Small car automatic - recommendations please?

zzzLazyDaisy

fivetide wrote: »

Wild card - at that sort of mileage - could you do without a car?

Owing to my disability I am dependent on my car for my independence.

fivetide

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

Owing to my disability I am dependent on my car for my independence.

Dial-a-ride?

Motability car a possibility?

Many local authority areas also do 'taxi tokens' for people who can't make a bus stop. Given you admit it is very difficult for you to turn and it affects your driving (hence the crunch) perhaps it might be worth considering the options?

It might be for example you can have a vehicle adapted so it has a swivel seat for easier entry/exit and as others have mentioned, a reversing camera so you know what is behind you when you start manouvering.

System

Have you considered a small SUV/crossover? The higher seating position may help with your pain while driving.

zzzLazyDaisy

fivetide wrote: »

Dial-a-ride?

Motability car a possibility?

Many local authority areas also do 'taxi tokens' for people who can't make a bus stop. Given you admit it is very difficult for you to turn and it affects your driving (hence the crunch) perhaps it might be worth considering the options?

It might be for example you can have a vehicle adapted so it has a swivel seat for easier entry/exit and as others have mentioned, a reversing camera so you know what is behind you when you start manouvering.

Thanks, I know you mean well, but I have researched all the options, trust me. My current car is adapted for my disability, although idea of a reversing camera is a good one, and I will certainly follow that up. Apart from anything else, I like the independence that a car gives me and I am lucky that I can afford to buy and run a car. The only real issue is whether to have my current car fixed and continue to run it until it dies, or to look for a smaller automatic - which would be my preference if I can find one that suits me.

zzzLazyDaisy

Walcott wrote: »

Have you considered a small SUV/crossover? The higher seating position may help with your pain while driving.

Thanks, I hadn't considered these cars. I guess I'll have to do some phoning around and test drive a few small automatics and see what suits me.

iolanthe07

I don't think there are any small "proper" automatics left in production, they are all dodgy CVT or dual clutch affairs.

There are some automatic small cars with torque converters - the Hyundai i10 is highly regarded by motoring journalists, especially the 2014 model. The Kia Picanto auto has a torque converter too. Don't dismiss CVT boxes - they are not nearly as bad as the horrible electro-mechanical autos fitted to the likes of the Fiat Panda and VW Up! (excellent cars in manual form). The Ford Fiesta has a powershift auto box (6 gears worked by two clutches) which has been well received.

TiddlyPom

I loved a Honda Jazz auto I had as a courtesy car once. Higher driving position but still feels like a small car. Very versatile seating and boot arrangement. Far preferred it to my own Corsa auto.

vikingaero

Get a Hyundai i10 or a Kia Picanto. Both proper autos, 5/7 year warranty and the Picanto is available as a 3 door.

zzzLazyDaisy

Thanks, for all the comments and recommendations.

I have researched the Kia Picanto on the internet, and discovered that there is a 3 door automatic in metallic red (my dream car!). So I shall book a test drive and see where I go from there.

Many thanks again for all your input.

Dx