Forum Topic

What car for retired librarian?

A widowed friend has recentltly retired and is looking to buy a newish used car. She's recently widowed with a reasonable pension and lives in Ealing.  Likes visiting National Trust locations and holidaying in countryside B&Bs and visiting grandchildren occasioally and wants a weekly shopping car. A safe and sensible driver but knows nought about cars, therefore requires a reliable car.  What car should she be looking at and where should she buy it please? Like her I know nil about cars. Thanks.

Gerry Tan ● 4621d7 Comments

Skoda(VW/Audi)Fabia or Citigo are good value ,reliable and economical.

Keith Iddon ● 4620d

Gerry,The Honda Jazz is a pretty good car, apparently very easy to get in and out of, and being a Honda should be very reliable (we've found Chiswick Honda very good to deal with - both sales and servicing). One of the warranty companies put out a survey recently on what cars were most reliable from a financial point of view (not just few failures but also cheap to repair when there were) and the Ford Fiesta was best (reviews usually say it is nice to drive).The new Volkswagen UP! has also garnered a lot of praise from reviewers.Have a look at the Honest John website (he writes for the Daily Telegraph) - http://www.honestjohn.co.uk - he has lots of detail about reliability, etc., and compiles a survey of real-world fuel economy figures. There is also a listing of current deals (such as free insurance for some VWs, including the UP and Polo) - http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/deals.HTHDavid

D Fox ● 4620d

Thanks Graham and Nigel - you always give sound advice.

Gerry Tan ● 4621d

Thanks Tony. Interestingly, you're the 4th person to recommend the Honda Jazz - all the other similar recommendations and advice came from mature carwise drivers! I'll relay the info to the lady.You may wonder what's she asking a non car-experienced and ignorant fool like me...actually, I asked her just that and she said "But you ask so many questions - you'll get the answer!. Thanks again.

Gerry Tan ● 4621d

Nissan Note.A new model is being launched in September and there are great bargains to be had on the outgoing model. There are also a load of ex-Motability cars around with full service histories and the balance of the manufacturer's warranty.What goes wrong with them? Very little, basically bulletproof. I have had a bulb fail since owning mine, a friend in Ireland has now covered over 100,000kms in his with nothing other than routine servicing.Deceptively spacious and very easy to drive. Good on fuel as well with a choice of proven engines.If she is looking at one go to West London Motor Group on Boston Road Hanwell, ask for Alan Cooper and mention my name. Alan is an 'old school' salesman not pushy and will 'go the extra mile' to make sure that your friend is completely happy with the car.

Nigel Brooks ● 4621d

I recommend Toyota Yaris.Our family has made several purchases from http://www.surecar.co.uk/. Excellent value and no worries.

Graham Weeks ● 4621d

A Honda Jazz with about 20k on the clock gets my vote (my wife has one) it does 56 MPG and has proven it's self reliable for 10 years dashing up and down to London. The new Fiesta is getting good reviews 70+ MPG as is perhaps surprisingly the Fiat Panda.

Tony Wood ● 4621d