All - Small Automatics

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Fri 9 Jul 2010 22:17
All - Small Automatics - kentzer

My mum's struggling to change gear now due to arthritis, and so we're starting to look for an automatic so that she's still able to do everything that she wants to.

I've no absolutely no brand loyalty on this purchase - mum will drive whatever we put her in up to a point.

However...

I don't want to end up with a lemon that's going to spend more time in a dealers than it does on the road.

So, recommendations for avoidance or purchase would be useful. I've heard bad things about early DSG type gearboxes, so potentially a straight auto would make more sense.

She's never driven an automatic before, but is quite looking forward to it!

Any thoughts? We have up to £5000 to spend, but as it's my money that she's spending (and then paying back - hopefully) I'd be happier spending £3,500 to £4,000. Every penny I don't spend goes towards funding a classic mini for me!

Cheers

Ben

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Sat 10 Jul 2010 01:40
All - Small Automatics - Avant

Avoid the dreadful jerky semi-automatics that are unfortunately getting more and more common (I can' t think why). The new Honda Jazz has one but the old model that is within your budsget had a CVT (fully automatic) which has been reliable. They've been around since 2002: autos are rare but there shoul be some out there which would suit your mum very well.

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Sat 10 Jul 2010 09:05
All - Small Automatics - oilrag

I would be trying to find a conventional auto - with a torque converter if i were you, Ben. I`m assuming that she doesn`t do many miles and so the slight extra fuel consumption wouldn`t matter? Given that these conventional auto`s are by far the most reliable - so would meet your needs too.

I can`t remember which cars still have them fitted though - can anyone remember?

Regards

oilrag

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Sat 10 Jul 2010 11:44
All - Small Automatics - mike hannon
How old is your mother? - if that isn't too rude a question.
Changing from manual to auto late in life is often not a very good idea.
Some lessons might be a good thing when you've found a suitable motor.
I'd go along with the Jazz suggestion, or an older Civic or even Accord with a proper autobox.
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Sat 10 Jul 2010 12:10
All - Small Automatics - nortones2

The previous model Yaris could be specified with a torque converter auto. A neighbour has one, which has done over 70 thousand miles without trouble. She's hung onto it as the newer Yaris has the dreaded automated manual.

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Sat 10 Jul 2010 12:17
All - Small Automatics - Avant

One more to think about - VW Polo. I had a 1.4 automatic (torque converter) as a loan car a few years ago and it was livelier than expected.

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Sat 10 Jul 2010 19:09
All - Small Automatics - retgwte




PERODUA Myvi

DAIHATSU Sirion

or Suzuki Swift




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Sun 11 Jul 2010 17:25
All - Small Automatics - runboy

Kia Picanto Auto?

£8500 new but I suspect used prices for a year or two old will be in your budget.

Hyundai Getz? 5 year warranty so maybe one that falls into your budget still has some warranty to go?

Used small auto's seem to be like hens teeth round our way - took ages for us to find one.

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Sun 11 Jul 2010 22:38
All - Small Automatics - Avant

True - the smaller the car, the more people will buy it new as a manual. Equally you see very few manuals on cars with engines over 3 litres.

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Mon 12 Jul 2010 10:08
All - Small Automatics - madf

On Autotrader there are 29 Auto Yaris under £3000 - all proper boxes not semi autos.

-A Yaris with high seating, ease of access, high reliability and easy parking is a great buy.. When you are getting on , ease of access and parking are MUSTS...

(I speak as a family with two manual Yarises...so am biased...)

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Wed 14 Jul 2010 07:38
All - Small Automatics - gramar
M-in-Law bought a Citroen Saxo 1.4 petrol aoutomatic from her neighbour a couple of years ago. It's on a Y plate- cost her £1700 with genuine history and only 34k. Now on 39k. Has not missed a beat and I can vouch for it as I had to use it for a week recently whilst my Citroen Xsara was off the road - failed ECU sent away for repair.

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience covering over 350 miles commuting to work. The car drove beautifully and I got 45mpg out of it. Thy are rare and late models up to 2002-03 will fetch a good price still (somewhere around £2 -2.5K)
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