Not too old small car questions/advice?

[Noggin]

In November I should have the money to buy a car. Not 100% sure the budget just now so doing some pie in the sky thinking!!

I'm not that fussy about cars. Just want a reliable one that works and I can count on (it'll be garaged undercover in the winter which will help).

Has to be an auto and for some reason I am a bit scared of older autos. Not sure why but it seems risky to buy a second hand auto out of warrenty!! Is that right or not?

Would prefer something a little higher up to get in and out of but it's not totally necessary.

4WD is NOT required - I've barely ever used it here and with decent tyres I don't think it's a necessity for the sort of driving I'll be doing - if I had the budget, I'd look for a soft top 4wd that could do the mountain trails, but right now it's not a necessity!!!

Needs to be comfy for a days driving/long distance - will be going to the UK and around France in it

Doesn't need high tech - I still use my phone for GPS and hate big screens in cars (I know, dinosaur )


I've looked vaguely at three -

Dacia Sandero (been told they are cheap to buy and expensive to fix here - which makes no sense because it's based on the Renault Clio!!)
Suzuki Ignis (the newer shape is interesting! LOL But I kinda like it!)
Kia Picanto (haven't seen one up close, but it looks like it might fit the bill)

Probably around 5 years old (so the Kia will still have two years manufacturers warranty)

Sooo - any advice about these three? Or suggestions for relatively small but comfy cars! I did consider the Jimny soft top, but that is not something I want to do the drive to the UK in!!

Probably will have the opportunity in the next three months to go and test drive some cars in Chambery, hopefully

[weeksy]

Honda Civic

[Mr. Dazzle]

Honda Civic

Yeah with teh possible expection of the Dacia ('cause they're cheap!) I'd be looking at the far East.

Auto might be a stretch, but I wouldn't immediately write off the various flavours of Toyota hybrid. They've been making them >20 years now and they're pretty good at it.

[KungFooBob]

For the UK market Suzuki don't import many auto models.

You may find that what small cars you can find as autos are not proper torque converter or dual clutch gearboxes.

They're a normal manual gearbox and clutch, just with robotic change.

[Noggin]

For the UK market Suzuki don't import many auto models.

You may find that what small cars you can find as autos are not proper torque converter or dual clutch gearboxes.

They're a normal manual gearbox and clutch, just with robotic change.

Is that good or bad? (I have always been anti auto cars, but sadly it's necessary now )

[KungFooBob]

The wife had an Aygo with robotic change, it was ok, but the changes weren't as smooth or as fast as a proper auto.

BMW fitted a robotic change to the E46 M3 and called it SMG, everyone hated it, but I think that's because lots of ham footed drivers crashed them and needed something to blame.

They've still got a proper clutch that can wear out, unlike a nice torque converter.

[Noggin]

Honda Civic

I do like them, but even 5 year old ones (ok, low mileage) are the price of a new Sandero! Which is the absolute top end of any budget I might have, so sadly, cos I quite like them, I think it's not really likely

[weeksy]

Honda Civic

I do like them, but even 5 year old ones (ok, low mileage) are the price of a new Sandero! Which is the absolute top end of any budget I might have, so sadly, cos I quite like them, I think it's not really likely

LOL i can't imagine why..... Can you ?

Maybe it's because new they cost 3X the Sandero and are a much nicer place to be than a Dacia ?

[Noggin]

Honda Civic

Yeah with teh possible expection of the Dacia ('cause they're cheap!) I'd be looking at the far East.

Auto might be a stretch, but I wouldn't immediately write off the various flavours of Toyota hybrid. They've been making them >20 years now and they're pretty good at it.

Bit expensive here I think. I'm wary of second hand auto gear boxes but going on the new price of almost 19k for the Aygo, second hand will be achievable, but not sure a little car with an auto is ideal?

[Noggin]

Honda Civic

I do like them, but even 5 year old ones (ok, low mileage) are the price of a new Sandero! Which is the absolute top end of any budget I might have, so sadly, cos I quite like them, I think it's not really likely

LOL i can't imagine why..... Can you ?

Maybe it's because new they cost 3X the Sandero and are a much nicer place to be than a Dacia ?

Fair point, but I doubt I can afford one of those sadly. I probably won't be able to afford a 'much nicer place' than a Dacia TBH, but like I said, I'm not that picky on cars!

[weeksy]

I do like them, but even 5 year old ones (ok, low mileage) are the price of a new Sandero! Which is the absolute top end of any budget I might have, so sadly, cos I quite like them, I think it's not really likely

LOL i can't imagine why..... Can you ?

Maybe it's because new they cost 3X the Sandero and are a much nicer place to be than a Dacia ?

