used automatics

pippic

Hello, sorry newbie here :hello:
Lurked for a while, but finally have a question. need to buy an automatic car for health reasons rather than choice.... I'm looking around the £7-8k mark. The Ford Focus seems to be a safe bet but does anyone have any advice on this???

Thank you!!

MX5huggy

If I wanted an auto for that much cash I would look at BMW 3 series compacts

Auto trader

The best auto I have driven. My mum like you has had autos for medical reasons since the mid 80's and they have nearly always been BMW's now and again see has strayed to Audi A3 and Honda Civic but always gone back to BMW.

vikingaero

If you're going to test drive an auto then make sure you test drive it properly:

(1) With the car in D and your foot on the brakes their should be no juddering.

(2) When the gearbox changes gear the change should be smooth and not a jolt.

(3) Check kickdown works

(4) Find somewhere clear and slow the car down. When stationary, change quickly from D to R. There may be a small jolt but a poor condition gearbox will create a big hard jolt/bump. (The recommended method is to move from D to N, pause for a second or two, and then move into reverse).

(5) On a lot of autos the automatic transmission fluid has a reservoir in the engine bay or shares the same reservoir as the power steering fluid. You can check the level and the colour. The colour should be a bright Ribena colour. If it is brown or black then their may be problems.

pippic

I hadn't thought of a BMW. will check them out, thanks for the tip and thank you vikingaero - have just printed out your advice ready for some test drives :cheesy: Thanks again!!!

jeannieblue

I'm really happy with my auto Focus, 1.6 - tax not bad, had a 2 litre before - had more power which I really liked, but the road tax was quite high.

Premier_2

pippic wrote: »

I hadn't thought of a BMW. will check them out, thanks for the tip and thank you vikingaero - have just printed out your advice ready for some test drives :cheesy: Thanks again!!!

You might want to check out the Mercedes 320 too

Check you can live with the foot operated parking brake first though.

Or even an X-type Jag.

jeannieblue

Premier wrote: »

You might want to check out the Mercedes 320 too

Check you can live with the foot operated parking brake first though.

Or even an X-type Jag.

I wouldn't recommend a Merc, auto or not. Pain in the butt they can be for maintaining. Jag's parts can be expensive even if it is a Mondeo underneath.

Depends on whether the OP has alot put by for servicing and repairs as to what make he goes for.

angnbern

i have a 1.6 focus automatic and for me and my other half we really love it,we find it an absolute joy to drive and also very good as a passenger, tax is £225 per year but its well worth it i get bored easily with cars but i love this car!!!!!!!!!!!!!:T

jeannieblue

angnbern wrote: »

i have a 1.6 focus automatic and for me and my other half we really love it,we find it an absolute joy to drive and also very good as a passenger, tax is £225 per year but its well worth it i get bored easily with cars but i love this car!!!!!!!!!!!!!:T

My road tax is less than that.... can't remember exactly what without getting up and having a look and its Sunday and am lazy... My 2L Focus was about that if not more.

vikingaero

jeannieblue wrote: »

I wouldn't recommend a Merc, auto or not. Pain in the butt they can be for maintaining. Jag's parts can be expensive even if it is a Mondeo underneath.

Depends on whether the OP has alot put by for servicing and repairs as to what make he goes for.

I agree. For £7-8k it's going to be a borderline banger of a Merc. And the Merc autoboxes have suspect reliability let alone the poor quality cars.

Petree

My 2 pence;

Don't get a Vauxhall 1.9D auto, god awful thing.

With a Merc the pedals are quite stiff, depends on the heath reason for getting rid of a manual but something to bare in mind. As well as needing to operate the hardbrake with your left foot (unless you just leave it in park like lots of people)