Spec my wife a small car please.

[Feek]

*** EDIT - She's put down a deposit on a Jazz, picking it up in the next week or so ***

My wife's 54 plate Corsa is finally on the way out and we're looking for a replacement.

She doesn't like driving and she's not a confident driver. She manages, just.

She uses it to drive to and from work, doing about four miles in total per day, occasionally she'll go to the nearest big town which is about 7 miles away.

She wants a small car, one which "I can park easily, see all four corners and not struggle to get in and out of". It has be five door so she can get into the back seats for putting the grandchild in without struggling. She's quite tall at over 6ft but has managed well enough in the Corsa. She's also had a Micra and a Justy in the past.

Because of the sort of journeys she does, it needs to be petrol and it also needs to be automatic because her arthritis is getting worse and any joint strain we can relieve is good.

Budget around £7,000, up to £8,000 maximum.

Any suggestions as to what we should be looking at please?

Thanks.

 

[Haggisman]

Because of the sort of journeys she does, it needs to be petrol and it also needs to be automatic because her arthritis is getting worse and any joint strain we can relieve is good.

This sounds like a perfect use case for an EV - do you have anywhere to charge?

If so, then I'd suggest a Zoe. Ticks all the boxes:

5 doors
Plenty of interior space
Like all EVs the ride is higher, so easier to get in and out
Automatic
No engine to get knackered doing short journeys

For a 41kwh you're looking at ~£5-6k for a battery leased one, £7-8k for battery owned, on 2017-2018 cars with ~40k miles

 

[Nasher]

Something Renault is a good bet. A Clio.

A pre 2018 with 0 tax.

Was going to say a Twingo as they are great small cars, but no automatic option.

 

[Diddums]

Aygo, all day long. Buttons to run, tiny engine that warms up quickly, easy to park, reliable, nice light doors for dodgy joints, skinny tyres and power steering means it also takes almost no effort to turn the steering wheel.



EDIT: A Jazz is also a good contender, there's a reason so many older ladies drive them.

 

[Feek]

This sounds like a perfect use case for an EV - do you have anywhere to charge?

If we wanted an EV, I wouldn't have said it needs to be petrol.

 

[Feek]

Renault Twingo

Aygo

Jazz

Looking, thanks.

 

[Teknobry]

If we wanted an EV, I wouldn't have said it needs to be petrol.

Bit harsh, the guy was just trying to be helpful.

 

[Journey]

This sounds like a perfect use case for an EV - do you have anywhere to charge?

I don't think they do or they wouldn't have specified just petrol.

 

[kurosagi01]

Kia picanto

 

[Armageus]

EDIT: A Jazz is also a good contender, there's a reason so many older ladies drive them.

Insurance on a Jazz might be more than expected, as there's been a spate of Catalytic Converter thefts on them recently:

The humble hatchback that’s becoming uninsurable amid a spate of thefts

Vulnerability of older models’ catalytic converters means they’re stolen more frequently

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[kaku]

Insurance on a Jazz might be more than expected, as there's been a spate of Catalytic Converter thefts on them recently:

The humble hatchback that’s becoming uninsurable amid a spate of thefts

Vulnerability of older models’ catalytic converters means they’re stolen more frequently

www.telegraph.co.uk

This article has a super misleading image and refers to the early GD model (2001-2008). OPs budget should get them in a newer one than that.

 

[Chabsy]

Another vote for a Jazz every AA man recommends them.

 

[Armageus]

This article has a super misleading image and refers to the early GD model (2001-2008). OPs budget should get them in a newer one than that.

True, but never underestimate the effect that a bit of scaremongering can do to instigate an Insurance price rise - regardless of whether it's entirely accurate

 

[kaku]

True, but never underestimate the effect that a bit of scaremongering can do to instigate an Insurance price rise - regardless of whether it's entirely accurate

Someone at the Telegraph looking to buy a Jazz eh?

 

[Uther]

Jazz, they get a bad press but are brilliant little cars, easy to drive and park, but a surprising amount of space inside.
If wanting something smaller then an Aygo is worth a look too.

 

[Removed User 345456]

Shame she doesn't want an EV, she could be smiling everytime driving like this guy!

 

[sx_turbo]

Aygo, all day long. Buttons to run, tiny engine that warms up quickly, easy to park, reliable, nice light doors for dodgy joints, skinny tyres and power steering means it also takes almost no effort to turn the steering wheel.



EDIT: A Jazz is also a good contender, there's a reason so many older ladies drive them.

2nd this, the Aygo is superb and very reliable trying get the newer one though that doesn't share components with Citroen/Peugeot

 

[grudas]

Nissan cube.

 

[JonRGV250]

i10

 

[lordrobs]

Another Jazz vote, they balance practicality while retaining a small car, easy to manoeuvre footprint.

There hasn't been any mention of the age of the grandchildren but a tall driver isn't going to be leaving oodles of room in the back of an Aygo or other similar. Even toddler age can be a problem once they get withing seat kicking range!