What small automatic with some character?
Discussion
MiL had the same issue recently, needed a small, petrol automatic, decent build quality, good on the motorway for weekends away, bit of character. She ended up with a BMW Mini, which on paper looked like a good choice. But the ride quality is appalling and everyone hates going in it. I'm used to driving a lowered VW on firmish Koni shocks but even I was shocked how bad it is. So don't get one of those.
Bill said:
The Jazz is on the list to try but it doesn't strike me as having much in the way of character.
I have an 11 reg Jazz, it's a manual but it is bloody brilliant and if I won the Euro Millions (I don't do it) I wouldn't sell it. It is utterly brilliant at what it does and I put it to the jury that a GT3 is no better at being a fast car than a Jazz is at being a small, practical car. It is all the car you ever need. 
StangGT said:
Willy Nilly said:
I have an 11 reg Jazz... It is all the car you ever need.
Erm... This is pistonheads, surely you...Oh never mind.
Pretty much had the same puzzle to solve a few weeks ago with a similar aged relative. Her requirements were: 4 seats, petrol, auto, super mini size or smaller, good visibility, if possible a tiny little bit of poke to counter on-ramp anxiety. Budget max. € 18k for a new car.
Sounds easy, but wasn't.
A Polo or a Fiesta with a DCT ticked a lot of boxes, the Jazz IMO even better as an all rounder, especially in hybrid form. But most of the super minis fell through due to visibility. Either A-pillar in the way on the mono volume things (Jazz/Agila) or rearward visibility and lack of elevated seating position on the conventional hatches. Have to say that she is not exactly tall...
After sifting through most of what is available, either via reviews or the occasional test drive (yes, I have the patience of a saint
), we ended up with with the Fiat 500. New Twingo would have been even better, but auto box not available yet and the car needs to be bought next month.
I hear you say "Granny buys small Fiat, where's the story"? Well, "character" wise IMO she could have done a lot worse.
Because in then end, she specced the 500 herself online. And it turned out to be a white 500 Twinair in "S" trim (she did not like the lounge's glass roof), with black/red sports seats, dark 16" alloys, robo box plus flappy paddles, TFT cluster, xenons, Tomtom integration and parking assist.
I'm not going to tell her she just ordered an entry level boy-racer's special
.
Sounds easy, but wasn't.
A Polo or a Fiesta with a DCT ticked a lot of boxes, the Jazz IMO even better as an all rounder, especially in hybrid form. But most of the super minis fell through due to visibility. Either A-pillar in the way on the mono volume things (Jazz/Agila) or rearward visibility and lack of elevated seating position on the conventional hatches. Have to say that she is not exactly tall...
After sifting through most of what is available, either via reviews or the occasional test drive (yes, I have the patience of a saint
), we ended up with with the Fiat 500. New Twingo would have been even better, but auto box not available yet and the car needs to be bought next month.I hear you say "Granny buys small Fiat, where's the story"? Well, "character" wise IMO she could have done a lot worse.
Because in then end, she specced the 500 herself online. And it turned out to be a white 500 Twinair in "S" trim (she did not like the lounge's glass roof), with black/red sports seats, dark 16" alloys, robo box plus flappy paddles, TFT cluster, xenons, Tomtom integration and parking assist.
I'm not going to tell her she just ordered an entry level boy-racer's special
. 
Bill said:
... What are people's views of the Golf's auto competitors?
IMVHO, best people's cars from VAG are usually Skodas nowadays. I'd look at a Rapid Spaceback with DSG if in budget. The character in this case just coming from the fact that it is a no frills, fit for purpose car with subtle styling. Will perform and age well I think.Bill said:
Just thinking ahead, if she doesn't want to go as small as a supermini (She had estates when we were kids, including a V6 Granada at one point.) what are people's views of the Golf's auto competitors?
If she wants character, the Honda Civic is well worth a look IMHO. It can be had as a 1.8 petrol auto.Postives are that it is very distinctive inside and out. It polarises opinion, with some hating it, but it's different. More interesting than a Golf. Build quality is what you would expect from Honda. You get the same "magic seats" that you get in the Jazz, I thought they were a gimmick until I realised how useful they could be. Interior quality is much better than the Auris. Reliability should be very good.
Negatives are that the petrol auto drivetrain is quite old now. It's a normally aspirated 1.8 coupled to a 5-speed torque convertor auto. Performance and economy are not that great.
There is also an estate version which looks really cool and has some clever touches. I may test drive one shortly since my local dealer is keen to get me into one.
darreni said:
I had the pleasure of a new Polo GT blue this week, a great little thing with the DSG box.
Punchy, well built & plenty of room, I was half tempted as a daily until I asked the price - £18k.
When I heard the price of a fully loaded Civic I nearly fell off my chair.Punchy, well built & plenty of room, I was half tempted as a daily until I asked the price - £18k.
27K with metallic paint.
Another Suzuki, but an S Cross this time: http://www.motors.co.uk/car-36028500/spf
Bill said:
(And as she's almost 70 and had a few health issues this year, it could do with being something you wouldn't mind inheriting. 
)
My wifes grandadad drove well into his retirement. He had a stroke and after that his driving licence was suspended....but three months later he was given the all clear and started driving again.....at 88! Stopped not long after because of a small scrape with a wall but he is still going strong in his early 90's. )He has also had a number of health conditions but he seems to be built like a volvo (though he drove a proton.....I don't recommend a proton for your mum.)
In all seriousness.... As we are drifting towards larger cars and seem to be thinking new have you considered leasing? Some cracking deals atm and you could get your mum a bit of class for her twighlight years. If my dad was in the same position, and i was paying, i would want him driving around in a jag.
You might well find yourself posting a similar thread in 10 years.
lufbramatt said:
a BMW Mini, which on paper looked like a good choice. But the ride quality is appalling and everyone hates going in it. I'm used to driving a lowered VW on firmish Koni shocks but even I was shocked how bad it is.
Thank God for that, I thought I was the only person who'd noticed the atrocious ride these things have. Never seems to get mentioned anywhere! It's almost as if BMW did it deliberately to mimic the bouncing you got in the original.Back on topic, although the Jazz seems to be getting the nod from everyone, they all seem to be using the word "practical" to describe it. Which it undoubtedly is, and excellent though it is, its not exactly characterful though is it? Even if you paint it a silly colour. Like John Major wearing a yellow suit.
I'd take a look at the Fiat 500 or maybe a Citroen DS3 assuming you can get an auto one of those.
Small cars don't get blown around on the motorway, I spend 3 hours a day on the M4/M5 in a 1.2 Punto (until recently a Mk 1 version) and they're fine.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff