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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

I am fed up with driving my tank-like estate, please recommend a cute little car for me

28 replies

bran · 17/10/2010 21:16

I have an Audi A4 estate, and there are a lot of things that I don't really like about driving it, mostly that it handles like a tank. I would like an indulgent little car instead so that I can bop and pootle around in it.

My DB has recommended an Audi TT, but I'm not having a mid-life crisis and don't really want a sports car, not least because I'm really too old and fat to be able to enter and exit them with dignity.

I really like Fiat 500s, but they only come in 3 door versions, and I have 2 DC with the youngest in a 5-point carseat for at least another year, so I think that might be too annoying (and bad for my old back).

It has to be an automatic as DH is refusing to will be learning to drive anytime now and would never master a manual wants to do an automatic only test. It has to be cute and a pleasure to drive. It has to be reasonably easy to strap a child into the back, I don't need to lift her in but she can't strap herself.

OP posts:
Hulababy · 17/10/2010 21:24

I have a Fiat 500 and I love it. DD calls it "Bubbles."

How tall are you? I am 5 foot and have always found 3 door cars better for me regards car seats. I used to find it easerto stand in the footwell to do car seats up, rather than having to try nd lean over when using 5 door car.

My DD is older now anyway and does her seat herself.

But my "Bubbles" is a fab car and the only thing I will be trading it in for will be for the convertible version, hopefully next week.

onepieceoflollipop · 17/10/2010 21:26

Ford Ka.

I am marginally taller than Hulababy but agree with waht she says about fitting dcs into seats with a 3 door being far easier.

littledawley · 17/10/2010 21:28

Mini? I'd really love one- you can get the clubman if you're worried about 3 doors.

ivykaty44 · 17/10/2010 21:31

golf

SparklyJules · 17/10/2010 21:36

Polo?

My DH refers to my Polo as "the go-kart" because it is so nippy!

MNHQ
OliviaMumsnet · 17/10/2010 21:43

My Fiat 500 Luigi rocks
Three door isn't a prob strapping babe in really except when 36week preg
(MN disclaimer: other cars/kas are available Wink)

SixtyFootGhooool · 17/10/2010 21:44

I'd love a Fiat 500

Original poster
bran · 17/10/2010 21:47

I'm about 5 ft 6 inches so a bit taller than Hula and Lollipop. I guess I could just bring DD and her car seat along for a test drive and see how I go with strapping her.

I'm not so keen on Minis, I'm not sure why. I should probably drive one and then see.

A Polo would definitely be a sensible option, but is it cute? (Perhaps I am having a mid-life crisis if I think 'cute' is more important than 'practical'. Hmm)

OP posts:
Original poster
bran · 17/10/2010 21:49

Lol at Olivia. If I buy a 500 would I be obliged to name it? Because I don't think any mid-life crisis could make me that girly. Grin

Wasn't there a picture of your 500 in the snow ages ago? It looked just like a yellow fondant fancy?

OP posts:
icapturethecastle · 17/10/2010 21:50

I'd love a Fiat 500 as well but I currently have a Nissan Micra automatic (3 door - but you can get 5 door) and it even amazingly fits my phil and teds double buggy in the boot (with a bit of a squish!)

MNHQ
OliviaMumsnet · 17/10/2010 21:54

Bran, yes, that was my little Alpine supercarGrin
He made it through 60 miles of last year's pre-xmas snow-storm when much bigger Beemers and Jags were slipping all over the place.

I agree it's a bit girly but because I passed my test at 18 and then lived in C London for years I didn't need/have a car, he's actually my first car and I think it's okay to name your first.

BikeRunScream · 17/10/2010 21:57

I have had a Mini (a BWM one, not a 1960s tye one) and a Polo. Loved my Polo, would have another one in a shot.

Original poster
bran · 17/10/2010 21:59

I would sneer Olivia, but I have to admit that I am hoping to get a dog soon mostly so that I can name it myself as I didn't to choose the DC's names. Blush I may have to get two dogs if I can't dissuade DS from the name he's already chosen.

I still couldn't bring myself to name, or give a gender to, an inanimate object. (OK, so that was a mini sneer. Wink)

OP posts:
littledawley · 17/10/2010 22:01

BMW 1 series?

NotanOtter · 17/10/2010 22:06

I LIKE those fiats but they are not cheap for - a fiat...
They are pretty .

I am brand faithful to VW and LOVE my beetle - it's my second newbeetle ( had a bug years ago) and I wonder if i will ever stray...

Nippy -solid and NEVER go wrong - I am 5 7.5 and dp 6.2 - no bother

Original poster
bran · 17/10/2010 22:11

Oh, I hadn't considered a Beetle.

I had a look online at all the little versions of BMW, Audi and Mercedes, and they're not really cute IMO. They might be quite nice to drive though.

I used to have a Peugeot 106 before the DC and I really enjoyed driving that. I have to admit that I feel safer on the fast roads in my Audi than the Peugeot. The Audi handles fine on the open road but now that we're living in Dublin most of my driving is on little country lanes and it's pants for that.

I'm going to look up the Beetle online.

OP posts:
MNHQ
OliviaMumsnet · 17/10/2010 22:12

LOL, bran, when going through the baby names books, I have three columns: - boys, girls and dogsofthefuture Grin

NotanOtter · 17/10/2010 22:16

Go awwwwwwn Bran G'wan g'wan g'wan Wink

Original poster
bran · 17/10/2010 22:37

The Beetle looks cute, and there's a VW dealer very close to me so I could test drive the Beetle and the Polo without having to make a big trip (assuming the dealership is still there, loads of car showrooms have gone into receivership over here).

OP posts:
NotanOtter · 17/10/2010 22:41

i heart mine Genevieve! Do you have any colour in mind Bran or is that just toooo shallow? Blush

giraffesCantDookForApples · 17/10/2010 23:15

I love my corsa - D version. Fit car seats in and out easily (I have 5 door) and enough room in boot for buggy etc

ivykaty44 · 18/10/2010 13:40

I still think the golf is understated and nippy, they have some zip in the engine but are not a typical fmily car.

they are also rated very highly for there fuel consumtion which is really very good and probably put the fiat to shame

your looking at 68mpg on an average golf and this one is 78mpg which is fab motoring when fuel is high priced

this lists a lot of fiats but they don't seem to be coming close to the VW range

Hulababy · 18/10/2010 14:39

I had a new style Beetle a few years back and it was very uneconomical. Iw as dsappointed in it and got rid.

We have a Golf which is great but it is not a small car by any means. That is our main family car! We have the Golf R though which is more than a bit nippy!

Original poster
bran · 18/10/2010 15:46

I think a Golf is going to be too big. I want small and cute.

at NotanOtter for naming your car. Genevieve would be a fabulously poncey dog's name though. I like the cream 500 but pale blue is also very cute, especially with lots of chrome bits.

I'm also wondering if a Prius might suit me, or one of the other eco cars that are coming out now.

OP posts:
Hulababy · 18/10/2010 17:38

My Fiat 500 is white. I love it.