Car suggestions

FreddieFrugal

Hello all, we've decided that it's time to replace my wife's car.

She currently drives a Fiat 500. Not my favourite car, very uncomfortable BUT it has been very reliable and cheap to run.

It's no longer suitable though, it's been a real struggle using it with one baby in tow. By summer we'll have two to squeeze in and it's just not going to be possible.

What we want is a larger supermini size car - so Fiesta, Jazz, Fabia etc. - that can fit two child seats easily in the back, and a reasonable size boot that could fit a double or tandem buggy/pram in.

The car will be used by OH for her short commute + other short town trips so looking at petrol.


Buying used 3-4 years old - most superminis available for around £6K at that age with reasonable mileage.



I'm trying to find the best car of this type - with practicality and reliability really being the most important things (being able to pick one that was also comfortable and reasonable to drive would be great)

There's just so bloomin many of them in this segment!

EdGasketTheSecond

Honda Jazz - everyone I know rates them.

sheramber

My son has a Honda Jazz but the boot is not that big if taking buggies etc.

W e like the Fabia estate and are on our second one. Plenty room inside and a good size boot.

mr_accountant

Hyundai i20 mark 1.5 which is a big car for the class, almost like a small family car, decent rear seats and boot. Maybe a little more for the latest version at 2 years old or it's sister car Kia Rio, slightly bigger still though rear visiblely is not to good.

Both should be reliable though have 5 and 7 year warranties, but ensure the services are done on time and by the main dealer only to ensure warranty is still valid.

Neither is 'exciting' but all superminis are fairly bland IMO.

indianabones

mr_accountant wrote: »

Hyundai i20

+1 to this. If you want something reliable for the i20. I have never used one myself but have heard nothing but positive reviews. If you are prepared to go for something a bit older, I might even recommend you go for a Polo they will give you so many miles.

flashg67

I'm on my 2nd Kia Rio. Slated by some of the snobbish motoring press as not very exciting, but reliable & roomy for its class. Cheap to run & will still have some warranty at the age you're looking at

mr_accountant

flashg67 wrote: »

I'm on my 2nd Kia Rio. Slated by some of the snobbish motoring press as not very exciting, but reliable & roomy for its class. Cheap to run & will still have some warranty at the age you're looking at

regarding the excitement that depends on which version, the old days of Kia they were drab but since around the 2012 version they look rather stylish and stand out in this class where most cars look similar, offcourse the price increased too but still a worthy contender, esp as OP has said they want realiablility, rear space and a decent boot, and as it's so big by class standards (4045mm) it has a large wheelbase (2070mm) therefore safe and stable. The latest version is bigger still but as the OP said 6k is the budget probably 2013-2014 is a realistic buy

Rolandtheroadie

You had the scan to say there's only one in there yet?
I bought a new car when we were having our third, turned out the fourth was in there too.

[Deleted User]

mr_accountant wrote: »

Hyundai i20 mark 1.5 which is a big car for the class, almost like a small family car, decent rear seats and boot. Maybe a little more for the latest version at 2 years old or it's sister car Kia Rio, slightly bigger still though rear visiblely is not to good.

Both should be reliable though have 5 and 7 year warranties, but ensure the services are done on time and by the main dealer only to ensure warranty is still valid.

Neither is 'exciting' but all superminis are fairly bland IMO.

The Peugeot 208 is a great looking car but if you need a big boot then forget it. Nissan note would be a practical choice or an estate version of a super mini. It if you want small then look at getting umbrella type prams that will fit a small boot.

FreddieFrugal

Deleted_User wrote: »

Nissan note would be a practical choice

That's one of the first cars that came to mind. Drove the original version as a holiday hire car in Cyprus. Seem decent since it has a good size boot and sliding bench so you can get good legroom - or rear facing child seat room. Decent kit for price.

But I've read mixed reviews online to do with build quality.

Anyone had the latest version?


Thanks for other suggestions so far - i20 looks like a good choice too.
Having always had Fords myself I fancied the fiesta originally - but just far too cramped in the rear seats.

You had the scan to say there's only one in there yet?

Yes just one! lol

RichardD1970

I'd second a Kia.

We had the first face lift Rio, 55 reg. Seven years of trouble free motoring, only changed it because we needed bigger.

Just got the wife a 65 reg Picanto after looking at nearly the whole of that sector and when we look to change the main car will definitely look at Kia again,either Rio or C'eed depending on need.

(mind you my local dealer is fantastic even going as far as the salesman popping a set of mats to our house on Friday night because they had to be ordered and to save us the bother)