Help for car for Daughter
Discussion
Hi all,
We need to look for a new car for my 21yr old Daughter who has just got a new job but will now be doing 40 mile round trip to work as opposed to 3 mile at present. She passed her test in April and currently has a Toyota Aygo, 2005 AUTOMATIC. Its a bit beaten up, leaks in the boot and has marks (from Pre Purchase) on most panels.
My concern is reliability but also comfort for the long Journey. The problem is that she passed her test in an Auto and so we can only consider an auto. I am VERY keen to avoid anything with a clutchless auto, as a family we have had a few Auto's, including a Fiat 500 and Citreon C2 and these have all had gearbox issues.
So, after setting the scene can anyone recommend a "proper" auto, smallish type car up to about £5K ? or at least a manufacturer that doesn't use these clutchless type, semi auto boxes
Cheers
We need to look for a new car for my 21yr old Daughter who has just got a new job but will now be doing 40 mile round trip to work as opposed to 3 mile at present. She passed her test in April and currently has a Toyota Aygo, 2005 AUTOMATIC. Its a bit beaten up, leaks in the boot and has marks (from Pre Purchase) on most panels.
My concern is reliability but also comfort for the long Journey. The problem is that she passed her test in an Auto and so we can only consider an auto. I am VERY keen to avoid anything with a clutchless auto, as a family we have had a few Auto's, including a Fiat 500 and Citreon C2 and these have all had gearbox issues.
So, after setting the scene can anyone recommend a "proper" auto, smallish type car up to about £5K ? or at least a manufacturer that doesn't use these clutchless type, semi auto boxes
Cheers
SteBrown91 said:
if you can stretch to 6/7ish you can get a Yaris Hybrid with a CVT.
Or you can get an Auris hybrid for 6ish but might be a bit big
That would be ideal but the top of her budget is set at £5k.Or you can get an Auris hybrid for 6ish but might be a bit big
Edit to add: also isn't the CVT box one to avoid as well?
Edited by Steve H on Friday 23 June 13:55
There's not many "proper" autos in smallish cars.
Kia and Hyundai used proper TC autos until about 2012 I think, and then DCTs after that. You don't hear as much about problems with their DCTs as you do for VAG so even a DCT Kiayundai would probably be OK.
Not every VAG DCT box will instantly explode either, so perhaps not write them off entirely. I'd avoid any of the single clutch automated manuals (Ford Powershift, Citroen EGC etc.) as they are horrid to drive as well as not having the best reputation for reliability.
Another option at that budget would be for a fairly early Nissan Leaf or battery owned Zoe. All EVs are obviously auto, and both within the 5k price range now. Even if the battery isn't in its first youth, it should easily still manage a 40 mile round trip between charges.
Kia and Hyundai used proper TC autos until about 2012 I think, and then DCTs after that. You don't hear as much about problems with their DCTs as you do for VAG so even a DCT Kiayundai would probably be OK.
Not every VAG DCT box will instantly explode either, so perhaps not write them off entirely. I'd avoid any of the single clutch automated manuals (Ford Powershift, Citroen EGC etc.) as they are horrid to drive as well as not having the best reputation for reliability.
Another option at that budget would be for a fairly early Nissan Leaf or battery owned Zoe. All EVs are obviously auto, and both within the 5k price range now. Even if the battery isn't in its first youth, it should easily still manage a 40 mile round trip between charges.
20 miles away is not a long journey by any stretch of the imagination, however, I do understand your concerns At 21 she probably has some NCB so insurance should not be too prohibitive. For £5k you have a pretty extensive list of cars available. Take a look around your local area and she can try out cars in her budget.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305267...
£4,900.
Or if she needs to be REALLY comfortable, might as well go full S class.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303145...
£3,990.
These options make even more sense if her friends all drive Porsches
£4,900.
Or if she needs to be REALLY comfortable, might as well go full S class.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303145...
£3,990.
These options make even more sense if her friends all drive Porsches
Definitely worth getting a proper auto. All the cars you've mentioned have automated manuals and are pretty nasty things!
Both the Hyundai i10 1.2 and Mazda 2 1.5 come with a very old-fashioned 4-speed torque-converter auto. Neither are cutting edge but both are reliable and suit the cars well.
Both the Hyundai i10 1.2 and Mazda 2 1.5 come with a very old-fashioned 4-speed torque-converter auto. Neither are cutting edge but both are reliable and suit the cars well.
Not sure a 21 year old will get insurance on an old 3.2 TT or an old Mercedes S class.
The problem you have is you are looking at the most in demand car (small automatics) in the most common price range (under £5000). The reality is small automatics are in short supply as so few were sold compared to the manual versions.
What about an Astra 1.6, is that too big? I know these use a traditional torque converter.
The problem you have is you are looking at the most in demand car (small automatics) in the most common price range (under £5000). The reality is small automatics are in short supply as so few were sold compared to the manual versions.
What about an Astra 1.6, is that too big? I know these use a traditional torque converter.
Steve H said:
That would be ideal but the top of her budget is set at £5k.
Edit to add: also isn't the CVT box one to avoid as well?
Toyota CVT is OK. Same train as in the Prius.Edit to add: also isn't the CVT box one to avoid as well?
Edited by Steve H on Friday 23 June 13:55
Avoid the multimode in the Auris and Yaris. Automated manual.
MK1 Yaris has conventional auto up to 2005ish
Getting on a bit though and expensive.
Sold our 1.3 Auto 2003 a couple of years ago, Very reliable. Decent enough on the motorway but was getting some age related faults
Exhaust, shocks, brake pipes. Nothing too expensive.
The solution is clear. Early Nissan Leaf for £5k. No gears or road tax to worry about, charge it at home every night and it should be good for a 40 mile round commute.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334920327079?mkcid=16&a...
An early Zoe would probably fit the bill better, but you’ll need closer to 6k to secure one.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334920327079?mkcid=16&a...
An early Zoe would probably fit the bill better, but you’ll need closer to 6k to secure one.
A friend runs a Nissan Cube auto.
His is a proper auto, later one's are CVT I think.
Based on a Nissan Micra.
He's run it for quite a few years now, zero issues/costs, apart from servicing.
£5,000 would buy a nice, low mileage, one.
But the looks.... Love it, or hate it...
His is a proper auto, later one's are CVT I think.
Based on a Nissan Micra.
He's run it for quite a few years now, zero issues/costs, apart from servicing.
£5,000 would buy a nice, low mileage, one.
But the looks.... Love it, or hate it...
Edited by Trevor555 on Friday 23 June 17:43
£5k could buy a previous-generation Fiesta with an automatic transmission (which I think was a proper four-speed torque converter).
However, it was only available with a 1.4 petrol engine, so insurance and fuel costs might be higher than she wants.
I wouldn't rule out a CVT before testing a few to see how they drive.
However, it was only available with a 1.4 petrol engine, so insurance and fuel costs might be higher than she wants.
I wouldn't rule out a CVT before testing a few to see how they drive.
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