.... and I'm the one going to be teaching her to drive in it (she's never bothered with driving test ever - just a smattering of learning)

Soooo, she wants to start off in an automatic which is fair enough, so she wants to buy a small automatic, put it in my name and I'll insure it (she pays) so I can teach her to drive. We're mulling over new cars and to be honest, I've not been keeping up with the best new small cars out there, so throwing it out to Briskoda

Question is.... What car is best? Basic requirements are fairly simple.

1) Auto box, obviously - engine size is not an issue at all

2) Got to be SMALL, and I mean 5 seats and sod all boot.

3) Can be three door or five door I guess.

4) Got to be fairly cheap, nothing above say

The auto box on Fabia's & Mk1 Octys isn't that good (uses 'fuzzy logic' whatever that means).

My late cousin in the Czech Republic was faced with a similar situation, just before he died. He had a passat which his wife couldn't drive - she needed an auto.

He ended up buying a Toyota Yaris Auto - and to be honest I can't fault it. I personally prefer the Fabia, but not in Auto. but worth a look. You could probably get good discounts now a new Yaris is round the corner.

Micras have CVT and are good learner cars. They can sustain a thrashing too

I would consider a Lupo auto, given this position. My Gran has a red 52-plate 1.4 Auto and that's ideal for her. Very compact, easy to park etc. Is quite quick of the mark too, I was pleasantly surprised. Given the auto you just jump on the 'gas'

Yaris would be a good contender too, I agree - bulletproof reliability. Looked at those for her too, but the dash confused her with its digital readout and strange layout!

Not sure why you need to spend as much as 11k TBH either.

Steve

Perhaps a new Suzuki Swift

http://www.newsuzukiswift.co.uk/

Do the same rules still apply about passing test in an automatic means you can only drive an auto? Or am I way off again:O

You are correct Loz, that rule still applies.

What about a Smart? The fortwo is only a 2 seater but its auto and very funky. Also good on fuel.

no no no, tell her to learn in a manual...

And lessons are the best, if she really wants to learn to drive, I am sure your a perfectly good driver but instructors know the sylabus.

Hats of to you J, I too will be teaching my mum how to drive in the new year, but she'll be learning in the vRS :eek2:

I will however be handing her over to a qualified instuctor for a few lessons prior to her test.

I think a Yaris, or new Swift would be ideal. My mum wants a new shape Clio, and I must say that I too am keen on that idea!

Personally I'd buy a cheapo car for a couple of grand that she can afford to insure herself and if she decides that driving is not for her (or parks it on the roof which is a possibility given the instructor) then you aren't going to be too badly off.

Once she has passed and driven herself for a while then let her pick a car when she has more of an idea what she likes

Micras are a good bet. Or iof you want to buy cheap and new, look at the Toyota Aygo, Citroen C1 or Pug equivalent. Cheap as chips, small, easy to drive and full warranties. Max price would be about £7k with all the options picked.

Hats of to you J' date=' I too will be teaching my mum how to drive in the new year, but she'll be learning in the vRS :eek2:

I will however be handing her over to a qualified instuctor for a few lessons prior to her test.[/quote']Dont book her test until she has been with a qualified instructor first, I think you'l find it will take more than a few lessons before shes ready, you'l be good for her learning to drive the car, but an instructor will be crucial for her passing her test

Yeah - I think I'll take her to where I consider her ability good enough, and let an instructor refine it before a test.

She only wants to do auto, to get some mobility back again - she's starting to really hate public transport. :grumpy:

Sounds like the Toyota dealer will be visited first for Aygo Vs Yaris - Then the new Micra will be 2nd on the list - I kinda like them. Auto Lupo might be next. And no offence, but I'm gonna be steering Mum clear of French cars. If thats my personal prejudice coming out, I don't give a f***. :rofl:

Take a look at the Mitsi Colt.

And no offence, but I'm gonna be steering Mum clear of French cars. If thats my personal prejudice coming out, I don't give a f***. :rofl:

You'll want to steer clear of the new Micra then I believe it was closely developed with Renault and has a few reliability issues....

http://www.carsurvey.org/review_82836.html

Chris

I think I would advise staying clear of French too. If she wants to get out and about the last thing she needs is to be broken down somewhere. It would definitely be the Yaris for me, particularly with regard to resale if she doesn't take to driving. Must admit though, my missus had a Fiat Punto for years, completely reliable and a lovely driving position for visibility, very handy when you are a new driver!

My vote goes for toyota yaris auto. It's reliable, easy to drive, safe, quick enough(1.3 87 hp), it's really car for moms. I had chance to drive it a few times and it was quite good, auto gearbox worked smooth. Also bear in mind that toyota isn't jew for equipment like skoda(they put ac and abs in all models except the cheapest).

The Yaris comes out very well in the Which and Top Gear surveys, both of which are based upon the owners (rather than motoring journalists) thinks of their cars. Personally I don't like its instrument display and dashboard and since that is what you look at 99% of the time that is important.

ermm the new suzuki swift.... the mitsi colt...chevvy matiz....totoyota aygo..citroen c1,c2..... pug 1007... pug 107....honda jazz..... smart car:eek:second hand cooper....vw polo,lupo, the vw fox when it comes out.. seat ibiza,seat arosa.... vauxy corsa,agila..renault clio... ford fiesta sport ka or ka cc(really love them)... can think of nemore and all of them can be had under 10-11k but not sure if they all come with auto's..

--ho

agree with suzuki swift for new car or aygo/107/c1 http://www.newsuzukiswift.co.uk/

What about a used Honda Jazz CVT ?

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/WWW/cars_search.asp?modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&make=HONDA&model=JAZZ&variant=auto&keywords=&min_pr=75&max_pr=&mileage=&agerange=&postcode=pl7+5lf&miles=100&max_records=50&source=0&photo=1&sort=3&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH

Hope the link works !!