Hi, my 75 year old dad is thinking of trading his current Peugeot 806hdi manual for a Roomster 3 1.6 Auto. He is obviously downsizing but likes the high up driving position and the boxy style. He was looking at Doblo / Berlingo etc but his priority is automatic and these don't come in Auto and this has whats directed him towards the Roomster and the 1.6 Auto.

Most of the time he uses his car for town journeys to the local hospice where he is a volunteer driver (drives the minibus - do you see a pattern here with the driving heights??). But probably every other weekend him and his partner will go a decent drive and probably end up having a picnic.

So do you think the Roomster ticks all his boxes? Is the auto a good one, I know it will be different coming from a manual diesel to auto petrol but is the auto any good. He doesn't do sprints away from the traffic lights and doesn't go over 70 on motorways but will the 1.6 feel alright?

How is the flexibility in the back for two adults sitting having a picnic with thermos flasks etc?

Also how is the storage in the cabin, is it practical? My dad likes to have chargers, thermos cups, bottles of water, mint imperials etc all the time, is their accessible storage for these sorts of things?

Any advice on any of the above items would be much appreciated.

It's about as practical as it gets, there are two gloveboxes albeit small ones and there are numerous cubbyholes dotted around the car. The rear flexibility is great with many seating combinations. The 1.6 would be quite frugal, it's not a heavy vehicle and should be fine.

I would say the best thing would be for him to take a test drive or at least going to sit in one, thats the way he will get the best feel for things.

Going today to look at a Roomster and also a Peugeot 307SW auto. It also ticks most boxes but my dad feels it is not high or "boxy" enough.

Local dealer only has a Roomster 2 manual so that will let him get a feel but really won't tell him what a 3 auto will be like driving! Wonder if he will have any chance of test driving the auto anywhere in the local vicinity (Lanarkshire), don't think its the model that many will carry as demonstrators!

Have driven a 1.6 auto, nice little combo. won't set the world alight but smooth to drive and didn't feel underpowered.

I test drove the 1.6 auto before ordering my Scout (1.6 manual)

Very easy to drive, very smooth changes (almost imperceptible) and it's got a reasonable amount of go too because it has 6 gears.

Also has the tiptronic option for clutchless manual changing when you want.

It would be great for picnics! Loads of space in the back for stretching out. You can use the middle seat as a table/cup holder and you can also buy a fridge box for the boot to keep your food cool too

Thanks for the replies so far, keep them coming!

Me and dad went to look at the cars today. Started off at the Peugeot dealer, here are the keys and off you go,so dad got a good drive for 20 mins to half an hour, no pressure, came back and salesman gave him a price for trade in etc and answered any questions he had.

Went to Parks Skoda in Hamilton. Had a Scout in the showroom but we couldn't access the boot cos the battery was flat. Young salesman took us out to look at his own Roomster, although it was a Roomster 1, it still gave us an idea of sizes etc. Went back into showroom, salesman said he had to attend to something and then disappeared! Me and dad hung around the showroom for a further 15 mins, he did not re-appear, so we finally left without getting any further forward!

I bought my vrS from Henrys Skoda in Glasgow and was thoroughly delighted with the service I got from there so I will give them a bell tomorrow to see if we can progress any further! Won't be going back to Park's though, thats for sure!

Is the 2 day test drive for the Roomster not still being offered? I had a Roomster 2 1.9tdi from a local dealer for 2 days but you can also arrange it via the Skoda website. Doing it that way might come up with the right combination you are looking for.

Fred

I tested the Roomster 2 1.4 16v for 2 days..........Guttless and it needs another gear

I had a Roomster2 1.4TDI for a 24hr test drive on 11/10/07. Was told the 48hr test drives were no longer on offer, which was a shame as I had lots of plans for things to do over 2 days! There was also a mileage limit of 150miles.

Shame.

I had mine for nearly a week doing 700 miles in it....

According to the conditions of the 48 hour test drive, maximum age is 70 whereas my dad is 75 so I would need to get it and drive him round in it. Might still be worth a try.

had the 1.4tdi 3 for a couple of days felt real gutless to my octy 110tdi and fuel consumption is carp compared to it too, my dads got a 1.6 auto roomster 2 fuel comsunmptions quite good gets over 40's and it a six speed box too so good on the motorways, plus you get discs on the rear which no other models have except the 1.6 auto, wouldnt get the light interior though its horrid lol

plus you get discs on the rear which no other models have except the 1.6 auto

Rear discs are fitted to all 1.6 or 1.9 models.

Very easy to drive, very smooth changes (almost imperceptible) and it's got a reasonable amount of go too because it has 6 gears.

Also has the tiptronic option for clutchless manual changing when you want.

I have a similar dilemma; my wife's car is a Doblo but we may want to replace with an Auto; not available for the FIAT.

Roomster 6 speed auto, is that correct? I would have thought 4 or 5 speed.

Is it a traditional auto with tiptronic OR newer DSG? DSG could be nice.

I have a similar dilemma; my wife's car is a Doblo but we may want to replace with an Auto; not available for the FIAT.

Roomster 6 speed auto, is that correct? I would have thought 4 or 5 speed.

Is it a traditional auto with tiptronic OR newer DSG? DSG could be nice.

6 speed tiptronic.

I had a Roomster 3 1.4 tdi for 3 days whilst having a service carried out on my Fabia. It was seriously good as an allrounder and the space inside is fantastic. The 1.4 diesel was a little slow but it did do 55mpg and cruised at 70 quietly.

Thanks for input guys so far. have made enquiries with a couple of dealers (inc Ants cheers mate) but there are very few Auto Roomster 3s in the top half of Britain. OK, there are none!!

Looks like if he wants one it would be a new order build with the timescale of Feb ish!

I have had a 1.6 Auto Roomster 3 for 2 months now and it is great. Very easy to drive and the 6 speed auto box is excellent. If your dad is used to a diesel he will miss the torque and the MPG but overall the car is brilliant and much comfier than my wife's last company car a Merc CLK!