Small Automatic - Suggestions?

Technique

I'm looking for a car for my mum. She's currently got a Yaris automatic. I'm looking for suggestions based on the following criteria:

- small hatchback
- fully automatic
- 2008 to 2010
- petrol
- reliability would be a major factor
- budget around €8000

Another Yaris would be the obvious choice, but I think it's time for a change. The Micra looks ugly. I like the look of the fiat 500, but are they all semi-automatic? What are auto fiestas like? Is there anything else that I should look at?

Thanks in advance.

colm_mcm

What year yaris has she now?

Technique

colm_mcm wrote: »

What year yaris has she now?

2003

colm_mcm

Technique wrote: »

2003

Is it the prefacelift 1.3 auto?

Big Nasty

I've been driving autos for years but not a fan of small engined ones. Find them very gutless in comparison to their manual counterparts. If it has to be auto, has to be small and has to be reliable you're probably best off sticking with the Yaris I guess.

colm_mcm

Big Nasty wrote: »

If it has to be auto, has to be small and has to be reliable you're probably best off sticking with the Yaris I guess.

I disagree, in mid 2003, they changed to the dreadful multimode gearbox. The only automatic yaris worth touching is the hybrid.

There's a small chance the ops mum has a multimode, but I doubt she'd be considering another one if she had.

BMJD

Prius

colm_mcm

Small?

Technique

colm_mcm wrote: »

I disagree, in mid 2003, they changed to the dreadful multimode gearbox. The only automatic yaris worth touching is the hybrid.

There's a small chance the ops mum has a multimode, but I doubt she'd be considering another one if she had.

It's first registered 31st December 2003 (uk import), so I'm guessing it's the later model?

colm_mcm

Technique wrote: »

It's first registered 31st December 2003 (uk import), so I'm guessing it's the later model?

Does it have a tiptronic style +/- shifter or the old fastioned big lever with the button in the side of it?


Multimode:

Technique

colm_mcm wrote: »

Does it have a tiptronic style +/- shifter or the old fastioned big lever with the button in the side of it?

The latter.

Big Nasty

colm_mcm wrote: »

I disagree, in mid 2003, they changed to the dreadful multimode gearbox. The only automatic yaris worth touching is the hybrid.

There's a small chance the ops mum has a multimode, but I doubt she'd be considering another one if she had.

Fair enoughski.

I haven't driven too many Yarii to be fair!

colm_mcm

Technique wrote: »

The latter.

See, what she has is your normal gearbox. Multimode is a load of scrap in comparison.

Technique

colm_mcm wrote: »

See, what she has is your normal gearbox. Multimode is a load of scrap in comparison.

So what is a good 2008 to 2010 small car with a standard auto box?

Bigus

Technique wrote: »

So what is a good 2008 to 2010 small car with a standard auto box?

Feck all, except maybe new model fiesta but I'm not sure of box type,stretching to a current model yaris hybrid auto would be the best bet if budget allows.

d1234

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Hyundai/i10/1.2-4DR-/39113922949423000/advert?channel=CARS

Renegade Mechanic

Renault Clio Perhaps?


(I would post a second pic of the interior but for some reason the long press function on my phone dissappeared after the first :mad:)

Also, I haven't heard any horror stories, but have heard of a small few that had the electro/hydraulic control unit on top of the box changed. I imagine keeping the atf oil changed would be a big help. They are auto with an option to switch to tiptronic. You can move the gear lever up, for an upshift and down for a down shift. Paddles behind the steering wheel too.

colm_mcm

Technique wrote: »

So what is a good 2008 to 2010 small car with a standard auto box?

Suzuki swift. If you can find one.
A lot of them are jap imports.

Frankie Lee

d1234 wrote: »

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Hyundai/i10/1.2-4DR-/39113922949423000/advert?channel=CARS

The i10 would be a step down in class from a Yaris however, same class as an Aygo.

colm_mcm

Frankie Lee wrote: »

The i10 would be a step down in class from a Yaris however, same class as an Aygo.

