2006 A200 Auto, bad idea?

[Deerfoot]

My wife now needs an automatic, I`ve found a nice 2006 A200 Avantgarde Auto but I know absolutely nothing about them.

Are there any horror stories I need to be aware of?

Also, what else should I be considering at the £6-7,000 price range? It has to have 5 doors and be reasonably sensible. It`ll be used for the normal short trips of ferrying kids around and shopping so would like to steer clear of diesel.

Many thanks in advance.

[va1o]

We ran an A-Class of that era for a few years, absolutely faultless car. The later generation W169 is everything a small German motor should be and a significant improvement on its unreliable predecessor. Apart from the odd rust issue on a few 2005/ early 2006 cars they seem to be bomb proof. Very nice to live with as they are super practical with good build quality. Avantgarde trim is definitely the one to go for as it loads up the equipment and smartens up the exterior looks. The handling and drive is admittedly nothing to write home about but no worse than any other MPV type car.

Fifth Gear did a nice review when they first came out - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qqRg2MoxZs