£5k cheap to run reliable Auto. I'm struggling ??

[MackemPete]

Trying to find a car for the brother in law and it must be auto. Needs to be less than 5k, reasonable to tax and insure and also reliable as he hasn't got much cash. Normally good at finding cars for people but really struggling.

Early DSG are supposed to be a bit dodgy.
Automated manuals in Honda aren't great.
Cvt in early audis seem a bit flakey too.

[RTaylor2208]

I have ran 2 SAAB 9-5 Aero autos which have been perfectly reliable, like any car it will need consumables like brakes, tyres, bushes etc at some point but £5K will buy you a mint condition late model and low mileage car.

The petrol cars are in the highest tax bracket but if you can justify a diesel they are cheaper to tax and run.

My last one was a 2002 and which I had for 2 years and 40K miles (99K to 139K), my current one a 2008 has had 20K miles put on from 88K to 118K in the last 18 months.

[kambites]

With those requirements I'd be looking for something Japanese or Korean with a torque convertor box, personally.

[stevemcs]

Toyota Prius should do the trick

[MackemPete]

kambites said:

With those requirements I'd be looking for something Japanese with a torque convertor box, personally.

That's what I'm trying to find. A lot seem to have gone automated manual. Mk1 yaris looked a good shout but he doesn't like it. Corolla is highish tax.

[CoreyDog]

Volvo S40/V50/V70 with either the Geartronic or Powershift box? 2.0D are reasonable on tax and insurance and reliable.

If properly looked after (Gearbox oil change, regular service etc) should run for years and years.

[trickywoo]

Suzuki Swift

[legless]

Volvo S60/V70 D5. I sold my 2006/80k S60 in 2012 for £4k to a friend, and it's still going strong 7 years later with 190k on it.

[kambites]

MackemPete said:

kambites said:

With those requirements I'd be looking for something Japanese with a torque convertor box, personally.

That's what I'm trying to find. A lot seem to have gone automated manual. Mk1 yaris looked a good shout but he doesn't like it. Corolla is highish tax.

What about a Kia Ceed? If you hunt you might be able to get into a current generation one which will still just about be under warranty:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2013-63-Kia-ceed-1-6CRD...

[DanGPR]

E9X 330D?

I guess cheap to run is subjective but shouldn't cost much more than a 320D to run.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2013-PEUGEOT-208-E-HDI-...

this could be run on a shoestring, 0 tax and 60mpg.

[Baldchap]

Lexus IS250. Bulletproof, pleasant and reasonable to run.

[imck]

Shame he doesn't like the Yaris.
My Partner has a 2003 1.3 Auto (last of the Torque Converter Boxes)
Drives well. Capable on the Motorway.
Sliding Back Seat for Passenger/Boot space.

Avoid the MMT Auto if going Toyota.

MK 1 Ceed might be a good shout.
Had a 2008 Manual Diesel for a long commute for some Years. Lives on with a Colleague @ 170K. No real faults outside of consumables.
I always join the owners Forum to keep an eye on potential faults. I have seen a couple of reports of Auto Box faults.
No idea what the Petrol is like. Diesel drives well for what it is.

[mikal83]

Octavia

[Rewe]

Mercedes CLK

[TheInternet]

MackemPete said:

That's what I'm trying to find. A lot seem to have gone automated manual.

Only briefly, plenty of CVT Jazzes and torque converter Civics about.

[Scrump]

Nissan note 1.6 auto has a conventional auto box and a reliable naturally aspirated cam chain engine. Not the sort of car I would want but Mrs Scrump likes her’s.

[MrGTI6]

Scrump said:

Nissan note 1.6 auto has a conventional auto box and a reliable naturally aspirated cam chain engine. Not the sort of car I would want but Mrs Scrump likes her’s.

Whilst they're not my cup of tea either, they are actually very good cars. £5k would buy a very tidy late example and you'd still have some change left over.

[ninjag]

MackemPete said:

Trying to find a car for the brother in law and it must be auto. Needs to be less than 5k, reasonable to tax and insure and also reliable as he hasn't got much cash. Normally good at finding cars for people but really struggling.

Early DSG are supposed to be a bit dodgy.
Automated manuals in Honda aren't great.
Cvt in early audis seem a bit flakey too.

Honda autos aren't all that bad when it comes to shifting and I found it very smooth, but 5 speed is a little dated (but then at £5k....), however, it's their lack of turbo which is what makes the autos irritating.

I would be looking at Lexus (as suggested by someone) and SAAB, although probably the petrols.

[ZX10R NIN]

With your BIL's budget depending on his usage I'd be looking for a Mercedes

C320cdi (if he does some miles) running costs are sensible on these cars:

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

C230 Sport very rare to find one with the low road tax rate so this is well worth a look

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

2.0T Mondeo Titanium

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

IS250

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

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

Accord ES GT

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

Astra Elite Petrol/Diesel

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

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

[kieranblenk]

trickywoo said:

Suzuki Swift

This all day long. We ran a 11 plate one for nearly 5 years and 73k miles. A fantastic little car that never missed a beat even when we traded it in on 96k in January. If you want more space, the Splash is a great economical car and even cheaper to run than the Swift if not as stylish.

A Nissan Note would fit the bill too.