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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to ask if your automatic car is any good?

140 replies

Wouldloveanother · 27/06/2022 21:56

Planning to buy an automatic in a few weeks (second hand, I’m not made of money!). It needs to fit a toddler car seat in the back so I’m thinking not a hatch back. But ideally quite small and un-fancy.
If you drive an automatic, I would be really grateful for your car reviews!
sorry there wasn’t a ‘car’ section so AIBU it was..

OP posts:
Teacupsandtoast · 27/06/2022 22:55

I have a Karoq and I am v happy with it

Moonflower12 · 27/06/2022 22:57

I have an automatic Mini Cooper. I love her.
I paid £1100 for her. She's 20 years old but still runs and drives beautifully. She's called Sylvia because she's silver!

ZenNudist · 27/06/2022 22:58

Bmw 2 series. Its got some poke. So easy to drive and fun. Love automatic cars. Not going back to manual now. Automatic is the future.

I mainly drive in a city so stop start and it's nice not having to shift gear.

HardRockOwl · 27/06/2022 23:08

71 plate Mini Cooper. Highly recommend. I wouldn't have anything else, always an automatic mini!

PlanetNormal · 27/06/2022 23:10

My last 3 cars have been automatic and all were fantastic. First I had a Mercedes C class, then a BMW 2 Series and now I’ve got a BMW 4 Series. A 435D to be precise. The combination of a three litre twin turbo diesel engine and an 8 speed automatic transmission means the car is just effortlessly quick. There is just so much torque, and the gearbox is so clever that you are always in the right gear.

RedLobsterRum · 27/06/2022 23:12

Mercedes ML350 AMG Line. I love it. Spacious, fairly nippy, the gearbox (7 speed) is fab. Bit thirsty though.

damekindness · 27/06/2022 23:15

I've driven various automatic Nissans for years - I can only drive automatics. The note and micra mostly. Surprisingly roomy (even the micra), totally reliable and manoeuvre like a dream and good on petrol. Wouldn't drive anything else

bellac11 · 27/06/2022 23:18

Absolutely loved my Micra, still miss it but I do love my current Note too.

We will probably get another one athough Im not so keen on the tax and the efficiency.

CounsellorTroi · 27/06/2022 23:18

Audi A3, great car.

Indigokitten · 27/06/2022 23:26

This would have been really helpful in an earlier post OP as most of the cars mentioned aren’t in that budget

bellac11 · 27/06/2022 23:30

A K12 micra you could get for about 2.5k and it would be ok, just check the headlamps for frosting as they go after so many years.
Someone mentioned a Mercedes A class and just looked at some of those because Im nosy, some old ones with high mileage you could just squeeze in for that price.

DeePlume · 27/06/2022 23:34

I have a fiesta. It's great, practical. Easy and fairly cheap to fix if there is any issues. Ideal for me and the kids.

TheDoveFromAboveCooCoo · 27/06/2022 23:36

bellac11 · 27/06/2022 23:30

A K12 micra you could get for about 2.5k and it would be ok, just check the headlamps for frosting as they go after so many years.
Someone mentioned a Mercedes A class and just looked at some of those because Im nosy, some old ones with high mileage you could just squeeze in for that price.

Lots of Google and a second hand micra a number of years ago taught me that you can get rid of the frosting with toothpaste and a scrubbing brush.
I couldn't believe how clear they came up!

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 27/06/2022 23:36

Another vote for the auto Golf.

Greyhare · 27/06/2022 23:38

I have a golf now which I love, but used to have a Polo which was small but nippy and 5 door, or a Seat Ibiza, but small automatics are so expensive, an old Toyota Starlet could be an option too, they come as 5 door hatch, my husband has an old stinky one mainly for transporting the dogs but it's so much fun to drive, it's like a go cart, or a Yaris.

LesLavandes · 27/06/2022 23:39

Mini Clubman auto. Love it!

Crikeyalmighty · 27/06/2022 23:39

Volvo autos are fantastic - even old ones!!

Longdistance · 27/06/2022 23:43

I have a Mercedes coupe which is automatic. The gear shift is behind the steering wheel, so no gear shift in the centre console. Very easy to drive. I don’t know why anyone bothers with manuals, there’s so much traffic on the roads, stop/start and gear shifting. I converted dh and db both to automatics.

