Medium sized car

[Emma09]

Sooooooo- I'm looking for a car :-)
Being a total car novice I'm asking for some ideas.
On my checklist-
Medium size
Annnnnddddd that's about it!
On my list are: Toyota corolla and ford focus.
Any other ideas?
Or does anyone have either of those 2 cars and have anything to tell me?
My budget is $10,000- but would prefer to spend less than that.

[Phteven]

I used to own a Honda Civic. It is a similar size the the cars you mentioned. It was reliable, cheap to maintain and relatively fuel efficient.

[luna moth]

I have a Corolla, about to sell it. Its my second. Awesome car. Cheap to run. Parts are everywhere. Easy to service. Fits two car seats pretty nicely, although that does compromise boot space. I don't put prams in my car, so can't comment on that stuff.

What else?

[Emma09]

Thanks ladies!

Audax- is it a hatch or sedan?

[Emma09]

Any other ideas?

[wysiwyg]

I have a Corolla, about to sell it. Its my second. Awesome car. Cheap to run. Parts are everywhere. Easy to service. Fits two car seats pretty nicely, although that does compromise boot space. I don't put prams in my car, so can't comment on that stuff.

What else?

All that, mine is my second Corolla too, previous one was in the UK and it is still going strong for my sister. McClaren Vogue goes in boot ok - but you don't have room for much else unless can squash bits round it. Two car seats fit fine, but getting another person in there too is tricky but doable (my mum and brother will squeeze in back if journey not too long - not sure I would ask a non-relative to do it though. Haven't had any problems with it. DH only gripe is they are everywhere especially silver ones which makes it difficult to find in car park. My only gripe is the smallest engine here is a 1.8 in the UK is a 1.2 which was fine, so it could be even more economical.

I considered the Civic in the past - heard lots of good things about it just went with Toyota because of previous good experience and fact parts are everywhere. Now there is a Civic hybrid version I may have gone with that.

[Emma09]

Thanks!

Is it a sedan or hatch?

[wysiwyg]

Sorry was sure I had put that in - it is a hatch, both mine have been hatch.

[Emma09]

Thanks so much!

[Rosey]

We have a Ford Focus manual hatch. Good sized boot. Roomy enough - Can fit a rearward facing carseat ok, but passenger seat can't go back. Good on fuel. Goes well for the engine capacity. Indicators and wipers are all back to front with it being a 'euro' - I don't mind it but DH hates it. Overall it's a good reliable car.

[Emma09]

Thanks Rosey!

Can you fit 2 car seats with any room in the middle?

I'm assuming that if you have rearward facing car seat- my 6" + DH won't be able to sit in the passenger seat?

[Rosey]

Thanks Rosey!

Can you fit 2 car seats with any room in the middle?

I'm assuming that if you have rearward facing car seat- my 6" + DH won't be able to sit in the passenger seat?

Hhhhmmm.... I'm not to sure. Maybe if they were slim carseats you'd get someone in the middle. Our DD is forward facing now and there is room enough for people to sit comfortably on either side so there might be. I would have to say that no your tall DH would not fit in the passenger with a rearward facing car seat. We do have a S&S Meridian carseat, which I think are on the larger side though.

[wysiwyg]

With the Corolla with a rearward it did impact on front passenger space (DH is 6ft) but not too badly, he did struggle a little with driving position with it behind drivers but I do most of driving.

[Emma09]

Thanks ladies!

[Trillian]

Is a camry still a medium sized car? Dh has an old one for work and it's brilliant - such a reliable car and cheap to maintain. Friends of ours recently brought a holden cruze and they are really happy with it.

[Kazzo]

I was going to suggest the Camry too. Friends have a Carmy and a Corolla and the Camry is their favourite. It has that little bit more room without the car been to much bigger. My first car was a camry too and I loved it. Never had problems with it (until it was stolen )

[luna moth]

Hatch. 97, so pretty old, really. Rear facing Compaq didn't affect too badly on passenger space, but my 6ft hubby only sits in the passenger seat if he's been drinking, so probably doesn't care!

Fitting a passenger between two seats is no harder than in my ILs' Pajero.

[Butterfly Dawn]

My sister had a focus for years and loved it. When it died she got a golf- which is a little bigger.

I'm looking at hatchs, corolla-focus-civic-golf are my choices.