What small car do you recommend?

[newname0601]

DH was meant to sort this out but as per usual I've ended up having to do it. We need to replace his car by the end of April. We need a small car. No bigger than 1.2l petrol, we're happy with 1.0l tbh. It must be petrol or hybrid. It must be zero or tiny road tax and the lowest possible insurance cost. It must be no older than 5 years old but preferably more like 2 or 3 years old. Not brand new! We need 4 seats (no 2 seaters please!). We don't care about mileage as he only does 7 miles a day. It must be good fuel consumtion on short journeys. It won't go on a motorway. We have a budget of £5000. What do you all recommend?

Well, I loved our old Hyundai Getz - Comes with a warranty up to 5 yrs old as well.

Very reliable, nice to drive & comfortable.

My DH loves these kinds of questions and is a mad car buff. He says you can't go wrong with a Ford Fiesta 1.25l and you'll get a good one for 5k.

MrsKitty My DH has just spluttered his beer at me. He reckons the Getz is a whole generation behind in terms of safety and general quality.

Fiesta or 1.2l VW Polo he insists!

I have a Fiat 500 which I love. Infact trading in my 2yo one and getting a new convertible one on Tuesday :) It is a true small car but lots of fun as well as being practical and economical for day to day town use. I do use mine ont he motorway too with no problems though. They hold their value well though, so you would need to look for one of the slightly older ones.

Skoda Fabia

I have one that is only a couple of months old and love it. Virtualy identical (on the inside) to my old Polo but cheaper. You get a lot of car for your money with a Skoda.

Do modern cars still need a good long run from time to time? I'm thinking that 7 miles a day will lead to excessive wear and tear on your battery, exhaust etc.

Mazda 2. Does everything very well. World car of the year a couple of years ago.

7 miles a day isn't good for a car because the engine will never warm up and so the battery will never fully charge apparently.

Skodia Fabia's are great, we've had one for 3 years.

My mechanic recommended a nissan micra..............very reliable and cheap to keep going. They have isofix in the rear even in older models!

I would worry that 7 miles a day = 2 x 3.5 miles a day journey, and that isn't enough to heat the car properly, nor is it enough to get the catalytic convertor working properly. Really, the car will need a decent blat at least monthly; unless things have changed... please check it out OP? Second (or third, or whatever) Skodas as now reliable and cheap cars.

Bike?

I don't often do much more than 10 miles a day in my car, although in school holidays it gets more of a run at times. My car has been fine.

Honda Jazz i love it love love it!!

3 car seats across the back (just)
rear folds flat for skip trips

i bought the 1.2 in 2005 - no problems except those done under warranty (so free!)

also recommend honda service.

Thank you. Some great suggestions here . Now I have a list to start with that always helps!

I'm not sure about the 7 miles a day thing. He's currently doing that in a Ford focus and there hasn't been a problem.

I have a Nissan Micra it is a brilliant little car would def recommend.

Oldladyknowsnothing - when you say a good blast how long do you mean - I don't drive mine very much.

Pah to no older than 5 years! Get yourself a Morris Minor

No tax, less than £100 pa fully comp. Bargain.

TBH, I'm not sure what a "good blast" means, but a weekly run up the motorway from here to Glasgow (non-congested hours, so 60+mph, for about 25/30 miles) seems to do the trick. It's getting the engine/exhaust up to a good heat that matters.

However, I generally run older cars, and I'm not sure if this is a problem with newer ones; the catalytic convertor (won't reach functioning temperature = excess pollution + fucked up convertor) and the exhaust (water left over = rotting exhaust) would be my biggest worries in a new car, but that's from stuff I've read, not experience.

Frequent short journies do tend to lead to excess wear and tear on the starter motor etc as well; not all "low mileage" used cars are good value!