Automatic first car

DJMadScone

Looking to get an automatic car, it'll be my first. Something under €2,500, 4/5 doors max 1.4. Any advice on what to avoid?

colm_mcm

How small a car can it be, do you want something golf sized or something fiesta sized, or smaller again?

Atlantic Dawn

Your first car or your first automatic car?

The lower powered automatics are generally poor with acceleration and comfort, the 1.5 Prius might be the exception to this.

DJMadScone

Something with a decent sized boot, I'm 6 foot so it cant be too small. Hatchback would be ideal.

DJMadScone

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Your first car or your first automatic car?

The lower powered automatics are generally poor with acceleration and comfort, the 1.5 Prius might be the exception to this.

It'll be my first car, but it has to be an automatic due to medical reasons

colm_mcm

Honda Jazz that isn't a jap import would probably fit the bill. Most of the automatic ones on donedeal are Honda Fit Japanese imports, but there must be some Irish ones in there

DJMadScone

colm_mcm wrote: »

Honda Jazz that isn't a jap import would probably fit the bill. Most of the automatic ones on donedeal are Honda Fit Japanese imports, but there must be some Irish ones in there

How would I know it is not an import without using carcheck or one of them?

colm_mcm

Generally speaking the newer ones in your price bracket are imports, the ones with square number plates are, they are called "Fit" instead of "jazz" and that will be written on the boot. Imports often have tinted windows in the back.

colm_mcm

Here's one
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-jazz-2004/12062723


Here's another's but the mileage is a bit severe
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/honda-jazz/12089119

bazz26

Mazda Demio:
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/mazda-demio-automatic-open-to-offers/12013511

colm_mcm

I think it being a Japanese import could make it unreasonable to insure fir first time insurance?

bazz26

Didn't think it was a JDM as the rear number plate housing looks standard European size. Just realised that model was sold as the Mazda2 in Europe though.

OP's choices are going to be very limited though.

colm_mcm

You can see the 2 little clips that would have held on the square plate.

Liana would be another one, but they're super rare in auto



Yaris Verso might make a lot of sense too, 02 or newer fit insurance. 1.3 auto, unburstable

bazz26

Liana auto is 1.6 litre too.

Not the best of yokes but at least it's a traditional auto and the OP's choices are limited:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/vw-polo-automatic-brand-new-nct-test/11761199

bmm

The problem with automatics is the the cost of repairing the gearbox if there is a problem. The Japanese brands tend to have more reliable gearboxes. VW has the most dodgy , especially the Multitronic type.

Any Judder in the gearbox during test drive , run a mile !

colm_mcm

OMG if we are counting jap imports, this is the one!

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/cars/11240410

selectamatic

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/11946521
Honda Civic 1.4 S Auto 1 owner with Nct&Tax
2001 1.4 civic saloon

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/12180009
Honda Civic 1.6 Automatic 3 door 2003
1.6 auto civic hatch

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/11840139
Honda civic automatic

1.6 auto 5dr civic hatch

All the above can be got reasonably cheap and are reliable. I'd say the 1.4 is a good bit easier to insure than the 1.6 as the 1.6 ones have vtec and insurers don't like vtec :P

colm_mcm

Insurance doesn't even like i-VTEC!