Suggestions re small automatic car

cheap_charlie

I have been very happy with my 2001 Corolla but with the new tax rules coming in next year I really have to consider changing vehicle.

I can only drive an automatic, so that clearly limits the choice of vehicle I have but can anyone recommend a small and cheap to run car (and year) and give me a rough idea of how much I would need to pay?

When I last looked at Parkers the suggested trade in for my car was circa £1.5K.

Thanks.

kitchpoo

Try looking on autotrader for a comparison to yours to get a better idea of prices, parkers and other guides are struggling to keep up with current trends in downsizing and tax changes.

In-Laws have a Corsa Easytronic - a version of the CVT system that isnt as thirsty as conventional automatics, it is also only 1 second slower 0-60 and you can use it as a tiptronic box (push gearlever forward to up a gear - and visa versa).

If you enjoy the Toyota, how about a Yaris Auto?

vikingaero

If you can get used to a Multi-Mode Transmission (clutchless manual) then these have lower CO2 emissions than fully fledged automatics. Try something like a Toyota Aygo.

cajef

Depends how much you have to spend the Honda Jazz CVT-7 has low VED and good fuel economy plus reliability.

Inactive

You have one of the best cars in the world, I would sooner pay a bit more tax and keep it.;)

cheap_charlie

vikingaero wrote: »

If you can get used to a Multi-Mode Transmission (clutchless manual) then these have lower CO2 emissions than fully fledged automatics. Try something like a Toyota Aygo.

I probably can't drive one of those sadly as my licence is only for automatic models and to be perfectly honest I don't really have much interest in learning how to drive a manual either.

wolfehouse

you can drive a mmt (clutchless manual) with an automatic only license but my advice is don't.
i had one that went badly wrong and imho the technology is not up to it yet. i would not have one again no matter what the saving.

also you are correct the driving style on an mmt is more like a manual.

if you are looking for cheap but chearful- a fully automatic toyota yaris will hold its value well and is a nice car.
I am going for a micra, another popular choice as there are lots of ex lease automatics around.
i had an automatic corsa too which is a lovely car but the gas and brake petals are a bit close (i.e. potentially you could have your foot on both at once).
couldn't tell you prices/years unless you tell us more about what you are looking for.

Hintza

The cost of change will be more than any rise in road tax (I haven't checked) but surely the rise is not that great. Unless you were planning to change shortly anyway and your car is fine why not stick with it for the next few years. It will be fairly cheap motoring.

Nicifer_noonoo

I'm the same as you, and I drive a 2004 Toyota Yaris Paid just under 6k for it in December, and wouldn't be without it.

AdrianHi

cheap_charlie wrote: »

I have been very happy with my 2001 Corolla but with the new tax rules coming in next year I really have to consider changing vehicle.

I can only drive an automatic, so that clearly limits the choice of vehicle I have but can anyone recommend a small and cheap to run car (and year) and give me a rough idea of how much I would need to pay?

When I last looked at Parkers the suggested trade in for my car was circa £1.5K.

Thanks.

I've just looked it up and IF these VED increases do happen (it is in question right now) you will be looking at a rise taking you to £270 a year (2001 Corolla 1.6 VVTi Automatic).
I am not intending to be rude, just saying it as I see it. This tax increase is really a very small increase in the overall total cost of use for your car, I think the rush to sell it is an over reaction and you might find with so many other people panicking this way you will not be able to sell it for what it is worth to you. Buying a younger automatic is very unlikely to save you money and will most likely cost you more.
According to official figures your car gets 35mpg, other small automatics I can think of, like a Skoda Fabia 1.4 16v automatic (my mother in law has one) gets 37mpg and it is still going to cost the same as your Corolla to tax - £270.
Unless you have some other reason to change keep the Corolla, if it's reputation is anything to go by it is exceptionally reliable and therefore about as easy as car ownership gets.