Recommend me a decent automatic which has to boring and fun?

[Ob 1]

Apologies I mean has to be boring and fun... can't edit thread title

Advice needed. My Mothers VW Passat is dead.

I need to source a replacement but unsure of modern vehicles especially the newer auto stuff? Don't even really know what the differences are between the types of auto available enow?

I'd like something with no clutch for my mum but fun enough and quick for when I'm having to drive her across France and back!?

Needs to be automatic semi auto so you can use it with no clutch. Needs to be a hatchback with decent space.

Needs decent power and I'm open petrol or diesel but want a combo of reasonable economy for shorter trips and decent performance when pushed as will be used to drive across France twice a year!? Is that possible smaller modern turbo petrol?

Budget is only 3k to 4k so tricky ... I'm thinking Golf size but happy to leave VAG group?

Edited by Ob 1 on Monday 6th November 15:17

[JM]

Golf GTi with DSG 'box.

[Ob 1]

Doubt she'll go gti spec but yes I was DSG box was the way forward?

[Calmchap]

At that budget, I would be weary of the DSG gearboxes. While possibly overblown, tales of woe are not uncommon. A Toyota would not be fun to drive, but would be super comfortable and reliable for your continental trips. A Honda Accord would also suit, but that's not available as a hatch, only as an estate.

[JM]

Good lurking by the way, a member for 110 months and only 2 posts today!

[angels95]

Personally I would be avoiding DSGs, especially at that age/price range.

You could get a nice Honda Civic 1.8 petrol auto for £3k-£4k. Just avoid the i-SHIFT models and go for the proper auto.

Also loads of previous-shape Focus' about well within budget. Again, a petrol would probably be the way to go.

[Nickp82]

Slightly left-field suggestion - MItsubishi Colt 1.5 DiD CZ2 AMT

It is a clutchless manual / semi-auto with decent space and flexible rear seats.

It is also suprisingly amusing if you drive it in manual mode too, with a nice wodge of torque driving it quickly and smoothly can be quite a rewarding challenge!

[Ob 1]

Cheers guys... yes I've been a professional lurker ... my forum time is dominated by VW T3's or T25 which I know a real love/hate vehicle...

Apart from that I've always ragged Mk1 Golfgti around my last one with a 2.2 overbore block and big valve head and cam which was savage... I now mainly drive the van when I'm not fixing it with a 1.9 td conversion or I share a 2.5 Audi Quattro with my partner which is boring but with Bilstien B12 suspension all-round is not a rubbish as it was....

I tend to look on here for what I'd really like to drive should I find a way to make the money equal to my actual abilities ... or maybe I already am..

[Ob 1]

Honda Civic sounds worth an explore - she won't go Ford ...

Always liked Colts; I'll have a look at that those suggestions..

[ZX10R NIN]

I'll second the Lexus it's swift but not fun it will however be very reliable, the DSG boxes should be approached with caution as they can throw up a bill. If the fluid & filter hasn't been changed then get it done asap but it's a £300 job.

Lexus IS250

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

You can still make good pace with these & no one will expect a Lexus to be making swift progress.

Leftfield:

C320 Coupe

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

C350 Coupe

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

BMW 325ti

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Audi A3 3.2

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Audi A3 S Line 2.0T

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

If your mum doesn't want a hot hatch all of the above are swift enough to be enjoyable.

[Ob 1]

That's very helpful thank you. I'll see her tomorrow and we will see what she's leaning towards.

[culpz]

What about an IS300? They're quite rare, in non-estate form, but for a saloon, they're actually quite small in size, dimensions-wise. They come with the 2JZ-GE 3.0 N/A Inline-6 from the Supra, mated to a 5-speed tiptronic gearbox with buttons on the steering wheel for manual control and RWD.

There's a couple on AT atm for a couple of grand. Fuel consumption won't be great but that should offset against any repair costs that you'd usually get with cars such as this and shouldn't be ruinous to run. The chassis is supposed to be fantastic and a pretty quick too. Much better than the IS200.

[Ob 1]

I like the Lexus. Unfortunately my mums taken over control and we are definitely in town car mode... so French drives are going to be slow and noisy!

[kieranblenk]

We have a 1.5 litre Suzuki Swift Auto; it's an 11 plate currently on 84k miles. It's been all over the country; including to Heathrow a few times when my partner was BA cabin crew (we live near Newcastle). It was bought nearly 3 and a half years ago on 24k and has been faultless. It does about 40mpg on a run and having 101 bhp it's not gutlessly slow; it's also quite comfy just there's a fair bit of wind noise but it's better than most superminis. Failing that, my mother in law has a Suzuki Splash which is a fun little car and reasonably practical.