Hatchback - Help finding a hatchback for older lady.

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Mon 12 Jun 2017 12:22
Hatchback - Help finding a hatchback for older lady. - BriMac

Hi. I am helping my mother buy a used car and would appreciate if anyone can give me some guidance.

She is after a hatchback 1.2/1.4

Petrol

3 door/5 door

Manual

Up to 5 years old

Up to £8k

Something that is reliable, safe, comfortable and easy to drive. It is mainly for short journeys as my mum is retired.

She drives an X reg Ford Fiesta at the moment which has been a great car.

Are there any models people would recommend or ones to avoid? Or models that are known to have design faults or common problems? A lot of Vauxhalls in my area have had their whole front end nicked so that has put me of Corsas etc.

Thanks for any correspondence.

Brian

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Mon 12 Jun 2017 12:53
Hatchback - Help finding a hatchback for older lady. - daveyjp

Isn't the default for anyone retired wanting a reliable small car a Honda Jazz?

It was when my dad retired and he is now on his second. However I found the ride in his last one, which had the larger wheels very harsh.

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Mon 12 Jun 2017 12:59
Hatchback - Help finding a hatchback for older lady. - jc2

A 1.24 Fiesta.

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Mon 12 Jun 2017 14:12
Hatchback - Help finding a hatchback for older lady. - Stanb Sevento

Toyota Yaris. Dependable little car.

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Mon 12 Jun 2017 14:15
Hatchback - Help finding a hatchback for older lady. - SLO76
A delivery mileage approved used 17 plate Hyundai i10 1.0 SE 5dr is a worthy option. Dealers are offering them with 2yrs free servicing and the balance of Hyundai's excellent 5yr unlimited mileage warranty. It's a much nicer car than the previous gen and far better to drive than the last gen Honda Jazz too. The pre reg stock should be before the tax change and will be £20 a year road tax.

Auto Trader:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20170512536...0
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Mon 12 Jun 2017 16:23
Hatchback - Help finding a hatchback for older lady. - Avant

If she's had her Fiesta for some time, she'll be used to it and she'll know what she likes and doesn't like. I'd suggest a 5-door, as newer cars are wider than her Fiesta and getting out of a 3-door car in a car park can be a pain (literally).

She'll need to try out a shortlist, with seat comfort and ease of entry/exit high on the list of priorities. I agree with the posts above - a good shortlist would be:

Hyundai i10 (lovely little cars. My daughter is on her second: hers was one of the first of the new shape ad is a 15-reg. This should be within your mum's budget: a 1.2 is better than a 1.0 unless she never does long trips)

Toyota Yaris 1.3

Honda Jazz

Another Fiesta, although the longevity of the newer 1.0 litre engine seems to be in doubt. A 1.25 or 1.4 would be safer.

Edited by Avant on 12/06/2017 at 16:24

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Mon 12 Jun 2017 21:27
Hatchback - Help finding a hatchback for older lady. - badbusdriver

In addition to what has already been suggested (out of which, I would say hyundai i10 1.2), given your mum is coming from a fiesta, I would also suggest one of the new Ford ka+. They haven't been out very long, but there should be a few kicking about in your budget. Very spacious for its size, with a nice high seating position. They come only as a 5 door, and, I think (at moment anyway) only a 1.2 petrol.

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Mon 12 Jun 2017 22:43
Hatchback - Help finding a hatchback for older lady. - SLO76
Ka+ is a possibility but it was origionally based on the Ford Figo which was designed with third world markets like India and Mexico in mind and it's not quite as sophisticated a product as many other city cars and superminis. Likely to be reliable as the 1.2 engine is based on the tough old 1.25 Yamaha design but seems strangled and less keen to rev than the older unit. Biggest worry will be rot as it was designed with warmer climates as its marketplace so I doubt they'll have the same rust resistance as European Fords.
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Tue 13 Jun 2017 05:17
Hatchback - Help finding a hatchback for older lady. - JEREMYH

My mum is the same age and loves her Ford ECO sport a Fiesta on big wheels

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Tue 13 Jun 2017 10:49
Hatchback - Help finding a hatchback for older lady. - Engineer Andy

Both the Ford EcoSport and Ka+ have got poor reviews on this site - it looks like they are nowhere as good to drive as the old Ka and Fiestas, and as SLO76 says, buying a car designed for developing nations in warmer climes will not likely be up to the same standards as those designed for the UK. I was amazed at how some main dealers expect to shift any - I saw a pre-reg Ka+ still going for £10k at my local dealership, even though down the road similar sized/specced KIAs are going for less and actually selling.

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Tue 13 Jun 2017 16:06
Hatchback - Help finding a hatchback for older lady. - BriMac

Thanks for all the feedback/advice guys. Has helped me a lot. Cheers.

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Tue 13 Jun 2017 19:55
Hatchback - Help finding a hatchback for older lady. - Cluedo
Have to agree with davey- Honda Jazz all day long.
It is the default choice for its reliability, practicality and also from what I believe I don't think the front seats are too low which is always helpful for the older generation.
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