Wife wants a new auto car....

dld2s

Just test drove the new Clio a couple of weeks ago, very impressed, so impressed in fact I bought the company, well not really but I did order one, downside, not due until around 7th May

catbell

Hoof_Hearted wrote: »

Small five-door hatch. Currently has a Jazz and would have another but a bit pricey. She wants new even though it is a waste of money blah.... blah. Can get just under £2,000 off with drivethedeal.

Looked at the Micra. A bit dull and unrefined. Salesman seemed a bit desperate so I guess they are not selling very well. I am a big fan of the mark 2 (rounded) ones -- brilliantly reliable -- but the new one doesn't seem to have moved on much (although bigger). Like the CVT gearbox on the Jazz, which is why we looked at the Micra.

Going to look at the Picanto next week. These seem much improved on the old model. Any opinions welcome...

Any reasonable alternatives for a 5-door auto? The Fiesta seems expensive and obviously would go for the Jazz again if a similar price. Not keen on Citroens.

Will be looking at this thread with interest. In process of looking to buy, and need a 5 door hatchback. Thinking of going auto because my driving is rubbish and parking even worse. Scraped the whole side of OH's VW Touran turning into school gates so must have a small car. Looking at Citroen C1, Vauxhall Agila and Suzuki Alto. Would also like to see comments on the Picanto.

Hoof_Hearted

Well, the wife has test diven the Micra and the Picanto. I would say they are OK but nothing special. Micra is bigger but the Picanto is cheaper. It's the i20 next. Without trying it yet, it looks by far the best value for money. Any negatives about the i20 auto?

bigjl

Quality has certainly improved withe the latest Hyundais.

They are also well priced.

If I was you have a look at as many different cars as possible.

The New Clio is also now a double clutch manual gearbox like a DSG, which means manual gearbox levels of economy, lightening quick smooth gearchanges and you can drive it exactly like a traditional auto, D and go.

I thought the DSG box in the Passat I had as company car in 2008 was nice enough.

But the 2011 Galaxy I had for 5 months either side of the Olympics was a big surprise, as I am retired I did minicab work full time at AddLee rather than just on rest days and holidays from the Ambulance Service.

I did 25k in it and was impressed enough to make a little mental note of the term "Powershift" for the inevitable hunt for an automatic vehicle that all osteo and inflammatory arthritis patients tend to complete at some point!

I like a normal auto, driven loads in my NHS career, but if I am paying for the fuel I want all the ease of use without a performance and economy disadvantge.

I will also admit that I like the Kia Soul!

And I don't care who knows!

There is a new Nissan Note coming out and that is rumoured to have the new Renault double clutch autobox, there will likely be a new Modus soon aswell.

I can't get on with the looks of the Micra and the current Picanto is a nice little car aswell.

But all traditional and CVT autos have the performance and economy downsides.

A test drive in a double clutch autobox is a necessity I think.

My personal favourites are the new Clio and the Fiesta, though the Clio would have to drive very well as the Fiesta really impressed, though the Fiesta steering wheel was a little thicker than I like, though it did grow on me during the day, the only advantge of hving a car as a courtesy car instead of a test drive, I had it all day rather than 20mins, I might have ruled the Fiesta out on a test drive due to the steering wheel, though I have arthritis in my wrists and hands which might be the reason I needed to adapt a little to it?

cajef

Hoof_Hearted wrote: »

Small five-door hatch. Currently has a Jazz and would have another but a bit pricey.

Personally I would stick with the Jazz for reliability, build quality and room.

bigjl

The Jazz is a very worthy vehicle indeed, with a manual box, until they get rid of the CVT gearbox it will never be as good to drive or indeed as quiet to drive as the other small automatics, hopefully Honda are working on this issue as we speak.

vikingaero

I'd avoid the Panda and Citigo and anything else that has an automated manual gearbox.

Go for the current Note. It's so underrated and yet as good as the Jazz.

cajef

bigjl wrote: »

, until they get rid of the CVT gearbox it will never be as good to drive or indeed as quiet to drive as the other small automatics, hopefully Honda are working on this issue as we speak.

Yet Honda went back to the CVT two years ago as there were so many complaints about the iShift box.

Tilt

vikingaero wrote: »

I'd avoid the Panda and Citigo and anything else that has an automated manual gearbox.

Go for the current Note. It's so underrated and yet as good as the Jazz.

There isn't a auto version of the new Panda AFAIK. Punto would be worth a look though.

http://www.fiat.co.uk/uk/fiat-punto?status=0

fivetide

vikingaero wrote: »

I'd avoid the Panda and Citigo and anything else that has an automated manual gearbox.

Go for the current Note. It's so underrated and yet as good as the Jazz.

Seconded on the Note. We've got the 1.6 auto range topper with leather and sat nav. Nice dash and a nippy wee thing. Looks a lot better than the Renault Modus (which is the same car in a different frock), plus it's as near to buying British as you can get.

The only downside so far is the slightly poor turning circle.