OMG not another car recommendation thread

[theorganist]

I have up to £1,000 to spend on a car which needs to fit the following criteria, so I was wondering if anyone on here could recommend something as my car knowledge really stops at circ 1997. I would like mother to have some independance as she is stuck at home an unfortunately father won't be with us for much longer so I want her to be able to go out and do things!

 

1) It needs to be fairly simple to drive as I am trying to get mother driving again, so it really needs an easy gearbox and power assisted steering

2) Preferably small

3) Cheap to run - preferably one that would qualify for a low post 2001 tax band

4) Something that has a good chance of lasting a few years - it won't get heavy use, no commuting, although there will be some long journeys involved

5) It can be petrol or diesel

6) She is 5'4" so needs to be suitable for shorter people!

 

Last weekend I borrowed a Seat Arosa 1.4 diesel which would probably fit the bill. It was small although seemed very refined, I imagine very miserly on diesel and only costs £30 a year tax. It seemed quite well made although quite plasticy, being built in Spain I am not sure of their long term longevity!

 

If anyone has any suggestions I would be very grateful.

 

edit: I should also mention mother has not driven a car for around ten years apart from one quick drive of our Megane Scenic a couple of years ago so has lost quite a lot of confidence!

[messerschmitt owner]

I'd suggest a small automatic for her.

 

Nissan Micra?

[Wilko220]

Rover Metro OBV

[theorganist]

Thanks, I was hoping someone wasn't going to suggest a Nissan Micra, although I suppose being the driving school favourite it would be an ideal suggestion!

 

I think she would get on with an auto although she aways seemed reticent against driving the 206 auto we had.

[trigger]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-SUZUKI-A ... 4d099ed827

 

Under £1000 and only £30 a year road tax. I think my work here is done.

[SambaS]

I never thought my mum would drive again after she came back from Switzerland but eventually she started useing Jorgs '92 Mercedes 300CE. They traded that in for a much more suitable '04 C Class Coupe and she loves it, although they both miss the big coupe. They are not meant to be perticularly brilliant cars though but its been no trouble, although I can feel a warped disk.

[chaseracer]

/\/\ Good work, Trigsworth!

 

But if the Micra's still a possible, do not REPEAT DO NOT go for the CVT version. The boxes are made of chocolate**.

 

However, I think they are all dead now; for reason, see ** above...

[theorganist]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-SUZUKI-A ... 4d099ed827

 

Under £1000 and only £30 a year road tax. I think my work here is done.

 

Thanks, that looks ideal. Nice looking car too. Will message the vendor about it.

[Junkman]

Morris Minor. It would also be tax exempt, not just cheap.

[seacow]

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-moto ... 1009708345

 

someone is going to have to tell me how to post photos at some point!! Look at this bad boy though peanuts!! I had a manual one of these back in the day and it was an awesome little car!

[theorganist]

Some interested suggestions there. Do like those Clio's and I know mum has a love for Renaults. The Suzuki sounds most sensible so far. I never thought of something like the Minor, I think mum drove one in the sixties and said she didn't get on with the driving position, I wonder if I could persuade her that a ADO16 would make a good runaround, she drove my fathers a lot when she met him!

[R9UKE]

I've had two 2000 Clio autos. They're a thirsty wee thing - 28 mpg around town from the 1.6 petrol. Excellent city zipper otherwise and ideal for older women!

[cort16]

That Alto's great. I like how they've fitted bits of tyre to the corners to protect from bumps like they do on deep sea trawlers.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Seems to be reasonably common amongst elderly nutcases to fit those things on bumpers etc to prevent scuffs, overlooking the fact that they actually look much worse than a scuff.

[Cheggers]

In the end manufacturers will fit extra bits on the edge of the bumpers to protect them, so the gaffers will have to add their own ingenious "bump strips" to protect the protectors which protect the bumpers which protect the bodywork...and repeat ad infinitum.

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

Please purchase that Suzuki and remove those pinstripes.

 

Don't care if you give it to your mother, resell it or push it into a river after that, as long as the pinstripes no longer exist.

[trigger]

Yeah those pinstripes and bumper moldings are pretty shocking, it sounds nice though, does anything have any experience of these?, they seem pretty ideal if you just need a cheap run about around town.

[aldo135]

I like the Suzuki as well, they are light reliable and easy to drive. My MIL has a Swift and my step mum has an Ignis, and they both love them, maybe not the most exciting but they seem to go on forever!