I wrote in an earlier post that I had parted company after many years with our Panda. Perhaps our choice of replacement car, and how we arrived at it might be of interest.

The Panda was our second car, and basically a shopping trolley. In the past 10 years I doubt if it has ever been more than 20 miles from home. At 14.5 years old total mileage was only 46,000.

Mrs FarNorthPanda has a Subaru Forester 4x4 CVT automatic. The Panda was a manual. Although neither of us has any problem jumping between cars, the basic decision for the replacement of the Panda was that the new car would have to be an automatic. Neither of us is getting any younger, and having both cars auto seems to offer some advantage.

We also wanted, because it is the second car, something, in relative terms, that was small and cheap. Mrs FarNorthPanda likes taking the Panda into town as it fits much smaller parking slots than the Subaru.

Given how well the Panda has done, the obvious choice for a replacement was another Panda. However, the “automatic” Panda is a robotised manual, and I have read enough reports on this forum about the problems of the Dualogic transmission to rule it out.

Our next choice of a small automatic was the Kia Picanto or its half sister the Hyundai i10. Until 2020 these were available with a proper old fashioned 4 speed torque convertor slush box auto . However, the new models from 2020 onwards are a robotised manual just like the Fiat Dualogic. Getting an older model with the right colour and the right specification is quite difficult (not all Kia Picantos are created equal). So another possible was scored off the list.

The next choice was brand new but basic. The new 2021 Dacia Sandero comes with a 1 litre turbocharged engine and a CVT auto box. There is no auto option on older second hand models. Despite being about the cheapest new car available, it gets quite a good review in the motoring press. However visiting the local Dacia showroom was a new experience in car buying.

• They had a Sandero in the showroom but not in the colour or specification we wanted, and in any case it was not for sale
• They might get some new cars in about 3 months time
• When they did get any new cars they would be pre-registered to the dealer and available for sale several weeks later
• Would we like to come back around September ?
• Would we like to put a £99 deposit on a car ?

Finally, after much studying of car reviews online, and a look at “Which” magazine , we realised that the Honda Jazz, although slightly (but not much) larger than what we were considering, ticked all the boxes. It is 1.3 litre (not much more than the Panda) and a CVT auto box, same as the Subaru. We got a 2018 model, with all mod cons, only 4000 miles on the clock and a 1 year Honda warranty + the remainder of a 5 year servicing plan.

Both my sister and my brother-in-law back in the US drive a Honda Jazz (Honda Fit over there). I've also had one as a rental in France. Excellent, excellent car.

In the US, where there is a far less saturated compact-class market, it is King of the small cars. Would definitely buy one--and probably will--some time in the future.

On the Jazz topic...I was just in Malta on vacation last month and my wife and I noticed that (no exaggeration) about 1/10 of the cars (ok maybe that is a *bit* of an exaggeration...) is a Honda Jazz. And what makes up another 1/10?...

Fiat Panda.

Malta is the land of Panda and Jazz.


Nicely done.

Im in the market for a supermini 'auto'

Its a minefield..

Dont want a 'robot'
But also want economy

2010/15 japanese efforts seem very poor on emissions..

So @£250 tax...and an extra £250 a year in fuel

The best combination..on paper..

A 1.5 diesel clio
Free tax..80mpg and an Auto with Cruise

If only it wasnt a Renault...