What do you recommend??

[nfp78]

Hello all.

My wife wants to buy a small car, automatic transmission, between 2005 and 2010, under £3k preferably. She is inclined for the smart car, but I've been reading so many bad reviews of it that I'm a bit scared that it's going to be a bad buy. What are your thoughts about this car?
I like the Fiat 500 and she also like the Toyota AyGo (not my favourite).
Is there any more alternatives? The criteria is being small, automatic transmission, cheap to drive, low power (1.2 or less).

Best regards
Nuno Pina

Edited by nfp78 on Thursday 27th June 10:39

[ninjag]

Suzuki Swift springs to mind. Great wee cars and fun to drive.


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2019...

[designforlife]

Toyota Yaris, Toyota bB, Honda Jazz

[nfp78]

designforlife said:

Toyota Yaris, Toyota bB, Honda Jazz

Qual é esse Toyota bB??

[designforlife]

nfp78 said:

Qual é esse Toyota bB??

It's a Toyota Yaris essentially. 1.5l 4 speed auto, timing chain driven, generally reliable and pretty practical for their small size.

£2-3k would pick up a tidy gen 1, or you can get the newer (IMO uglier) shape starting about £4k.

A Nissan cube might also be a good shout.

Edited by designforlife on Thursday 27th June 10:48

[designforlife]

Oh, just seen your 1.2l or less requirement... missed that the first time around.

There is a 1.3l version of the bB, it's a bit on the slow side though!!

[nfp78]

designforlife said:

nfp78 said:

Qual é esse Toyota bB??

It's a Toyota Yaris essentially. 1.5l 4 speed auto, timing chain driven, generally reliable and pretty practical for their small size.



£2-3k would pick up a tidy gen 1, or you can get the newer (IMO uglier) shape starting about £4k.

A Nissan cube might also be a good shout.

No, please

[designforlife]

there is so much choice in this sector... and they all drive and cost about the same.

As long as she buys a good example, the actual car isn't going to matter too much.

Personally I would say stick with Japanese for the reliabilty, but thats just from my own experience.

[ZX10R NIN]

I had a Smart ForTwo Passion for three years & it never let me down once the gearbox isn't great but I got used to it

I'd say get your OH the Fiat 500:

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

Or the Fiesta:

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

[mrunderhill]

I can't recommend, because I've never owned one, but I always wondered why the Nissan Figaro was an automatic?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

They look really nice.

[Lemming Train]

nfp78 said:

designforlife said:

nfp78 said:

Qual é esse Toyota bB??

It's a Toyota Yaris essentially. 1.5l 4 speed auto, timing chain driven, generally reliable and pretty practical for their small size.



£2-3k would pick up a tidy gen 1, or you can get the newer (IMO uglier) shape starting about £4k.

A Nissan cube might also be a good shout.

No, please

[designforlife]

Nissan Figaros are brilliant, they do have a predisposition towards rusting though.

I would have a Pao, but they have the same issue.

[RobJK]

My Mrs has one. Loves it.

[kieranblenk]

Has to be either a Suzuki Splash or Swift - I loved our 11 plate auto Swift and it was bulletproof. A Micra or Note would do but the Suzukis are better in my experience.

[RazerSauber]

If you're after low power, the modern BMW Mini One has a mere 90 raging horses to contend with. These come in auto, are small, seem to be rugged enough to withstand my mum's aggressive driving and thousands about if you need any spares. £3k should be attainable. Only thing it falls short on is the engine, it's a 1.6 rather than the 1.2 you're after but it's still a fairly low powered engine. Parks says 12.9 minutes to 60, assuming this is the auto box.