Older small automatic cars

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Mon 3 Jul 2017 19:24
Older small automatic cars - polywobblydriver
Can anyone recommend a older, reliable, small car with an automatic gearbox? The budget is roughly £1500. Needs to be auto because of mobility problems.
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Mon 3 Jul 2017 19:47
Older small automatic cars - carl233

I woud have said at this limited budget a traditional torque converter is the way to go. We have a MK6 Fiesta in the household fitted with the 1.6 petrol sigma engine and a 4-speed Aisin Warner gearbox. Many reports of this box doing 150k miles plus without rebuild. Getting a decent one at this budget might be a bit of a challenge.

Whatever you go for I would look to aquire a model with a proven torque converter unit. Some of the more 'modern' boxes will cost more than the budget you have for the car should they have a major issue.

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Mon 3 Jul 2017 20:06
Older small automatic cars - gordonbennet

Most Korean cars have torque converter autoboxes, but so does Yaris 1, thats where i would be looking.

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Mon 3 Jul 2017 20:07
Older small automatic cars - elekie&a/c doctor

Vauxhall Astra model G or H up to 2010. Great auto box that rarely gives trouble.Plenty of choice for this sort of budget.

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Mon 3 Jul 2017 20:09
Older small automatic cars - badbusdriver

At your budget, your problem is going to be finding something worth buying, as indicated by the previous post. I'd be thinking along the lines of a daihatsu (sirion, charade or cuore), kia (picanto or rio), hyundai (accent or getz), suzuki (alto, ignis or wagon r).

Possibly the one thing in your favour is that older small automatics will tend to have been bought by older drivers, more likely to look after them.

Also, bear in mind what carl mentioned about the type of gearbox. As far as i am aware, all the cars i mentioned have a traditional 'torque converter' auto, which in your budget, is what you are best going for. However, some cars in your budget will be early 'automated manual' gearboxes, these tend to have issues with both reliability and driveability (jerky changes, delays between you putting your foot down and anything happening). I dont know all the cars within your budget likely to have these, but i know for a fact, the mk6 fiesta ('02-'08) 1.4 does (the 1.6 doesnt), also, i'm pretty sure the fiat grand punto does.

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Mon 3 Jul 2017 20:59
Older small automatic cars - SLO76
Honda Civic Mk VII 1.6 auto, Vauxhall Astra G 1.6 auto, Kia Picanto auto, Mitsubishi Carisma 1.6 auto, Mitsubishi Lancer 1.6 auto are all ok but condition, history and mileage mean more than anything at this price.

Avoid automated manual boxes, anything French and some CVT boxes such as the Mk I Honda Jazz.
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Mon 3 Jul 2017 22:33
Older small automatic cars - John F

I'm surprised the Ford Focus isn't in SL076's list - there are loads available for less than £1000, some with low mileages. Our Xreg auto Focus is still going strong at 124,000m with no issues.

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Mon 3 Jul 2017 22:51
Older small automatic cars - badbusdriver

OP says small car though, and while I realise that means different things to different people, I personally wouldn't class it as small. Same for any other cars of that size, or bigger (carisma?). Having said that, given that budget, making your list of potential buys as wide as possible can only help!.

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Mon 3 Jul 2017 23:22
Older small automatic cars - SLO76

I'm surprised the Ford Focus isn't in SL076's list - there are loads available for less than £1000, some with low mileages. Our Xreg auto Focus is still going strong at 124,000m with no issues.

Yup Focus is also a good option.
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