Need advice about buying a used automatic

Hi everyone, I need some help. After two years of not driving in the UK, I have decided to buy a car. I haven't learned manual so I need to get an auto to so that I can get around while I learn. I know all the rules about having to take the test (I officially got my FLR Residency visa in Jan- a whole year to learn manual- thank god!)

I'm looking to get an automatic, no bigger than a 1.6. I don't want to spend more than 1,000 on it and am looking at anything 93 and newer. Any suggestions on any make and models? What should I be looking for (value for money)? I know I should be looking for a good few months MOT and FSH, anything else I should ask for? Is 10,000 miles per year a good milage rate?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

Hi, Kelly. When I first moved here, I bought a '93 Rover Metro (automatic) for about £700. I'll admit right now that I know very little about cars, so please bear that in mind! I found a serious shortage of second-hand automatics, so was very lucky to find anything at all! It seems like automatics are used primarily by older people (or that's their reputation) -- and the Metro is sort of seen as an older person's car. Personally, I've never cared too much about image when it comes to cars -- as long as my car gets me from Point A to Point B, I'm happy. But if it's important to you, you might not want a Metro!   As I said, I know very little about cars, but took my uncle along with me. He does know a lot (used to be a mechanic) and he examined the car pretty thoroughly and decided it was a good deal. I think one of the main criteria was rust. With older cars, you tend to get a lot of rust, and that's something that will prevent you from getting a new MOT (without doing welding, etc. to fix it). The good thing about the Metro is that as it's often owned by older folks, they often don't have too much mileage on them and generally have not been abused too badly.

I kept my Metro for 2 years, but in the end found it too small and uncomfortable for long-distance driving. I will say, though, that as a new UK driver, it was ideal for tooling around country lanes and maneuvering roundabouts, etc. Driving here does take a bit of getting used to, and a small car was perfect for that.

I now have a Neon (ugh!), which is only a couple of years old and cost substantially more than the Metro. Again, I bought it because it was the only second-hand automatic I could find that was the right condition and price.

Hi Kelly,

As Belindaloo said, automatics are nothing like as common here as in the States, so you'll have to look a little harder to find one you like compared to an equivalent model with manual transmission. 

In addition to the checks you would make for any car (rust, engine, etc.), remember that automatic transmissions can be very expensive to get serviced and repaired here, so you want to do all you can to make sure that the transmission is in good shape and you don;t get stuck with a lemon.

Tips for checking an auto transmission:

* Make sure that the transmission engages smoothly and quickly when you shift from park or neutral into drive or reverse.

* Make sure that it changes up and down smoothly and without "snatching" under all conditions.  Try accelerating from standstill both very slowly and gently, and  under heavier acceleration as if you were trying to get up speed quickly to merge with highway traffic.   Sometimes a worn transmission can still be fairly smooth under the former conditions but not the latter.

*  Check that the kick-down works properly.  Get to about 35 or 40 mph on a clear road, bang your foot hard down and check that the transmission changes down a gear smartly.

*  Check that the low-gear lockout positions work properly and also change smoothly.

*  Be alert for any signs of the transmission slipping (i.e. you accelerate quickly and the engine races for a moment before the transmission seems to "catch up").  Another little check you can do when stationary is to keep your left foot firmly on the brake to keep the car from moving and then gently accelerate in both the drive and reverse positions.  You should be able to feel the car lift or dip slightly as appropriate with no signs of the engine racing if the transmission is good.

* Once everything is warmed up and you've driven a while, shift to park and pop the hood.  With  the engine still running, pull the dispstick on the transmission and check both the fluid level and consistency.   A burnt odor from the fluid, excessive frothy bubbles, or of course any signs of water or engine oil mixed with it are all bad signs.

Thank you so much for the advice! Yes, I have found that autos are far and few in between and generally cost more. I have my hubby and father-in-law helping me out, making sure I let the American in me go and get a small car (I'm just used to driving bigger cars, I can't help it!)

Thanks again for the responses, I'll keep ya'll posted!

 

I found this thread particularly helpful! Thanks to all who had advice! 

Just to relate my story, I'd never driven a stick shift until I moved to Britain and after practicing for a couple of weeks I got the hang of it eventually, I would say if you do learn a manual then not only would you have more choice of car but you could also drive others cars, if necessary.

OMG! I am SO American...I wondered why someone was asking advice on buying a used gun on THIS forum!    _{In my best Roseanne Rosannadanna voice, "Never mind...."}