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Shrinking with age

I am enquiring on behalf of my elderly parents (aged 87 and 79) who currently run a 1 owner pristine BMW 320 SE (petrol) with leather, metallic paint and folding mirrors. Registered in June 2007 the car has done just 17,000 miles. They want a smaller car now and are torn between a new Polo 1.4 85 SE 5-door (with DSG) and a Mazda 2 1.5 TS2 Activematic 5 door. Primarily, local trips only now. Cost is not that much of an issue. Which would you advise?

Asked on 9 January 2010 by RE, via email

Answered by Honest John
The Mazda. Much better car. But quite a hard ride. 1,900km test and video: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/mazda/mazda-2-auto. But possibly better still for your parents, the latest Honda Jazz CVT-7, www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/honda/jazz-hybrid Or the Toyota Verso S Multidrive S CVT: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/toyota/toyota-vers...s

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