Automatic car buy options

Assuming you are a new driver does the £7500 budget include insurance which could be in the region of £1500 to £2000 for a new driver depending on age.

With two pushchairs boot space is going to be a deciding factor. Go to a couple of large independent local garages to see what type of car suits your needs. Once you have decided on a model you can look further out for the right car.

In terms of engines avoid the Ford ecoboost 1l they are known to be very unreliable. 1.2l turbo engines are good in new cars but I would not want an older one due to the high stresses they are subjected to.

Do some research into auto boxes as some are more reliable than others.

Not all automatic gearboxes are the same these days and some are more reliable than others.


What used to be considered proper automatics are what's know has Torque Converter Automatics, the torque converter replaces the clutch.

These are harder to come by these days on small/medium used cars, though manufacturers are now reverting to them again due to problems with Automated Manuals on their newer models.
The are generally more reliable than Automated Manuals, though do require a bit more engine power/fuel to run.


Automated Manuals are just that, servos and electronics operate the clutch and change the gears for you.
They still have clutches that wear unlike the Torque Convertor and CVT (see below)

Each manufacturer has their own name for them, Ford call theirs Powershift, Fiat call theirs Dualogic, VW have a more complicated system called DSG, which has two clutches.
These style gearboxes tend to use less fuel than Torque Converters, but are very unreliable and expensive to repair.
The don't tend to "creep" like a torque converter, so it can make pulling away a bit of an issue, as well as reversing.

I would steer clear of these, though it won't be easy.


The final type of auto is the Constant Velocity Transmission (CVT).

They have been around for years, but recently become more popular again.
These are basically a drive belt with one gear that grows or reduces depending on speed, just like a scooter gearbox does.
Though Toyota in their Hybrid models use a different geared CVT system attached to the electric motor that is very robust and reliable (just ask any mini cabber) so I would recommend looking at something like a Prius or Yaris Hybrid.


Perhaps more suited to your needs space wise might be a 1.6 Kia Venga or Hyundai ix20 (they are the same car under the skin) both come with proper Torque convertor gearboxes and you should be able to get one with some manufacturers warranty still on them, as they came with 7 and 5 year warranties.

All the manufacturers are dropping automated manuals these days.
Ford dropped their Powershift from the new Fiesta/Ecoboost/Focus.
Citroen/Peugeot have also dropped their ETG for new TC's.
Suzuki now do a proper TC for their Vitaras, Swifts and Baleno as well.


Tells you everything you need to know about Automated Manuals really!


I just need to sell my Citroen ETG6 for a proper TC, it's cost me dearly.

The Honest John motoring column which I set some store by recommends traditional torque converter auto boxes if you don't want a disposable car. The cost of repairing auto boxes is prohibitive. But HJ also recommends a big engine where autos work more smoothly. With diesel now being out of favour (I've never bought one, was always put off by the pollution and complexity of the cleaning systems) I'm also in a quandary about the next car where an auto would be nice. A big engined petrol auto would put my fuel bill up by 50%. I'm looking forward to cheaper all-electric cars.

A colleague at the office was waxing lyrical about his recently acquired Nissan Quashqai. His has the birds eye parking aids making tight spaces a doddle. Nissan have refined automatic technology if you believe this review
https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/nissan/qashqai/16-dci-acenta-5dr-xtronic/road-test
Despite it being a diesel I'd be tempted.
Their petrol turbo engines do not bode well though and I'd avoid any petrol turbo.
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2017/jan/28/nissan-qashqai-engine-failure-mechanical-oil-problems