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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.
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.
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?
Thanks ladies!
Audax- is it a hatch or sedan?
Any other ideas?
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.
Thanks!
Is it a sedan or hatch?
Sorry was sure I had put that in - it is a hatch, both mine have been hatch.
Thanks so much!
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.
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.:
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.
Thanks ladies!
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.
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 :( )
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.
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.
Here are some other cars that might suit, I believe some are classed as small though. :)
Mazda 3
Nissan Tida (these are very roomy for a small car)
Nissan Dualis (SUV)
Holden Cruze
Hyundai ix35 (SUV)
Hyundai i40
Hyundai Accent
Hyundai Elantra
Toyota Camry
Honda Civic
Honda Accord
Thanks so much!
My DH is not interested in SUV's- but thanks anyway.
I am in love with Mazda 323 Astina- but they stopped making them after 2003 :-(
Will keep looking!
Wev got a honda civic. Had a toyota aygo before that. Great cars x
Footsteps- how many seats do you have in your civic? Im wondering if I can fit 2boosters with back and 1 just seat if they are slim
I had a focus, it was a nice roomy car and cheap to run, not sure I'd class it as medium size though. It was a hatch, which meant you could get a load of stuff in the boot by putting the seats down.
I've had a Mazda 6 and currently have the Mazda 2, can't fault either of them but size wise with two car seats I would look at a Mazda 3.
Both were cheap to run, I only had the 6 for 1 year (maybe a little more) brand new never had anything wrong with it, the 2 I've had new since 2008 and again nothing has ever been wrong with it.
Come to think of it the only car that ever had anything wrong with it was my brand new BMW lol
Thought I'd bump up this old thread, instead of starting a new one.
I'm looking at 2 cars tomorrow- a 2005 mazda 6 and a 2003 mazda astina.
Both good cars on paper.
The major differences, aside from the age, that I can see are airbags.
The Astina has driver and passenger and the mazda 6 has 6 airbags.
The mazda 6 is slightly above what we want to spend and the astina is a bargain.
How important are airbags for the back seat?
Buy the 6. What's in the back of the car? Something that needs protecting hey ;)
Agreed--- can't seem to find anything about the safety of airbags with children though?
Ah - well the car seat is supposed to protect them. But once DD is in a booster type thing, the airbags are important I think?
I have a Holden Cruze and I love it, although I don't know how it would go with two car seats in the back.....I have just one in the very middle and I think you'd struggle for room with two kiddies. If I am lucky enough to add to my lil family, I think I will upgrade to something bigger.....not much help to you! lol. Just wanted to say it's a great car :)
Thanks!
Holden Cruze is totally out of my price range :)