Automatic, London

Advantages: High spec at the price - automatic wipers, headlights and parking brake
Disadvantages: Gearbox

...My wife has MS and runs a Renault Megane Scenic (Feb '06) under the Motability scheme. The vehicle has been the subject of 4 recalls, all connected with the automatic gearbox, the piece de resistance coming when it was subjected to its 4th recall whilst the fault which had caused the 3rd recall was still being sorted out! Despite these recalls and a mileage of less than 9,000, I was taking my wife to hospital in the vehicle last Thursday (8 May 2008) when we felt a jolt as if we had hit something, the car dropped down a gear and a notice saying "Check Gearbox" came up on the screen, followed by another one saying "Electronic Fault". I had to get the RAC out to take the car into Sunwin Renault in Derby and a new gearbox is now being fitted. One way or the other, this is our 7th Renault but it will definitely be the last. Renault depend... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Great Transmission. Smooth Engine. Low Running Costs. Hugely Spacious Interior. Build Quality.
Disadvantages: Messy Dashboard Styling. Uninspiring Exterior Styling.

...an Automatic Peugeot 205, a 1.6 which whilst having a reasonable turn of speed still drunk fuel at 23mpg! I once had a 2.5 litre V6 Cavalier, again an Automatic, on average, over 18,000 miles, that very quick, car covered 28 miles on every gallon of fuel! Small automatics drink fuel! They USED to! We covered 60 miles in this particular Honda Jazz, on a brilliant mixture of just about every type of road to be found in the south east of England. Firstly, we drove through heavy traffic in South West London, winding up in Kingston upon Thames. Then we drove down to leafy Dorking to see Polesden Lacy, that being on fast flowing A roads, followed by narrow country lanes. From here we returned to Chiswick by making a fast clockwise M25 run, cruising at between 80 and 85mph, just as I would have done in my own diesel Accord. At no time... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Cost, Reliability, small car performance, CVT Automatic Transmisson
Disadvantages: Higher running cost than Manual Tansmission Model

...I bought a second hand used Micra 1.0 two door/hatch saloon at the beginning of 2003. Colour Red , on a ‘P’ plate, with 34,000 miles on the clock; well looked after by its previous owners (2), and regularly serviced by a main Nissan dealership. The bodywork was in super condition for its age with no visible signs of deterioration, such as rust marks. My Micra has a one litre (998cc) engine with CVT (automatic transmission) rather than the more popular traditional manual gear box, which makes it stand out from the crowd. I’m not too technically minded but having owed several cars over the years and driven countless thousands of miles – the length and breadth of the UK – reckon my opinion is as good as any average motorist. Secondly, owning a car is not simply a luxury for me as I rely on it for independent transport since... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful