Hi,
My mother is in the market for a car and has no idea what to buy. I reckon I could get some good advice by opening the criteria to you guys.
Background ? She is early 60?s and just passed her test, so confidence is quite low. Mostly the car will be driven for short journeys around town, to and from shops, etc.
The car MUST be an automatic and due to the fact of her self-confessed limited confidence, the car must be small and very easy to drive.
She will probably keep the car for at least 10 years so depreciation isn?t really an issue, purchase price( £6-7k) and reliability are the key.
So, automatic, small, easy to drive, reliable, what would you go for?
Threads merged due to a accidental double posting. The OP is aware and e-mailed us and the 2 replies to the duplicated post have been preserved in here. - PU
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my aged parents use a Suzuki Wagon R 1.3 auto as their town car - went for this after a lot of research.
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So automatic small easy to drive reliable what would you go for?
Kia Rio 1.4 auto, Daihatsu Sirion 1.3 auto, Hyundai Getz 1.3 auto, possibly Daihatsu Charade 1.0 auto if you want to go that small. The Kia would be my personal choice because of its quiet, refined engine. Models such as Yaris and Micra will be difficult to find in your price-range. Out of the 4 I've suggested, the Getz will be the easiest to find (and they're very easy to drive as well).
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Knew I'd forgotten one - Kia Picanto 1.1LS auto. New price £7445. Not overly powerful, but that might be for the best with an unconfident driver.
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Have to say a nearly new Micra ;~) Having test driven most of the small cars around two years ago, it is the easiest to drive and park, good vision all round, reliable and roomy inside. Also son found it excellent for shifting a large amount of gear if you put the rear seats down.
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kia picanto?
before someone mentions the micra :-)
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micra........
damm..........if it wasnt for those pesky kids i would have got away with it and been first
has she considered a big old 7 series bmw preferably about a 79 on a t reg,these go like stink, the petrol wont be a problem as she is only doing low mileage and a few parking bumps will be of no consequence ;-)
or did someone at the back shout almero shut up lad or a sidewinder is coming your way and get your feet off the desk,you boy have you done your prep?
wed blues..............
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'early sixties'.........OLD??? :-)
Have you asked your mum if she likes being described as an 'old lady'?
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My FIL recently bought an 06 Yaris T3 2 door for £6999 from a supermarket so not too far out of budget.
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Just re-read the post, FIL's car is a manual.
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I guess it depends what local dealers she has.
If she has just passed her test it may be worthwhile getting additional lessons e.g. night driving/motorway driving.
I believe that cars with automatic clutches (Vauxhall 'Easytronic' and the same sort of thing in the Peugeot 107/Toyota Aygo) can be driven with an auto-only licence. Whether or not these automatic clutches will last 10 years is dubious however.
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Meant to add - what about a Perodua Myvi Auto? Seems good value and has a proper autobox as well. Do a search under 'best deals'...
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I believe that cars with automatic clutches (Vauxhall 'Easytronic' and the same sort of thing in the Peugeot 107/Toyota Aygo) can be driven with an auto-only licence. Whether or not these automatic clutches will last 10 years is dubious however.
She has a full manual licence but having driven an auto since passing her test has decided that the full auto (without even thinking) about the gears would be easiest for her.
PS - In response to an earlier post, I don;t really think of my mother as 'old' but you have to admit she is rather 'old' as a new driver!!!
Thanks for all your help guys, I guess the Picanto and Micra are to be looked at in a bit more detail.
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"60s, just passed, no confidence, small car.... "
Fingers crossed she doesn't live near me!
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Well you can hardly be accused of sexism in this context PG, but ageism is a worse offence in my book.
When a well-preserved and attractive sexagenarian comes screaming past you in a heavily tweaked pearlescent road projectile of modest Japanese origin, I hope you will have the grace to blush.
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Whether or not these automatic clutches will last 10 years is dubious however.
Very good point - all my suggestions have TC autoboxes, of either Jatco or Mitsubishi origin. Can't help feeling that a brand-new Picanto would fit the bill perfectly. It's even got the added convenience of rear doors as standard, not to mention all-round disc brakes.
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Thanks for all your help guys.
She has now decided that a Micra is the car for her. Quite a few 1 year old 1.4 SVE's around at the moment. (I think they were ex-rental cars) with about 8000 miles on them for mid £6k.
Thanks again.
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