Whenever people ask me what my favourite car is/was, I tell them it depends on the day and how I feel. I don’t have that one car that I always go back to. However, if you had to line-up a straight-out-of-school student, a working 20-something, a new parent, a parent whose kids are out of the house and an over-60, and ask me to pick out my favourite cars for each one of them, I could do that quite easily.
So, here are my recommendations (some are made with my heart and not my head) for these five categories:
A straight-out-of-school student
What do they need? An everyday, reliable runabout that can get them from home to varsity and out on the weekends with their friends.
My recommendation: The previous-generation Fiat 500.
Reason: It’s a fun city car that is zippy, easy to drive, relatively fuel efficient and with enough space for students plus some friends. It’s also cute as hell.
If you need a more pocket-friendly option: Get an older (around 2012) Nissan Micra. Same cutesy looks for a smaller price.
(Looking for a Fiat 500 click here, or Nissan Micra click here)
A working 20-something
What do they need? Something impressive enough for what I assume is their first corporate world job, but it also needs to be a weekend warrior for trips with friends, family and significant others.
My recommendation: The previous-generation Suzuki Jimny.
Reason: My main reason is I have always wanted one and it’s best to get it before you start a family as it won’t be very practical then. But it also perfectly suits the career-driven 20-something while also being able to go slightly (and properly) off-road should you so wish. What a trooper.
If you need a more pocket-friendly option: Go for an older Daihatsu Terios.
(Looking for a Suzuki Jimny click here)
A parent
What do they need? Space for all the baby and kid stuff.
My recommendation: For this I’d recommend a family SUV-esque vehicle like an older Nissan X-Trail or a sedan like a Toyota Corolla.
Reason: At this point in your life, you really just want something reliable that can hold everything that comes with having a family.
If you need a more pocket-friendly option: A Toyota Corolla Quest (yes, for real).
(Looking for a Toyota Corolla click here)
A parent whose kids are out of the house
What do they need? Whatever you want really…
My recommendation: A Porsche Panamera.
Reason: I’ve always wanted one.
If you need a more pocket-friendly option: A cheaper Porsche Panamera.
An over-60 looking to scale down
What do they need? A car that can get them from A to B.
My recommendation: Something practical such as a Hyundai i10, Toyota Yaris, Kia Picanto and the like.
Reason: These are reliable cars and require little, relatively affordable maintenance.
If you need a more pocket-friendly option: An early-2000 old Daihatsu Charade.
(Looking for a Hyundai i10 click here, or Toyota Yaris click here, or Kia Picanto click here)
Ok, so I’ve generalised the needs of each of these groups of people, but you get the gist. These vehicles really are good recommendations for these phases of life. Which phase am I currently in, you ask? The parent phase, and cannot wait for the next…
