Renault Modus?

[andy_d]

Originally Posted by capt jack

Ta Kev. The other options under consideration are a Nissan Note (the E11 model), which is my preferred option as we've had one before and it was an excellent car; a Merc A-Class (not my choice - I think they're way too complex to buy as an older car); a Honda Jazz (but the reservations are the same as with the Merc); a Toyota Yaris Verso; A Mitsubishi Colt; Suzuki Wagon R; possibly a VW Polo of Golf (or the Skoda or Seat equivalents); or a Ford Fusion. My daughter is a musician, and so carting harp, violins, drums, guitars etc needs to be easy.

She definitely wants an automatic because driving for her is simply a matter of getting from A to B, and she wants to make it as easy for herself as possible.

As I say, my preferred option is another Note. The one we have before was a terrific little car, very easy to drive, surprisingly roomy, well-built, and generally easy to work on with regard to maintenance and simple repairs.

Cheers

Jack

Toyota Yaris Verso
if that is the one with the tiptronic/geartronic gearbox


my sis had one of those, brand new, 3year lease
went back to toyota main dealer after 22ish months with a gearbox fault
main dealer could Not fix it ,
they replaced
gear box
control modules for gear box
sw (again onto new boxes) for gearbox
then Engine AND gearbox With all new ecu's

then phoned sis to say "nope cant fix it"

[volvo always]

What's your budget?

James

[Welton]

I picked up a 2010 Renner Twingo for my Daughter 3 years ago and it's been the very definition of reliability and simplicity.

We all like it in the family and it'll be a sad day when it gets moved on.

[capt jack]

Originally Posted by volvo always

What's your budget?

James

Up to a maximum of £1500, and ideally within an hour's drive of York.

Looking at Ebay, Autotrader and Gumtree, cars in this sort of bracket do come up. You've just got to keep an eye out and be quick.

The ideal would be something complete and working with a reasonable mileage, evidence of regular service and maintenance, not obviously in need of any major service or repairs for at least another 5-6k miles, clean and tidy, at least 9 months MOT. Happy to buy from a private seller or a trader.

To the previous list of makes and models we'd add an Astra, Focus or Fiesta, or a Honda Civic.

It's a pretty broad list, and were it not for the fact that we want an automatic I'm pretty certain we'd be spoilt for choice.

Jack

[Lerichard]

Facebook Marketplace is a very good source of cheap vehicles, as well as various For Sale groups. Lots of chaff to sift through, but it's how I found my V70.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Lerichard

Facebook Marketplace is a very good source of cheap vehicles, as well as various For Sale groups. Lots of chaff to sift through, but it's how I found my V70.

Agreed! Its worth a try & seems very popular nowadays (Its free to advertise).

[S60D5-185]

Throwing into the mix a Honda Jazz is a wise move I think.

I got my wife a 2005 1.4 18 months ago and it has been absolutely terrific.

I paid a silly £400 for it with 95k on the clock and it has been pretty much bombproof. Servicing parts are very reasonable but the fact that it has 8 sparking plugs means that many don't realise that there is a rear bank of plugs to change. ( Not difficult )

No cambelt to worry about, delightful engine, incredibly economical and they won an award for their " Magic Seat " arrangement which allows the vehicle to carry bulky items in a few different ways because of how the rear seats operate.

Parts are not expensive ( new aftermarket front caliper 2 months ago for £31 ) and it is just a very very easy car to live with.

If memory serves me it also has the best MOT pass rate .

[Harvey1512]

My sister is on to her 3rd Yaris, the current one is an automatic. She loves them and having been in the current one as a passenger I understand why. All 3 have been reliable, one saved her life in a car crash, car written off, she walked away unscathed.

Honest John, The Telegraph, pretty much always recommends a Honda Jazz in this situation.

[S60D5-185]

My friend has owned a 2004 Yaris Auto from new and again it , like the Jazz has been exemplary.

[psl]

Suzuki alto, passed drown from my wife. Cost my daughter under £800 to insure (aged18) though it was a 2012 model, so helped bring the cost down. For your budget don't overlook a Suzuki Ignis, they always slip under the radar. Over the last 10 years we have had Suzuki in the family, they have never let us down. I've just (today) bought an Ignis of 2004 vintage to allow my lad to get out on the road on L plates, has cost me an extra £460 to put him on the insurance while learning to drive. Though he is adamant that he needs to wear a balaclava to hide under, to keep his street cred lol