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Original poster

If you have a small car, what kind is it and what is it like?

44 replies

AttillaTheHan · 09/10/2009 09:34

We are needing to downsize my car to get the cheapest, most economical car we can find, but it must have enough room in the boot for an umbrella fold pushchair and 2 child seats in the back.

TBH i'm doing this reluctantly as have never liked tiny 'runabout' cars but this makes financial sense so please tell me what you think of your small car...

TIA

OP posts:
said · 09/10/2009 18:18

Ditto all comments about the Honda Jazz. Not dead exciting but really reliable. Always comes out No 1 (or thereabouts) in Bet Buy guides.

GhoulsAreLoud · 09/10/2009 18:20

I've got a VW Polo, it's fine. Never broken down.

DD's got a rearfacing seat (stage 1? She's 14mo) and there's still room for it.

It fit a pramette in the boot no trouble, bags of room left in the boot when just the maclaren is in it.

If I had more money I'd go for a Honda Jazz or an Audi A2 though.

cat64 · 09/10/2009 18:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

nappyzonecantrunfortoffee · 09/10/2009 18:51

I wanted a jazz but was swayed and got a yaris - i had it 2 months and really could not cope with smallness so now have an astra which isnt really a small car so just ignore me.

RainRainGoAway · 09/10/2009 18:53

Have a Fiesta, and you can fit 3 car seats in the back!!! If you wrangle around the place a bit!

It is great but still wish had bought the Jazz. The only thing about the Jazz is that I see many many people with tissues on the parcel shelf driving them.

preggersplayspop · 09/10/2009 19:00

The Jazz is definitely not a 'cool' car. Very popular with pensioners! If you are not bothered by that kind of thing then there are few other negatives really!

nappyzonecantrunfortoffee · 09/10/2009 19:02

its the older driver image that put me off the jazz in the end - that said a friend has a black one and it looks good enough. Dont listen to peer pressure go with the jazz - wish i had.

ruddynorah · 09/10/2009 19:07

i have a clio, dh has a fiesta. mine is nicer to drive, comfier for passengers and has more boot space. easily fit 2 car seats in, pushchair in the back plus shopping.

said · 09/10/2009 19:08

Yeah, it's often a Motability car. So, you'll get one with really low mileage. Mine was 3 years old and only had 17000 miles on. Definitely not cool but after so many cars that've eaten money I'm hanging on to it.

RainRainGoAway · 09/10/2009 19:09

Agree, go with the jazz. I so wish I had even though my Fiesta is fab.

jasper · 09/10/2009 19:33

Fiat 500. Can't tell you how much I love it.I considered all the tiny cars before settling on it

Go to a showroom with your kids and car seats and try them in and take a test drive

TheChewyToffeeMum · 11/10/2009 14:05

Another vote for Jazz - changed to this after a yaris which felt just a wee bit too small and underpowered. Jazz feels solidly built, smooth quiet engine, loads of space (phil & teds double fits with plenty room to spare). Just try not to count how many pensioners choose the same car!

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 13/10/2009 12:58

I've got a Toyota Yaris, very good reliability. I average 50mpg and I thrash it.

You would definetly get an umbrella pushchair in and 2 car seats. I really like it.

sazm · 15/10/2009 10:48

try some insurance quotes too,
when we were looking for a small car as a second car there was it was £300 a year dearer for us to insure a fiesta than a corsa of the same age/spec!
the corsa 1.3 cdti is meant to be a good one,cheap tax/insurance/running costs

scroobiuspirate · 15/10/2009 10:51

i have an old Golf, drives like a box, looks like a box. You can see out easily, and it's really roomy. Boot space it good too.

i heart it!!!

sazm · 15/10/2009 11:02

volkswagen/audi/honda/toyota are much more expensive to buy/repair too, better built but you would get a much older car for the same money as say a fiat or a vauxhall,

plantsitter · 15/10/2009 11:08

I have a fiesta with a 1.4 engine. It's the last model but only just (2002) and you can fit 3 car seats in the back with some jiggling and 2 buggies - one of which is the Maclaren XLR so a bit longer than usual.

Also if you're a bit sad like me you can enjoy burning off boyracers at traffic lights (in a sensible mummy type way of course).

VinegARGHHHtits · 15/10/2009 11:20

I recently did some research into the best, most eco small cars, i test drove a few including fiesta, swift, corsa

I found the Corsa diesel to be the best, by far.

In the end i decided to keep my Mini, but i would recommend to go to some showrooms and have a test drive before you buy

mummc2 · 15/10/2009 11:27

I have a clio 1.2 16v 5 door its great! I get both car seats in back and you can also turn off the airbag in front if like me i look after sil baby. I have an umbrella fold and plenty of space, i used to have a M & P pliko pramette thing and that fitted fine too - lots of space.

I hear where your coming from on the downsizing and making most money wise, my car is going soon and im sooooo gonna miss it. Got to share my DHs!

But it comes to working more or spending more time with DDs and they win!

The clio is the cheapest price bracket on insurance i think and very economical. Never had any problems with it neither(touch wood)

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