Small family car - £3k
Discussion
Thanks for getting as far as opening the thread - I know how repetitive these things get...
My partner currently drives a 1.1 Picanto which was gifted to her by her father when she passed her test last year. This is fine for now, if a little cramped, but we are expecting our second child in June and it just won't do - at present the pushchair sits in the rear passenger seat with the belt around it - it simply won't fit in the boot!!
When sprog 2 arrives it will occupy this rear seat and there will be nowhere for the buggy to go.
The criteria -
Big enough boot for pram
Accessible rear seats
Economical - albeit only 8k per annum so a petrol preferred
Satisfy the very unique tastes of Mrs C.A.R. (ie. incredibly fussy needs)
Insurable - she's only been driving some 6 months so most cars are costing ~ £1k for her (she's 24).
The obvious contenders-
Focus MK2 - She's not keen on the styling, but they're a very sound car and common too
Meganne - Outright hates the styling of these, so whilst there are plenty around I don't think we will be looking into them!
Corolla - Says they're boring (she's probably not wrong, but I think they're alright)
The car I'm trying to steer her down the path of is the older Civic 1.6 SE / EX. They're rarer than the above, but I think they're better? I have driven an EP3 Type R and loved the dashboard. The boot looks big and practical too. For some reason, they seem more expensive to insure than the others though? Too many old folk crashing them I guess.
Any help much appreciated.
My partner currently drives a 1.1 Picanto which was gifted to her by her father when she passed her test last year. This is fine for now, if a little cramped, but we are expecting our second child in June and it just won't do - at present the pushchair sits in the rear passenger seat with the belt around it - it simply won't fit in the boot!!
When sprog 2 arrives it will occupy this rear seat and there will be nowhere for the buggy to go.
The criteria -
Big enough boot for pram
Accessible rear seats
Economical - albeit only 8k per annum so a petrol preferred
Satisfy the very unique tastes of Mrs C.A.R. (ie. incredibly fussy needs)
Insurable - she's only been driving some 6 months so most cars are costing ~ £1k for her (she's 24).
The obvious contenders-
Focus MK2 - She's not keen on the styling, but they're a very sound car and common too
Meganne - Outright hates the styling of these, so whilst there are plenty around I don't think we will be looking into them!
Corolla - Says they're boring (she's probably not wrong, but I think they're alright)
The car I'm trying to steer her down the path of is the older Civic 1.6 SE / EX. They're rarer than the above, but I think they're better? I have driven an EP3 Type R and loved the dashboard. The boot looks big and practical too. For some reason, they seem more expensive to insure than the others though? Too many old folk crashing them I guess.
Any help much appreciated.
Just been trough exactly this for my MiL, who drives her grandkids around a lot. Normally with a buggy in the boot. We had £3k to spend.
She's come out of a 1.5 almera which was great.
We looked at:-
Civic (couldn't cope with the gearstick on the dash)
Fiesta (too small)
Fusion (too niche)
Jazz (contender)
Focus mk2 (liked them a lot)
Fabia (she's still a badge snob)
Astra (all old or ropey in budget)
In the end we found a mint 1 owner, full history, 06 plate Corolla. It's bland inside, but the shape isn't offensive and it'll be faultlessly reliable that's for sure.
I just changed the oil/ filter today and even that was a thoughtful design making it a piece of piss!!
She's come out of a 1.5 almera which was great.
We looked at:-
Civic (couldn't cope with the gearstick on the dash)
Fiesta (too small)
Fusion (too niche)
Jazz (contender)
Focus mk2 (liked them a lot)
Fabia (she's still a badge snob)
Astra (all old or ropey in budget)
In the end we found a mint 1 owner, full history, 06 plate Corolla. It's bland inside, but the shape isn't offensive and it'll be faultlessly reliable that's for sure.
I just changed the oil/ filter today and even that was a thoughtful design making it a piece of piss!!
Purely because no one has mentioned it yet, but a Nissan Note. Missus has one and enjoys it. We have two kids (2 and 5) and it suits our needs.
I like the sliding rear seat so you can move from legroom to boot space very easily. We easily fit in a buggy/ travel system in the back.
Ours is quite high spec, with auto everything, sat nav, climate, chilled glovebox, part leather and seems to hold up well to the abuse the kids give it!!
For example
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Mike
I like the sliding rear seat so you can move from legroom to boot space very easily. We easily fit in a buggy/ travel system in the back.
Ours is quite high spec, with auto everything, sat nav, climate, chilled glovebox, part leather and seems to hold up well to the abuse the kids give it!!
