Small car recommendations please

[MuffinMclay]

New (or nearly new). Max budget £20,000, but needn't be anywhere near that.

Must have 4 passenger doors, isofix, good rear visibility for parking, and, above all, be fun to drive (good acceleration, handling etc). Will be used on country lanes, dual carriageways, and occasionally around town.

Boot space and passenger legroom unimportant.

Have ruled out Honda Jazz and Civic, and don't want an Audi. Nothing too girlie (Nissan Micra, VW Beetle spring to mind - no offence intended to those people who own and love them ).

Don't want anything much longer than a Honda Jazz or Ford Focus (has to fit onto a very short driveway).

we bought a 1.4 ford fiesta ghia
55 plate with 7k miles on clock for £6.5k and its fabulous so would be tempted to advice you to go for focus as they get very good write up too

Was wondering about the Focus. I love Fords. This new car is to replace a very old and much loved Ford.

well if its good enough for jeremy clarkston!!! the mondeo got car of the year and he rates the focus highly too - no harm in giving it a whirl and am sure you could get a nice nearly new one for well under £20k

Bumping for any other recommendations.

Considering Ford Focus, Mazda2, Suzuki Swift, Renault Clio, Alfa 147. Interested in other ideas too.

me again we certainly find in the interior of our fiesta better than the clio

I shall leave you alone now lol

Sounds like a Peugeot 307-ish thing or a golf?

That's what I'd buy if I wanted something a bit more oomphy and expensive than my crappy but cheap punto!

But don't know about isofix stuff.

I have a golf GT Sport Diesel and it is fabulous - easy to drive, isofix and does all roads really well - plus the fact that it's diesel means that it will be an easy resale and I get very good mileage.

Oooh yes, forgot about Golfs.

we have a mazda2 - turbo diesel - very easy to drive - fairly fuel efficient - avarages about 53 mpg. Legroom in the back seems ok, boot space reasonable for a small car.

And being a mazda very very reliable.

Also - tax is only £35 per year.

Mum has had a renault clio and now has a modus - I don't rate them compared to the mazda - seem much more cramped inside.

and apparently it has 2 isofix points in the back (so not for the middle seat).

Don't know if car seats are an issue across the back - but I could just squeeze in 3 britax eclipse seats - but can't get in 3 high back boosters . That is the only downside for me - have 3 kids that need boosters and have to have one in the front with the airbag switched off (paid extra for that !) if I have to take all 3.

Like the look of the Golf Turbo. Seems to be highly regarded on car websites too.

Only need to fit 2 car seats in the back.

Think I've probably ruled out a Renault. A friend with a new Megane was moaning to me this morning about all the problems she has had with it and the local dealership.

I had a Cleo & all i got with it was problems mostly with the clutch.

We have a Ford focus now & it is nice & easy to drive.

My sister has a Volkswagon golf & it has been brilliant she loves it.

We have also had an Audi & they are fab cars, would go for an A3 for size though.

Definately not an Audi. Don't set me off (see rant on other car thread)....

Ok ok i believe you not an Audi then....

Erm what rant?

Very dull bit on the estate car thread. Had lots of expensive problems with our A6. We're trading that and a clapped out old Ford in for this small car and some other estate car.

you seem to have a pretty good budget, i would go around some garages and try some cars out, make sure your car seats/buggy fit on too, before you go for it!otherwise ou might end up having to fork out for new seats,(like we had to!)

new Mini estate?

How about:
Small family car
Volkswagon Golf
Nissan Qashqai
BMW1

Compact 4x4
Toyota Verso
Toyota Rav 4

Don't like the Mini estate at all (silly passenger doors), and not over keen on the normal mini (bit estate agenty).

Heated - will check out those options in my car magazine.

Boot space not an issue. This car is going to be used for non-pushchair occasions. Car seats likewise - going to get new ones that will live in this car.