auto lights/wipers
Apple CarPlay

etc etc, that kind of thing, then feed it in to something like AA used cars and see what comes up and what you like the look of.

WildCherryBlossom · 20/01/2023 22:06

Several people I know wax lyrical about their Honda Jazzes.

LifeInAHamsterWheel · 20/01/2023 22:07

My budget choice would be a Fiesta. Parking sensors, hill assist, heated windscreen etc.

A friend has recently got the VW ID4 (fully electric) and I have fallen in love. Just need to win the lotto now!

QuestionableMouse · 20/01/2023 22:08

Skoda Fabia or Octavia.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 20/01/2023 22:08

I think any Japanese/Korean cars are a safe bet, Toyotas, Hyundai, Honda etc.

I had a fiat punto - it was rubbish!!

TenPenceMix · 20/01/2023 22:09

Tell us what you need from a car and we'll help

SerenaTee · 20/01/2023 22:10

I love Ford, they’re just straight forward cars. I’d go for a Fiesta or Ecosport.

SnackyOnassis · 20/01/2023 22:11

For mid range options, I'd recommend the Volvo V40 in a heartbeat - I had one for a few years before having to get something bigger and absolutely loved it. Super reliable, a solid, reassuring feeling car and incredible MPG which is a major consideration with fuel prices now.
Looks like a hatchback but you can fit an enormous amount in it.
I have a couple of friends who feel similarly about the Mazda 3 - good looking car, feels reliable.
The Volvo is really lovely though. Worth a test drive!

Maray1967 · 20/01/2023 22:11

I love my fiesta - but it might be too small for you if 3 Dc might be regularly in it plus bags etc. Is the puma the next one up in size?

Snoopystick · 20/01/2023 22:11

Honda accords are great - wish I still
had my old one

Whycanineverever · 20/01/2023 22:12

I have a Jazz. Love it. Relatively expensive for small car though.

Aposterhasnoname · 20/01/2023 22:12

I love my fiesta more than I ever thought I could love a car.

illiterato · 20/01/2023 22:13

Kia. Uncool but great cars with 7 year warranty.

Fiat stands for “fix it again, Tony”

whataboutsecondbreakfast · 20/01/2023 22:15

Hyundai are excellent. I've had two and neither have ever had anything go wrong with them - just normal wear and tear.

Cheap to run and insure, great to drive and surprisingly spacious.

usernamealreadytaken · 20/01/2023 22:17

What's your budget? I have a Volvo V40 Cross Country and I bloody love it; it's big enough but not enormous, everything feels solid and well built, and I could seriously see myself driving it for several hundred thousand miles (FIL had 300k on his old Volvo when it finally went).

mothtoaflame · 20/01/2023 22:17

I love my Citroen C3 aircross. They do a small hatchback version.

whirlyswirly · 20/01/2023 22:18

I had this issue last time I needed a car and asked on my Facebook page. Lots of people said just get a golf. I just got a golf. It's fab.

Justleaveitblankthen · 20/01/2023 22:19

Japanese all the way. My Toyota was a little workhorse. Now drive a Mazda. Fabulous cars.

usernamealreadytaken · 20/01/2023 22:19

SnackyOnassis · 20/01/2023 22:11

For mid range options, I'd recommend the Volvo V40 in a heartbeat - I had one for a few years before having to get something bigger and absolutely loved it. Super reliable, a solid, reassuring feeling car and incredible MPG which is a major consideration with fuel prices now.
Looks like a hatchback but you can fit an enormous amount in it.
I have a couple of friends who feel similarly about the Mazda 3 - good looking car, feels reliable.
The Volvo is really lovely though. Worth a test drive!

Yes, hadn't seen your post when I did mine. Love my Volvo - always had Astras before and raved about them, but the Volvo just feels like a step up.

toomanydicksonthedancefloor1 · 20/01/2023 22:20

A few simple questions:-

  • how many miles a year do you do?
  • what type of journeys - long or short?
  • do you need plenty of boot space?
  • what's your budget?
  • what is important - cost to run? Looks? Speed? Spec?
Fckingfuming · 20/01/2023 22:21

Hyundai have been mentioned. We had an i40 and it had to have 3 clutches in the space of 5 years that we owned it. Apparently it's a well known problem with that particular model, I know it's bigger than you're looking for, but so many say Korean/Japanese are reliable, not in this case!

Original poster
PyongyangKipperbang · 20/01/2023 22:21

Thank you!!

Gratified to see the love for Fiestas as I was thinking of those. I think it would be big enough but would want a 5 dr rather than 3dr.

I have made a list, my selection on Auto Trader is soooo long but there are still so many different ones!

Good to know that the Punto is crap, I suspected it might be due to the price!

Had a Volvo XC90 after my 8 seat Previa and I fucking LOVED that car, 7 proper seats, built in booster, fabulous to drive. Had to get rid when I got rid of the ex H as couldnt afford to run it :( Have an old style Kia Sportage, my parents both have Kia's too. I adore my mother Picanto but fuck me for a small car it is thirsty, I dont know if its just the type she has, its a boy racer with sports suspension etc, but it gets through as much fuel as my 4x4. If it werent for that, I would go for a Picanto in a heartbeat.

The annoying thing is that as the only driver I had no choice but to learn a LOT about cars, so its not like I am clueless about whats under the bonnet, its the more superficial stuff that is melting my brain. I might just go and have a wander around a car supermarket and see what I like the look of....I am not good at any kind of shopping though, I like limited choice so it makes the choosing easier!

OP posts:
Original poster
PyongyangKipperbang · 20/01/2023 22:26

how many miles a year do you do? Lowish, 6-8k

what type of journeys - long or short? Short

do you need plenty of boot space? Not masses but more than space for a handbag (which is about all my sister has in her IQ!)

what's your budget? Up to 12k but I that is the absolute limit and I dont really want to go that high

what is important - cost to run? Looks? Speed? Spec? - Low mileage, service history, preferably no more than 2 previous owners (saw one that was 5 years old with low mileage etc but had had 4 owners......Hmm), ideally low tax and good MPG.....not picky much Grin

OP posts:
ODPintheNHS · 20/01/2023 22:28

I’ve had my Honda Jazz for 8 years.

I LOVE it