Reliable automatics

50Twuncle

Goudy said:

If you're not after style and you aren't a brand snob, what about a Suzuki Baleno auto?
Proper torque convertor, small 1.0 turbo engine that's modern, clean, reliable and is a little rorty..
They're well built if a little dull and plasticy (or hard wearing) inside.
They stopped selling them last year as the new Swift filled it's market, but for your money you should be able to get a 17 or 18 plate low mileage car.
Look for a SZ5 model and it'll come with all the bells and whistles like parking sensors/camera, sat nav, adaptive cruise, radar brake support and so on.
Could be the cheapest way into a late plate auto that's safe and modern that hasn't got interstellar mileage on it.

Thats exactly what I have and its a good little car - economical too (50mpg average) and not slow from a-b

noclaf

I will check out the Suzuki's...I doubt the slightly 'plain' feel would be an issue for me as I've driven the same car for the last 10 years so I'm not really accustomed to luxury interiors!
What are peoples thoughts on the Kia Venga? Looks v practical if somewhat bland but need to be sensible at expectations for the price point and brand etc

50Twuncle

noclaf said:

I will check out the Suzuki's...I doubt the slightly 'plain' feel would be an issue for me as I've driven the same car for the last 10 years so I'm not really accustomed to luxury interiors!
What are peoples thoughts on the Kia Venga? Looks v practical if somewhat bland but need to be sensible at expectations for the price point and brand etc

My Dad had a Venga - they are heavy, not particularly economical, but reliable cars - they do have a proper/torque convertor auto gearbox- but they are boring to drive - I much prefer my Suzuki's (I have had 4 over the last 12 years)

for similar prices - you can get a much newer Suzuki than Kia - possibly brand new ?

Suzuki are VAT free at the moment as well.. they are the most reliable cars in UK too !

Robisere

I have now had two Hyundai's in succession, having driven Fords before that. All my cars since 1995 have been auto boxes, due to disability. First Hyundai was a Tucson, very comfortable diesel Turbo but wife and I developed deteriorating medical conditions and could not enter and leave without discomfort and pain. Then came the current iX20 auto petrol: 125 bhp, 16 valve, twin cam, six speed box that changes up and down without noticing. I get 40+ mpg and great acceleration when I occasionally need it. Cruises at 70 all day where legal in comfort and I love it. I will look at a Hybrid or full electric Kona next I think. I like Hyundais, also recalling the first one I ever had back in the day: a Stellar, when I was a workshop foreman. Almost all Ford Cortina steering and suspension, Mazda-derived engine. A good Cortina alternative then and I was happy to find that many Ford parts fitted the Stellar.