What cheap automatic sub £1k?

[Riknos]

What cars sub £1k, lesser the better, have good auto boxes that don't break with high mileage or cost a fortune to run? Need something for the wife, so paint work and scraped alloys welcomed - but don't know of any good cheap autos?

Looked at a few E46s but most have rusty arches or not looked after in this price range, nothing too thirsty as it's a daily driver. Bonus points for something fun to drive when I drive it, more bonus points for it seating 5 and having a good boot.

Thanks.

[trickywoo]

Golf V5? Couldn't go far wrong with a Focus.

But being sensible I'd do an Autotrader search with the filters set as per your wish list and buy the best private one (of any make) thats in the distance you want to travel.

[XJ40]

MX-5/Eunos auto? Doesn't get the 5 seat bonus but...

[eltax91]

My accord has a lovely autobox and is utterly bomb-proof....

[Riknos]

eltax91 said:

My accord has a lovely autobox and is utterly bomb-proof....

Used to have one of these but the (auto) gearbox fell apart and so did the brake lines

[Howard-]

Unfortunately most cars that fit your requirements will be approaching the end of their life, and not really something I'd be happy for my other half to have to rely on.

On the other hand, something like a Toyota Yaris/Avensis or perhaps an older Honda Civic might fit the bill. They probably have the best chance of not needing too much regular, expensive work! Certainly won't fit your 'fun to drive' requirement but you can't have it all.

[laters]

Nothing wrong with the Honda civic or accord automatics & plenty in your price bracket without starship mileages.

[Toyoda]

With a post title like that I thought we were in the watch thread talking about homages.

[anonymous-user]

Older astras are sub 1k, the 1.8 isnt too bad, 1.6 even better.

For shed money anyway.

[MorganP104]

About five thousand* SOTW articles can't be wrong... Go for a BMW 5-Series.

I've had a number of old (cheap) BMW barges, mainly autos, and whilst they all had something or other wrong with them, their gearboxes were good as gold.

You might even squeak into "fun to drive" territory if you get lucky with a well looked after example.





key:* Might be a slight exaggeration.

[uuf361]

K11 Nissan Micra 1.3 - had one for a year and it was fine.