Hmm I see... I have been looking for the Yaris in a few places now and they do seem at the higher end of my budget so I started looking at a few other brands to see if there are any others that appeal.... Regarding the actual car size I understand I can drive bigger cars too but I still prefer smaller cars as they seem easier to park and all.

What do you guys think of the following brands - Kia Picanto 1.1 (or other engine sizes but I have only seen 1.1 in automatic so far), Citroen C2 or C3 and Vauxhall Corsa - in automatic transmission? I am trying to judge cars based on several factors including budget obviously £2500 or under, insurance costs and reliability so if you have driven an automatic version of these cars before - I would also love to hear from you!

Out of all these small cars which do you reckon would be the best one to last me a while? Also is the Toyota Yaris better than all the ones I just mentioned? If so, is it miles better or is there not much difference for a first car?

Thanks again!

Citroen auto..AAARRGH..no no no and no again, its an automated manual* and it is the devils own design, it is simply an awful thing its horrible i wouldn't wish one on my worse enema, it simply horrible to drive it will go wrong and it will cost you dearly...as will any other automated manual box from any of the throwaway makers.

Listen to the excellent advice you have been given already, find a car with a torque converter automatic box, usually any and every Korean (Picanto you mention is a fine little car) and Japanese make auto will have a proper auto box...exceptions are as already noted Honda Jazz CVT and mk2 Yaris which has an automated manual box too...which i note Toyota are dropping as fast as they can, they dropped a right clanger there, don't think you can buy an MMT new except for Aygo now but happy to be wrong.

*there is one exception to the avoid Citroen autos, and that is with C3 SX, if i recall correctly that is the top of the range C3 with 1.6 petrol and does indeed have a torque converter autobox as does petrol version of Xsara Picasso and little known 'Lounge' version of C4 Picasso...all petrol engined in my time delivering them, but i have no idea how reliable the car itself or the auto box is, C3 would need extensive research if were considering one and i would advise against unless you have a good French specialist indy workshops nearby.

Edited by gordonbennet on 17/07/2013 at 22:00

j199y, you could do far worse than peruse HJ's Car reviews, ^above^, for any cars you might be considering, his assessments of used cars are good common sense stuff, he might not have covered every single variant of every model in the write ups but you'll find nearly all possibilities there.

I doubt you'd go far wrong with a regularly serviced Picanto, also i hear good things about Suzuki Alto, i delivered lots of them and they too had a nice auto box.

Yes the advice you have is right, if you can get a slightly larger engine in a small car then it does make driving safer, but more importantly it can turn a hassle and chore into a pleasure when you have even a bit more grunt available.

Buying you first car is quite a drama, hope you have someone knowledgeable to take with you, and to advise you which dens of sharks to avoid like the plague.