What Car please - for me Mam...

[Landlord]

Hello,

Whilst I have an interest in cars I know there's plenty of you out there with an encyclopaedic knowledge of them, so I'm hoping one or some of you will give me the benefit of said knowledge.

My Mum is in the market for a "new" car. Her budget is up to £7,000 MAX. She's after something Ford Fiesta sized. She wants (read: "has to have") air-con, parking sensors and 5 doors. Any other "options" are a bonus. Oh and a "restrained" colour - both interior and exterior.

I've put new in quotes as she's happy to consider second hand pre-loved but the newer/lower mileage/longest 'till MOT then better.

Anyone got any suggestions or, better still, links to suggestions? There's such a choice at this segment that it's a bit tough to know where to start.

Oh, finally, the ideal budget spend would actually be between £5,000 and £7,000 (i.e. no lower but no higher).

And proper finally... thanks in advance!

Phil.

[anonymous-user]

Honda Jazz, the car designed for "mams" - fill with fuel regularly and forget about, reliable and hold their value well.

[GreatGranny]

Hyundai i20 unless she's a badge snob.
She'll be able to get a 59/10 reg within her budget so plenty of warranty left.
Parking sensors can always be retro fitted you know.

Comfort model

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Classic model

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Landlord]

GreatGranny said:

Hyundai i20 unless she's a badge snob.
She'll be able to get a 59/10 reg within her budget so plenty of warranty left.
Parking sensors can always be retro fitted you know.

Comfort model

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Classic model

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Thanks GG. Not a badge snob, she drives a Peugeot at the moment!

Retrofit Parking sensors - would that be a dealer thing with "official" parking sensors? Or are there decent OEM options that integrate in to the dash/gears etc.

[Codswallop]

Retrofit parking sensors work well in my experience.

I fitted a set of four parking sensors with just the audiable beeps (no display) from these guys;

http://www.parkingsensors.co.uk/?source=gpsg&g...

They did well in an Auto Express test, and have worked fine for 2 odd years. My parents fitted the same kit to their own cars after seeing mine.

Less than £100 all in inc having them fitted and buying the kit.

[Deerfoot]

yellowbentines said:

Honda Jazz

Will do everything she requires from it.

[GreatGranny]

Landlord said:

hanks GG. Not a badge snob, she drives a Peugeot at the moment!

Retrofit Parking sensors - would that be a dealer thing with "official" parking sensors? Or are there decent OEM options that integrate in to the dash/gears etc.

As above very easy to fit and lots of places do them, not just dealers.

They fit alot to pretty new cars at the place next door to my office who do stereos, alarms, CL etc..

[garycat]

I'm very pleased with the Mazda 2 I bought for the wife. It was £10K new, but a 2 year old one should be within budget.

[Volvo360]

Brand spanking new FIAT Panda with aircon is achievable for 7k cash:

http://www.fiat.co.uk/Content/?id=24152

Get the parking sensors thrown in by the dealer!

[GreatGranny]

Volvo360 said:

Brand spanking new FIAT Panda with aircon is achievable for 7k cash:

http://www.fiat.co.uk/Content/?id=24152

Get the parking sensors thrown in by the dealer!

Will that only be with the finance?

Can't see them selling them for cash at that price.

[va1o]

Jazz is a good call, but it would need to be 3 years old to get one for that money.

[sleep envy]

My aunt picked up an ex demo 5dr citreon C3 for £6k earlier in the year ('60 reg), all the toys and my god son's pram fits in the boot too

also has isofix in the back for the landsquires

[andy-xr]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3282650.htm

2010, 59 plate, 15k, £6991 price tag should indicate a deal is available.



Missing: Parking Sensors, dealer could fit though

ETA - my Mam's got a new'ish Punto. It's awful, I've looked at changing the P to a C as an appropriate name for the car. Electrical problems galore

Edited by andy-xr on Monday 7th November 19:52