Buying An Automatic Car

Diamond78

I am still currently having driving lessons and I am hoping I will pass when I have my test-I will not give up till I pass and am determined to pass. I wont be able to buy a brand new car but will start saving towards one-I will have to buy a second hand car but have no idea what I need to look out for. I have been told to look in autotrader.I have browsed ebay just for an idea but have no idea what some of the terms mean. Do you think it wouold be possible to buy a car for approxiamtly £500-Please dont laugh as I dont know,I dont care how old or rusty the car is as long as its safe and works.
Hope someone can advise me

harveybobbles

Diamond78 I've just sent you a private message..................

jeannieblue

Does it have to be automatic? The running costs can be high on them re emissions - I know cos my focus costs stupid amount in tax!

You can pick up cars cheap, but you quite often get what you pay for - keep an eye on the rust feature tho, do you not have anyone to help you look at cars - give them a once over for you?

Diamond78

hi jeannieblue,I have tried so many times with manual and just cant do it which is why im learning in automatic.i find it so much easier.I have already paid for my lessons(only 10)if i need more then wil lhave a few more. I know manuals are cheaper but i so cant do the gear changing.i think once i pass in automatic then i will eventually have a few lessons in manual then have a test in that so i can drive manual.

I have no one to help me as I dont have anyone or family that know about cars or automatics.

devizes18193

that thr route i took to my test. The problem with autos apart from the emmisions is mpg . Alot of automatics are sold to managers whom like big cars not small and when new the gear box was great on the motorway going to meetings . How ever the other thing is the gearbox changes up and down on preset revs so in stop start traffic you use more then say a manual . Im sure you might find a auto small car but be prepared for a wait and possable travel to get it .

devizes18193

oh yeas do a pull away on a steep hill , to make sure the clutch works , you should not roll back

Diamond78

so where is the best place to look for 2nd hand cars??? Sorry to be a pain.

balsingh

Diamond78 wrote: »

so where is the best place to look for 2nd hand cars??? Sorry to be a pain.

Unfortunately, you have look alongside all the others. There is no specialist place for automatics only. Yuo will have to use Autotrader, eBay etc. I know for a fact that on the Autotrader website, you can narrow your search down to automatics only.

vansboy

Do a Google for Bangernomics - http://bangernomics.tripod.com/ is one link - these are people interested in keeping older vehicles on the road. Either through choice or £$£$£!

But do please, try to get the test & lessons in a manual, as it'll be soooooooooooo much more of a help to you in the future.

If you don't, you'll be really limiting your driving possibilites & be paying for it, for ever.

& think what you'd do if there was a situation arise, where it was urgent that you needed to use someone elses car & it was manual - you couldn't (legally ) do it!!

You will limit your choices, on first cars in auto - but they are out there!!

VB

Diamond78

vansboy, i would love to learn manual but ive had so many lessons over the years that ive lost confidence in manual.My downfall was having lessons and gaining the confidence then stopping the lessons for about a year or longer.Whether its my age or what I find my confidence isnt getting any better,being insecure and not having the confidence I have got it in my bhead that i will never be able to learn to drive a manual.I have spent so much money over the years, i wish i could go back and carried on but i cant.Also money wise i cant afford to have so many lessons, the block of 10 i paid for has made me skint as it is, if i was to do manual i would need a lot more than 20.Even the 10 i have isnt goingt to be enough and i know im going to need a few more essons once the 10 are finished but i do feel auotmatic is a lot easier at the mo, maybe when i can drive and have some extra money in the future i will have the confidence to do manual.Thanks for the link.

anewman

This are the cheapest automatics I could find nationally on autotrader.

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/advert+search/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146,N-28-63/advert.action?R=200803302204771&distance=142&channel=CARS&make=&model=&min_pr=&max_pr=500&max_mileage=
£75 although it has a minorish fault that needs repairing.

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/advert+search/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146,N-28-63/advert.action?R=200803302079694&distance=73&channel=CARS&make=&model=&min_pr=&max_pr=500&max_mileage=
£150 and should be driveaway-able, but being 2.8 litres insurance will cost a bomb.

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/advert+search/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146,N-28-63/advert.action?R=200803302081644&distance=152&channel=CARS&make=&model=&min_pr=&max_pr=500&max_mileage=
£245

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/advert+search/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146,N-28-63/advert.action?R=200801108207666&distance=241&channel=CARS&make=&model=&min_pr=&max_pr=500&max_mileage=
£325

If you look at the autotrader site and search you can specify a price range and automatic. You should have no problems getting an automatic in your price range - and you can even be a little picky too, you should be able to get one without substantial rust. Start by getting insurance quotes on cars you're interested in as this will be the biggest expense, especially with the cars I linked to above unfortunately. Also consider going as cheap as possible and keep a bit of cash aside for any unexpected repairs to keep it going, which could also potentially be used to get another car.

When buying I'd try take along someone who knows about cars and can give it a look over.

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/advert+search/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146,N-28-63/advert.action?R=200802108268005&distance=175&channel=CARS&make=&model=&min_pr=&max_pr=500&max_mileage=
£350 and will probably be the most reasonable on insurance
Good luck with the test! :cool: :beer: