Oh the in-laws… small and auto!
Discussion
My in-laws are in their mid-70s and have now decided to move on their MX5 (to me!).
They have another car - Mazda CX30 - which suits them well. But there are still times when they still need two cars.
MIL has rapidly worsening arthritis and FIL becoming less mobile. I think their list of must haves is pretty small:
Fiesta size/class
Automatic
Under 3 years old
Max £20k
All I know is small cars with auto boxes are pretty rare, but they insist smaller is better than another car if the same size. They’re just becoming less mobile - their minds remain razor sharp so who am I to argue..!
Suggestions gratefully received (as I don’t get to buy the MX5 until they have a replacement).
Thank you..!
They have another car - Mazda CX30 - which suits them well. But there are still times when they still need two cars.
MIL has rapidly worsening arthritis and FIL becoming less mobile. I think their list of must haves is pretty small:
Fiesta size/class
Automatic
Under 3 years old
Max £20k
All I know is small cars with auto boxes are pretty rare, but they insist smaller is better than another car if the same size. They’re just becoming less mobile - their minds remain razor sharp so who am I to argue..!
Suggestions gratefully received (as I don’t get to buy the MX5 until they have a replacement).
Thank you..!
What about a Mini? We've got a 2019 Cooper S and the auto box in that is pretty good. At up to 3 years old and with a budget of £20k your in-laws ought to have several derivatives to choose from in terms engine/doors/body style and as small cars go I'd say things like the fit and finish of the interior is as good as any and probably better than most at that size and price level. Decent to drive too!
ETA: For ease of getting in and out a Countryman is probably the best bet but in terms of physical size they're a bit bigger than the hatches.
ETA: For ease of getting in and out a Countryman is probably the best bet but in terms of physical size they're a bit bigger than the hatches.
Edited by JNW1 on Thursday 26th October 18:30
Kia Picanto ?
Just bought my daughter one as her first car, albeit at a price point lower than you are looking at.
Perfect runaround. Me or my wife often grab the keys for it if we just nipping to the shops, local errands etc.
Did a 150 mile round trip to Portsmouth and back in a day recently and coped well with that too.
Definitely worth considering.
Just bought my daughter one as her first car, albeit at a price point lower than you are looking at.
Perfect runaround. Me or my wife often grab the keys for it if we just nipping to the shops, local errands etc.
Did a 150 mile round trip to Portsmouth and back in a day recently and coped well with that too.
Definitely worth considering.
My mother in-law has a Nissan Note.
For a car that size, the room inside is incredible. I think they stopped making them in the UK around 2017, but similar and newer would be a Honda Jazz
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310163...
For a car that size, the room inside is incredible. I think they stopped making them in the UK around 2017, but similar and newer would be a Honda Jazz
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202310163...
Emily's dad said:
Kia Picanto ?
Just bought my daughter one as her first car, albeit at a price point lower than you are looking at.
Perfect runaround. Me or my wife often grab the keys for it if we just nipping to the shops, local errands etc.
Did a 150 mile round trip to Portsmouth and back in a day recently and coped well with that too.
Definitely worth considering.
My 82 yr old Mum has one we bought for her new about 5-6 years ago. It was the smallest car available with a proper auto box (as opposed to automated manual like the Up/Citigo). It's well built, been utterly reliable and is a pleasure to drive. A lot went into the Motability market so quite a few autos sold.Just bought my daughter one as her first car, albeit at a price point lower than you are looking at.
Perfect runaround. Me or my wife often grab the keys for it if we just nipping to the shops, local errands etc.
Did a 150 mile round trip to Portsmouth and back in a day recently and coped well with that too.
Definitely worth considering.
Looks like the newer ones have a puny engine and not sure if full auto. This is the newest of the model my Mum has:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202308010...
They have a 7 year warranty so I wouldn't be too worried that this seems just a tad too old.
Edited by Speed 3 on Thursday 26th October 19:32
Toyota hybrid of some sort for sure - Yaris or Yaris cross most likely but the Corolla is a great car if you can convince them to go slightly bigger.
10 year warranty - not that you'll need it. My Mil's 2014 Yaris hasn't even needed a bulb changed - literally servicing and nothing else.
10 year warranty - not that you'll need it. My Mil's 2014 Yaris hasn't even needed a bulb changed - literally servicing and nothing else.
What about the Mazda 2? They seem to be fantastic value, this one is pretty much brand new and £16k, there's loads of 2022 and 23 autos for less than £20k, including the Hybrid (a rebadged Yaris)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309292...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309292...
Snow and Rocks said:
Toyota hybrid of some sort for sure - Yaris or Yaris cross most likely but the Corolla is a great car if you can convince them to go slightly bigger.
10 year warranty - not that you'll need it. My Mil's 2014 Yaris hasn't even needed a bulb changed - literally servicing and nothing else.
My wife's 2007 hasn't needed anything except bulbs. This might be a low mileage outlier, as it's only done 190k (I did the service yesterday).10 year warranty - not that you'll need it. My Mil's 2014 Yaris hasn't even needed a bulb changed - literally servicing and nothing else.
I reckon it has an easy life though, after all it is only towing a small caravan.
Snow and Rocks said:
Toyota hybrid of some sort for sure - Yaris or Yaris cross most likely but the Corolla is a great car if you can convince them to go slightly bigger.
10 year warranty - not that you'll need it. My Mil's 2014 Yaris hasn't even needed a bulb changed - literally servicing and nothing else.
My mother just bought a Corolla, basically the same brief as the op. It’s a very pleasant car. 10 year warranty - not that you'll need it. My Mil's 2014 Yaris hasn't even needed a bulb changed - literally servicing and nothing else.
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