What Auto transmision?

[Drift]

I hope your sitting comfortably,
My Mum is getting married again soon (at 66 ) and the guy is an old boyfriend from 1962 (before me just ) I got them together again funny enough but thats a whole other story.

The guy Rikky was in the Army for years and years and got his drivers licences in the Army. When he left he went to Canada and worked until he retired in the oil businesses.
Anyway he has since sold up and moved back to the UK a few months ago and is living with my Mum (its okay they spent months in the states together earlier this year).

Now, he has a full licence (manual) but the DVLA will only swap his Canadian (he took citizenship) licence to an automatic UK licence unless he take a manual test or he can prove he took a manual test as he did in a Bedford 4 tonner in the 60's

So how can he prove he took a manual test as the DVLA said it was before digital records where kept and are non to keen to trawl the paper files so basically find another way.
I am pretty sure it maybe in his military files so that's one avenue.

In the mean time I am keeping my eyes open for an automatic motor but not sure what to advise him to get as he had 50l Dodge Ram up until a few months ago that he used to drive to his condo in Florida from Canada, but I think the idea is to tone that down a bit according to my Mum

So just a reasonably priced reliable auto for under £3000 for the time being? and advice guys?

[robbie]

Will the forces not still have a record for him, if not how did he get his license over there, did he have to retest over there?

[Drift]

Not sure, they are visiting here next week and will ask him.
I think the Canadians just accepted the UK licence, as ours usually have all the info printed on them (old green style) I think.

[snapper]

Tell the DVLA to get of their arrse, stop updating their FB accounts* and go dig out the paper record instead.

* Some numpty called Sir Bob Kerslake, the new head of the civil service it appears, has written to Whitehall chiefs ordering them to let the great mass of hardworking(sic) CS have access to social networking sites on thier work PC.

[Drift]

Social networking does not belong in the work place hence the name "social" but back on topic

I looked into it a bit since the post so hopefully the MOD can come up with the goods.
Now we know how slow they work and in the mean time whats the best auto in that price range?
5 seater but nothing too big and reliability is the key. (no Frontera jokes please )

[hipo1024]

Think Jap or German....My personal 1st choice would be a BMW 3 or 5 series. Plenty of autos about. Being German its not going to go bang any time soon...or a Toyota Avensis. Plenty of taxi drivers use them (so they must be reliable) and you can get them with auto boxes in....just my 2 cent

[Trugga]

I'm thinking Jeep Cherokee.

3K should find a 2003 version of of the newer shaped 3.7 V6 in auto, or even a 2000 Classic (square shape) 4.0 Auto on Gas

Just thinking that he might be more familiar with the American cars over the European options, and want something similar in size to his Ram (truck rather than car).

Quite a few in that price range on Auto Trader.

I have a friend who bought a Classic Cherokee back in 2003 (when I bought my first Frontera). He replaced it with the newer model about 4 years ago - I've not heard of any "issues".

Lawrence

[fudge]

what about an auto v6 fronty

[RatCav]

Surf or landcruiser meybe.

I would avoid the Avensis purely on repair bills and listening to owners experience. Taxi drivers have them on lease so they don't have to worry about expensive costly parts when they break ... and they do. Also I know a few companies who have them as company cars and they all say that they cannot get a good driving position, they are gutless, and seem unfinished. Basically they are ok on paper and immediate impressions, just after owning one for a small amount of time they just don't feel right. A multitude of little things not quite right that culminates in a general result of "I would never have one again"

I would as Hipo says start looking at our German options BMW, Audi, and VW. Avoid Mercedes, you know what their build quality is like.

We have just got a 2002 VW Passat with full VW service history, 66000 miles on the clock, 13 months MOT, 2 months tax, 2.0 20 valve petrol (130ps), A/C, cd changer in the boot, immaculate inside, and one tiny scratch on the outside for £1500. Ok its a manual, but I can rate them really highly for comfort, ease of driving and refinement. In fact I am almost embarrassed to say that I am a little annoyed I haven't gone this way before.

