Automatic supermini - recommendations.
Discussion
My Grandparents are after a small car, no bigger than a Ford Fiesta. They have a narrow garage and their initial idea of a Volvo C30 would not have worked as it was too wide to fit.
Their current car is a Peugeot 206CC and after a few years with it, they have realised that it isn't the car for them and that it is frankly s
t (on a side note, if anyone is interested in it*, PM me 
)
My Gran rarely drives as she is uncomfortable driving a manual due to her bad hip, hence the preference of an auto box. My Granda does the brunt of the driving and he too would like an auto. I've had a quick look through various cars ranging from the likes of the Suzuki Splash to the Hyundai i20 and so on.
They really liked my Citroen C1, however they want something a bit more "plush". The car must have 4 seats as my Mother regularly travels with them in the back, hence the uselessness of the aformentioned 206CC.
I know this is PH but speed/performance is of no concern. A petrol would be preffered as they do probably less than 6000 miles a year. I do like the look of the Panda 100HP, a lot of standard kit and a smart looking little car, the downside being the lack of an automatic gearbox. They are looking to change the car in the next few months for either a new or used car. I've had a look on Autotrader and have seen a few cars which fit the bill, the problem is I've no idea how good the automatic gearboxes are in such small cars.
Any PHers had any experience of small automatic cars? I would also be interested in which small car had the best soft ride, even if it compromises the handling somewhat.
Their current car is a Peugeot 206CC and after a few years with it, they have realised that it isn't the car for them and that it is frankly s
t (on a side note, if anyone is interested in it*, PM me )My Gran rarely drives as she is uncomfortable driving a manual due to her bad hip, hence the preference of an auto box. My Granda does the brunt of the driving and he too would like an auto. I've had a quick look through various cars ranging from the likes of the Suzuki Splash to the Hyundai i20 and so on.
They really liked my Citroen C1, however they want something a bit more "plush". The car must have 4 seats as my Mother regularly travels with them in the back, hence the uselessness of the aformentioned 206CC.
I know this is PH but speed/performance is of no concern. A petrol would be preffered as they do probably less than 6000 miles a year. I do like the look of the Panda 100HP, a lot of standard kit and a smart looking little car, the downside being the lack of an automatic gearbox. They are looking to change the car in the next few months for either a new or used car. I've had a look on Autotrader and have seen a few cars which fit the bill, the problem is I've no idea how good the automatic gearboxes are in such small cars.
Any PHers had any experience of small automatic cars? I would also be interested in which small car had the best soft ride, even if it compromises the handling somewhat.
- Car may not technically be up for sale, but sod it - it deserves to go!
It depends what you mean by plush? Would any old super mini with leather seats option ticked and a few cup holders do. Or do they want good plastics, well screwed together?
First thing I could think of was an Audi A2 (Plusher + narrow) Think they only do a semi auto. Has your grandad driven a semi auto? He might prefer it to a full auto.
Other options
Benz A class?
VW Fox (is 3 door only a problem)?
High spec Suzuki splash looked nice in showroom.
First thing I could think of was an Audi A2 (Plusher + narrow) Think they only do a semi auto. Has your grandad driven a semi auto? He might prefer it to a full auto.
Other options
Benz A class?
VW Fox (is 3 door only a problem)?
High spec Suzuki splash looked nice in showroom.
The original Yaris 1.3 CDX (later T-Spirit) was a great car as an automatic, 1.0 MMT was less so. Obviously they're getting on a bit now. Of the current crop, I'm a big fan of the Suzuki Swift Auto, which has a really well-judged 'box. They're only available in 1.5 SZ4 5-door trim, earlier ones were badges GLX. Not especially cheap, but nice spec and strong residuals. Worth a look IMO.
andrewboom said:
It depends what you mean by plush? Would any old super mini with leather seats option ticked and a few cup holders do. Or do they want good plastics, well screwed together?
First thing I could think of was an Audi A2 (Plusher + narrow) Think they only do a semi auto. Has your grandad driven a semi auto? He might prefer it to a full auto.