For example
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Mike
I have a 5 door civic Type-S of the shape you describe (EV1 model code) - brilliant car, very roomy, solid, reliable etc (slightly oddly my father has the same!)
He used to have a Jazz, I'd also look at those, I don't think it was that much smaller inside, they are very cleverly packaged.
Both seem well engineered and built - his Jazz was extremely efficient (circa 50mpg on mainly town driving) - but possibly has even more of an OAP image than the Civic, in this country at least ;-)
He used to have a Jazz, I'd also look at those, I don't think it was that much smaller inside, they are very cleverly packaged.
Both seem well engineered and built - his Jazz was extremely efficient (circa 50mpg on mainly town driving) - but possibly has even more of an OAP image than the Civic, in this country at least ;-)
Looked at Fabia's - she doesn't like how they look but I also didn't think the boot space looked very practical? Also, don't know much about the smaller petrol-engined versions and a TDi is an unnecessary complication really, being as most journeys will be much 10 miles max, albeit frequent.
I didn't think the Note fell into her budget, I always thought they were too new / expensive. I'll definitely have a poke around at those.
I agree RE: the Corolla. I had a Celica which felt very bland inside, but it was probably the most bulletproof car I've ever owned. Shame it had a few rust issues on the underside though.
Interesting what you say about the Jazz, I always just assumed they would be too small and instantly dismissed them. Images of the boot space certainly look a lot deeper than you would expect. Will look into those too.
Thanks, I'll report back with the Mrs' responses. I expect them to be about as well thought out as 'nope, nope and no especially not' with no particular reasoning...
I didn't think the Note fell into her budget, I always thought they were too new / expensive. I'll definitely have a poke around at those.
I agree RE: the Corolla. I had a Celica which felt very bland inside, but it was probably the most bulletproof car I've ever owned. Shame it had a few rust issues on the underside though.
Interesting what you say about the Jazz, I always just assumed they would be too small and instantly dismissed them. Images of the boot space certainly look a lot deeper than you would expect. Will look into those too.
Thanks, I'll report back with the Mrs' responses. I expect them to be about as well thought out as 'nope, nope and no especially not' with no particular reasoning...
C.A.R. said:
Looked at Fabia's - she doesn't like how they look but I also didn't think the boot space looked very practical? Also, don't know much about the smaller petrol-engined versions and a TDi is an unnecessary complication really, being as most journeys will be much 10 miles max, albeit frequent.
I didn't think the Note fell into her budget, I always thought they were too new / expensive. I'll definitely have a poke around at those.
I agree RE: the Corolla. I had a Celica which felt very bland inside, but it was probably the most bulletproof car I've ever owned. Shame it had a few rust issues on the underside though.
Interesting what you say about the Jazz, I always just assumed they would be too small and instantly dismissed them. Images of the boot space certainly look a lot deeper than you would expect. Will look into those too.
Thanks, I'll report back with the Mrs' responses. I expect them to be about as well thought out as 'nope, nope and no especially not' with no particular reasoning...
How about a Focus/Mondeo both well appointed cars good engine range reliable & in terms of bang for buck I don't think they can be beaten especially when spending 3k.I didn't think the Note fell into her budget, I always thought they were too new / expensive. I'll definitely have a poke around at those.
I agree RE: the Corolla. I had a Celica which felt very bland inside, but it was probably the most bulletproof car I've ever owned. Shame it had a few rust issues on the underside though.
Interesting what you say about the Jazz, I always just assumed they would be too small and instantly dismissed them. Images of the boot space certainly look a lot deeper than you would expect. Will look into those too.
Thanks, I'll report back with the Mrs' responses. I expect them to be about as well thought out as 'nope, nope and no especially not' with no particular reasoning...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Mondeo
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...
If going for the Jazz, ensure the gearbox has no whining noises in any gear. Notorious for bearing failure.
Apart from that they are great little cars. I service a couple, one has nearly 90k on it (gearbox was only issue it had) and an auto which in a strange way fun to drive in the manual mode.
Stay away from Renaults, after 3 years most have passed their useful lifespan.
Focus, again good car but as a replacement to the MK1 they dropped the ball style wise. Awful straight lines and cheap feeling plastics inside. Mk 1 is a better car IMO.
As a wild card, why not a Civic Vti hatch /estate? Gear lever in normal position, plenty of size. Ok, not as new as some on the list but would also give a spirited drive and Honda reliability. Finding one with good mileage might be tricky but they are around.
Apart from that they are great little cars. I service a couple, one has nearly 90k on it (gearbox was only issue it had) and an auto which in a strange way fun to drive in the manual mode.
