Small car suggestions

[Tia Maria]

We're going to get a small, second hand car for me to learn to drive in, in NZ, and would appreciate any suggestions.

We're looking for:

1) 5 door
2) 5 sash belts (so I can fit 3 kids in the back)
3) Automatic
4) Sassy!

There may be other things that would be helpful, but I'm not sure what. Basically I want one that is small, so I won't have to spend five hours looking for a parking space I'm confident I can get in to, but at the same time its got to fit 3 kids (6, 4 & 1).

Cheers

Tia

[Jo Jo]

Oooh, what a timely thread - I want the same! I'll be watching this thread with interest.

[CJ22]

1) 5 door
2) 5 sash belts (so I can fit 3 kids in the back)
3) Automatic
4) Sassy!

Here you go:

[dilanium]

The Toyota vitz or Yaris perhaps?

(That's what I'm looking into getting when I get there).

[Ojai]

I was deeply impressed with the Suzuki Swift that I hired. It has all that, and is fun to drive to boot.

[kanatakiwi]

we have a little nissan pulsar which fits your criteria. its is a little zipper, great for getting around the city and not too bad on gas. I see heaps of them around the city so I am guessing they would be reasonable to buy. ... you didnt say if you wanted new or second hand.

[benandclare]

Got as nice little VW Polo as our "town car"

[Georgebulldog]

I'm looking too, having to drive an outback at the mo & I hate it, wont even try & park on the street as I can't see the front or back of it, a nice Golf would be great

[Tia Maria]

Thanks everyone, lots to check out.

I suspect it might be quite hard to get 5 sash belts as many just come with a lap belt in the centre back, so that might help us to decide.

Cheers

Tia

[dharder]

I suspect with smaller cars, there will be lap belts only. But you can get some sort of contraption that adds a harness to the lapbelt and anchors it to the car in the back, don't have the link at hand but have seen it and a couple of places in Auckland that will install it.

Apart from that, I'd love a Polo. I had similar requirements to yours and ended up with a Mazda Demio, which fulfills our needs. I just drive it around town, and it's fine for that. However, it's the kind of car that has no character at all, and since it is silver, I can't even spot it easily on a car park... In the first two weeks, I had two people drive into me, so it really is very unnoticable.

With a slightly bigger budget, I would have gone for the Polo...

Good luck with your search,

Daniela