Which Nearly New Small Auto to Buy?

Post by **PSL184** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 6:53 pm

My dear old Dad is well into his 70's and is looking for a new (ish) upto 2 years old small auto car. I've thought of Fiat 500 and Panda, Toyota Aigo, Fiesta and I am struggling a bit after that. Not many of the small supermini's come with an auto option (oh yes, it must fall into the £35 /per year road tax bracket also). Anyone able to chuck any more suggestions into the pot ???

Post by **paulhumphries** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:03 pm

We are in the same position.
The car we really like is the Smart ForFour diesel auto.
65 mpg, £35 pa road tax.
Mitsubishi Colt body frame and suspension, Smart (plastic) outer panels and interia, Merc A Class diesel engine & autobox.
Production ceased in 2006.
We've had a look at the new Fiat 500 and are impressed but a little out of out price range at present. I suspect the Panda is the same and more chance of getting secondhand at lower price.
Friend has just bought his daughter a Citroen C1 as her first car and is impressed. I didn't realise but there is an auto albeit maybe in Peugeot 107 or Toyota Aygo version.

Paul Humphries

Post by **grumpygrandad** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:15 pm

hello i have a panda multijet diesel not sure about doing auto , i can get up to 80 to the gallonat just under 60 mph not been on motorway yet it then may do more we regulary get mid 60s on even short runsof say 2to 5miles very cheap tax ,needles to say the vitara stands in the yard a lot, tried the new 500 lovely little car but chose the panda as 5 doors and very easy to get in and out also has city steering on it turn it round any where ...grandad

Post by **Onne** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 11:42 pm

I think the Aygo is available with (semi) auto gearbox.

What about the smaller Japanese/Korean supermini's?

Kia Picanto etc. These are cheap to buy and quite reliable, and with some luck still within warranty as well.

Post by **PSL184** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 6:42 pm

Thanks all for the input. We have been on a shopping trip today and found a 2 yr old Forfour at £5500 from our local Merc dealer... It will be arriving shortly and the "Old Man" is more than happy

Post by **Onne** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 10:06 pm

Well done

Post by **grumpygrandad** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 7:27 am

nice one ,,grandad

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 10:28 am

sorry I missed this one earlier. Glad you got sorted.

Best fuel economy will be a small diesel with a semi auto box. There are a few on the market, but 2 to 3 years ago the only one that springs to mind is a Fiesta (1.4 Diesel Durashift EST).
One thing to bear in mind with this type of auto (automated manual - semi auto just is a term dreamed up by uneducated dealers) is that it is a manual gearbox with full automation. Therefore you need to drive like a manual (albeit with no clutch pedal or manual; gear lever to worry about) so you need to use the handbrake for hills.

Generally it's not worth paying extra for a diesel unless you do huge mileage - otherwise you'd be better off with a petrol.
Small petrol autos are quite well available, and if you can manage with a handbrake then semi autos are much more economical.

i have a panda multijet diesel

A very good choice! A friend of mine got one recently, and the 80mpg (or more) is there for the asking. He got his for a song as it was just over 100k miles so most buyers were scared off.