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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Car advice which have auto lights etc

129 replies

Blueybingo22 · 26/07/2023 11:20

Hi I’m looking to buy a new used car
im looking for a automatic transmission just wondering which cars have auto lights , wipers etc that aren’t Ford .
I’ve heard terrible things about Ford engines so want to avoid

please tell me what car has the above must be a hatchback 5 door and looking for used so under 10k in price thank you

OP posts:
Worldgonecrazy · 26/07/2023 11:23

Volvo. You may need to go a little above but even high mileage cars will have a lot of miles left in them.

Mrscaptainraymondholt · 26/07/2023 11:24

Audi A3 is good, lots of gadgets etc and nice to drive, not sure about price point though

spanieleyes · 26/07/2023 11:25

I have a Peugeot 2008, everything seems to be automatic!

SleepingisanArt · 26/07/2023 11:26

Audi or VW both have all the features.

Original poster
Blueybingo22 · 26/07/2023 11:45

Obviously must have a good reliable automatic engine too thank you

OP posts:
SpottedOnMN · 26/07/2023 11:51

My Honda Jazz has auto lights and wipers. My Volvo only has auto lights.

HarlanPepper · 26/07/2023 12:00

I don't know about automatics but my Ford Focus was bulletproof! it was five years old when we got it and we drove it without a single issue for 130,000 miles without a single problem. I don't know where you heard about the reliability issue?

I'm driving a Skoda Fabia now (1.2 tsi) and that is a lovely car to drive and very reliable so far. Compared to the Focus, it has a lot of fancy bells and whistles which I think are fairly standard these days.

Laurama91 · 26/07/2023 12:03

As above I have a fiesta, not automatic, and have had very little issues with it in 6 years.

283nouveauxnoms · 26/07/2023 12:03

Just watch with auto lights after the car has been to the garage. They always switch them off as otherwise the headlights would be on inside the garage while they are working on it . I regularly forget to put them back on again 😳

gogomoto · 26/07/2023 12:04

My Mazda has all of these requirements, very reliable.

DeltaAlphaDelta79 · 26/07/2023 12:04

My MG ZS has these and is very well spec'd for, what is classed as, a budget car.

Polis · 26/07/2023 12:04

The Kia I had had automatic everything.

Original poster
Blueybingo22 · 26/07/2023 12:05

Basically I was told when enquiring to a dealer he said he don’t ever get them in and to avoid and sent me to a social media group EcoBoost nightmare

OP posts:
StampOnTheGround · 26/07/2023 12:05

No issues with our fords (focus and fiesta), one is 6 years old but over 120000 miles on it.

Not automatics though.

UndercoverCop · 26/07/2023 12:07

Fords are generally known as reliable so this seems odd to me, was he trying to sell you something else?

RampantIvy · 26/07/2023 12:09

I have been driving Fords for years - Focus, Mondeo and latterly my Kuga which was a year old when I bought it and have owned for 9 years. The only time I couldn't start the car was when the battery died after not being driven for 4 months during the first lockdown.

I am not aware of Fords having a terrible reputation.

Honda have a good reputation, and our 8 year old Civic has automatic lights.

Ihaveausername · 26/07/2023 12:10

I have a Toyota yaris hybrid (not a plug-in!) which is automatic, has automatic headlights and wipers and am happy to recommend. I have had it 7 years and very economical on petrol.

DeltaAlphaDelta79 · 26/07/2023 12:11

And my last company car was a ford. Did over 100,000 miles with regular servicing and the usual consumables. They had a bit of a bad reputation about 25-30 years ago (but this was before I was driving so don't know how true that is) but I would not hesitate to buy a Ford now.

SoupDragon · 26/07/2023 12:13

I don't think you should discount Ford. I've had my SMax (not automatic though) for 13 years and it's been brilliant.

poormanspombears · 26/07/2023 12:15

I have a Hyundai (2015) and it has lots of gadgets which just make driving as easy as possible. Auto lights, rain sensor wipers. Sat nav, heated seats throughout and window locks.
I've had BMW's, Fords, Vauxhalls and Suzuki's and I prefer my Hyundai.

Noodledoodledoo · 26/07/2023 12:15

90000 mile, 9 year old Ford here, not started twice - dead battery once a month ago, and once where getting out locking it and walking away and back to it solved it- signal from key not connecting. Had Ford's since 2000, know lots who also do and can't remember a single engine issue. 🤔 Dodgy dealer with other stuff to sell.

Clymene · 26/07/2023 12:19

Generally Asian manufacturers (Nissan, Kia, Hyundai, Honda) tend to have more automated/electric bells and whistles than European manufacturers.

Clymene · 26/07/2023 12:19

Oh yes Mazda too! Forgot about them

CindersAgain · 26/07/2023 12:21

I also suspect the motive of the guy warning you off Ford.

If you look at some actual brand reliability scores then you’ll have your answer. Try What car or similar.

Original poster
Blueybingo22 · 26/07/2023 12:33

No I honestly think he was being helpful the dealership has been there 60 years family owned etc. I was asking if he gets any in please contact me as heart set on focus titanium but he told me all about it EcoBoost engines no matter what age aren’t reliable, I since found the group online and lots of people have had issues even with newer ones so it’s put me off, what other engines do focus have after 2016 that isn’t eco boost ?
He didn’t try and sell me anything .
i won’t rule out focus altogether but I wouldn’t buy one with that engine, I’m looking for other small hatchback with the extras titanium offers heated windscreen etc
Going to look into golf’s and Audi a3 so far
thank you

OP posts: