Image at Flickr

When you’re buying a car, people throw all kinds of figures at you. There are mileage figures, safety ratings, insurance brackets etc, etc. If you ask us, cars shouldn’t be about statistics and numbers. It’s all about the driving experience. What does it feel like to get behind the wheel and put your foot down? At the end of the day, that’s all that really matters.

You’re going to spend a lot of time in your car. And all the fuel economy statistics in the world won’t make up for a poor driving experience. Don’t get us wrong, we’re not for a second suggesting you go out and buy a Ferrari because it’s fun. Super cars aren’t the only cars with a little excitement under the bonnet. Today, we’re focusing exclusively on small, affordable cars. So you can have fun, even on a budget.

Mazda MX5

The Mazda MX5 is generally considered the most exciting small car on the planet. Honestly, it will even give Porsche and Ferrari a run for their money. The engine isn’t particularly big, so what makes it so exciting? Well, it’s all about the build quality. Mazda have mastered the art of 50-50 weight distribution, and it’s light as hell. The steering is edgy and responsive, so you can fling it around the corners. The little roadster is like driving a go-kart.

Ford Fiesta

When it comes to small cars, the Fiesta comes out on top, every single time. We know it’s the most popular car on the planet (it has consistently topped the buyer’s chart for nearly a decade). But, that’s only because it’s so fantastic. Again, the engine is nothing to write home about. In fact, it’s smaller than some of its rivals. Yet, Ford have filled the Fiesta full of magic fairy dust, because it’s incredibly fast. Not only that, but it handles like a dream. All in all, it’s a great first car. Critics are already calling the latest ST model a future classic. It’s that much fun.

Fiat Punto

Fiat have always has a quirky side. The little Fiat Panda has tons of character with its small frame and bodywork, for example. The Punto is no different. It’s one of the most practical cars on the list, but it has that Italian flare for fun and style. Fiat design their cars with the twisty, windy mountains of Italy in mind. That means they know how to make a car that corners well. The Punto nips around tight corners with nimble footing, making it super fun to drive. Our friends at the Hilton Garage tell us that people always bring it back from the test drive with a smile on their face!

Mini Cooper S

The Mini has always been one of the most iconic styled cars. The new model is no different. It’s bursting with character and personality. Luckily, the fun doesn’t end there. The Mini is a firecracker under the bonnet. It’s the fastest in it’s class, and a true thrill to drive.

You can’t go wrong with any of these cars. Each has a fun personality, and plenty of power under the bonnet.

It can often seem like the car market is totally focused on male drivers, rather than women. But there are plenty of great cars that appeal primarily to female drivers. Here are my top picks.

Volkswagen Jetta

The Volkswagen Jetta is stylish and modern enough to satisfy a modern, independent woman while also having the space to cater for a growing family. This offers buyers the best of both worlds without having to make any big sacrifices, and that’s exactly what a lot of women buyers are looking for.

It’s a 4-door sedan, yet remains relatively compact. Many sedans can be a nightmare to drive around packed cities, but the Jettas seems to have solved that problem by making the body more slim line. And you can go for the turbo version if you want something a little more sporty and less practical.

Mini Cooper

The Mini Cooper has a strong legacy to fall back on, but what makes them so popular with women today, is the fact that they’re comfortable, stylish and easy to drive. They don’t offer many frills or fancy features, but they do exactly what you want from them, and they do it with style too.

The other big attraction of the Mini Cooper is the fact that they can be bought so cheaply. They fall in value quite quickly, making the second-hand models very cheap. But even the brand new Minis are relatively cheap compared to their rivals, you can see this by visiting coopermini.co.uk where new and used Minis are sold.

Nissan Qashqai

Crossovers are a big deal in the car market now, especially with women who have large families. The Nissan Qashqai is easily the best SUV crossover in the world right now. Critics and consumers alike have fallen in love with the car, so it’s no surprise that even more people are now considering buying one.

But what makes the Qashqai stand out even more isn’t the fact that it’s versatile or fun to drive, it’s the fact that the car is so stylish. It has an overall classy look and stands out as one of the best-designed cars to be made over the past decade. And the interiors are even more sophisticated still.

There are but many ways to maintain the beauty of your car and to keep it shiny. Going to car cleaning shops could be more expensive and would take so much of your time in waiting for the job to be done.

In this line, you can try these simple home remedies which could make your car fashionably beautiful and maintain its cleanliness everyday without spending much. Most of these materials used may sound weird and odd but some people have already proven the good results.

One of the proven simple and inexpensive ways to clean your car is by using a hair conditioner which normally contains an ingredient named lanolin. You will not believe at this moment until you will see your car in a newly waxed look.

Another way to clean your windshield is by making use of the cola stored inside the fridge. When rains come your way, your car will encounter the usual problem regarding your dirty windshield. Get rid of streaks and blotches by putting cola over the glass. Wash off the cola on the windshield thoroughly after the cleaning process with water. The cola residue may attract dust and dirt.

Need a refill for your windshield-washer tank? Need not to buy the liquid solution. Make your own washing fluid with the use of vodka in your liquor cabinets. Mix 3 cups of vodka 2 teaspoons of any liquid detergent used for washing dishes along with 4 cup of water in a jug. Close the jug and shake well. You can now refill the reservoir with several amounts of fluid.