Car for the Wife?

panthro · 21 Mar 2016 at 15:01

My wife is learning how to drive, but I'd like to get her onto the road as much as possible so want to buy a car for her to practice in with me. It has to be automatic (much to my frustration - please don't ask), reliable, good visibility and ISOfix seats for a baby seat.
I was thinking of something like this
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...0000_miles&postcode=RG40 1XF&page=2&logcode=p
I don't want to spend more than £6-7k. I also thought about a Lexus CT200 but the rear visibility on those is shocking.

Diddums · 21 Mar 2016 at 15:09

Woman learning to drive? Needs an automatic and safety for your kids high on the list?

Lincoln Navigator. Official car of "I'm bigger and cant' drive, so get out my way"

Ricochet J · 21 Mar 2016 at 15:10

I'd go with a cheaper, simpler thoroughbred petrol. If it gets dented & scratched then no bother.

The Mk1 petrol Yaris are amazing cars. I had one for a while: 1.3 VVTi. Very reliable, chain driven and easy to drive.

panthro · 21 Mar 2016 at 18:23

Ricochet J said:
I'd go with a cheaper, simpler thoroughbred petrol. If it gets dented & scratched then no bother.

The Mk1 petrol Yaris are amazing cars. I had one for a while: 1.3 VVTi. Very reliable, chain driven and easy to drive.

I was looking at the Mk1's but think the Mk2 is a fair step up. plus they have the hybrid and CVT options, as well as a reversing camera. Always helpful

Del Lardo · 21 Mar 2016 at 20:42

SWMBO is learning in a Yaris Hybrid automatic and really likes it. Frustratingly more than the Zoe I bought (leased) her for when she passes (auto only as well).

panthro · 22 Mar 2016 at 09:24

Del Lardo said:
SWMBO is learning in a Yaris Hybrid automatic and really likes it. Frustratingly more than the Zoe I bought (leased) her for when she passes (auto only as well).

I spoke to the wife this morning on hybrids and she claimed she doesn't like them because "you can't hear them"

The Yaris hybrid seems to get good reviews as well as being exempt from road tax and the congestion charge.

Squink · 22 Mar 2016 at 09:27

Just accept that she's going to fall in love with a car you hate the look of, possibly one that get awful reviews. Also accept that it'll need to be a "nippy little runaround". Accept both of these facts and let her get on with the choosing.

Jamesyboyjim · 22 Mar 2016 at 09:30

How about something like a Micra? Not exciting but they are reliable, comfy and you can have things like keyless entry even on older models which will be handy when she's carrying baby

My mum used to have one and although we'd all snigger at it, it was nice to drive and never skipped a beat!

I actually got thrashed off the line by some biddy in a newer one the other day, my other half found it quite hilarious!

K.C. Leblanc · 22 Mar 2016 at 10:50

panthro said:
The Yaris hybrid seems to get good reviews as well as being exempt from road tax and the congestion charge.

I would do some proper sums to see if those savings add up. I can't imagine congestion charge will be much of an issue while she's learning and car tax is probably fairly low on a normal Yaris.

Del Lardo · 22 Mar 2016 at 12:13

panthro said:
I spoke to the wife this morning on hybrids and she claimed she doesn't like them because "you can't hear them"
The Yaris hybrid seems to get good reviews as well as being exempt from road tax and the congestion charge.

What type of journeys does/will she do? Is an EV like a Zoe or Leaf an option?

Jamauk · 22 Mar 2016 at 12:48

Mondeo...?

Standard OcUK reply, I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned sooner.

Jamesyboyjim · 22 Mar 2016 at 13:03

Jamauk said:
Mondeo...?

Standard OcUK reply, I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned sooner.

For good reason, its a quality car

panthro · 22 Mar 2016 at 14:29

Del Lardo said:
What type of journeys does/will she do? Is an EV like a Zoe or Leaf an option?

She's going on maternity in a few months, but I'm hoping she will get back into lessons and take her test during the second half of her maternity leave (optimistic I think, but here's hoping). Her commute (if she drove to work) is 10 miles each way, but apart from that nearly all her driving would be local, so an EV car would work, but I'd prefer to buy her the car outright rather than lease as I can foresee there being a few bumps and scrapes.

Del Lardo · 22 Mar 2016 at 17:37

panthro said:
She's going on maternity in a few months, but I'm hoping she will get back into lessons and take her test during the second half of her maternity leave (optimistic I think, but here's hoping). Her commute (if she drove to work) is 10 miles each way, but apart from that nearly all her driving would be local, so an EV car would work, but I'd prefer to buy her the car outright rather than lease as I can foresee there being a few bumps and scrapes.

Zoe and Leaf are available 2nd hand from £6k and £7k gets you a nice one. Battery lease on the Zoe is a consideration (and frustration, hence my lease thought at then at least it is all tied together) for monthly running costs and future values on both cars also looks very uncertain as they are likely to age far quicker than an ICE car.

Depending on how much of a rush you are in, it could be worth keeping an eye on the lease deals that come up, there a Leaf one for £3000 for 24 month lease which when you start looking a 2 year depreciation costs on a £7000 car isn't too dissimilar. Throw in a £300 dent removal warranty and jobs a goodun.

May not work for you, in which case fair enough but maybe worthy of some more consideration.

jigger · 22 Mar 2016 at 18:58

I would probably go with a Nissan CVT of some kind. Juke or a Note maybe?