New car for the misses

[Dr_Gonzo]

The other half is currently driving round in an old Toyota Starlet which is past it's day. I'm looking to replace it fairly soon and a few of the cars I've mentioned she's not very keen on.

Requirements are:

- Looking to spend around 6 - 7k
- No older than 3 years old
- Nothing with stella mileage
- 5 door hatchback
- Decent boot space
- Preferably automatic
- Must have ISOFIX for child seats
- Fuel efficient (nothing bigger than a 1.6)

The car will be used day-to-day for short trips (less than 10 miles) and a fairly long motorway journey twice or three times a month (300 miles+ per trip).

At the moment I'm leaning towards a Focus; although she has a preference for a Honda or Toyota.

Any comments, advice or suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks,

The Doctor

Edited by Dr_Gonzo on Monday 7th June 14:27

[300bhp/ton]

Only 2 years old and to meet all that spec on that budget? Actually I've not looked, but suspect it might limit some options.

If it's just an "ordinary" car then it might be worth looking at some things like Kia's. They've come on leaps and bounds in more recent years and are easily as good or better then the more "obvious" choices.

You'll also get a good warranty, 5 or 7 years, even on used stock. So long term ownership shouldn't be an issue.

Quite like a look of some of the Fiats, although not sure if a Panda would be big enough or not.

[jbi]

I've seen a few automatic honda civic's about so there should be a good selection to choose from.

It would certainly be my recommendation

[dougc]

With those preferences I suspect the biggest you'll get from Honda or Toyota is a Jazz or a Yaris...

[HellDiver]

£6-7k will get you a 4-5 year old Focus. Not a 2 year old one.

[ianwayne]

Hyundai i10? You'll get one 12 months old for that, 5 year warranty, air-con, 5 doors, isofix etc.

The automatic option was available on the 'comfort' models.

Edited by ianwayne on Monday 7th June 12:55

[hornetrider]

Yaris/Mazda2/Swift GLX

[Sir Bagalot]

HellDiver said:

£6-7k will get you a 4-5 year old Focus. Not a 2 year old one.

Car Giant have a few 07 plate 1.6 Zetec Climates Auto for £6,800

[Meoricin]

Sir Bagalot said:

HellDiver said:

£6-7k will get you a 4-5 year old Focus. Not a 2 year old one.

Car Giant have a few 07 plate 1.6 Zetec Climates Auto for £6,800

In case you hadn't noticed, we're in 2010.

[V8mate]

Nissan Note?

[taxijimmy]

Why does it have to be less than 2 years old?

[Dr_Gonzo]

taxijimmy said:

Why does it have to be less than 2 years old?

Meant to type 3 years old. Not looking for anything older than that really.

[Dr_Gonzo]

HellDiver said:

£6-7k will get you a 4-5 year old Focus. Not a 2 year old one.

Not so: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1767782.htm

Few more around at that age for that price too.

[paoloh]

They don't make a 3 yr old Yaris with an auto box

[Petrolize]

Skoda Octavia 1.6FSI Auto/Tip, Mitsubishi Lancer

[dougc]

paoloh said:

They don't make a 3 yr old Yaris with an auto box

I guess you could argue its not a true auto but...

Toyota said:

MMT - MultiMode manual transmission
M/M uses the same mechanical components as a traditional manual, but with an electronically controlled clutch. Accelerator pedal should be treated in the same way as on a conventional manual but ease off slightly when requiring a gearchange. There are three mode settings:

M - Manual Mode (Sequential) for dynamic driving

* Full control of gear changes
* Real manual feel
* Quick gearshift
* Sequential sporty feel


E - Easy Mode (Automatic) for comfort and economy

* Shifts are made for the driver
* Manual transmission with clutchless gearchange
* Accelerator control similar to standard manual


Es - Easy Sport Mode (Automatic) for sportier shift pattern

* Shift pattern has been optimised for sportier performance
* Recommended ‘auto’ mode
* Accelerator control similar to standard manual

[paoloh]

dougc said:

paoloh said:

They don't make a 3 yr old Yaris with an auto box

I guess you could argue its not a true auto but...

Toyota said:

MMT - MultiMode manual transmission
M/M uses the same mechanical components as a traditional manual, but with an electronically controlled clutch. Accelerator pedal should be treated in the same way as on a conventional manual but ease off slightly when requiring a gearchange. There are three mode settings:

M - Manual Mode (Sequential) for dynamic driving

* Full control of gear changes
* Real manual feel
* Quick gearshift
* Sequential sporty feel


E - Easy Mode (Automatic) for comfort and economy

* Shifts are made for the driver
* Manual transmission with clutchless gearchange
* Accelerator control similar to standard manual


Es - Easy Sport Mode (Automatic) for sportier shift pattern

* Shift pattern has been optimised for sportier performance
* Recommended ‘auto’ mode
* Accelerator control similar to standard manual

Have faith in the fact that it is NOT an auto.

Have you driven one?

[dougc]

Always been of the view that an auto 'box in anything under 130bhp is going to be awful - mine is slow enough with a traditional manual! Have never tried the MMT.

Interested to know how it differs though? Toyota appear to extol its virtues as the best of both (though I guess they would!)

[paoloh]

dougc said:

Always been of the view that an auto 'box in anything under 130bhp is going to be awful - mine is slow enough with a traditional manual! Have never tried the MMT.

Interested to know how it differs though? Toyota appear to extol its virtues as the best of both (though I guess they would!)

They roll back on hills.

They are very jerky.

You have to drive it like a manual and take your foot off the accelerator when it changes gear.

They reason they were introduced was emissions.

a 1.33 Yaris is £35 RFL, not many, if any proper autos get near that.