What small automatic car for somebody 6'4" for under £3k?
What small automatic car for somebody 6'4" for under £3k?
Author
Discussion

7heGeneral

Original Poster:

347 posts

166 months

Friday 12th March 2021
quotequote all
Hi guys,

I'm looking for a car to buy for my brother.

Ideally we're looking for something as follows:
- Up to ~£3000
- Automatic / DSG - A manual is not an option (which is why I'm struggling)
- Fairly small but not overly cramped for somebody 6'4" tall
- up to 1.6 engine size
- Petrol (ULEZ would mean a new'ish diesel, and would probably be way over budget)
- 3/5 door doesn't matter

Thanks

Pistonheader101

2,206 posts

135 months

Friday 12th March 2021
quotequote all
Nissan micra has plenty of space

durbster

12,013 posts

250 months

Friday 12th March 2021
quotequote all
What are the Suzuki Swift autos like?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011186...

I'm about 6'2 and there's room above my head in our SSS. It's a bit of a long reach to the gearstick but clearly that's not a problem in an auto. smile

tomwilliams0326

77 posts

77 months

Friday 12th March 2021
quotequote all
personally at £3k i would aviod dsg just becuase if it goes wrong, its not cheap to fix. i would reccomend a yaris, we used to have a mk1 yaris with the 1.3 auto and it didnt ever need anythign while we had it and could comfortable fit a 6 foot 2, large man in it

ZX10R NIN

30,478 posts

153 months

Friday 12th March 2021
quotequote all
As others have said at this price point I'd avoid DSG style gearbox's, also small auto hatches command a premium in the next segment up you have more choice for sensible money as well as more space.

308 SE

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103019...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102098...

Haggle & you'll get a previous gen 1.6 Astra for your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012227...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103109...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103029...

Focus Titanium

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103079...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102179...

Mazda3 Takara

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102108...

imck

811 posts

135 months

Friday 12th March 2021
quotequote all
tomwilliams0326 said:
personally at £3k i would aviod dsg just becuase if it goes wrong, its not cheap to fix. i would reccomend a yaris, we used to have a mk1 yaris with the 1.3 auto and it didnt ever need anythign while we had it and could comfortable fit a 6 foot 2, large man in it
My Partner has one of these. 53 Plate.
Cracking Car. I love driving it. Easily keeps up on the Motorway.
She had a newer 1.0 Manual before which was very dull.

Avoid the MMT Auto which means pre-2005.
I have had some Age related Bills over the last few Years. Exhaust, Brake Pipes, Shock Absorbers.
Nothing too expensive but getting on a little bit.
Quite pricey to buy.

CoreyDog

886 posts

118 months

Friday 12th March 2021
quotequote all
It's a shame you won't be looking in a few weeks time.

Selling my wife's 2009 Fiesta 1.4 Auto with 52K on. SORN at moment due to covid but couple of little bits I want to sort and a fresh MOT before we are ready to move it on.

Fiesta is a good call though, it's a been a cracking little car and I can easily drive it with loads of room to spare at 6'2. Cheap to service and generally run. Even the gearbox servicing was only about £70. Only thing had to do in 6 years of owning it was an air con compressor.

Plenty around for under 3K.

Jack.77

505 posts

72 months

Friday 12th March 2021
quotequote all
Honda jazz or nissan note /mk5 golf

7heGeneral

Original Poster:

347 posts

166 months

Saturday 13th March 2021
quotequote all
Thanks for all the recommendations so far guys!

We're probably leaning towards a Fiesta. Ideally we'd like to stick to something smaller then a MK5/Astra/Focus etc as we've currently got a Golf Mk6R in the house, as well as a Lexus IS300h (for the daily!) and also a Yaris T sport. As lovely as the Yaris is, he can't drive the manual, for longer periods so it's a no go.

For context I used to own a ST3 a couple of years ago and it was a brilliant car (built to a price point!), but was trouble free, so if I can find a decent Auto Fiesta (somebody mentioned they will be selling one shortly - so I'll pm you if you don't mind) for him, that's probably the most realistic / feasible option to go for.







7heGeneral

Original Poster:

347 posts

166 months

Saturday 13th March 2021
quotequote all
ZX10R NIN said:
As others have said at this price point I'd avoid DSG style gearbox's, also small auto hatches command a premium in the next segment up you have more choice for sensible money as well as more space.

308 SE

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103019...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102098...

Haggle & you'll get a previous gen 1.6 Astra for your budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012227...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103109...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103029...

Focus Titanium

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103079...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102179...

Mazda3 Takara

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102108...
All great suggestions! BUT with his driving record, he needs something smaller to learn the ropes. Really appreciate your effort in digging these out!.

7heGeneral

Original Poster:

347 posts

166 months

Saturday 13th March 2021
quotequote all
CoreyDog said:
It's a shame you won't be looking in a few weeks time.

Selling my wife's 2009 Fiesta 1.4 Auto with 52K on. SORN at moment due to covid but couple of little bits I want to sort and a fresh MOT before we are ready to move it on.

Fiesta is a good call though, it's a been a cracking little car and I can easily drive it with loads of room to spare at 6'2. Cheap to service and generally run. Even the gearbox servicing was only about £70. Only thing had to do in 6 years of owning it was an air con compressor.

Plenty around for under 3K.
I can't PM you, but feel free to tell me more about this Fiesta you have potentially coming up for sale? We're in no major rush as he's insured on another car at the moment for occasional use.

Thanks

d_a_n1979

13,557 posts

100 months

Monday 15th March 2021
quotequote all
7heGeneral said:
Hi guys,

I'm looking for a car to buy for my brother.

Ideally we're looking for something as follows:
- Up to ~£3000
- Automatic / DSG - A manual is not an option (which is why I'm struggling)
- Fairly small but not overly cramped for somebody 6'4" tall
- up to 1.6 engine size
- Petrol (ULEZ would mean a new'ish diesel, and would probably be way over budget)
- 3/5 door doesn't matter

Thanks
Go for a Honda Jazz

At 6ft 4 and 22 stone; I fit in my wifes fine. 1.4 auto; couldn't pull skin off a rice puddin; but it goes fine and its great inside, loads of room and with the seats folded flat; it's amazing what you can get in there! wink

Cheap to fix, cheap to run, cheap to insure & tax etc