Small car recommendations please!

**Frangipani Lou** · July 7th, 2014, 12:26 AM

The time has come to update one of our cars. Our budget is around $10000-$12000. We will only need a small car for DP to drive to work and back but it will need to be able to fit 2 children in car seats in it.
It would need to have an excellent safety rating, be reasonable to service and be super reliable.
We are leaning towards a Toyota but will look at other makes too.
I'd love to hear ideas and recommendations please.
TIA.

**Rivlas** · July 7th, 2014, 12:36 AM

Also have a look at Mazda. We have a 323 protege and it fits 2 seats. It is a breeze to drive, was my Mum's and now mine.

Our other car is a Toyota and we have found then good. Also like Nissan

**wysiwyg** · July 7th, 2014, 01:41 AM

We have a corolla bought new in 2007, have not had a single issue with it - get two car seats in back ok, and can get a adult squeezed in the middle if necessary. Never had a problem with boot room for normal use (camping is a bit of a squish) - is our only car and don't do massive kilometers - about 74000 since bought, but have been to Sydney and back and a few other trips.

**Astrid** · July 7th, 2014, 01:46 AM

Suzuki Swift and Mitsubishi Colt. Both great cars. Colt I think is a bit better for carseats and leg room, as the back seat can move back, you just lost a bit of boot space.

Swift, better to drive, but Colt had much better fuel economy.

**Mum2SweetCs** · July 7th, 2014, 02:04 AM

Toyota corolla or honda jazz would be my pick for small reliable cars.

My dad loves his toyota corollas and they are relatively cheap to maintain too

**steph10** · July 7th, 2014, 03:54 PM

I had a 2009/10 Barina and I loved it, very good fuel economy and much bigger than they look! I kinda miss that car actually, but my 2yo cruze is very good also.

**Frangipani Lou** · July 8th, 2014, 07:11 PM

Thanks folks. The mechanic got the old car going so we have time now to look around.

**Tinks** · July 8th, 2014, 11:09 PM

Get a Corolla or a Mazda 3.

**Frangipani Lou** · July 8th, 2014, 11:46 PM

Yes Tinks, we will probably test drive a Corolla this weekend.

**Doing my best** · July 9th, 2014, 01:59 AM

I have a Mazda 3 and love it. We have 2 car seats in back ( no room for a 3rd person as ours are wide).

We recently drove from brisbane to sydney with luggage for 2 weeks away and it didn't feel cramped and filled up twice, so not too bad on fuel either..

**Jellyfish** · July 9th, 2014, 02:09 AM

I've had my Toyota Yaris since I got my license (5+ years). It is brilliant.

***Jessica*** · July 9th, 2014, 03:28 PM

Do they still make Nissan Pulsars? Mine was perfect!

**PumpkinZulu** · July 9th, 2014, 10:49 PM

That was our budget. We did our research and found that the Barina is the safest car on the market for that size/price range. Ours is a 2013 and is fantastic. Fits two car seats in the back, plenty of boot space, perfect for zipping around and running errands. We love it. Great on fuel too.