Member Since: 29 Sep 2006
Location: MIDLANDS
Posts: 8052
[Wanted] 'first car' AUTOMATIC only
Daughter passed her test today and now needs a car, obviously by the end of this weekend as it 'needed' of course.......
However the market potential is really narrowed as it has to be an automatic as that is the licence she holds.
She's set on a Micra (2003-2008 vintage shaped one) as that is what she learnt in. I get that and I'm on the search for one of those.
However I have said that I am paying and 2nd hand you go for "what is best" not the one with nicest floor mats or body colour or the nicest air-freshener (trust me she would ) so will consider any brand/model
So anyone got/know of a 'starter car', i.e. cheap to insure suitable for her that is for sale?
Budget is max of £1300, ideally less
Last edited by astonbuilder on 16th Jun 2017 1:05 pm. Edited 1 time in total
16th Jun 2017 12:56 pm
SHARKYSHARKS
Member Since: 20 Dec 2008
Location: Saddleworth Oldham
Posts: 1954
Think you need to edit your listing to Wanted Car MY18 D5 HSE LUX😎
MY12 Freelander SD4 HSE
44 Tonne 12 Litre 6x2 Scania T cab (Current)
Freelander 1 (Wrote off 😫)
Ex D1
Ex D2 GS
Ex V8 D2 GS
Ex D3 S
Ex D4 GS
Club skip ya lockers !!!
Club BAS remote heater !!
Club Duratrac
Club Phillips DRL
Club Prospeed Rack Mk 1
Club Prospeed Rack Mk 2
Club Sankey
Club RLD spare wheel protector
16th Jun 2017 1:01 pm
astonbuilder
Member Since: 29 Sep 2006
Location: MIDLANDS
Posts: 8052
cheers bud
16th Jun 2017 1:05 pm
Philip1972
Member Since: 10 Mar 2017
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 1072
Have a look at a 2003+ mini.
No idea if many are auto, but someone I know picked up a peach for 1100 on Tuesday.
16th Jun 2017 1:08 pm
astonbuilder
Member Since: 29 Sep 2006
Location: MIDLANDS
Posts: 8052
I think insurance and running costs will be higher but currently on open search on eBay, etc. filtered on automatic and MINI looks over budget and/or a bit ropey......
Does she need four seats? Have you consider a Smart FourTwo? Plenty for that budget around and they're safe and reliable.
I have these earmarked for my kids when they pass their tests (long way off though) as it means they're not going to turn into a taxi service for their friends and, with only one passenger in the car, you're less likely to start showing off too!!!!
Front Runner Rack, OEM Ladder & RAI, Tuff-Trek Foxwing, B'rakhah Ingonyama Expedition Trailer, RLD's Spare Wheel Protector, Bodsy's Bars, Empty Pockets! Member of Gloucestershire & Worcestershire 4x4 Response.
16th Jun 2017 1:32 pm
astonbuilder
Member Since: 29 Sep 2006
Location: MIDLANDS
Posts: 8052
I have indeed for the reasons you state.
I've also owned three myself from the early 0.7 litre LHD one, the RH version (W450) and then the later, more 'mainstream' 1.0 litre turbo version (W451) and loved them all
Only concern on the 700cc W450 versions are they can be a bit 'fragile' and dependent on good/specialist servicing, I know that applies to most things but critical on them. The later W451 is out of budget.
Have searched on a few and there are some well loved one's around.
Have sown the seeds in daughters mind about how fun mine were so it's up there on the list once I get 'only a Micra' out the way
Saying I've got a good car from a friend or a known good source (yes you lot ) will help sway the "I know it's not a Micra but consider this...." discussion
Question though; the Mk1 is actually an automated manual not an automatic (like an Aston Vanquish ) so where do you stand licence wise?????
Me and the ex-SWMBO had a 53-plate cabriolet. Bought it new and loved it. Even managed a two-week camping trip around Normandy and Brittany in it and still managed to bring some wine and cheese home!
Happy searching and persuading.
Front Runner Rack, OEM Ladder & RAI, Tuff-Trek Foxwing, B'rakhah Ingonyama Expedition Trailer, RLD's Spare Wheel Protector, Bodsy's Bars, Empty Pockets! Member of Gloucestershire & Worcestershire 4x4 Response.
16th Jun 2017 2:16 pm
RBP
Member Since: 29 Aug 2012
Location: N Yorks
Posts: 1936
alfamale wrote:
Does she need four seats? Have you consider a Smart FourTwo? Plenty for that budget around and they're safe and reliable.
I have these earmarked for my kids when they pass their tests (long way off though) as it means they're not going to turn into a taxi service for their friends and, with only one passenger in the car, you're less likely to start showing off too!!!!
SWMBO used to have a Smart - great fun.
16th Jun 2017 2:18 pm
astonbuilder
Member Since: 29 Sep 2006
Location: MIDLANDS
Posts: 8052
I took mine to Ikea once and had a trailer full of flat-pack and people openly pointed and sniggered when they saw me open the car up.
However fold the front passenger seat flat and lower split tailgate and it swallowed the lot much to the amusement of the watchers
I have scared myself in them a few times spanking them cross-country; dips and crests can get them all in a pickle and hard braking gets the nose down and back-end light and wanting to swap places with the front-end......eeeeek
Probably only doing about 50mph really but it felt like a go-kart on steroids
Split tailgate, I'd forgotten about that. It's amazing how much difference a split tailgate can make to a car's practicality!!! Front Runner Rack, OEM Ladder & RAI, Tuff-Trek Foxwing, B'rakhah Ingonyama Expedition Trailer, RLD's Spare Wheel Protector, Bodsy's Bars, Empty Pockets! Member of Gloucestershire & Worcestershire 4x4 Response.
16th Jun 2017 2:31 pm
Dan the Man
Member Since: 20 Mar 2014
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 215
Similar position to ourselves recently.
We narrowed it down to a VW Polo or Honda Jazz (which are bullet proof).
One tip I can pass on is to insure fully comp with a large voluntary excess. Bizarrely it's considerably cheaper than 3rd Party F & T.
Also much cheaper to have a telematics box fitted and you can also monitor their driving yourself.
Good luck!1981 Unimog U1300L (ex German Army vehicle
Previous:
Discovery 3 G4 Challenge
Golf R DSG
BMW 535d M Sport Touring
2010 D4 HSE in Nara Bronze
16th Jun 2017 8:30 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72790
Can vouch for Jazzez being bulletproof. We've got an 11 plate newer model that hasn't had a single problem at shade under 6 years and 42k miles. Our 57 plate earlier Jazz has only had 2 issues in almost 10 years and 47k miles, it needed a new exhaust Jan 16 (£136) and it put the EML on this week, cheap code reader and app cleared it.
Plus immensely practical, especially for taking the odd kitchen down to the tip.
Click image to enlarge
Plus in winter on the right tyres my old Jazz has put many a 4x4 to shame, she backed out of this no problem once the windows were cleared.
Click image to enlarge
16th Jun 2017 8:41 pm
discoteca
Member Since: 08 Mar 2010
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 1477
The Smart forfour was an incredibly underrated car and lots were originally sold as autos. Very safe, reliable and look quite cool even now. Have bought two for similar circumstances as yours in the past for family. £1300 is pushing it for one but there are a few on autotrader.
17th Jun 2017 12:16 am
discoteca
Member Since: 08 Mar 2010
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 1477
Meant to add you will struggle to find a Jazz auto within price range. The forfour depreciated horrifically because they stopped making them after such a short run. Didn't make it as bad car though.
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