Reliable and fairly economical auto cars?

Dogzrunning

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

A lady where I work, has a Nissan Micra auto (had it for years), which she swears by.

Out of interest, why is it so important for it to be an automatic?

Tbh I just prefer to not worry about gear change and clutch control especially at a roundabout. I think an automatic would be a safer option for me.

Dogzrunning

I have also just been searching for insurance for autos on moneysaving expert and its coming up with £2000!! Are they crazy that is so expensive

Iceweasel

Dogzrunning wrote: »

I have been searching up on automatic cars. Most people say they are expensive for fuel which is worrying me. But im no car expert so im not sure about if i should get petrol or diesel. or even what to look for.

That was true - 20 years ago.

It's swung the other way now with many/most autos being more economical than the manual version - faster too.

For a diesel to be worthwhile you need to be doing around 12K miles a year.

Diesel are not good on short journeys, but an hours commute each way should not throw up DPF problems.

tberry6686

Dogzrunning wrote: »

I have also just been searching for insurance for autos on moneysaving expert and its coming up with £2000!! Are they crazy that is so expensive

Are you a new driver by any chance ? Before the quotes are that high there must be something in either your driving record (or lack of) or where the car will be kept.

There is normally little difference between insurance prices for manual and auto's of the same type. (auto's can be cheaper as they are not commonly driven by certain groups).

Dogzrunning

Yeah im a new driver:) that be why then? Not because its an auto?

tberry6686

Yep, new driver insurance is pretty astronomical £2k quote will not be unusual, depending upon your age it may actually be cheap.

F1F93

Iceweasel wrote: »

That was true - 20 years ago.

It's swung the other way now with many/most autos being more economical than the manual version - faster too.

For a diesel to be worthwhile you need to be doing around 12K miles a year.

Diesel are not good on short journeys, but an hours commute each way should not throw up DPF problems.

Just to add to this, but the type of journey is probably more important than the duration or mileage of the journey. You want to avoid stop start traffic at all costs - motorways are ideal. Basically, the higher the revs, the better. So an hours commute in rush hour traffic is bad for a diesel! Living in a rural area, you may find yourself behind tractors etc, and obviously your speed here will be low. I also find that driving in rural areas might mean you drive through villages, meaning 30mph zones?

So, if I were you, I'd keep things simple and get a petrol. A diesel might be better for you depending on your commute, but tbh unless you know for sure you'd be better off with a petrol.


I've already said about my car - I get high 40's to low 50's in rural areas. The same engine is available in a wide variety of VAG cars, including the Skoda Fabia and VW Polo (among other, larger cars). All should be capable of getting pretty much the same mpg.

Also take a look at Ford's 1.0 EcoBoost in the Fiesta/Ka, I'm not sure of the economy but they've been raved about and they adopt the same idea as the VAG 1.2TSi - a small, turbo charged petrol engine.

[Deleted User]

F1F93 wrote: »

Basically, the higher the revs, the better.

If that were true, diesel drivers would be in 2nd or 3rd gear all the time.

It's getting the engine well warmed up (not revving the testicles off it) up that helps.

GwylimT

As you are a new driver have you actually driven an automatic car? If not, due to your lack of experience as a driver I would have a lesson in one, some people get on with auto's some don't, it would also give you a bit more confidence on a test drive.

[Deleted User]

I've driven dozens of the damn things, but never owned one.

I wouldn't have one either, unless circumstances (eg. medical conditions) forced me to.