Sub £4K reliable auto

[V6Nelo]

After a bit of a disaster with a Peugeot 207 1.6 petrol which had a blue tint to the exhaust that the MOT tester didn’t like.

Niece looking for a petrol auto post 2007 and asked what’s a reliable auto box and engine combo.

Wondered if anyone can share recommendations as I’m not knowledgable on auto boxes

[georgeyboy12345]

You want a good old torque converter auto for maximum reliability. These Japanese and Korean cars should be pretty bulletproof

Suzuki Swift 1.5 GLX
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112100...


Nissan Micra 1.2 16v
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111089...


Kia Ceed 1.6 GS
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112300...

[ZX10R NIN]

Look for a conventional auto with hopefully that the fluids & filters have been changed & if there's no evidence of this then be prepared to knock £200-300 off to get this done.

Astra Design

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112200...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112150...

Mazda3 Takara

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111089...

Kia Ceed

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110258...

Hyundai i30

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112280...

Leftfield but not really, is the Hyundai Coupe these are very reliable look smart & have a nice interior too:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202107165...

[Tyre Smoke]

V6Nelo said:

After a bit of a disaster with a Peugeot 207 1.6 petrol which had a blue tint to the exhaust that the MOT tester didn’t like.

Sorry, what am I missing?

[Super Sonic]

Honda Civic

[V6Nelo]

Thanks for the suggestions, I’ve passed them on. The Suzuki, Kias and Hyundai got a good response.

I had mentioned the Hyundai coupe as I like the shape so nice to see its got the right kind of box.

I’m assuming a torque converter and conventional box means the same.

Tyre Smoke said:

Sorry, what am I missing?

The 207 1.6 brought in the summer failed it’s MOT on emissions, blue smoke visible from the exhaust. 2 garages said it was an engine rebuild job. .


Was a first car and felt bad so trying to find something that won’t be too risky as a replacement.

[ZX10R NIN]

Yes they mean the same thing.

[V6Nelo]

So after a nice 2008 Mazda 3 1.6 deal faded away after the seller said he needed the car a few more weeks then changed his mind…

A 1.8 Astra 2008 was purchased today, £1k left in the war chest.

I think it revs loudly when you accelerate, more than expected but told quieter than the auto box in the pug 207

Slightly larger engine than recommended but hopefully still a good one, thanks for the advice

[ZX10R NIN]

Glad you got sorted OP the 1.8 is a bit gruff but it's a good unit.

[eleveneleven]

I would use some of those left over funds to get the gearbox serviced if it hasn't been done already. Preventative maintenance is key with older autos

[V6Nelo]

Good point on the gearbox, I’ll suggest the gearbox oil is changed. Assume that’s it for an auto.

Interesting the dealer told me about a automatic Corsa they put up for a sale and the number of interested buyers was crazy, over 20. (Unless that’s not a lot ), seems popular with the new drivers.

[anonymous-user]

I am interested in getting an auto next time at around this price range but the prices of them are absolutely crazy. If you think the price of small manual cars is expensive, add at least 50% to the price if it is an automatic.

I too would only consider a slush box torque converter and that makes the pool of cars even smaller. Most of the smaller cars are the ancient 4 speed auto, so if you don't want one of them it is harder still.

Virtually impossible to find something decent in this price range, the Astra 1.6 was pretty much the only thing I could find as well.

[V6Nelo]

It’s quite frustrating, as soon as you add the automatic filter and petrol the number of options under 4K shrinks away.

The Astra and Mazda3 are also the nicest looking in and out if that means anything to you. And was to my niece. Was glad she didn’t go PCP like some of her friends.

The dealer was surprised how popular small autos are these days

[ZX10R NIN]

Joey Deacon said:

I am interested in getting an auto next time at around this price range but the prices of them are absolutely crazy. If you think the price of small manual cars is expensive, add at least 50% to the price if it is an automatic.

I too would only consider a slush box torque converter and that makes the pool of cars even smaller. Most of the smaller cars are the ancient 4 speed auto, so if you don't want one of them it is harder still.

Virtually impossible to find something decent in this price range, the Astra 1.6 was pretty much the only thing I could find as well.

You can get decent auto's for your budget:

Astra Eite

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112160...

SRI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201040...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202062...

Chevrolet Cruze an Astra with different sheet metal:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202242...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202042...

Vectra SRI

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201171...

Signum save a load of money vs the Vectra & buy the Signum:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110198...

IS250

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202192...

[eleveneleven]

V6Nelo said:

Good point on the gearbox, I’ll suggest the gearbox oil is changed. Assume that’s it for an auto.

Interesting the dealer told me about a automatic Corsa they put up for a sale and the number of interested buyers was crazy, over 20. (Unless that’s not a lot ), seems popular with the new drivers.

Yea seems a lot of the younger drivers these days are choosing to do their tests in Auto's. My niece and her friends have all passed in autos and struggled getting cars initially there's not many small engine autos to pick from on a budget. She ended up spending nearly £8k on a 2010 DSG polo (despite my advice) was the only car that ticked all the boxes, looking cool being the main one