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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:
SwedishEdith · 20/01/2023 23:28

I've got a Honda that just keeps going. Asked my mechanic this week what he'd recommend when I come to replace it one day and he said "another Honda". Basically any Japanese "except Mazda" so interesting to see them being recommended.

Original poster
PyongyangKipperbang · 21/01/2023 17:54

Thanks for all the advice, will make a trip to the big car place tomorrow and have a look round at some of the cars mentioned to see if anything floats my boat!

OP posts:
bowlingalleyblues · 21/01/2023 18:03

I have a Kia Ceed, bought from dealer 4 years old so still 3 years on warranty for £8,000. Very happy with it so far. 40,000 miles, 1 previous owner, it’s a small outside (easy to park), big inside (boot, rear seats) tardis.

MoscowMules · 21/01/2023 18:06

I have a DACIA Sandero brand new for circa £13k.

I gave up on the second hand car market, I was practically going to pay the same in finance for a 3 year old car that I would for a brand new shiny car.

I've only had it a few days, but having driven previously a Volvo V50 estate, and a vauxhall astra, the DACIA is a nicer drive than the astra, but obviously not as good as the Volvo. Economy wise I have a bi-fuel engine in mine, meaning I can switch to the LPG engine which has a lower carbon footprint. They are also economical for short distance driving or long distance driving.

It has everything I need, rear parking camera and sensors, AC, LCD upfront display and phone connectivity.

DACIA's are basically Renault, the chassis and engines are the same. Just different trim and styling.

So yeah if you are looking for a reliable, cheap and cheerful car. DACIA really is the best in that niche market.

FuzzyPuffling · 21/01/2023 18:08

I too have a Honda Jazz and am very happy with it.

Having decided that was what I wanted I phoned a dealer, said I wanted a proper handbrake and a CD player, a petrol engine and a manual gearbox and he did all the rest. He emailed me details of several likely cars and I chose the one I wanted to test drive. Painless and I didn't feel pressured.

Bookworm333 · 21/01/2023 18:14

Strong vote for a Toyota here. Loved our 5 door yaris. Cheap to run, reliable, never had any issues with it at all. I think very reasonable space inside too considering it's a small car. Have a feeling they only do hybrids now though?

tootrueblue · 21/01/2023 18:19

PyongyangKipperbang · 21/01/2023 17:54

Thanks for all the advice, will make a trip to the big car place tomorrow and have a look round at some of the cars mentioned to see if anything floats my boat!

If you have a shortlist now, there's a YouTube channel called Carwow which has great reviews on all kinds of cars. Informative but might also be a bit of a break from reading reviews online if they've sent you a bit mad! They tend to point out the pros and cons

cafesandbookshops · 21/01/2023 18:24

Watching this thread to learn more about cars! I recently bought my first and its basically a 2008 Daewoo. It was cheap as chips and fine as a first car to runaround in but I’m already looking ahead ho upgrading as the parts are hard to get.

What are peoples thoughts on Suzukis?

Favouritefruits · 21/01/2023 18:26

Look at where the parts are made, I’ve been without a car for over six months as the headlight is made in Russia and due to the sanctions they can’t buy new parts.

Blossomtoes · 21/01/2023 18:29

The best car I ever had was a Toyota Auris hybrid. I loved that car so much.

user1471538283 · 21/01/2023 18:29

The best and cheapest small car I had was the Citroen Saxo. She was amazing! I had her for years until it wasn't financially viable to keep her.

watchingpullimgepisode6 · 21/01/2023 18:33

My fiesta is awesome. Economical, nippy, easy to drive. Cheap to get stuff done like tyres etc.
can't go wrong.

Original poster
PyongyangKipperbang · 22/01/2023 00:20

What I really want is my mother's Picanto, she has rear parking cameras (handy where I live!) and an epic entertainment system, sports suspension and is so much fun to drive, chucking it around corners and bazzing around lanes but the selfish bitch wont let me have it! (Yes I am joking!.....sort of!). I mean, if she just handed it over, I could afford the petrol costs but will she have it?! NO!

