What car for MIL?

[458bhp]

I am trying to come up with some better alternatives to a new Citroen C3 for the MIL. She lives in Northern Italy/South Switzerland, therefore spends a fair amount of her total driving time on the Autostrada. It's to replace her old Citroen C3 and the best she can come up with is to replace it with the new model. The old C3 has a cheap feel to it, awful gearbox and brakes like an on/off switch, so no idea why she would want a newer version of the same.

So, im looking at 5 door superminis and not from Asia as she wants to support the European car market with her money, except for Italy as for whatever reason she does not want an Italian car. The Honda Jazz would be the perfect fit for her, but that's women for you.

Having read a load of reviews I can't look past the Ford Fiesta or VW Polo as the best superminis currently on the market, but is there anything I have missed that should be on the list?

[458bhp]

mikeyr said:

Might be a dumb question but does she want to support the European market by buying "European" owned companies or would the Jazz count if it was made in, say, Swindon?

Not trying to derail the thread - more a serious question on where the MIL's ethical boundaries are so we can recommend appropriate cars

Mikey, its a very good question and one that I have asked already. Its European owned unfortunately. Ive already tried that one with the Jazz being made in the UK, it made no difference lol

She's not too keen on VW either, as the German car companies have too much money/power apparently. Honestly, I can't win, but I'm determined not to let her have another C3

[458bhp]

mikeyr said:

Fun game this then - does VW rule out the Audi/Skoda cars too?

It becomes a minefield this doesn't it!

She hasn't ruled VW or Seat out completely, but Skoda/Czech Republic is completely out. Audi with the A1 is too expensive.

I honestly think the Fiesta is the only one to dodge the ridiculous criteria lol

[458bhp]

She won't buy anything she doesn't like, but as I'm in a different country these are purely better suggestions for her than a C3 I won't be going round with her to the dealerships etc.