Talk to me about automatic superminis
Discussion
Yes, some say that automatic super minis are hateful. This may well be true. But here is the scenario:
My grandmother has driven her Yaris 1.3 auto for just over 10 years. It has been perfectly what she wants in terms of size and practicality and it has also never gone wrong.
She now fancies a new car (hers is a 52 plate) so is looking at the other options along a similar line to her current car. I am tasked with the research, and will be going with them to some dealerships on Friday.
So, requirements.
Small hatchback
Automatic
5 door
Nearly new or pre-registered, possibly new
Reliable
They do bo long journeys (longest being a little over an hour, and not regularly) and plenty of short ones. So I see no reason not to get a petrol.
List that I'm looking at:
Yaris
Polo
Fiesta
Jazz
Personally I like the Polo the most (research has not yet started) and my grandfather seems to think that the fiesta is very good (it probably said so in Which? magazine)
Is there anything I should know about the above? Any make/model which is also worth considering?
My grandmother has driven her Yaris 1.3 auto for just over 10 years. It has been perfectly what she wants in terms of size and practicality and it has also never gone wrong.
She now fancies a new car (hers is a 52 plate) so is looking at the other options along a similar line to her current car. I am tasked with the research, and will be going with them to some dealerships on Friday.
So, requirements.
Small hatchback
Automatic
5 door
Nearly new or pre-registered, possibly new
Reliable
They do bo long journeys (longest being a little over an hour, and not regularly) and plenty of short ones. So I see no reason not to get a petrol.
List that I'm looking at:
Yaris
Polo
Fiesta
Jazz
Personally I like the Polo the most (research has not yet started) and my grandfather seems to think that the fiesta is very good (it probably said so in Which? magazine)
Is there anything I should know about the above? Any make/model which is also worth considering?
Edited by Disco You on Wednesday 23 October 22:16
If they do a lot of short journeys, both the Yaris and Jazz are available as hybrids. Better economy, £zero VED, and CVT-equipped as standard. I've no clue how much more expensive they are to buy compared to the equivalent petrol autos, though.
My mother's just bought her second Kia Picanto (manual) after about ten years in the previous one. She raves about them, especially the customer service. Her partner has a Kia C'eed auto, and he's similarly impressed with the brand. Very painless ownership experience, so definitely should be shortlisted as the previous poster mentioned.
My mother's just bought her second Kia Picanto (manual) after about ten years in the previous one. She raves about them, especially the customer service. Her partner has a Kia C'eed auto, and he's similarly impressed with the brand. Very painless ownership experience, so definitely should be shortlisted as the previous poster mentioned.
k..Just completed a similar exercise for my mother.
(1) Factor in a stupid markup for the auto box - DSG looks expensive but not when an auto box is a £1500 option.
In other words, compare like with like.
(2) Most will be to order - very few dealers keep traditional autos in stock so you may not have the chance to test drive one.
(3) Most now only offer autos on top of the range cars as it is seen as a luxury item. Forget the cheap manual deals, they aren't there on autos.
In short, you're looking at rip-off prices.
To take the edge off the cost, we looked at a low-mile Jazz hybrid - not the greatest handler TBH but Honda at least do a reasonably priced automatic Jazz with a 1.4 petrol (VEL £105). We also drove a last gen Auris Hybrid and would have bought it were it not for the terrible boot size. The Yaris Hybrid looked horrifically cheap inside which ruled it out.
We were going to buy a Focus Zetec auto in the end as they had deals available but, by luck, we found a year old Focus auto with 1400 on the clock for significantly less (about £4k less).
Worth noting that that high cost associated with a new autos evaporates when it is used and it is now a liability. Seen plenty of low mile Focus Powershifts (DSG) on the market at very keen prices. My mother highly recommends it.
One other thing - autos are higher emissions than the manuals which is why we ruled out the Kia/Hyundais which are much higher than the manuals.
(1) Factor in a stupid markup for the auto box - DSG looks expensive but not when an auto box is a £1500 option.
In other words, compare like with like.
(2) Most will be to order - very few dealers keep traditional autos in stock so you may not have the chance to test drive one.
(3) Most now only offer autos on top of the range cars as it is seen as a luxury item. Forget the cheap manual deals, they aren't there on autos.
In short, you're looking at rip-off prices.
To take the edge off the cost, we looked at a low-mile Jazz hybrid - not the greatest handler TBH but Honda at least do a reasonably priced automatic Jazz with a 1.4 petrol (VEL £105). We also drove a last gen Auris Hybrid and would have bought it were it not for the terrible boot size. The Yaris Hybrid looked horrifically cheap inside which ruled it out.
We were going to buy a Focus Zetec auto in the end as they had deals available but, by luck, we found a year old Focus auto with 1400 on the clock for significantly less (about £4k less).
Worth noting that that high cost associated with a new autos evaporates when it is used and it is now a liability. Seen plenty of low mile Focus Powershifts (DSG) on the market at very keen prices. My mother highly recommends it.
One other thing - autos are higher emissions than the manuals which is why we ruled out the Kia/Hyundais which are much higher than the manuals.
Edited by LuS1fer on Wednesday 23 October 16:44
I'm going through a similar search for my mum. In my experience a car for an older person will have totally different criteria compared to something I'd buy for myself. I'd suggest reliability should be the major factor and with that in mind I'd say an older school auto over a CVT, DSG or automated manual, especially if she's planning on keeping the car for a while.
Personally, I'd look at the Kia Picanto. It's not going to set the world alight but it's a decent driving car and the auto is of the normal slushbox variety. Plus you have the cast iron 7 year warranty to give her peace of mind.
Personally, I'd look at the Kia Picanto. It's not going to set the world alight but it's a decent driving car and the auto is of the normal slushbox variety. Plus you have the cast iron 7 year warranty to give her peace of mind.
David87 said:
DonkeyApple said:
M135i with the 8 speed auto?
In all seriousness, the Jazz is a very good car. I believe there's a new model out soon, so you might be able to strike a deal too.
Plus, you have to think about your inheritance.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff