Hi,
I am about to purchase my first car at the grand old age of 45 :-)

Got £3,500 - £4,000 to spend.

Looking for something compact, 1.6+, 5 door and MUST BE AUTOMATIC (due
to a gammy left leg, using a clutch is too painful).

I have only really been looking at 2 makes, the focus 1.6 (2000 - 2002)
and a peugeot 206 (1.6 roland garros).

Won't be doing to much in the way of mileage (weekends and every other
day maybe).

Could i get some opinions on the above cars, and possibly some
recommendations for others to look at?

TIA
Dave

In article <IhZYh.22$2i.2 (AT) newsfe4-gui (DOT) ntli.net>,
smiffy <no (AT) way (DOT) com> wrote:
My only comment is small Ford autos seem to bee rather less reliable than
the average. Although it will depend on the age and model - Ford seem to
mix and match their autos rather a lot. So I'd do a careful search on your
intended models before purchase - the replacement of an auto on a car of
this value is likely to be near 1/3 of the purchase price.

--
*It was all so different before everything changed.

Dave Plowman dave (AT) davenoise (DOT) co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"smiffy" <no (AT) way (DOT) com> wrote in message >
I'd suggest one of the 'taller' city-car hatchbacks with a higher seating
position - makes it easier getting in and out with a gammy leg.
--
Budgie
NB Reply to newsgroup. Email address will get you nowhere

Can't comment on the Ford or the Peugeot, but I drove Vauxhall Astra
automatics for 12 years and found them very reliable. There's loads of
them around, and one of the previous models (pre 2004) would be within
your budget.

Currently I've got a Nissan Almera, easy car to drive and reliable.
This is only available with a 1.8 engine though so comes in the higher
band F for tax.

Hope this helps

Steven Thompson

smiffy <no (AT) way (DOT) com> wrote:

Honda Civic.
--
SteveH 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
www.italiancar.co.uk - Honda VFR800 - Hongdou GY200 - Alfa 75 TSpark
Alfa 156 TSpark - B6 Passat 2.0TDI SE - COSOC KOTL
BOTAFOT #87 - BOTAFOF #18 - MRO # - UKRMSBC #7 - Apostle #2 - YTC #

In news:IhZYh.22$2i.2 (AT) newsfe4-gui (DOT) ntli.net,
smiffy <no (AT) way (DOT) com> wittered on forthwith;
Seat Leon 1.8 Auto.

Normally I'd say the Focus, but Auto Focii are severly let down by the
quality of the box - and the extra fuel used is insane.

The auto box in the Leon isn't bad, not the most responsive, but smooth
enough for anyone.


--
Pete M - Using the Scouse Side of the Force -
Golf GTi Mk2 2.0 8v
Golf GTi Mk1 (For Sale)
OMF#9

Currently listening to The White Stripes

smiffy <no (AT) way (DOT) com> wrote:

IMO any 1.6 engined automatic is a complete waste of time and money. The
engine feels completely disconnected from the wheels. Possibly the most
frightening car that I drove in recent years was an Astra 1.6 with an
automatic gearbox, impossible to get out at junctions or to accelerate
up a motorway slip road.

You might consider one of the semi-auto options such as the Mercedes ACS
as fitted to the A-class. It makes much better use of the engine and
doesn't have a clutch. My wife has one of these and I still like driving
it. I've also driven the 1.6 Auto version of the A-class and it also
works better than most small autos but really shows that it would like a
bigger engine.

At the other end it might be worth having a look at a Smart For Four or
Mitsubishi Colt. Both of their semi-auto gearboxes were OK although
still slugs.

Steven Thompson <sjthom (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote:

Then I can only feel pity for you.

Dave {ð¿ð} wrote:

Groan....

Chris

--
Remove prejudice to reply.

Dave {›¿›} <dave (AT) dave-thomas (DOT) co.uk> wrote:

I was with you right up to here.