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I am a 25-year-old woman looking to buy my first car due to my workplace changing location from Central London to Hertfordshire. I will be driving approximately 40 miles a day to get to and from work. I need a car that is reliable, cheap to run, cheap to buy, cheapish to insure and easy to drive. I have had my license for over 4 years but have not really driven in that time. I was looking at possibly getting an automatic car. I have also been looking at FIAT 500. Please advise me.

Asked on 18 July 2009 by

Answered by Honest John
A lot of disadvantages to an automatic: more expensive to buy, more
expensive to tax, more expensive on fuel. The 500 auto is a Dualogic automated manual, not a true automatic, and might take a bit of getting used to. An alternative is a Hyundai i10 1.2 Comfort automatic that has a proper torque converter 4-speed automatic box. But better to go manual. I've got a 500 1.2 Lounge. I love it, though I'm the first to admit it's no sports car. The suspension is very bouncy and the steering is too light. It does, however, do over 50mpg, the tax is £35 and its quite high geared for a 1.2 so cruises well at 70.
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