ideas for decent cheap automatic runaround

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Fri 22 Jul 2011 15:29
ideas for decent cheap automatic runaround - drives

Hi,

I've been searching for a suitable car for the other half and am stuggling a bit so thought I would ask if anyone has any suggestions please? The criteria is:

Preferably smallish but five door (206/clio size but can be saloon)

Has to be automatic

Up to £1200 to spend

Looks reasonably decent (so 98/99 onwards) + reliable (looks wise she doesnt like the E36 3 series, S40, older Honda Civics etc which I have suggested would be ideal)

The problem with the above is most of the reasonably styled cars which she likes are French, and this +automatic (which she wont budge on) worries me in terms of reliability.

Cars I've come across so far that may fit the bill is an auto VW bora (although most of the autos are the bigger engine variants which isnt ideal), the Renualt Clios, and the Yaris (however the autos are very few and far between and they're possibly a bit on the small side)

Anyone have any other ideas?

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Sat 23 Jul 2011 00:20
ideas for decent cheap automatic runaround - Avant

At this price range condition is more important than make or model: you also have a problem in that most small cars are manuals and so there are fewer automatics to choose from.

Look on autotrader specifiying automatic and price range, and see what's around in your local area. With luck you'll find something that has been well looked after and regularlkty seviced, perhaps by someone elderly. Beware of VERY low mileage, which could indicate that the car has never been further than the shops and has been worn out by short journeys.

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Sat 23 Jul 2011 00:49
ideas for decent cheap automatic runaround - jamie745

Abnormally low mileage can indicate its generally been used for short trips, especially if its a slightly older car. Say if its got 25k on it for a 10 year old car, thats very abnormal. Although condition could still be exceptional. My parents 406 had low mileage when they got it, and didnt do many miles and was often used on short trips and the back box of the exhaust was replaced numerous times throughout its life as a result of this.

As Avant says, condition more relevant than make/model in this price bracket. And small automatics for that sort of price leaves you with a rather narrow choice. Bigger cars will be easier to get hold of and probably cheaper, or better condition etc in this price bracket. Like im seeing a few Focus auto's at that price but plenty of Mondeo auto's in that price bracket. Plenty of Honda Civic auto's going in that price bracket mind, but alot of them a bit older, say mid-late 90s.

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Sun 24 Jul 2011 20:36
ideas for decent cheap automatic runaround - ForumNeedsModerating

Atr that price point, I'd say the notions of, or reputation for 'reliability' are fairly moot.

Any car that age (by price implication) is going to have issues at some point. I'd look around the local area simply for what's available on the the non-negotiable aspect, i.e. automatic. Find something that goes alright (and find out as much as you can about the car, obviously..) & looks to have been treated well & serviced etc. Don't buy an expensive-when-new car, e.g. an old luxo-barge - it's likely any major issue will make it uneconomic to repair.

With due respect, ideas about what looks nice or notional reliability 'ratings' are less important for older cars than how they've been treated & maintained.

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Sun 24 Jul 2011 21:37
ideas for decent cheap automatic runaround - Trilogy

I'd suggest you avoid French and Italian cars. These cars tend to be less reliable than cars from other countries. The Japanese have a reputation for making reliable automatic cars.

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Mon 25 Jul 2011 10:58
ideas for decent cheap automatic runaround - TeeCee

I'd suggest you avoid French and Italian cars. These cars tend to be less reliable than cars from other countries. The Japanese have a reputation for making reliable automatic cars.

Too right! I sorted out a new Daihatsu Cuore Auto for my mother-in-law. All it ever does is sit on her drive and potter down to the shops a few times a week. Over a decade of that sort of short trip, never properly warmed through, very low milage treatment and it's still 100% reliable. But then, being a Japanese "city car", that's what it's designed for. It's a shame Daihatsu have gone, the car may be as basic as heck but the build quality, componentry and attention to detail is the best I have ever seen.

I reckon the only time it ever gets into top on the 'box is when I take it for an Italian tuneup to blow the cobwebs out on the odd occasion I go round there...

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