ADVICE - Cheap automatic car?

[ed40lew]

Hi everyone, hope you're all well. Wondering if any advice really. I currently own a MK7 GTI Clubsport, i'm basically taking it off the road for awhile & after something of a cheap reasonable automatic car. Ideally it's just gonna be used for local - getting to work etc, but hopefully just cheap to run/maintain etc etc

Wondering if anyone had any suggestions? or if you see the one's i had in mind knew anything about them? I'm having to choose carefully as like anyone, but i have a disability so i have to use car adaptions & have them made to the said car, not quite easy for me to swap in/out to a diff motor if you get me.

So far i've thought of

VW MK4 Golf
VW Polo - 4th Gen - 6N /6Q
Vauxhall Corsa / Astra
Ford Fiesta/Focus
Suzuki Swift 1.5 ??

budget wise....probably £3.5k - ideally i wanted to keep with VAG stuff but some people mentioned Japanese cars are decent for auto?

hope people can help

[QuartzDad]

We ran a Nissan Note auto for several years, utterly reliable. Was no doubt abused too as the kids both used it when they passed their tests. They have a proper torque converter gearbox. Easy access and quite a bit of space as the driver, might be helpful.

Tekna has climate, part leather, aux input. Rear seats can move forward and back to maximise leg room or boot space.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412287...

EDIT: just checked its MOT status, still going strong doing 25,000 miles a year, now on 190k.

Edited by QuartzDad on Friday 17th January 14:06

[J4CKO]

2004 to 2010 Merc C class and CLK.

Cheap, anything small and auto commands a premium where most of these were autos anyway so no optimistic dealers.

Do a bit of research, we had one and are about to get another as a cheap banger for my youngest.

Anything like 1.4 and auto is usually very expensive or more recent as there weren’t many small autos back then so they are sought after, the Mercs aren’t.

[Gastons_Revenge]

Would not touch any cheap VAG auto with a bargepole. I would suggest a car with a proper torque converter transmission like a Lexus IS- much more robust than VAG dual clutch transmissions (especially those pre-2014).

Toyota/Lexus hybrid drivetrains are also a great shout. Older Prius should come in under your budget.

[TooLateForAName]

Only local stuff?

Nissan leaf

[Miserablegit]

ed40lew said:

Hi everyone, hope you're all well. Wondering if any advice really. I currently own a MK7 GTI Clubsport, i'm basically taking it off the road for awhile & after something of a cheap reasonable automatic car. Ideally it's just gonna be used for local - getting to work etc, but hopefully just cheap to run/maintain etc etc

Wondering if anyone had any suggestions? or if you see the one's i had in mind knew anything about them? I'm having to choose carefully as like anyone, but i have a disability so i have to use car adaptions & have them made to the said car, not quite easy for me to swap in/out to a diff motor if you get me.

So far i've thought of

VW MK4 Golf
VW Polo - 4th Gen - 6N /6Q
Vauxhall Corsa / Astra
Ford Fiesta/Focus
Suzuki Swift 1.5 ??

budget wise....probably £3.5k - ideally i wanted to keep with VAG stuff but some people mentioned Japanese cars are decent for auto?

hope people can help

How long will the golf be off the road and how are you storing it? It’s far better to use something sparingly rather than not at all- damp gets in and causes all sorts of issues if a car is just left outside.

[gmaz]

Check out the (petrol only) Korean makes - Hyundai i20, Kia Ceed or Venga

[ed40lew]

Miserablegit said:

How long will the golf be off the road and how are you storing it? It’s far better to use something sparingly rather than not at all- damp gets in and causes all sorts of issues if a car is just left outside.

not sure exactly yet but i'm not wanting to use it daily anymore anyway, i drive into london alot (hard for me to use public transport) - don't like having to park it certain places i go due to safety of it. The car is under a car port, secured though. and will be used now and then.

[ZX10R NIN]

The Astra would get nod, if your wanting a reliable daily they fit the brief:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501097...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411136...

CLC 200 Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501037...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410225...

[ed40lew]

Hi all, so just to update as forgot to post. I did some working out etc and realised i'm entitled to a motability car.....so the option that makes sense is to get one. So i ordered a brand new Renault Clio Hybrid (esprit alpine) - about 150 bhp lol. Did go view other cars like the Corsa and Peugeot 2008 GT but....the clio i thought looked decent, very good reviews & meant be good little fun car on some b roads. but yeah main purpose will be so i can take the CS off the road.

Should be getting the car with me in next week or so after my pedal adaptions are fitted : )


would of been nice to had something i could of done few little mods to but.....end of day nice brand new car

thank you tho for all the advice. now to see what i replace my Clubsport with.....

[ZX10R NIN]

Glad you got sorted OP.