How To Find The Best Small Car For You

There's a question. Best depends on best for what, for who etc?

Car buying was researched back in 2005 by Mori for EuroNCAP. They found the two most important things for car buyers were the car suiting your lifestyle and it being affordable. GM knew that back in the 1930s when their slogan was, 'a car for every purpose and purse.' Third most important was safety. Then it was performance and reliability.

Here we're looking at finding the best small cars. Most small car buyers will drop comments to a salesperson that a small car is all they need. Normally it's expressed as a definite choice - decision.

After near 43 years as a car salesman I found it's best to look at a car from all SIDES and make one on one, side by side car comparisons.

SIDES stands for:

• Size, Style and Standing. There are 3 different small car sizes - 3.5m, 3.7m and 4m. Buyers deny style and street cred' are important. Yeah, right.
• Interior space, versatillity and comfort. Some small cars can be tight in the back and boot - if it matters.
• Driver pleasure. Most small cars are easy to drive but some are far easier to park. A combination of performance and comfort make driving a pleasure.
• Economics. Price is important but not a guide to size. Be careful about paying for brand equity. Value brands can have suprising qualities. There are differences CO2/vehicle excise duty and car insurance costs. Small cars all do about the same mpg - but check.
• Safety. EuroNCAP is a guide. Test drive small cars on the motorway - some can be scarey.

Then it's a case of comparing all the models to find the best small car for you.

So there are 3-steps to finding the best small car for you.

1. First be sure it suits your lifestyle and budget.
2. Then look at each car from all SIDES.
3. Make comparisons.

Making comparisons is not easy. It's been a hobby of mine in recent years and I've done some small car comparisons for you over on my carbuyersinfo website. See if my small car comparison charts help you find the best small car for you.

Regards
Ralph