TortieQueen · 27/06/2022 23:46

You could get an old Toyota Starlet or Yaris for that budget. Toyotas run & run. Great value for money.

goingback · 27/06/2022 23:47

when all cars are electric they will all be automatic, just got rid of my Berlingo which was great and bought a manual Citroen C3 , have to say i prefer the manual except when in very slow traffic and my knee hurts from pressing the clutch too many times.

SavoirFlair · 28/06/2022 01:33

Wouldloveanother · 27/06/2022 22:37

Thanks everyone!
im taking my driving test (automatic) in a few weeks, if I pass I want to buy a car instantly so I don’t ‘lapse’. Budget is maximum £2500, so not much really. I thought a hatchback wouldn’t be great as there’s no door to get kids in and out? Maybe im mistaken there! But really just something easy to drive/park that isn’t mega embarrassing (my dad insisted on a Toyota jimney for my sisters first car, poor thing)

Sorry @Wouldloveanother I think the budget would have really helped if it had been in your first post, as you’re getting people talking about their X5s and Range Rovers which is great but probably not helpful.

couple of quick pointers:

Hatchback You mention you don’t want one as “they don’t have rear doors” - I think you’re thinking of 2 or 3 door hatches. Most cars which come in 2 door form such as Corsa, Fiesta, etc also come in 5 door versions. I think a 5 door hatchback is without a doubt your best option for this.

Petrol vs diesel Thanks to the government of the day pushing diesel as a “clean” fuel, with the lower CO2 tax bands etc, you’ll find a ton of diesel hatchbacks on the market. I would strongly avoid diesel unless you’re doing 10,000 miles a year plus and plenty of motorway miles. People will rave about the fuel consumption and lower tax bands, but getting DPF filters cleaned, repairs etc can be concerning

Options for budget I would strongly consider the following cars as available in your price bracket :

Toyota Corolla : there’s a reason why this generation of car is in use across Asia and worldwide. Correctly looked after it should go on for miles etc

Toyota Yaris : This is the pre 2006 version, as the second generation used the horrendous Multimode gearbox with a “semi automatic” clutch - repairs on that are £3k upwards. A 2003, 2004 or 2005 Yaris 5 door hatchback, 1.3 with the CVT gearbox, is in my opinion a lovely thing. Sounds silly but get one with A/C, they don’t all have it.

Honda Civic: Been mentioned earlier in the thread but these are good solid options, or see if you can find a Jazz for even better versatility

Nissan Micra : Friend had one that’s lasted her 17 years without horrible bills. The K11 series is legendary for longevity

There are literally dozens of other options at the price (you could get a 3 litre Mercedes ML 4x4, or a big wafty Jaguar!) but with fuel costing what it does, and one big bill potentially costing more than the car’s sticker price, then I’d avoid of course

Nat6999 · 28/06/2022 02:17

How long does it take to get used to an automatic? I've never driven one but due to the lack of cars on motability I'm looking at a Hyundai Ioniq which only comes in automatic.

Aria999 · 28/06/2022 02:48

I have a hybrid Toyota Prius C automatic and it's lovely. 2013 model and hasn't broken down once so far. If you don't want a hatchback then the Prius is similar (without the C).

Hybrids are nice to drive and very cheap to run especially with current fuel prices.

My skoda automatic kept having things wrong with it.

ImustLearn2Cook · 28/06/2022 03:04

Toyota is a good reliable car. My first car was a Toyota and it lasted for many years. I have a Mazda now and she is great. Excellent handling, low fuel consumption, comfortable. I haven’t had her for long but Mazda has a reputation for being reliable too. I’ve also driven a friends Suburu and I love that car and a friends Toyota kluger which I also love. Both were a bit out of my price range though.

Alliumpoppyrose · 28/06/2022 03:04

Having looked at your budget, I would suggest first see if it's possible to get a little bit more and try to get a Toyota.

First look for a Yaris, that is less than ten years old and less than 100,000 miles. All Toyota's no matter what they come with Toyota relax warranty.

Every time you have a yearly service at a Toyota dealership, you get 12 months full manufacturers warranty. Until the vehicle is either 10 years old or 100,000 miles, 15 years for the battery on hybrids.

Failing that Hyundai I10 is a good little cheap car with 5 years warranty if you can find on 4-5 years old.