Reliable auto for under 4k

[Alrey87]

Looking to help my lady find her first car which needs to be automatic. Something small to medium size and as reliable as possible. Maximum budget 4k.

[arfur]

My partner passed her driving test at 44 about 4 years ago and we bought her a Juke 1.6L CVT Auto

I'd reckon that may be a good call and probably around that price now for a earlier one - hers did have rear sensors and camera as well

Was a pretty good 1st car tbh - Insurance was about £100 pcm fully comp if I remember right

[Gad-Westy]

A second generation Yaris would be worth a look.

[Jazoli]

Either an i20 or i30, both have traditional autoboxes, no dsg unreliablity or CVT droning, just simple engines and bulletproof autoboxes.

[SteveR1979]

If it HAS to be auto avoid anything CVT or DSG.

[Alrey87]

Juke looks nice but still out of budget…. I3 also looks decent although not a brand I would have considered initially
Any thoughts on focus mk2 1.6 just noticed you get quite a lot for your money with them

[Mercutio]

Gad-Westy said:

A second generation Yaris would be worth a look.

I would be very wary of the Multimode gearbox . It’s a semi-auto thing with an ECU that controls a clutch plate or something like that.

My other half had one and it went at 46k miles, the computer failed, gearbox out etc. Toyota didn’t want to know, a specialist did, can’t remember the repair costs. It was £0000s.

[ZX10R NIN]

With your budget in mind I'd be looking for an Astra they have a conventional auto the engine is pretty much bulletproof & they're simple to maintain.

I always tell people to budget for a fluid & filter service on any Auto so bear that in mind.

Astra SRI:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210220...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210170...

SE:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210200...

Megane:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203223...

i30 Comfort:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210311...

DS3 Style:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210230...

If it was my OH I'd putting in something like this CLC:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209149...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210311...
:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205115...

They're normally sensible insurance/maintenance wise (VAG running costs) they come with the sensors front/rear & are a nice place to be.

Size wise they're on par with a Focus/Astra, also the odd one will have heated seats

[Alrey87]

ZX10R NIN said:

With your budget in mind I'd be looking for an Astra they have a conventional auto the engine is pretty much bulletproof & they're simple to maintain.

I always tell people to budget for a fluid & filter service on any Auto so bear that in mind.

Astra SRI:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210220...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210170...

SE:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210200...

Megane:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203223...

i30 Comfort:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210311...

DS3 Style:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210230...

If it was my OH I'd putting in something like this CLC:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209149...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210311...
:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205115...

They're normally sensible insurance/maintenance wise (VAG running costs) they come with the sensors front/rear & are a nice place to be.

Size wise they're on par with a Focus/Astra, also the odd one will have heated seats

Those CLC are lovely… lot of car for the money. Might see if she can be tempted and will do some more research on them. Astra also a good shout nowhere near as nice but cheaper to maintain I’d assume.

[vikingaero]

Reliable auto = 4 speed torque converter Japanese or Korean car. Maybe a 5 speed auto, but the fewer the better.

Next best a Honda or Toyota CVT.

Never anything 6/7/8/9 speed, Ford Powershift, chocolate Renault autos, DSG, automated manual or iShift.

[bigfoot7]

My wife wanted a small, reliable auto so I picked up a Suzuki Swift 1.5 and it's been great.

[Frankthered]

With that brief, I'd try looking for a Nissan Note, although the Astra looks like better value!

You would be looking the last few years of the original model Note - not a great looker, but quite roomy for the size and still has the old-style torque-converter gearbox - the second generation (2012 on) went CVT.

[OldSkoolRS]

Ref the DSG comments; is this related to the OP's budget or a more general warning to stay away from them?

The reason I ask is that we're looking at selling my wife's 2016 Mercedes C200 7 speed auto and while she can drive a manual, as I discovered today she's quite happy to leave my ancient Ka screaming along in 4th gear on the motorway as changing gear is 'too difficult'. We'd be looking at a budget of under £9k so we can pocket the extra from the sale of the C200 (it's barely getting used due to mostly shorter local trips, hence nicking my Ka most of the time!).

[ZX10R NIN]

I wouldn't say stay away from any dual clutch but you need to make sure the services have been carried out on time as they're a little more temperamental than the torque converter auto's.

You'll get a nice GTC SRI (conventional auto) with an AUC warranty

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211011...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210271...

Clio RS200 (dual clutch):

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209029...

Kia ProCeed SE

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211071...

Ceed 4Tech:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210311...

Hyundai Veloster (dual clutch)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210210...

i30 SE Nav:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211071...