OP posts:
LCforlife · 22/01/2023 00:33

I love Japanese cars and that's what I have now but it's way too big for what you want.

My favourite ever car though was my 5 door corsa. It was brilliant, hardly ever went wrong, cheap to repair and nice to drive.

Original poster
PyongyangKipperbang · 22/01/2023 01:13

@LCforlife I had an 8 seat Toyota Previa for years, and it is my favourite car! I did have an XC90 but it was a dog (just unlucky from what I have read) and in the end the dealer took it back, so although it was nicer to drive, I still have a special place in my heart for my darling old girl Previe!

OP posts:
Bubblepanda · 22/01/2023 12:11

I could have written this thread. Choosing a new car is literally driving me crazy. After reading everyone's comments I think it has helped me decide on a Toyota. Now which one!!! Are you any closer to deciding OP?

Sunshineandrainbow · 22/01/2023 13:47

Bubblepanda · 22/01/2023 12:11

I could have written this thread. Choosing a new car is literally driving me crazy. After reading everyone's comments I think it has helped me decide on a Toyota. Now which one!!! Are you any closer to deciding OP?

Me too...
I have a 2010 peugeot 107 which has done 150.000 miles.
I do 2 community jobs and I worry constantly about it breaking down although it never has!
Think peugeot 107 is similar to Toyota auris. I am just hoping the second hand car prices drop soon.

Blossomtoes · 22/01/2023 13:53

Bubblepanda · 22/01/2023 12:11

I could have written this thread. Choosing a new car is literally driving me crazy. After reading everyone's comments I think it has helped me decide on a Toyota. Now which one!!! Are you any closer to deciding OP?

I’d recommend the Auris hybrid. When I got mine I ideally wanted a smaller car and test drove a Yaris which I knew I didn’t want in the first two minutes, and an Aygo which I dismissed pretty quickly too. The Auris was in a different league.

Var57 · 22/01/2023 14:22

This is what I have. Its a bit like driving a sewing machine after the Honda Civic 1.8, but I still like it. I'll admit I bought it because its 'cute' (and Japanese).

www.motors.co.uk/car-65707162/?i=0&m=srf

pristinesurfacesGBTD · 22/01/2023 14:24

WildCherryBlossom · 20/01/2023 22:06

Several people I know wax lyrical about their Honda Jazzes.

Hybrid

usernamealreadytaken · 24/01/2023 23:00

Come on then @PyongyangKipperbang - did you buy a new car??

Original poster
PyongyangKipperbang · 25/01/2023 00:32

@usernamealreadytaken

Not yet. Been working extra long shifts this week so I am making a long list tomorrow based on this thread recommendations then on Sunday going to the nearest car supermarket to have a "trying on" session and then I will short list my favourites and choose from that.

This thread really has been helpful and I promise to let you all know what I go for!

Meant to say, I have spoken a couple of people who have Seats and they all rave about them, my boss has had three in a row and says it will take a lot for her to change to a different make which is good to hear.

OP posts:
larkstar · 25/01/2023 00:55

I also suggest the Fabia - we have had 4 in our family - a lot more room inside than they look like from the outside - never had a problem with any of them. Never spent more than about £5k on one - used.

QuestionableMouse · 26/01/2023 12:37

PyongyangKipperbang · 25/01/2023 00:32

@usernamealreadytaken

Not yet. Been working extra long shifts this week so I am making a long list tomorrow based on this thread recommendations then on Sunday going to the nearest car supermarket to have a "trying on" session and then I will short list my favourites and choose from that.

This thread really has been helpful and I promise to let you all know what I go for!

Meant to say, I have spoken a couple of people who have Seats and they all rave about them, my boss has had three in a row and says it will take a lot for her to change to a different make which is good to hear.

My partner had a Seat Ibiza estate and it was very cramped inside - my Fabia was much more roomy.

Whyareblokesonhere · 26/01/2023 12:46

Kia ceed then, seriously the most underrated car manufacturers out there