Reliable small auto...do they exist?

thecremeegg · 15 Apr 2015 at 11:15

The missus currently has a 1.3 Yaris MMT which in itself is ok however the box is failing and we need to get rid.
She can only drive autos and so we need advice on a replacement.
Budget is around 3k and annual mileage probably 8k or so. Needs to be no smaller than a Yaris and reasonably economical would be a plus.
I considered a mini but have read many many horror stories so that's discounted.
Anyone got any experience or recommendations?

rodenal · 15 Apr 2015 at 11:18

To be honest I would just get the yaris fixed - it's an automated manual so the box itself is unlikely to be broken, from memory there are some common faults with the mmt transmissions around ecu's

There aren't really any "good" small automatics in your budget imo

thecremeegg · 15 Apr 2015 at 11:32

I've done some reading and it seems that the part that's failing is the selector which is about 800 in parts alone.
That said people mention the ecu but then that's as far as I can get. Is it something Toyota themselves need to look at?

rodenal · 15 Apr 2015 at 12:01

Not sure I'm afraid, I'd definitely want someone with experience of that box though or you'll end up getting random bits replaced until they get lucky

thecremeegg · 15 Apr 2015 at 13:18

Valid point! We'll try Toyota but I don't fancy paying for a "diagnostic" that shows nothing useful!

flexo786 · 15 Apr 2015 at 13:33

id also ring around any local gearbox specialists and see what they say as if you can find one that's sounds decent it should be a lot cheaper then Toyota

Howard · 15 Apr 2015 at 13:35

I think if it's an otherwise perfectly usable car that your other half doesn't hate, then I'll agree with the 'investigate getting the gearbox fixed' crowd. It's certainly at the very least worth investigating before you spend £3k on an unknown entity, i.e. another cheap car with an autobox.

Tinders · 15 Apr 2015 at 14:36

MMT are a nightmare, even many toyota garages struggle to fix them, Ive had 4, and only one was fixed by toyota, the other 3 we ended up doing manual conversions on.

The actuators normally need resyncing when replaced.They are normally quite pricey, the gearbox itself is not too dissimilar to the manual one. Google doesnt make pretty reading regarding the Toyota MMt gearbox. Even when its working its a terrible 'box!

skaif · 15 Apr 2015 at 16:33

I have a 1.4 k11 micra auto and its superb! Bought it with less than 5k on the clock last year and done around 8k since and hasn't missed a beat. Proper little go kart and perfect for city driving.

Uriel · 15 Apr 2015 at 16:45

Honda Jazz CVT-7?

Need to make sure the CVT box has had regular fluid changes on time. They're reliable if serviced correctly but can fail expensively if not looked after.

lemonade · 16 Apr 2015 at 11:52

skaif said:
I have a 1.4 k11 micra auto and its superb! Bought it with less than 5k on the clock last year and done around 8k since and hasn't missed a beat. Proper little go kart and perfect for city driving.

A K11 with only 5k on it? :eek:

Those cars will just run and run to be honest, superb engines that were way ahead of their time and still are ahead of many modern cars! Super reliability too.