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Pre-retirement choice - Honda, BMW or other?

Due to our low mileage (9k/year) and pollution concerns we seek a small/medium petrol automatic to replace our much loved 2001 Honda Civic auto. My wife wants a new Jazz or Yaris but we fear these might be too small for our only car. We liked the A3 and Golf but were put off by concerns about DSG gearboxes. We thought the new Civic auto OK but discounted the new A class after a previous bad experience with a rusty E class. Out of curiosity we looked at the new BMW 118i auto and, to my surprise not thinking of ourselves as “BMW people", really liked it. What do you recommend?

Asked on 4 September 2015 by CountryCousin

Answered by Honest John
A Jazz is bigger inside with the seats folded than a Golf. Go and have a look at one, flip down the seats and you'll be amazed. It's the most space efficient hatchback you can buy. The new modular 1.5 3-cylinder and 2.0 4-cylinder BMW engines seem fine so far. Good performance. No complaints. But these are early days. Much smaller inside than a Jazz. Production of the Jazz Iat Swindon has now ended. New Jazz will come from Japan. Expect at least a £2000 discount on the outgoing Jazz. Civic continue at Swindon, with even more voluminous interiors and the 1.8 136PS engine is outstandingly reliable.
Dear Honest John,

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