recommend a smallish car?

LandyAndy

worried_jim wrote: »

Isn't it a rebadged Fiesta with roughly the same windows that the OP doesn't like?

Not really and maybe in that order.;)

teffers

Mr_Mink wrote: »

You beat me to it. The Sport model has more kit than you'd expect, the engine is fantastic and the reliability is excellent. I've had a couple and am sorely tempted to have another one.

I've had a 2008 Mazda 2 Sport for a year and my experience isn't good.

While reliable engine-wise the suspension is awful. The ride is ridiculously harsh and I've had to replace both springs and both shock absorbers and it still has a low speed rattle when driving over uneven surfaces.

The road noise is also VERY intrusive, you can hear the brakes, you can hear the tyres and when it rains it's like you're in a tin shack.

The drive is not great too. The clutch is far too difficult to smoothly use consistently (I've been driving for 20 years and had the car a year).

MPG has dropped to 32mpg around town (it's serviced regularly etc) and it's not very nippy either.

Not a great car and one to be avoided imo.

[Deleted User]

I'm on my second Focus diesel in a row, and I find them excellent.

The rear vision isn't fantastic (it's not that bad either) on the hatchback, but you could get an estate, which has excellent rear vision, and plenty of luggage space, should you ever need to transport a Saturn V rocket.

I_Love_Shoes

Polo or an ibiza?

WobblyDog

I agree with the comment about the current model Fiesta having ridiculously small windows in the back, particularly the 3-door model. It's very difficult to reverse one of these up a single-track lane, I found myself having to rely entirely on the wing mirrors like I would in a transit van.

[Deleted User]

WobblyDog wrote: »

I found myself having to rely entirely on the wing mirrors like I would in a transit van.

And that's a problem why :huh:

gilbert_and_sullivan

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

And that's a problem why :huh:

Its not a problem, for you or me or probably lots of others, but from the specific request in the OP it presumably is for them, a car with hopeless visibility through the rear is not wanted by them and its their money.

Little_Vics

Don't laugh - Skoda. We're on our second (Fabia), and it's a VW Golf by any other name. Perfect little run around, easy to park which is crucial for me, and some grunt in the engine which is perfect for OH!

Tryingagainandagain

I certainly wouldn't laugh at the Skoda. I know several companies that use them as staff cars.

There are some good ideas here- I would never have thought of a Mazda, for example. I have an older Fiesta with a big rear window on the hatch so the new Fiesta feels really odd.

It's not that I can't use my mirrors, more the enclosed feeling I get when the windows are small - and I know I could go for a larger car, but who ever said I was consistent.

I will look at all the car types suggested. I spotted a Kia yesterday that I quite liked the look of so will add that to my list.

I have also been known to ask people in car parks what their car is like to drive. I will go back to doing this as I have had some useful(and some very contradictory) information.

Thank you to everyone who responded.

OddballJamie

Little_Vics wrote: »

Don't laugh - Skoda. We're on our second (Fabia), and it's a VW Golf by any other name. Perfect little run around, easy to park which is crucial for me, and some grunt in the engine which is perfect for OH!

It's much closer to a Polo or an Ibiza than a Golf.