which automatic car is best

[djones123]

I passed my driving test in manual in 2007 but never driven a car as i wasn't able to afford one. I am thinking about buying my first car and would go for automatic instead of manual. My budget is around £2k and looking for 1.4 - 1.6 engine.

Can anyone pls advise on any good automatic car?

[nail_it]

Not on a 1.4 - 1.6 engine

[Pebbles167]

Citroen c2?

[jkh112]

My wife has an automatic 1.6 nissan note. Had it for a few years and it has been great, mainly gets used around town (hence the auto box). I am to sure I would want it as my car though!

[Chris944_S2]

Pebbles167 said:

Citroen c2?

PSA's auto boxes were first seen during the Mesozoic era, they're probably the worst of a bad bunch. C2 isn't a bad shout though, but only with a manual.

[Pebbles167]

Chris944_S2 said:

PSA's auto boxes were first seen during the Mesozoic era, they're probably the worst of a bad bunch. C2 isn't a bad shout though, but only with a manual.

I drove a few auto pugs that were 'ok' by which I mean 'hopeless' but the budget and engine needs dont offer much. If you can deal with a bigger engine I would get an e46 3 series or an e39 5 series.

The reason I say c2 is because they had that paddle shift option, it might be the only fun you could have, given his needs

[TwigtheWonderkid]

nail_it said:

Not on a 1.4 - 1.6 engine

The above post was great advice......in 1972.

[aspirated]

We had a 1.4 Polo 9N with a torque converter auto for 4 years - it was one of the best things about the car, never gave us any trouble.

Similar to this, it's worth holding out for SE spec;

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

[SV8Predator]

Focus Mk I if you can find a good one now. The car handles beautifully and the 1.6 engine is well suited to the automatic box.

[Cupramax]

More important than any of the above if youve not driven since passing your test 7 years ago you need some refresher lessons big style or you're likely to be an accident waiting to happen. Do this before you get in a car.

[nail_it]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

nail_it said:

Not on a 1.4 - 1.6 engine

The above post was great advice......in 1972.

2014 took out a Merc B class auto on a 1.6 and it was useless.
Driven many auto's on many engines and the least would be a 2.6
Plus, 2k car on an auto box is looking to expect problems.

[Martin_M]

I would have thought that your question is quite difficult to answer without you actually test driving some cars. Automatics have come a long way over the years. I remember driving an auto smart brabus roadster once which was enough to put me off autos for life - thankfully I gave it another go and am happy with my current car.

[va1o]

Problem with the older automatics is they tend to make the fuel consumption worse and reduce performance. You'd definitely notice that on a 1.4 - 1.6 N/A petrol. Need to spend more and get a modern DSG type automatic to get round that. Would probably stay stick with a Manual on that budget to be honest.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

nail_it said:

TwigtheWonderkid said:

nail_it said:

Not on a 1.4 - 1.6 engine

The above post was great advice......in 1972.

2014 took out a Merc B class auto on a 1.6 and it was useless.
Driven many auto's on many engines and the least would be a 2.6

There are hundreds of perfectly good small engined autos on the market. Have been for years. I doubt anyone under 103 would agree that an auto has to be at least 2.6 to be any good. You're living in the past Grandad.

[sawman]

The auto box in the 1989 2.0l merc 190 was better than the one in my 2007 subaru.

of course MX5's (well, eunos, at any rate) can be had with an auto box, which must make it the default PH answer to this question

[djones123]

Cupramax said:

More important than any of the above if youve not driven since passing your test 7 years ago you need some refresher lessons big style or you're likely to be an accident waiting to happen. Do this before you get in a car.

Yes i will have to take at least 7-8 lessons before i drive on my own.

[djones123]

What about Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, Vaxhull Astra?

Is it true that maintenance for automatic car is more expensive?

[SV8Predator]

djones123 said:

What about Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, Vaxhull Astra?

Is it true that maintenance for automatic car is more expensive?

No.

Go for a nice Mk I Focus. You'll love it.

[EskimoArapaho]

I had a Civic 1.6 auto for a while, and it was reliable (if unremarkable). Easy resale, too.

nail_it said:

TwigtheWonderkid said:

nail_it said:

Not on a 1.4 - 1.6 engine

The above post was great advice......in 1972.

2014 took out a Merc B class auto on a 1.6 and it was useless.
Driven many auto's on many engines and the least would be a 2.6
Plus, 2k car on an auto box is looking to expect problems.

Can only guess that you're acting as The Fast Show's 'pub bore' character for effect!

[GoTea]

Mk4 Golf 1.6 Auto.

Best automatic car under £2k? Probably not.

A decent all-rounder for a new driver? Yup.