Stay away from Renaults, after 3 years most have passed their useful lifespan.
Focus, again good car but as a replacement to the MK1 they dropped the ball style wise. Awful straight lines and cheap feeling plastics inside. Mk 1 is a better car IMO.
As a wild card, why not a Civic Vti hatch /estate? Gear lever in normal position, plenty of size. Ok, not as new as some on the list but would also give a spirited drive and Honda reliability. Finding one with good mileage might be tricky but they are around.
Admittedly the megane is fugly, But worth consideration is the Renault modus - we had one as a hire car, The interior is a great bit of design with lots of storage and a bigger boot than you think, I was quite impressed..... Lots of smaller engined ones around as well if insurance is a killer.
I think we are making progress on the Nissan Note - it's also quite cheap to insure.
She also liked the pseudo-4x4 looks of the Suzuki SX4, but from all accounts it's not as good a car as the Nissan, and insurance was a good £150 more.
I did think of the Modus but her brother once had one and it was problematic, so I don't think she will consider it.
Off to find a Note to sit in!
She also liked the pseudo-4x4 looks of the Suzuki SX4, but from all accounts it's not as good a car as the Nissan, and insurance was a good £150 more.
I did think of the Modus but her brother once had one and it was problematic, so I don't think she will consider it.
Off to find a Note to sit in!
C.A.R. said:
I think we are making progress on the Nissan Note - it's also quite cheap to insure.
She also liked the pseudo-4x4 looks of the Suzuki SX4, but from all accounts it's not as good a car as the Nissan, and insurance was a good £150 more.
I did think of the Modus but her brother once had one and it was problematic, so I don't think she will consider it.
Off to find a Note to sit in!
You do realise Renault & Nissan use the same electrics engines etcShe also liked the pseudo-4x4 looks of the Suzuki SX4, but from all accounts it's not as good a car as the Nissan, and insurance was a good £150 more.
I did think of the Modus but her brother once had one and it was problematic, so I don't think she will consider it.
Off to find a Note to sit in!
We had a Modus a few years ago. It was a really good car. Only thing that ever went wrong with it was a coil failed. So I replaced all 4 for about £100.
Loads of space inside and the rear seat will slide forwards or backwards to give a bigger boot or the legroom of a limo. Rear seat will also tip forwards to create a mini van. I reckon removing the back seat completely wouldn't be too difficult although it would be a heavy job to lift it out.
5 star NCAP results too...remember the 5th Gear crash test against the old Volvo?
Loads of space inside and the rear seat will slide forwards or backwards to give a bigger boot or the legroom of a limo. Rear seat will also tip forwards to create a mini van. I reckon removing the back seat completely wouldn't be too difficult although it would be a heavy job to lift it out.
5 star NCAP results too...remember the 5th Gear crash test against the old Volvo?
Like any other youngish driver, it is generally best to put style on a back burner until they have built up no claims bonus. In the real world they are probably going to get some minor dinks in their first years driving (as well as inevitable mechanical niggles in cars of this age) so getting something any local back street garage can sort is probably a good idea.
I'd probably go for a Focus too. Mk 1 are better styled to my eye but are all getting rather long in the tooth now, unless you can find an exceptional one with really good service history. It might be worth running an insurance quote for a Mondeo, as they don't tend to be targets for young idiots. They also have huge boots and drive much better than their FWD peers. They also tend to have more creature comforts than smaller cars.
I'd probably go for a Focus too. Mk 1 are better styled to my eye but are all getting rather long in the tooth now, unless you can find an exceptional one with really good service history. It might be worth running an insurance quote for a Mondeo, as they don't tend to be targets for young idiots. They also have huge boots and drive much better than their FWD peers. They also tend to have more creature comforts than smaller cars.
MichalPH said:
Jazz. There is no substitute. 
The only fault I could find is it's a bit noisy over 70mph. We got one ('06 1.4) as a city car, but managed to put 20K miles on it since September 2013. I'm sure Mk3 (2009+) will be even better.
Michal
Jazz is a brilliant little car. I had a MKI 1.4 as courtesy car when they were new and though the only thing wrong with it was it was a bit lethargic. The current model, aside from being a little noisy at "motorway speeds" The only fault I could find is it's a bit noisy over 70mph. We got one ('06 1.4) as a city car, but managed to put 20K miles on it since September 2013. I'm sure Mk3 (2009+) will be even better.
Michal
, is a good as any car needs to be, I am really struggling to find fault with mine. I've not tried to put a pram in the boot, but it would probably fit in the car with the kids if you played around with the magic seats. You won't get one for 3 grand though. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff