Cars!

Yes! It’s easily done through. I don’t suppose many folk check the date before responding.

JenniferEccles

It’s annoying, isn’t it Cossie ?
Sometimes old threads are resurrected by advertisers, but I’m not sure what happened here.

Yes and I always feel such a fool responding!

It’s annoying, isn’t it Cossie ?
Sometimes old threads are resurrected by advertisers, but I’m not sure what happened here.

JenniferEccles

Woops! I’ve just seen the date!
I expect the OP has had a few cars since!

Grrrr Where do these blooming posts pop up from!! Very annoying!

JenniferEccles

Perhaps you could state that you most definitely do want to test drive any potential new car, as well as being involved in choosing one.
As you will both be driving it, your input and opinion is just as important as your husband’s.

As far as makes go, well that’s down to personal preference as well as budget, but I love the reversing camera on our relatively new one.

Also although ours are not automatic, the general opinion from most folk is that they would never go back to manual.
That’s another consideration too !

Me too!

Woops! I’ve just seen the date!
I expect the OP has had a few cars since!

We have a Vauxhall Mokka, automatic, it’s great for me at 5ft 2”

Perhaps you could state that you most definitely do want to test drive any potential new car, as well as being involved in choosing one.
As you will both be driving it, your input and opinion is just as important as your husband’s.

As far as makes go, well that’s down to personal preference as well as budget, but I love the reversing camera on our relatively new one.

Also although ours are not automatic, the general opinion from most folk is that they would never go back to manual.
That’s another consideration too !

Hadn't seen this was an old thread. How times and cars change!

I have a VW ID3 electric. It is solidly built, a very comfortable smooth ride, with a good turning circle. I get about 200 miles from a full charge. That takes about 30 minutes in our local Sainsbury's car park while doing the shopping.

Have the 2 posters above seen the date on the OP. June 2013

Getting a car is a major financial decision

Couples usually choose the car together

Is this the first time he makes such a big unilateral purchase without your input?

I have been left some money and as my car is 21 years old I thought it is a good time to buy a nearly new car. I have so far tested 2 Kia’s a ford puma and a Toyota Yaris which my son has said would be a good car to buy. I have always had old manual cars, and the Yaris is automatic and a hybrid, I can’t seem to decide , but as the MOT runs out the end of June on my old fiesta, time is not on my side. Any advice would be welcome.

Motorbike? I cannot for the life of me understand the appeal. [shudder]
As for cars, I've only ever had two (Fiesta and a Peugeot 306) and my current car (shared with husband) is due to be replaced this year, but it will probably be next year before we actually get around to it. It will probably be another Peugeot and (second-hand) price will most likely be the deciding factor along with fuel consumption.
My son's girlfriend has just won a £9000 car in a competition and has decided to keep it, rather than sell it on, as she assumes it will be the only time in her life that she will have a brand new car.

Sorry can't resist
A motorbike is the way - complete freedom, the wind in your face, the best folk in the world to chat too at the coffee stops - and only half the cost for tyres

I also tend to avoid new models of cars as they often seem to have design faults that will need ironing out. We bought a new Metro years ago that was the first of it's kind and, when they phoned up to see how we were getting on with it, my ex [who was an engineer] spent about an hour telling them all the things that was wrong with it.

Berlingos have good all round visibility, something that I miss in modern day cars. I once bought a car from my son. I couldn't reach the accelerator pedal properly and it was just a small pice of metal; I felt too low down and the seat didn't adjust. I hadn't tried it before I bought it from him. I'm sure it's what made the arthritis in my knee much worse. It finally started cutting out and the garage couldn't get to the bottom of what was causing it. I'm sure it's one of the reasons why I lost my confidence driving. If only I tried it out first.

We have just bought a new car and spent quite a long time deciding what was most important to us so perhaps this list will help:

Is fuel economy important - if it is and you do a lot of mileage, get a diesel. Automatics use more fuel than manuals. There is a huge variation between different cars.

How close is the nearest dealership? You don't want to have to travel a long way for a service

Do you want one which is higher off the ground?

How much do you want the car to think for you? The more gizmos the more you will pay.

What is your budget?

Do you want it right away or are you happy to wait for it?

Do you need a large boot?

How often will people be in the back? Do you need room for child seats and adults?

Do you really need 4 doors?

Do you live somewhere where a 4 x 4 would be useful? They use more fuel?

Is the cost of car tax important?

Do you want to buy one made in the UK?

These points helped us make a decision and we are happy with the one we made.

I have a Mini, fun to drive, like a go cart on country lanes but hard suspension! bigger than you think. Looks cute.

My favourite is a Berlingo, it has the most comfortable passenger seats. My sister is on her third. Jeremy Clarkson seems to like it too so it obviously appeals to men as well.

I love my very reliable five door Corsa. It has a roomy boot and with the rear seats dropped it can accomodate an amazing amount. Previous car was a Vectra which had a long bonnet. I was dubious about changing to a short sloping bonnet but soon got used to it.

Luckily I don't have a problem with who chooses our car as DH doesn't drive

I'm also 5'3" and that's the problem with the current car, it feels as if I sit too low and it's fiddly to change the height of the driver's seat. Shysal I'll make sure of that. Mishap (1) I like your research strategy. (2) [my lips are sealed]. Will check out some of the suggestions!

I would love an electric car at some time in the future. And today in a car park in Coventry I saw about a dozen recharging points for these cars. I wonder if in years to come this will be the norm?

I love my Nissan Micra and it reminds me if I leave the lights on or whatever when I am about to exit the car.The boot also holds a reasonable amount. When it needs to be replaced, I think that I will buy another.

PS But don't forget that for many men a car is not a means of getting from A to B, but an extension of a failing organ!