Which small car should I buy as a reliable runaround?
My lovely 1994 Nissan 200SX with 99,445 miles, which I have found reliable, solid, comfortable and secure, evidently needs about £1000 of work - mostly welding - if it is to pass its MoT. Even then it might not remain reliable, so I am told. I should have been able to take over my husband's Avensis but, having parked it in the suburbs and taken public transport to his tennis club, he collapsed and, without regaining consciousness, died four months later. We have been unable to trace his car. So what do I do? It would be sensible to downsize but do I buy new or used? It must be an automatic, but doesn't need quite so much power as the Nissan. I am 75 years old and I would prefer to have a car to 'see me out'. I just do not know what would be best for me. I need a car, living where I do, but don't need stacks of gadgets.
Asked on 9 February 2013 by HB, Clare, Suffolk
Answered by
Honest John
You must have the registration of the Avensis, and the police must have recovered it, so, if the car is likely to have been of any value, make enquiries in that direction. If you can afford new, your best bets are a Ford B-Max 1.6 auto, a Honda Jazz CVT-7, a Toyota Yaris hybrid, a KIA Venga 1.6 auto or a Hyundai ix20 1.6 auto. Smaller, a Hyundai i10 1.2 auto, a Suzuki Splash 1.2 auto or a Vauxhall Agila 1.2 auto (same car, different badges and warranty).
Tags:
reliability
small cars
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