Small, Fun, Modern Cars

[FB.]

My wife plans to replace her old mk4 Polo in the next few months.
She'll be looking for a car between 3-12 months old (so she still gets a decent warranty and good levels of technology but someone else has taken the initial depreciation).

The smaller the better because it will be her daily commuter into the narrow and busy streets and car parks of Cambridge.
99% of the time it'll just be her in the car, with a few odds and ends like handbag and rucksack.
70% of the time it'll be in town.
20% of the time it'll be on A-roads.
10% of the time it'll be on dual carriageways or motorways.

We don't want one of the new generation of 1-litre turbocharged engines because for a mostly town car we don't like the turbo boost surges which make the car less smooth and less predictable to drive.
Fuel economy is not particularly important; no car is going to be economical spending three quarters of its time in Cambridge rush hour traffic!

By using the word 'fun', she means something that's a nice place to be in, making driving more enjoyable.

So what's out there that's worth buying?
What have you got and what do you think of it?

[bearded bloke]

Fiat 500, Opel Adam, Mini all come with a variety of engine & trim spec's

[Scarlet]

Fiesta! They are brill for city driving. Easy to park and my wing mirrors fold in so they don't get hit off they rarely if ever breakdown and they aren't that small that it's horrible to drive on a motorway occassionally.

[Jungle Jane]

My mirrors fold in too! I've got an astra,my third one in 15 years I think (I like them a lot!). Had a nova & corsa before those. It's a good idea to go to a few dealers & sit in the motors,see which feels more comfortable,some are more spacious for the driver inside & you might want a big boot space etc for plants,mines a hatchback,good for getting trees in. My sister bought a window blind once,needed a lift home,it was too long to fit in her car-Peugeot,nice looking car but small inside.

[Bigmallly]

I think it's all subjective FB, folk want different things from their cars. Me? I wanted something cheap as chips with plenty of headroom.........I bought the Dacia Sandero brand new for under 6 grand..........obviously you get what you pay for but I can't fault it.

[veggiechicken]

My Niece in law has an all electric car Nissan Leaf | Best electric cars on sale 2016 | Auto Express which she loves. Uses it for commuting to work, shopping etc. Pops into IKEA for a free charge and coffee. Her OH has the family car which they use for long journeys etc.
With your solar panels, FB, is it worth thinking about an electric car?

[FB.]

It's a good idea to go to a few dealers & sit in the motors,see which feels more comfortable,

We sat in a several in the last few months but we're wondering what others are worth adding to our shortlist and hoping this topic might add a few more options.

you might want a big boot space etc for plants,mines a hatchback,good for getting trees in. My sister bought a window blind once,needed a lift home,it was too long to fit in her car

We also have a Zafira for the big jobs or holidays so the wife's commuter car won't need to do any major moving of stuff. Just her, a handbag and a rucksack.

[FB.]

With your solar panels, FB, is it worth thinking about an electric car?

I think she would prefer to stay with conventional (petrol) until electric is more advanced and I don't think there are charging points where she would want or need to park, so no freebie charging.

At 4.45m long (according to what I can find) the Leaf is almost as long as our Zafira.

[Nicos]

Audi TT

16 yrs old.

Nice to drive
Nice to be in
not particularly big ( but not small)

Just utterly adore it!

[Scarlet]

I love those Audi TTs but they are pricey, they hold their value too.

As Jane says, it is worth sitting in them. I'm Hmmm, vertically challenged and I really wanted a golf when I first started to drive..those german cars have a very deep footwell and the stretch for the clutch was really uncomfy.
I'm on my 3rd fiesta....my last one lasted 15years.

[FB.]

Sadly, nice as the cars are, round these parts Audi (and BMW and Range Rover) seem to be highly attractive to the inconsiderate, dangerous or bully drivers which we don't want to be associated with.

[Nicos]

Fair enough!

Sad though isn't it?

Move to France....they don't even notice of your car hasn't been washed for 6 months!

[veggiechicken]

I have a Skoda, nobody takes any interest in it

Its a Skoda Fabia Estate, 8 years old and, so far (touches head) its been great. Haven't washed it for months either, Nicos

[sparrow100]

I have an (oldish) Mx5. It takes a handbag, rucksack and possibly a spare pair of shoes...I absolutely adore it, have had it for 10 years and it's been problem free other than needing a new roof when the vinyl cracked (and I knifed it to get in when I locked the key inside...)

They are a lot of fun to drive, even older ones which may not have quite all their horses under the bonnet anymore.

[Nicos]

My MIL used to have a Honda Civic....it was really responsive, reliable, good mileage and fun to drive.
I spotted this report/rating of the 2016 version...

Honda Civic Prices, Reviews and Pictures | U.S. News Best Cars

looks good.