In a way you're right. But coming from an old model yaris to an i10 wouldn't be much of a step down

bazz26

Mazda 2, CVT box though:


http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Mazda/Mazda2/1.3-PETROL/39113923041029890/


Fiat Grande Punto, not sure if uses a real auto or not:


http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=36513777026312460&message=You%20searched%20for%3A%20Fiat%20Grande%20Punto%2C%20Automatic%20Transmission%2E%20Your%20search%20returned%20one%20vehicle%2C%20which%20is%20shown%20below%2E&CFID=129629912&CFTOKEN=10568278&jsessionid=f0307b314ce4f25fb839d511b2016202b545

VW Polo:

http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Volkswagen/Polo/Automatic/38213908245446650/

colm_mcm

Is that Polo JDM?

bazz26

The double din stereo, kph speedo and square rear number plate slot would suggest so.

colm_mcm

God knows what it is so emissions etc wise

bazz26

You would imagine the guy selling it wouldn't import something from Japan with high tax/VRT that would be sale proof here.

colm_mcm

bazz26 wrote: »

You would imagine the guy selling it wouldn't import something from Japan with high tax/VRT that would be sale proof here.

Well the European 1.4 Auto is €570 tax


Registration CP08KMV
Make VOLKSWAGEN
Model POLO
Description MATCH 80 AUTO
Fuel Type Petrol
CO2 (g/km)* 165
VRT % Rate ** 27

Jesus.

A Prius is your only man OP. Just ask Mad Lad :pac:

kerten

If she wants same type of auto, choices would be limited as most of the small cars comes with semi-auto gearboxes(mmt, etc)

I can't remember any other options than Colm pointed. And they should have high CO2 most likely. Going for a 2007 model may make sense in this case.

DSG(dual clutch auto gearbox) from vw/seat/skoda could be an option without hike in CO2 but they won't be as reliable as(IMHO) old style torque converter auto(one you have in yaris)

Just remembered A late micra 1.2 auto with good spec can be an option as well.

Polo(torque converter auto) = thirsty
Clio = semi-auto
Swift = best option reliability/style wise
i10/i20 = newer designs with good reliability
Micra = if you can't find a swift or hyundai

Technique

colm_mcm wrote: »

Suzuki swift. If you can find one.
A lot of them are jap imports.

I've had a look at some swifts on auto trader uk. They seem good value and well equipped. The styling is still fresh for a car of that age.

BMJD

Jesus. wrote: »

A Prius is your only man OP. Just ask Mad Lad :pac:

ticks every box:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Prius/1.5-5DR-/43013929079943440/advert?channel=CARS

Oafley Jones

BMJD wrote: »

ticks every box:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Prius/1.5-5DR-/43013929079943440/advert?channel=CARS

No it doesn't. Again, you've missed the part about wanting a small car. One Mad Lad is enough for any forum.

Wossack

BMJD wrote: »

ticks every box:
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Prius/1.5-5DR-/43013929079943440/advert?channel=CARS

except the 'small' one.. can I suggest an M3 now?


Anecdotally, Ive heard the auto box in a Nissan note was reasonably good (from a work colleague). Though again, moving away from the 'small' criteria somewhat

Tzardine

Have a look at a Nissan March / Micra. We got two of them recently from a dealer in Dublin. They only do small automatics and they have loads of these imported and they are all spotless. They are all fresh unregistered imports. They also have the newer Yaris if she was looking to stay with one of them.

We got a 2008 Marchfor mam and were so happy with the car / service that we picked up another for my OH.

They are a great little car and you get a good bit for your money.

I wont name the dealer here but if you are interested PM me.

BMJD

Oafley Jones wrote: »

No it doesn't. Again, you've missed the part about wanting a small car. One Mad Lad is enough for any forum.

oops I forgot the Prius was a tank :rolleyes:

BMJD

Oafley Jones wrote: »

No it doesn't. Again, you've missed the part about wanting a small car. One Mad Lad is enough for any forum.

oops I forgot the Prius was a tank :rolleyes:

thanks for your suggestion all the same, I'm sure the OP appreciates it.