Second hand vehicle recommendations... help, please

LizEstelle

Can anyone help out an old lady who has no idea about cars beyond how to drive?

I need to replace my old Hyundai Accent with something similarly sized perhaps. It is a very compact car - to look at it seems in the medium size range but is actually both lower and shorter than many of these, I've noticed, when alongside in supermarket car parks!

So I suppose I'm looking for something small-to-barely medium. I'm certainly willing to consider the Aygo-type very small cars which seem to be popular now, although the ability to occasionally transport a larger item like a lawn mower would come in handy in my personal circumstances.

I'm looking to get something maybe about five years old. The most important priorities for me are that it should be economical (MSE!), able to handle the occasional motorway trip and the space thing I mentioned.

I would be so grateful for any recommendation, particularly from someone who has a wide knowledge of the market.

FreddieFrugal

Hyundai i10! According to reviews at least it fits all of your criteria I should think.

Comfy, good space for a small car and decent in town and on faster roads. Economical engines.

bengalknights

I would suggest kia picanto same as hyundai so you should feel the same comfort

fatbelly

The 2014 i10 is better than the earlier model if you can stretch to that.

If you need something a bit older, and cheaper the Skoda Citigo/Seat Mii/VW Up (all the same car really) came to market in 2012 and you can get early examples (though not necessarily 5 door) for 3-4k now

LizEstelle

fatbelly wrote: »

The 2014 i10 is better than the earlier model if you can stretch to that.

If you need something a bit older, and cheaper the Skoda Citigo/Seat Mii/VW Up (all the same car really) came to market in 2012 and you can get early examples (though not necessarily 5 door) for 3-4k now

Was there any difference in build quality between these?

marlot

Perhaps a Toyota Yaris?

They came with a 5 year warranty from about 2010, so you might even find one with some warranty remaining?

fatbelly

LizEstelle wrote: »

Was there any difference in build quality between these?

Between the mii, citigo and up!?

No, all made in the same factory in Slovakia.

You might find them a bit small, though they are surprisingly roomy inside and the best luggage capacity for a city car. They are a bit basic for some tastes: no boot light, parcel shelf strings, no driver switch for passenger's electric window.

On the plus side: cheap to tax, insure and 60mpg easily. Handle like a go-kart. Seem to be reliable. Nice Sat Nav/PID on many versions and all versions have the socket for one if you need to buy one.

My favourite version for value is the Mii SE, Toca or itech though VW are also shifting some nice nearly new (Look up!) ones as the facelift comes through.

barbiedoll

I've had a (then) brand new Picanto and I've now got a 6 year old i10 and I much prefer the Hyundai.

The boot is bigger and the seats fold down so you can squeeze a lawnmower in there. I recently transported a large vacuum cleaner (in the box) and two bags of rubbish in mine, and I can get a full week's shopping in the boot now, unlike the Picanto which had a tiny boot.

Mine is a 1.2, it's a bit slow on take-off but it does get up to speed fairly quickly and is no problem on faster roads. The tax is £30/year and it's very economical on fuel.

almillar

I need to replace my old Hyundai Accent with something similarly sized perhaps

Get yourself a ford MONDEO
Skoda Octavia

No reasoning, as with most of your posts. FAIL.

LizEstelle

My thanks to all who have posted sensible replies. Very grateful.

Would there be any other thoughts, please?

Joe_Horner

Only other thought (on purely MSE grounds) is why does your current one need to be replaced?

If it's just for better economy then you'll really struggle to recoup the cost of the upgrade. Similarly, if it's because of a problem then it's often more economic to have even quite an expensive repair done to an otherwise good car that you like and trust than to pay more on a replacement which may have its own problems .