calling car experts!

atrixblue.-MFR-.

few pointers, if you do considder a deisel (in know you want petrol) no go for short trips if fitted with a DPF http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/fuels-and-environment/diesel-particulate-filters.html period.

search all manufacturers websites and browse what they have available in auto's.

fiat
nissan
skoda
VW
citroen
peugeot
renault
smart forfour
KIA
chevreolet (vauxhaul's in desguise)
vauxhall
toyota
mitsuibishi
mazda
hyndai
all have petrol cars that have auto's in small medium and large cars. allthough pug and cit i'd leave as a last resort really. do some research on the model you like, any questions on them post back.

jase1

Sounds like a job for the 5-door version of the Mitsubishi Colt to me.

1.1 gives 55+mpg, highish driving position, good to drive and dealers sometimes are actually selling new ones for £6995.

7th most reliable car in this year's WhatCar Reliability Survey:

http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/what-car-reliability-survey-2010/alfa-romeo---kia/250839

(Look to the bottom of the page)

with only 5% of used (>3 years old) cars on Warranty Direct's books going wrong last year, against the average of 25% or so.

Good, underrated cars.

getmore4less

Have a look on the likes of autotrader.

£6k-£8k, Auto, 2years , upto 20k miles brings up around 580

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/radius/1500/price-from/6000/price-to/8000/maximum-age/up_to_2_years_old/maximum-mileage/up_to_20000_miles/sort/datedesc/searchcontext/alert/transmission/automatic

Should narrow down what is out there model wise for your money.

Post code with distance will tell you what is local.

Hintza

katykitten wrote: »

thanks, just noticed that the note has annual tax of £150 so not so low emissions methinks!
any other suggestions??

I wouldnt get too hung up on one single aspect of the car, you want to buy one that closest meets your requirements. It will be a compromise somewhere along the way.

I have also heard good reports about the Colt but for my mad mother the Note is probaby closest to fitting he bill. But she is limited to the number of dealerships in the town and she is very pleased with her RAV4 so it might be an idea to find her an Auris or Urban Cruiser (expensive and not quite ideal) but the Toyota dealership have looked after her.

Compromises :cool:

katykitten

jase1 wrote: »

Sounds like a job for the 5-door version of the Mitsubishi Colt to me.

1.1 gives 55+mpg, highish driving position, good to drive and dealers sometimes are actually selling new ones for £6995.

7th most reliable car in this year's WhatCar Reliability Survey:

http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/what-car-reliability-survey-2010/alfa-romeo---kia/250839

(Look to the bottom of the page)

with only 5% of used (>3 years old) cars on Warranty Direct's books going wrong last year, against the average of 25% or so.

i can only find the auto in a 1.3 - What Car says the 1.1 is the best -is the 1.1 available in petrol auto?

oldagetraveller

Yes, I think the "auto" is only available with the 1.3. Bear in mind it's not a "proper" auto box but one of those manual boxes with bits stuck on to operate the clutch and gearchanges controlled by a brainless, illogical computer! Some might say manual cars are sometimes controlled by smilar.:p Same idea as the MMT. Mitsubishi call it AMT (all mode transmission).
By all means have a loooooooooooong test drive though and on a route of your choosing - not the salesperson's. They'll take you where the transmission is shown off "at it's best"!:cool:
I did test drive a manual 1.3 5 door last year and found it quite capable and well put together. What I didn't like was the cheap and nasty interior plastics and poor quality, in my opinion, switches and controls. There also was a hard bit running across the seat, where the back and base met, that was uncomfortable to my lower back area. This did appear to be part of the seat frame.

KillerWatt

katykitten wrote: »

ok - im all set for a good deal then - is there a site that gives good comparisons for automatics with regards to fuel economy - unfortunately im unable to drive a manual but i hear the newer autos are better on fuel - is this right?

As a rough guide, you can knock 5mpg off the figures quoted when looking at the auto option.

katykitten

im going to look at a colt 1.3 auto petrol CZ2 with 8k miles on the clock its £5999 on sale so am hoping it will fit the bill!!

katykitten

fab car, really impressed - much lighter to drive than my meriva - i think its a little over priced though but can only find similar cars over £100 miles away which sort of defeats the idea of fuel economy! anyone any ideas where can i find one - tried the mitsubishi and auto trader sites

katykitten

getmore4less wrote: »

Have a look on the likes of autotrader.

£6k-£8k, Auto, 2years , upto 20k miles brings up around 580

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/radius/1500/price-from/6000/price-to/8000/maximum-age/up_to_2_years_old/maximum-mileage/up_to_20000_miles/sort/datedesc/searchcontext/alert/transmission/automatic

Should narrow down what is out there model wise for your money.

Post code with distance will tell you what is local.

when i entered those details into auto trader for a colt i only came up with 10 vehicles - how did you get 580?