Fair point, but I doubt I can afford one of those sadly. I probably won't be able to afford a 'much nicer place' than a Dacia TBH, but like I said, I'm not that picky on cars!

Personally i'd go a couple of years older in a nicer car than a newer less nice car. But then again, i'd buy a Transit

[Mr. Dazzle]

Honda Civic

Yeah with teh possible expection of the Dacia ('cause they're cheap!) I'd be looking at the far East.

Auto might be a stretch, but I wouldn't immediately write off the various flavours of Toyota hybrid. They've been making them >20 years now and they're pretty good at it.

Bit expensive here I think. I'm wary of second hand auto gear boxes but going on the new price of almost 19k for the Aygo, second hand will be achievable, but not sure a little car with an auto is ideal?

I dunno if there's any good reason to be wary of second hand auto vs. manual vs. anything else. I suspect if you google it the answer you'll get will be entirely biased by what you search for! You'll find people who'll swear either type of gearbox is a better bet

FWIW the Toyota hybrids are arguably mechanically simpler than either a traditional manual or auto. They've only got one gear and no clutches. The 'problem' would be any issues are likely to be electrical, which everyone hates.

[v8-powered]

Personally knowing where you live, I'd buy Frog.

I'm not adverse to French cars - currently 2 of 3 of our kids drive Citroen's and both nice little cars plus are reliable. Lots of cabbies drive Dacia now, so they can't be half as bad as people make them out to be - badge snobs mainly.

[Mr. Dazzle]

Lots of cabbies drive Dacia now, so they can't be half as bad as people make them out to be - badge snobs mainly.

Well they're "just" old Renaults aren't they, one of the best ways to make something reliable is to have lots of practice making it Which Renault/Dacia now do.

[Ditchfinder]

Fabia with a DSG box?

[Noggin]

LOL i can't imagine why..... Can you ?

Maybe it's because new they cost 3X the Sandero and are a much nicer place to be than a Dacia ?

Fair point, but I doubt I can afford one of those sadly. I probably won't be able to afford a 'much nicer place' than a Dacia TBH, but like I said, I'm not that picky on cars!

Personally i'd go a couple of years older in a nicer car than a newer less nice car. But then again, i'd buy a Transit

If I wasn’t going to use the car to drive up and down the mountain almost everyday (will have to drive to the town at the bottom to our depot to pick up the vehicle of the day!!), I’d be buying a Transit!!

[Noggin]

I dunno if there's any good reason to be wary of second hand auto vs. manual vs. anything else. I suspect if you google it the answer you'll get will be entirely biased by what you search for! You'll find people who'll swear either type of gearbox is a better bet

FWIW the Toyota hybrids are arguably mechanically simpler than either a traditional manual or auto. They've only got one gear and no clutches. The 'problem' would be any issues are likely to be electrical, which everyone hates.

Ok I’ll try to stop stressing about the older autos
then!!

I think the Toyota might be a bit pricey sadly! Don’t want to go too old, but I’ll have another look. They sound like a car equivalent of ‘twist and go’!!!

Personally knowing where you live, I'd buy Frog.

I'm not adverse to French cars - currently 2 of 3 of our kids drive Citroen's and both nice little cars plus are reliable. Lots of cabbies drive Dacia now, so they can't be half as bad as people make them out to be - badge snobs mainly.

The two Renaults I had were awful - but it was 25 or more years ago! And as you’d expect so many people I know have French cars and they seem fine!!

Dacia are Renault, so I was a bit surprised when someone told me they are expensive to fix!!

Fabia with a DSG box?

I thought that but they are pretty pricey new. I’ll have a better look at the second hand ones!!

[Mr. Dazzle]

They sound like a car equivalent of ‘twist and go’!!!

That's not actually a million miles off

They're sort of a CVT like a scooter. Strictly speaking they're not CVT, they're a power split transmission, but you'd have to be a gearbox nerd to appreciate or care about the difference.

But yeah - step on the pedal and away you whirr. No gearchanges and no clutches to wear out.

[Dodgy69]

Just go for the dashboard of your choice. I like radio and heating knobs, can adjust without looking kind of thing.

Don't get a new Tesla, indicators on the steering wheel so when turning off a roundabout or summot like, you ain't got a clue where the switch is.

[Noggin]

They sound like a car equivalent of ‘twist and go’!!!

That's not actually a million miles off

They're sort of a CVT like a scooter. Strictly speaking they're not CVT, they're a power split transmission, but you'd have to be a gearbox nerd to appreciate or care about the difference.

But yeah - step on the pedal and away you whirr. No gearchanges and no clutches to wear out.

Does sound perfect, but the cheapest second hand Yaris hybrid auto is 22k (that's on Le Parking, the secondhand site)