Used automatics for new driver. - Page 1 - Car Buying

jackiepaper

Original Poster

3 posts

85 months

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Saturday 31st August 2019

After passing my test at the grand old age of 50 i'm looking for a used small automatic car.

I keep seeing the Ford Fiesta Zetec Ecoboost auto recommended but it seems expensive. I would need to spend £7-8000 which I can do at a push but this is really twice what I was hoping to spend.

Is this car worth the extra or can I get a decent small automatic for less than this?

I would be using it for trips to and from work, local running around and weekend days out that would include a fair bit of motorway driving.

I suspect automatics may not very popular here but any help would be appreciated!

Summit_Detailing

2,430 posts

222 months

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Saturday 31st August 2019

First gen Toyota Yaris (2004/2005 vintage) with the 1.3 engine is coupled to a proper auto box, rather than the automated manual box fitted to later models - this is what I'd go with, can easily be picked up for less than half your budget.

Cheers,

Chris

MrGTI6

3,304 posts

159 months

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Saturday 31st August 2019

jackiepaper said:

I keep seeing the Ford Fiesta Zetec Ecoboost auto recommended but it seems expensive. I would need to spend £7-8000 which I can do at a push but this is really twice what I was hoping to spend.

I would avoid those like the plague. They use the Powershift gearbox, which is terrible.

The previous-gen Nissan Note 1.6 petrol with the auto 'box would be worth a look. You could get a 2012/2013, low mileage example with your budget. Very reliable chain-driven engine coupled with a reliable torque-converter auto 'box.

ZX10R NIN

30,525 posts

154 months

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Saturday 31st August 2019

kieranblenk

865 posts

163 months

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Saturday 31st August 2019

My partner only drives autos and had an 11 plate Suzuki Swift SZ4 as a first car. This lasted almost 5 years in our ownership and was tough as old boots. It handled many a long drive and was taken all over the country - I miss it dearly but my partner wanted something quicker and more refined. It's a simple little car with a reliable engine and old school torque converter box, it wanted for nothing and was traded in with 96k on the clock, still driving like new. It was replaced by a new shape Clio dCi EDC which is a fantastic little car also but doesn't have the fun factor of the little blue Suzuki.

MrGTI6

3,304 posts

159 months

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Saturday 31st August 2019

ZX10R NIN said:

If you want to spend around half that then there are some cracking cars for your budget infact you can get a nice 1.6 Titanium X with a normal auto for around 4-5k.

Just to be pedantic, the Fiesta 1.6 auto was also Powershift, although the earlier 1.4s had a much more reliable four-speed torque-converter auto.

Totally agree with all your other suggestions though!

jackiepaper

Original Poster

3 posts

85 months

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Sunday 1st September 2019

That's brilliant!
Thanks for taking the time to reply.
You've no idea how helpful these answers are when you don't know anything about cars.

Looks like I was about to make an expensive mistake..

There is actually a 2004 Yaris, with very low mileage, on sale with a dealer not far from me for £2500. And I've been learning to drive in a Yaris.

Or I can spend £5000 and get a more modern car - with plenty of options for me to look at.

Or there's a couple of better choices than my original if I want to go with my top budget.

I'm very grateful for all your help.

I just have to actually make a decision now!

Scrump

23,930 posts

187 months

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Sunday 1st September 2019

Mrs Scrump has had a Nissan Note 1.6 petrol automatic for over 10 years and it has been unfalteringly reliable, if a little dull. It has non turbo engine with cam chain and a normal torque converter gearbox which all adds up to less to go wrong.
I know a few other PHers have one of these cars with this engine and gearbox and they all seem to rate them quite highly.

ZX10R NIN

30,525 posts

154 months

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Sunday 1st September 2019

jackiepaper said:

That's brilliant!
Thanks for taking the time to reply.
You've no idea how helpful these answers are when you don't know anything about cars.

Looks like I was about to make an expensive mistake..

There is actually a 2004 Yaris, with very low mileage, on sale with a dealer not far from me for £2500. And I've been learning to drive in a Yaris.

Or I can spend £5000 and get a more modern car - with plenty of options for me to look at.

Or there's a couple of better choices than my original if I want to go with my top budget.

I'm very grateful for all your help.

I just have to actually make a decision now!

I'd go for something newer, around the 5k or newer mark just because you get things like bluetooth which is always handy.

At the top end of your budget I'd say look for a Clio GT Line:

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

GT Line Nav

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

MrAverage

843 posts

156 months

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Sunday 1st September 2019

I think Hyundai i10's use a standard torque converter gearbox.

jackiepaper

Original Poster

3 posts

85 months

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Wednesday 4th September 2019

Thanks. This has all been incredibly helpful. I didn't know anyone who knew anything about cars - especially automatics. I would have made a mistake.

I've made a list and looked online at all those recommended and based on dealers prices I've set a budget of up to £6000. This seems to be enough to get me a 2011 or newer in all these cars.

I'll get out over the next few weeks and try each of them out - I guess in the end it comes down to personal choice and how I feel driving them.

Really appreciate all the advice.

ZX10R NIN

30,525 posts

154 months

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Wednesday 11th September 2019

henrycrun

2,473 posts

269 months

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Wednesday 11th September 2019

Kia something ?

kieranblenk

865 posts

163 months

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Wednesday 11th September 2019

ZX10R NIN said:

We bought our Clio after ZX10's recommendation, (we never considered one before) have done 10k miles in it since January and it's been an excellent little car. Our diesel one is ridiculously cheap to run too but does 50 miles a day on the motorway.