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Original poster

Help me choose a car !!! (Fun)

29 replies

Kaz33 · 29/11/2006 19:50

DH has just got a new job which is more money and a huge challenge. But we will now need two cars as he is going to be driving to work.

We have a good car which will be his. I need to choose a runaround for me and the two boys. It doesn't need to be huge, as we have an estate for trips away.

I want a smallish hatchback, with plenty of poke, automatic. Something with a bit of style and reliable.

Inspire me, looking through car mags and feeling a bit overawed. I have never bought a car before.

OP posts:
McDreamy · 29/11/2006 19:51

Always loved my VW Golfs

mosschops30 · 29/11/2006 19:55

i love my mini, its hugely impractical but like you dh has a bigger family car.

My car is lots of fun and i love driving it every time I get into it.

Notquitesure · 29/11/2006 19:58

I'm getting a car in the new yr, still have to learn to drive though! Everyone keeps telling me to get a Yaris.

Skyler · 29/11/2006 19:59

Our Honda Jazz was great. Amazing storage, very economical, nice high sitting position for small car therefore easier to get dd's in and out of car seats and easy to park. I loved it, and miss it. Don't know about the automatic version though.
The new Honda Civic looks cool too.

Skyler · 29/11/2006 20:00

Oooh not a Yaris. I got one as a courtesy car whilst our Verso was being serviced and it was awful......

Original poster
Kaz33 · 29/11/2006 20:06

Used to have Golf and like them. Polos look suprisingly big on the forecourt.

Must admit fancy a mini cooper. But does it have any poke ???

OP posts:
hulababy · 29/11/2006 20:07

Don't get a Smart ForFour

We have had 3 VW Golfs and have loved them. Never had automatic ones, but had the GTi twice now and it is lovely.

McDreamy · 29/11/2006 20:09

I've had a polo in the past too and it was nice - prior to having children though so can't comment on the space. Have curretly got a SAAB 9-3 fantastic, fun but not the most practical car with children but like you it is a second car. Loads of poke and very stylish (IMO)

mosschops30 · 29/11/2006 20:09

admit that the mini doesnt have as much poke as i thought it would (you could go for the cooper s) but i picked a cooper with all the trimmings and sports suspension so it great fun to drive. Its just one of those cars that people look at, and I still love looking at other minis even though ive got one.

Plus the new model comes out next month I think so ideal time to snap up a bargain

gladbag · 29/11/2006 20:16

I had a Polo and I loved it. Fab car. Only a 1.4 but it was really pokey. They can seem expensive, as they hold their price well, but I didn't have a single problem with mine in 6 years. They're not huge, but are fine for everyday stuff. I prefer the older shape (new shape is from 2005 I think) and would imagine that a 1.6 or above must really go.....

Original poster
Kaz33 · 29/11/2006 20:16

I am being stupid here, but its not possible to get a five door mini is it ??

OP posts:
mosschops30 · 29/11/2006 20:19

sadly not, but i can get the two kids in plus a buggy, massive holdall and a travel cot in (god knows how we did it) when I went to my mothers for 4 days

Original poster
Kaz33 · 29/11/2006 20:23

They would probably love it having to scramble over the seats. But they are 5 and 3 so still in bulky child seats.

Oooh - at the moment am thinking I want to testdrive the mini and a polo. I know that the golf would be great.

OP posts:
TeamC · 29/11/2006 20:28

I've got a new shape Honda Civic auto, it's completely fab. V stylish, looks like 3 door but is actually 5, loads of space in the boot, v reliable. Downside is that fancy back window spoiler thingy restricts rear view. But I highly recommend anyway

PrincessPeaHead · 29/11/2006 20:29

get a mini cooper
be prepared for higher petrol consumption than you'd expect for a car that size though
complete classic, great fun, everyone loves them and the kids will be fine in their carseats (make sure you get a passenger airbag cut off switch too in case you want to bring a friend home from school for tea - crucial!)

suedonim · 29/11/2006 21:36

I lurrvve my Polo! The latest Polos are about the same size as the old Golfs. I managed to get a double futon from Ikea as well as two adults and dd2 in mine.

Original poster
Kaz33 · 29/11/2006 22:29

Oooooh decisions - have to sort out in the next week as DH starts work on Monday.....

Mini, polo, golf are my three to try at the moment.

OP posts:
Ellaroo · 29/11/2006 22:39

Surely in this position it has to be a new VW Beetle? Highly impractical, but would you care with a flower holder and creamy leather seats?

Quootiepie · 29/11/2006 22:40

My Dh swears by Honda Jazzs - we dont have one, but he would like one - he worked for Honda for abit and he says they were wonderful.

Quootiepie · 29/11/2006 22:42

saw a nice citroen c2 (?) sort of convertible in the showroom the other day, in a sort of retro-y cream colour looked fun.

Original poster
Kaz33 · 29/11/2006 22:43

That's two for the Honda Jazz and two for the Honda Civic - they enter the running.

Must admit - think the VW Beetle is a bit last century. We rented one "last century" for a weekend and didn't really hit it off.

OP posts:
Quootiepie · 29/11/2006 22:46

got to say DH says honda have never had an engine fail ever or something... something along those lines (I wanst really listening to him ). He hates modern cars, but he wouldnt stop raving about hondas!

Skyler · 29/11/2006 22:49

Hondas are amazingly reliable. The Jazz is great, honestly worth a look. It came top in the JD Power survey for the mini hatchback I think. That is an all round survey based on results from the car owners.
The Civic looks great though and will be more nippy.....

Blondilocks · 29/11/2006 23:00

I love my Fiesta Zetec 5 door. For a 1.4 it seems pretty nippy & have been very pleased with it. (Although have never had an automatic so don't know what they are like).

I wouldn't go for a 3 door. Too fiddly with car seats - LO's aunty has a 3 door civic of the old shape, lovely car & plenty of space to climb in & fit the seat but still fiddly.

The old shape Civics are pretty good - very roomy & nice to drive. Haven't driven a new Civic yet. Honda's are meant to be very reliable & also hold their value quite well. I want to test drive the Type R when it comes out next year.

Not so keen on the Jazz, but they are also quite roomy for a small car. ex OH thinks that they are really good cars & the Civic.

I think if I were to buy a new car I'd get a Fiesta (maybe the Zetec Sport) in that size range.
Probably a Civic if I was going for that size, & if it were a bigger car it'd have to be an Audi A4 or a Honda Accord!

The best thing I think is just to go & drive lots - I live near a motorpark so it was very easy to compare. We were told that it pretty much is down to preferences these days & the quality is reasonable on whatever one you choose. Some I just hated on the test drive.

Happy car shopping!

JanH · 29/11/2006 23:11

My neighbour has a Jazz, automatic because she has mobility probs, she loves it. The Jazz gets great write-ups from all the motoring press too

(DD1 passed her test yesterday and wants a car NOW! I'm trying to steer her towards a Jazz too)