Why did you choose the car you bought?

[Earlybird]

I have been a public transport girl for much of my adult life, with brief interludes of renting a car when I needed to drive somewhere inaccessible. We have recently moved, and now I need to buy a car. EEEKKK! I haven't paid much attention to cars since I was in my early '20s....which, suffice to say, is a long time!

I've done a fair amount of research on various makes/models - safety, reliability, expert ratings/test drives, specifications, resale value etc. Last week, I test drove 5 cars, and am due to visit one more dealership on Tuesday. Obviously, when I see/drive the cars, the more aspects of 'do I like the look of it' and 'how does it feel to sit inside and drive it' become considerations too.

Instead of narrowing it down, I am feeling more confused than ever.

Is it better to stretch to a more expensive car that will hold it's value for resale? Better to get a low mileage used car (still under warranty), or sparkling new (if the numbers work)? I'm doing this on my own, so no dp/dh to bounce ideas off - I'm free to choose what I want, which also means free to make a bad decision....

How did you decide which cars to look at, and what made you choose the one you bought? Any regrets and/or things you wish you'd thought of?
What would you like your next car to be, and why?

Thanks for helping me think this through...

yes my ins was low too, was gonna get a Polo but I spent weeks trying to get one locally with 5 doors, so got fed up and then the Golf came along.

VW paintwork is fab, its like an inch thick lol. So with all the hedges down here, i am hoping it will withstand my driving.

It's an American site, but look what I just found.........reading reviews avidly as we speak...

www.motherproof.com

If everyone has one does it make yours easier or harder to sell when the time comes to get rid?

Reliabilty and safety were my choices. Wouldn't get a new one, even if could afford one (don't think so anyway)
Didn't want a huge one (2nd car) but needed big enough engine to do ok on motorways (lots of driving for job)

Got a Honda Jazz but really wanted a Suzuki Swift - still a bit too rare to get one when I wanted one.

3 under 4yrs needed large car dh wanted something powerful so got Vauxhall Omega 2.5l top of range for dh to have all the toys. boot great for double and single pushchairs can carry both and still get a months food shopping in

Not too sure about that American Mums car site - they seem to speak fairly favourably about most everything. Maybe they only review vehicles they like?

becuase it was red and small. it spoke to me

I don't know why it didn't hit me until just now, but have you looked at Consumer Reports? They are a huge testing company and very well respected, and have a whole thing on cars that measures performance, safety, reliability, etc. It costs money to join, but I think we paid something like $4 or $5, and we got full access for a month and then just canceled our account.

2nd hand Honda CRV. Handy ATM for the double stroller and all the other shite we tend to cart around with us on our w/e trips.

Swallows petrol though, although it only gets fired up at the w/e.

All you greenies - I walk everywhere (yes, even in the rain) and DH takes the train to work!!!!

Because I wanted it, its impractical, expensive to run, I cant fit a buggy in the boot, and dh pays for it.

But i love it and even though Ive had it over a year I still get in it and think I'm chocolate

Dying to know what it is Mosschops?

My reasons for choosing a car were as follows - roughly in order of importance:

(a) Anonymous brand that isn't swanky but isn't one I'd feel embarrassed about
(b) Road handling
(c) Safety
(d) Space
(e) Looks
(f) Had to be an automatic for various reasons
(g) Fuel efficiency and economy

Cars leave me in a state of dithering confusion. The choice leaves me in a state of anxiety as I am not a car person. Although I hate car snobbery, in my world people do take note of the car I drive and judge me accordingly. Sad but true.

I also have a Sainsbury's test. There is a ridiculously sharp bend at my local Sainsburys. Most cars' tyres squeal around the sharp bend - even at 3 mph. All cars have to go around that bend without squealing. It's a must.

Have spent hours choosing next car, which is happening soon - www.lexus.co.uk/lexus_cars/is_new/is250/index.asp

Its a mini with tinted windows in the back so no-one can see the kids
It has 17" alloy wheels and a panoramic sunroof.

Its bloody gorgeous!!

Mosschops - how many people can comfortably sit in a mini? What's the storage/cargo like?

I looked at a gently used Lexus SUV. It had all the extras. Evidently was bought by a professional footballer who decided it wasn't big enough for him, and who also wanted something fancier when he signed a hefty new contract. It was very nice, and in good shape, but a bit 'bling' with tinted/reflective glass and sparkly/spinning hubcaps.

Off to look at Hondas in a few hours....

DH willonly buy German cars therefore we always have Audis or VWs we have a golf at the moment and we are thinking of buying a TT for a little run around when the kids aren't on board - or a car to take DH to golf in other words.

Think he picks these for their reliability adn their safety records!

VOLVO XC70

Cos we love VOLVOS

Earlybird, comfortably two. You can fit four in but the two in the back would be squashed (unless they have unfeasibly short legs).
The boot space is laughable, I had to buy a quinny zapp because my other two buggies didnt fit (one being a minute mothercare stroller). And that fills up the whole boot pretty much.

But like I said I look fecking great in it