Stylish vehicle for the lady driver - Collection today!

[brownnova]

OK so yes it's an advice type thread, no bumps for a real thread will be given I'm sure....

 

HOWEVER, Mrs_brownnova requires her own motor to pass her test in. She doesn't like driving my car coz it's too big. Having done some looking round she has decided on a three car shortlist.

 

- VW Beetle (the new one in 1.6 flavour for insurancey reasoning)

- Nissan Micra (the 2003 on one)

- Bini

 

We're shopping in the sub grand pool, Key features required include: good visibility, fairly reliable and easy to drive for a learner.

 

I've only driven a Bini, so what say ye Shiters... which of the shortlist would be best? Anyone with any experience of common faults etc...

 

(Apologies for the fairly modern - not proper Shite advice seeking thread - I'll do better in my next thread...)

[DodgeRover]

What about an older elderly pre bubble shape Micra, economical good visibility excellent bilge credentials...

[Alexg]

You'll get far more Micra for your money, and I wager it'll be more reliable than the Mini and cheaper to insure and maintain than both. I actually think they're ace little cars, solid and well built, and far nicer than the car that replaced it. Still modern looking too.

[overrun]

The K12 Micra is alright, but AVOID AVOID AVOID the models with keyless start.

 

AVOID

[Skizzer]

For passing her driving test, all these people (and me) can't be wrong*.  

 

 

*Except maybe about sensible use of backcombing and hairspray.

[Alexg]

Yes, keyless entry/start is a twat on these when they go wrong, which they do.

[jonathan_dyane]

Micra all day long

[captain_70s]

 

 

good visibility

 

The list has been narrowed to the New Beetle, bubble Micra and the Bini? It appears you and I have differing opinions on "good visibility"...

[cort16]

Fiat Panda. They're not lumbered with the massive a pillars most modern cars have.

They also have the park button, which makes the steering light and super easy to park.

 

There's plenty of sub 1000 ones out there but I'd a avoid the diesel. I think they're pretty bomb proof and parts are reasonable.

[Eddie Honda]

The problem with that list: not fit for purpose.

 

Just go and buy a K11 Micra and if there's harrumphing, just say it's for the greater good.

[Formula Autos]

Beetles are hard to position in a parking space (big rounded wings and poor visibility) and much bigger than the other two cars mentioned as a possibility.

 

I would be tempted to drop the Beetle off the list and try and make a Yaris sound tempting.

[alfetta]

k12 micra is basically a clio platform but OK - the k11 hateful to drive. Maybe a Yaris?

[DodgeRover]

Renault 5 or mk1 and facelift Clio? Citreon AX?

[JeeExEll]

Fiat X1/9.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

I was looking at sub £1000 Binis about a year ago and without exception they were ALL fucked. There maybe a few about now that are OK but I'd be very surprised.

We bought a 206 CC instead which has amazing visibility( when the suns shining).

[djimbob]

doesn't the 2004 on Micra suffer from cambelt/timing belt slippage? Very expensive known fault, avoid!

 

Mitsubishi colt of similar vintage, pez, unless she's doing big miles in which case the diesel - have been thru this process with a couple of ladies, they seem happy enough

 

On the subject of diesel, on modernz with dpf's and so on, city driving mainly does them no favours at all, easily clogging up unless regularly italian tuned

[Angrydicky]

Horsey Horseless.

 

Or Austin A30/35, Standard 8/10, Hillman Imp, Triumph Herald. Or a miniMetro if you need a modern.

[brownnova]

Thanks for the replies so far!! There has been much suggestion from me of other cars (anything for sale on here for example...), Yaris is on the maybe list...

 

Think I need to go get in a Beetle as I thought the visibility could be an issue. But the Mrs heart seems to say Beetle whilst my head says Micra. Bini is unlikely as has been said above the sub £1k ones seem on the ropey side...

[Eddie Honda]

K11 if perfectly functional, if a bit wallowly when pressing on. Visibility Good.

 

 

Triumph Herald.

Mother Honda learnt to drive in one of these. With pointy fins and wings you knew where each of the four corners of the car was. IME The Austin 1100 is good for both forward hill starts and reverse hill starts as the amount of suspension squat/rise on reaching the biting point was a similar cue it was time for the hand brake to be released.

 

Anyway, it's time for me to say Honda Jazz (again) as we need to get this to at least 3 pages and the OP go off and do something completely different.

[Richard]

http://www6.amstock.co.uk/morrisleslie/StockDetail.aspx?lot=550&regno=J307SPJ&sale=1998

[Felly Magic]

2nd for BINIs at around a grand are kippered, PAS is known to shit it's self, expensive to repair, and all parts you need to bend over and be lubed up. Micra is the safest bet, Skoda Fabia 1.4 OHV possibly, but again epas can be trouble, but may have been done on many survivors, timing chain engine as well, but check for OMGHGF. Not bad on fuel, I could easily get 50 mpg out of my old one on a run. 1.9 SDi capable of insane miles if looked after, seen em nudging 400k before now.

[eddyramrod]

Suzuki Ignis (not the Landy, obvs...)  1.3/1.5 bombproof engines, cheap enough and a bit upright so visibility is actually rather good.

[michael1703]

I've got a beetle and the windscreen is 5ft from the steering wheel,they're shit to park too

[Cavcraft]

Go for the Micra. I've put a fair bit of research into new Beetles and Minis recentll in your price bracket, and it doesn't make good reading. Genuinely not just saying it because they're VWs but having come close to buying three in the last week, they were all shit and the horror stories I've been reading and hearing about them doin't help.

[michael1703]

What about a polo? They're just a small golf, not much goes wrong on them either

[purplebargeken]

There is a bit of distance from the screen but I managed to park it ok mostly*

 

Micra is a good one too.

[egg]

Ford Fusion for complete non image. But does tick boxes around visibility (excellent), ease of parking (high spec models come with reversing alarms) and upright driving position.

 

1.4/1.6 pez for with manual box. 

 

Many pre-facelift with lowish miles for that price.

[carlo]

The K12 Micra is alright, but AVOID AVOID AVOID the models with keyless start.

 

AVOID

 

I thought all K12 Micras were keyless entry?

[johngarty]

A JCB?

[brownnova]

So today we went to look at an example of each... bit pricier than we wanted but at dealers so we could poke around without wasting a private sellers time...

 

Mrs_B says all three she likes the interiors of, but the Beetles front visibility wasn't great... however, it's still the one she most wants!! Believe you me I've suggested most of what has been suggested (Triumph herald excepted) but all falls on stony ground! Think next weekend may be a trip round the north west on viewings!!