Erk.

[graculus]

Well, I just got home. *sigh* My car broke down just after I got off the motorway on the way back from work, literally about 100 yards off the roundabout - I don't even want to think about what that sudden lack of go would have meant if I'd stayed on till the next junction, which I would have done if there hadn't been so much traffic.

The prognosis is pretty grim, from what the RAC guy said, so it's quite possible it won't be worth my while to pay for the car to be repaired. Not much of a surprise, given that I had it from new in 2000 and it's done over 125,000 miles. The 90 mile round trip to work every day for two years hasn't helped with that!

I'm not sure when my garage will be able to even look at it, as they're normally really busy, so I've had to hire a car for the time being. What did we do before the internet, when we couldn't just go online and book stuff any time? I'm trying to remember what those grim times were like... ;)

And finally, Brit car-owning peeps on my friendslist... any recs for nice reliable small(ish) cars?

Comments

[innocent-lex.livejournal.com]

I have a Focus (not sure if that's small enough) and have had very few problems with it in 8 years. I've done not quite 30,000 miles, so nowhere near your level. Mum has a little Skoda and it's absolutely excellent. Ankh has a red thing and it sounds pretty damn good too. If you're after fuel efficiency, there's the Prius, which a couple of people I know have and who rave about it, though it's a little more expensive than your average car of similar size.

Also... http://www.whatcar.co.uk/car-review.aspx

[rivier.livejournal.com]

My mother has had Vauxhalls of various shapes and sizes in the last umpteen years (a big flashy one when she was a rep, then a Corsa and currently a Tigra). All second hand, all extremely reliable and hard-working. The Tigra only stopped once after she boiled its engine dry by misinterpreting the 'no water' indicator, and then drove it hard through three months of hot summer. And it was repaired and has been fine since! My brother still has her Corsa, still going fine.

My friend J has a Ka which she speaks highly of and I've heard a few others bigging the Ka up. Very handy for parking, too.

My other bro has a Smart Car, but even though it's the sporty looking one he still looks like Noddy driving it, so I'm not exactly blowing its trumpet though it may actually be very good. He researches every purchase he makes a lot.

[graculus.livejournal.com]

I quite like the Noddy cars but the interiors are a bit poky and I was surprised to discover they're not actually any cheaper than cars which don't require you to contort yourself like a pretzel. ;)

[graculus.livejournal.com]

I think it's going to be research, some test drives and meanwhile keep my fingers crossed it's not the apocalypse the RAC guy predicted (though I expect he's probably right).

[cycnus39]

A couple of the guys at work used to be in the car trade. I'll ask them for recs.

[lokte.livejournal.com]

I've got a Seat Ibiza that is about 6 years old and I don't think I have had any particular problems (apart from a collision with a wheelie bin but I can't really blame that on the car).

Best of luck.

[stop_thinking]

Honda Civic. Old model. Has the highest reliability and lowest maintenance costs in Which surveys.

I bought mine in Feb, 2003 and never had a day's trouble with it yet. I expect to own it for several years yet. I've had to replace tyres and windscreen wipers but that's it.

My last car was a Nissan Sunny (I had that for 13 years and it was near bullet proof too)

Unfortunately the new model Civic (the sexy looking one) has put aside the safe and boring look, but has introduced a host of issues which currently make it the LEAST reliable car on the road.

If you want to buy new, think about a Honda Jazz. They're only 1.4L but they're pretty nippy and they are reliable too.

Japanese cars (most of them) still lead the crowd in reliability. Shame about the new Honda. It has great design and brilliant features but I think they moved too far at once and ended up on the bleeding edge of car technology.

[pinkdormouse.livejournal.com]

Don't get anything from Alfa Romeo! And judging by my current company car, and the pool car at Himself's work, Vauxhall Astra's aren't what they used to be.

On the other hand, I still have a soft spot for Fiat Pandas, though I haven't had the chance to drive one for a couple of years.

My next company car may well be an Audi A3, but not for a couple of years, so I'm doing purely on Dad's word here.

[epistrophia.livejournal.com]

My sister has Vauxhalls as her company cars and the new ones seem to be quite neurotic for the first two/three years.

I had a Fiat Punto for a while, which my father now drives, and that's a really reliable car - if he can't kill it, no-one can. He and my mother both had Fiats for years and years and they were great.

I agree with whoever said go Japanese for reliability. I don't think they have much personality, but then most people don't want a car they can talk to...

My personal no-no would be a VW Polo - I had a 2000 reg one for a year and it cost me a fortune. I'm personally very against cars which are run by computer. But that's just me.

Having Auto Trader and Ciao/What Car/Auto Express (for reviews) open at the same time is my top tip. God bless t'internet.

[manna]

My mum and dad both have a Skoda now, and have nothing but praise for them. I'd definitely consider test-driving one if I were looking for a new car.