Reduced circumstance

I am in my 80th year, my husband has recently died, and I must for reasons of economy and size change my Volvo V70, 2004 automatic Estate, 28,000 miles, for something very much smaller. I have in mind either a Smart, FIAT 500 or Toyota IQ. I'd appreciate your opinion on my choices. They all look quite fun even though the Smart does a bit resemble an invalid car, but I really would like something this small.

Asked on 25 April 2009 by

Answered by Honest John

A Smart ForTwo, FIAT 500 or Toyota IQ are not necessarily the best choices. Smarts have strange automated manual transmissions. FIAT 500s are cute and trendy and the 1.2 is economical, but they aren't
the most sensible choice. (I've got one, just for its looks.) A Toyota IQ is short but very wide. I'd add a Suzuki Swift, a Vauxhall Agila, Suzuki Splash, a Suzuki Alto a Nissan Pixo and a Hyundai i10 to your list. Next year, tax on the Alto and Pixo will be just £20 (if it isn’t changed again in the Budget). And you can get torque converter autos of all five (higher tax, though). Tests of most of these at www.honestjohn.co.uk

Tags: buying new cars small cars

Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:

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