Automatic, minimal borkage, small family sized

[randomman]

Thought I'd throw up a thread and see what comes back. The good lady is looking to replace the stalwart (but ultimately boring) Signum with a stalwart (and ultimately slightly more boring) car.

Budget is around 10k, although less could be better. Main criteria are an automatic, fairly decent mpg, petrol and a bit of tech (Bluetooth and nav being a requirement). Doesn't have to be signum sized but medium 5 door is a minimum, decent boot too please.

One car that has taken her fancy, oddly, is the Lexus CT200h. Despite it being a bit slow it's pretty much point and go, which she liked and with all the aforementioned tech. We've looked at and discounted a number of others, she's not too fond of the focus (had one before, was ok), nothing French or Italian really appeals and not just because of internet hearsay, it's just doesn't. I've not got much experience looking at auto boxes, I know the CVT in the Lexus is perceived as pretty primative but it's also pretty solid, which is a plus. Not sure if there are any auto boxes that are more borkage than they are worth.

Cheers in advance

[SantaBarbara]

What does borage mean please?

[kiethton]

Honda Jazz?

Skoda Octavia?

Toyota Auris (very similar to the Lexus)?

Volvo V40?

[randomman]

SantaBarbara said:

What does borage mean please?

Sorry, coining a phrase normally associated with shedding. Borkage refers to the potential for something bork (ie breaking and costing a significant proportion of the purchase price to repair). Essentially reliability, in a nutshell.

[randomman]

kiethton said:

Honda Jazz?

Skoda Octavia?

Toyota Auris (very similar to the Lexus)?

Volvo V40?

The Auris is on the list due to the similarities to the Lexus, as a used prospect the price difference is negligible so I think the better looking Lexus wins out.

Petrol V40s especially autos are, sadly out of budget it seems, nice looking cars.

Will take a closer look at the Octavia, also the Mazda 3 2.0 skyactiv has flagged up when I threw everything into auto trader, any experiences of this engine/autobox?

Cheers so far!

[Deerfoot]

randomman said:

Budget is around 10k, although less could be better. Main criteria are an automatic, fairly decent mpg, petrol and a bit of tech (Bluetooth and nav being a requirement). Doesn't have to be signum sized but medium 5 door is a minimum, decent boot too please.

I'd be looking at a Civic.

I thought the ride quality of the Lexus CT200 was very poor when I tried one.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want a decent small family car then it's hard to look past the Kia C'eed

1.6 Kia C'eed 4 Tech (these come loaded with kit will still have a decent amount of Manufacturers Warranty left & should be low borkage) very decent cars.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2.0 Mazda3 SE-L

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2.0 Mazda3 Sport

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

1.8 Civic EX

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

1.6 Astra Elite

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

From the above I'd probably take the Kia.