Other options
Benz A class?
VW Fox (is 3 door only a problem)?
High spec Suzuki splash looked nice in showroom.
Plush as in well enough put together, they're not bothered about leather as they found it a pain on the 206. The A2 is a good call but the car has to be relatively new, 07-08 onwards really. The budget is a maximum of £14k but preferably in the £10k-£12k mark.First thing I could think of was an Audi A2 (Plusher + narrow) Think they only do a semi auto. Has your grandad driven a semi auto? He might prefer it to a full auto.
Other options
Benz A class?
VW Fox (is 3 door only a problem)?
High spec Suzuki splash looked nice in showroom.
3 door isn't a problem as the back seats won't be used all the time. I agree with your comments on the Suzuki Splash, very nice looking car from the photos I've seen.
Just looked at the A-Class, didn't realise these were at that sort of price and with a 7 speed auto. Looking promising, thanks for that.
DrainTheSpuds said:
The original Yaris 1.3 CDX (later T-Spirit) was a great car as an automatic, 1.0 MMT was less so. Obviously they're getting on a bit now. Of the current crop, I'm a big fan of the Suzuki Swift Auto, which has a really well-judged 'box. They're only available in 1.5 SZ4 5-door trim, earlier ones were badges GLX. Not especially cheap, but nice spec and strong residuals. Worth a look IMO.
The original Yaris is too old unfortunately but the Swift is certainly an option I've been looking at. I've always liked them style wise, the interior is a nice clean design too. If the auto box is as good as you say it is, I will certainly point them in that direction. My main worry about a small automatic has been the gearbox. I don't want the gearbox to be a juddery mess and ruin the whole car.
Thanks again for the replies, keep them coming
Art_Vandelay said:
My main worry about a small automatic has been the gearbox. I don't want the gearbox to be a juddery mess and ruin the whole car.
That's always my worry with an automatic 'box. However, with the Swift, I'd say that it actually makes the car rather than ruins it, and I say that as someone who generally isn't the biggest fan of automatics usually. DrainTheSpuds said:
Art_Vandelay said:
My main worry about a small automatic has been the gearbox. I don't want the gearbox to be a juddery mess and ruin the whole car.
That's always my worry with an automatic 'box. However, with the Swift, I'd say that it actually makes the car rather than ruins it, and I say that as someone who generally isn't the biggest fan of automatics usually. Art_Vandelay said:
Just looked at the A-Class, didn't realise these were at that sort of price and with a 7 speed auto. Looking promising, thanks for that.
Yup another vote for the A-Class. The MK1 was crap but the latest version is a very good little car. Built to the same standards as other Mercs with a quality interior and great reliability. Interior bigger than a Golf yet the same exterior length as a Polo. Best in class safety track record and nice high up driving position. Stick to the Classic and (pre-08) Elegance models with 15" wheels for best ride quality. Fit it with anything bigger than 16" and it can be a little firm, especially when combined with the optional sports suspension. Do check the exterior measurements as they are quite wide cars.
I've driven a new Corsa 1.4 automatic a fair bit recently and for what it is it seems a reasonable little car - I'd struggle to say I liked it as it's just not my kind of car but it didn't do anything wrong.
There's the Fiat 500 Dualogic too which you can have on the 1.4 100hp engine so effectively it's just a fancy automatic Panda 100hp.
Or alternatively, a used Golf with the DSG box could be a good bet. I had the weedy 105bhp 1.9TDi with a DSG box for a few weeks as a courtesy car and even that was a satisfactory method of conveyance if driving pleasure wasn't at the top of your list of concerns.
There's the Fiat 500 Dualogic too which you can have on the 1.4 100hp engine so effectively it's just a fancy automatic Panda 100hp.
Or alternatively, a used Golf with the DSG box could be a good bet. I had the weedy 105bhp 1.9TDi with a DSG box for a few weeks as a courtesy car and even that was a satisfactory method of conveyance if driving pleasure wasn't at the top of your list of concerns.
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