The later VW's come with very nice autos as well, and can be picked up cheaply enough if you look hard enough. If you do look at VAG options thing to look out for on later models is timing belt changes, more importantly water pump. They say in the book 90,000 miles, though after talking to a lot of local specialist, and the forums get them changed at 60,000 along with the water pump. The impeller is plastic and splits falling off the spindle inside the block. Common problem that can be avoided by regular timing belt, pulley's and pump change. We did ours the day after we go the car.

[Drift]

Cheers guys , maybe I should have mentioned they are looking for a saloon type car rather than a 4x4
Something not too flash or overly thirsty with the auto box.

They are only using it during the summer as they will be spending winters in a Spanish villa

[Dannyboy]

Id go for a nice speccy MONDEO/FOCUS or VECTRA maybe, ive got a 06 vectra 2.2 sri direct, semi-auto n i think its a great car weve had it 3 yrs now n when we look at swopping we cant find owt thats as good for the right cash.
To be honest i dont think you can buy an "unreliable" car these days, all marques have there good n bad bits but anything can brake on any car its just luck of the draw pal. There are so many to choose its all down to personal taste, SKODA/HONDA/TOYOTA/SEAT/VOLKSWAGEN all good but tend to hold there price, FORD/VAUXHALL are more run of the mill and can be had at a good price, also VOLVO/SAAB these are made well and can be picked up at reasonable prices...... Try looking at ECKINGTON MOTORS web site, they always have a selection of nice clean low mileage cars n access to alot more that arnt on there site, worth a look...

[igotababyfrontera]

If it were my money I'd be looking at a vectra (Vauxhall fan) or an Audi a4.

[4x4 bobby]

Well i got to agree with Hipo it has to be a Mercedes or a BMW both have teriffic gearbox's in there car's. I like the Mecedes C180 very comfy motor. Chrissy's C180 was nice to drive. I also like this one!!
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified ... /featured-
or then there's this little gem!!!
http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified ... ?logcode=p

[MG Autos (Mark)]

How about a Jag X-Type ?

Now I know the petrol variant can be a bit thirsty but the Diesel is quite economical for a big car and has lower road tax as well. The x-type was pretty much a body kitted Ford Mondeo so most of the consumables / running gear is cheap to maintain and replace. They come with all the gadgets your ever likely to want or need and the majority have leather interiors.

Of course the best bit is they are now cheap as chips. A nice condition 01 to 02 plate with around 100K on the clock can be had for as little as £1500 and the £3000 would definitely get you something newer with lower mileage

[Drift]

All top end cars guys was looking at something a bit more understated as it could be sold in 12 months if the manual licence comes through though resale price is not important too much as it will likely be traded in for something a lot newer.

Was thinking Citroen, Peugeot or Ford type thing for 3kish

[Dannyboy]

Youll find plenty mate, but you dont wana buy summat n go for a trade in and find they offer you half what you paid , personally wouldnt go french for an auto box as there not best with electrics, avoid fiat n alfa auto boxes too, play safe n go ford or vauxhall, you know what your getting and they always sell n dont cost the earth to buy/fix/run

[igotababyfrontera]

I'm with Danny on that post avoid French.
The Audi a4 isn't top end money but is a lot of car and will hold its value a bit better too.

[Drift]

Ive had the 20hdi Picasso for 3 years (manual) never had a blip out of it, the best reliable car Ive ever owned to be honest accounting the high mileage we have done in it.

What are the Ford Focus automatics like or even Mondeo?

[hipo1024]

The sorta car you'l get for £3k isnt going to loose that much value in 12months. Vx, VAG or BMW would be the way to go if it were my choice. and do your homework into each car/engine/box to make sure it hasnt got any major flaws. For example the BMW e46 330d auto I wouldnt go near because the auto version of the car has butterfly valves in the intake (like my dti has) and over time they brake off and get sucked into the engine and we all know what that means. The manual version on the other hand is near bullet proof lol.

[Drift]

Thats why I am asking
Its not likely to be a BMW or Merc to be honest just and average family saloon.