Small, Reliable Automatic car...

aliharris

My mum's 2002 Clio 1.4 Auto is getting less and less reliable. According to sources we might get £2000-2500 for it private/ part ex and we're looking for something similar for under £6500. The options I've thought of have been:

• VW Polo
• Nissan Micra
• Toyota Yaris
• Honda Jazz

Bit older, but possibly too expensive for repairs/insurance anyway:

• Mercedes A-Class 2002
• Mini Cooper 2002
• BMW 3-Series compact 2003

She's only got an auto license so it has to be fully auto, well built, reliable and economic. Ideally something to last a very long time...

Any thoughts?

Many thanks!

NEH

I own an auto Yaris and it drives quite well....Couldn't comment on repairs or servicing as unfortunately due to the recession and hard times we haven't yet had it serviced....Economically speaking we have the 1.3 and it costs currently £35 approx for the tank and gives us about 250miles maybe a bit more when we're doing more long distance...

I did own a VW Polo automatic, good work horse as it were, but think i got a bad one as it was in and our for repairs in the whole 2 years i owned it, culminating in a visit to the electrical shop as the end of it's life and a mechanic saying that after 25 years of service he hadn't seen anything like it....Needless to say I took his advice and got shot of it...

Micra's and Jazz's are also nice to drive, had both for hire cars but i would say that with the Micra don't go for the basic model. I test drove one after having my Polo and it was a more basic model and it wasn't particularly nice or comfortable. Nissan Micra auto's do seem to be the more common auto cars now coming through second hand....

The Jazz was very roomy and did have more power (can't remember the engine size) Enjoyed it for the couple of days I had it..

Has your mum thought about a second hand corsa? (the new style)

gilbert_and_sullivan

Something with a proper auto and preferably Japanese or Korean, avoid anything with an automated manual box you did specify reliable.

Daihatsu Sirion...nice underrated car part Yaris but with a proper auto box.
Chevrolet Lacetti
Hyundai Getz, i20,
Kia Picanto, Rio, Ceed
Suzuki Swift, Alto

MB A class avoid at all costs.
BMW Compact Diesel is a nice car and very econimical for a quality car...need a competent indy for maintenance.

hethmar

My sister has a Mercedes A Class and its SO expensive to run and service.

Have you thought of looking at ex motability cars?

jeannieblue

hethmar wrote: »

My sister has a Mercedes A Class and its SO expensive to run and service.

Have you thought of looking at ex motability cars?

Second that! They are trouble1

Yaris would be MMT as alot of the smaller cars are now. I don't like them, would rather have a full automatic gearbox and pay more car tax!

Or walk, as I intend to do now, with Jim :-) Wellies at the ready!

Kilty_2

NEH wrote: »

I own an auto Yaris and it drives quite well....Couldn't comment on repairs or servicing as unfortunately due to the recession and hard times we haven't yet had it serviced....

Hard times get much harder very quickly if you neglect car maintainance to save money:eek::eek:

NEH

jeannieblue wrote: »

Second that! They are trouble1

Yaris would be MMT as alot of the smaller cars are now. I don't like them, would rather have a full automatic gearbox and pay more car tax!

Or walk, as I intend to do now, with Jim :-) Wellies at the ready!

I can vouch for the very new Yaris's gearboxes being less than good, my mum's friend has jsut got one and she hates it and wishes she could get her old yaris back...

Depending on how old your mum minds her being you might still be able to pick up one of the older style Yaris's....

aliharris

Thanks everyone for the advice so far!

Ex-motability... never heard of it, what's the deal? The internet isn't giving much of an clue, excuse my ignorance, I'm 21!

I'd be insured on it as I am at the moment, I'm 21, mum 59, is about £350 on the Clio which probably rules out the better marques.. is the Corsa a proper auto engine?

The Clio makes loads of noise, cuts out every so often and has been trouble since mum part-ex'd her Merc for it in 2006. She'd like something a bit more luxurious but without the maintenance costs.

Thanks again, keep it coming! :-)

mchale

google: micra timing chain

aliharris

Oh dear

Google: Watchdog Navara

- that's what's happened to my brother's truck.. tempeted to steer clear of Nissans..

Have found a 2003 BMW 3-series auto compact for £4,995, 38k miles... sounds a bit cheap!?

Inactive

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

Something with a proper auto and preferably Japanese or Korean, avoid anything with an automated manual box you did specify reliable.

Daihatsu Sirion...nice underrated car part Yaris but with a proper auto box.
Chevrolet Lacetti
Hyundai Getz, i20,
Kia Picanto, Rio, Ceed
Suzuki Swift, Alto

.

Great list, I will second that list.

( Not too sure about the Chevrolet Lacetti tho' ).