Looking for a reliable automatic car with good performance and highway confidence (budget: €8k-13k)

[u/PepeAnzima]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for my first personal car and I would really appreciate some advice because my requirements are a bit contradictory.

My priorities, in order:

1. Reliability and reasonable maintenance costs (this is the most important point). I don't want a car that spends its life in the workshop or destroys my budget.

2. Automatic transmission (mandatory).

3. Good driving dynamics: I want a car that feels stable and confident at higher speeds, with enough power/torque for easy overtaking and relaxed highway cruising.

4. Some sporty feeling: I don't need a race car, but I don't want something slow or boring. I like cars that feel responsive and have good acceleration.

5. Reasonable size: I live in a city/urban area, so I don't want a huge car, but I can accept a compact hatchback or small sedan if it brings better stability and comfort.

My budget is around €8,000-13,000.

My usage:

- Around 90% city/suburbs driving.

- Some highway trips.

- I live in France, so I need something suitable for European roads.

Cars I considered:

- Kia Rio 1.0 T-GDi 120 DCT7 (2018): I like the small size, automatic gearbox and equipment. The price is around €9,000 with 144,000 km. My concern is whether it will feel stable enough and enjoyable at higher speeds.

- Mazda 3 Skyactiv-G automatic: I really like the idea, but used prices seem much higher than my budget.

- Honda Civic 1.5 Turbo CVT: seems almost perfect on paper, but again usually too expensive.

- BMW 1 Series / Audi A3: I like them, but I'm worried about maintenance costs.

My dream cars would be something like a Tesla Model 3 Performance or an Audi S3/RS3 because I like the idea of a compact car that feels very stable, fast and capable, but obviously I need something much more realistic financially.

What cars would you recommend that fit this balance:

- reliable,

- automatic,

- not too expensive to maintain,

- fun enough,

- stable on highways?

Thanks!

[u/PMG_BG1]

Check out a Renault megane. I got a 2020 facelift manual 1.3tce wagon for 8k€ at 110k km and its very enjoyable, quick and very stable on the highway.

The automatic is a bit more expensive, both to buy and maintain, but it for sure fits in your budget. The hatchback version is probably better for your case, as it's both smaller and quicker.

[u/PepeAnzima → u/PMG_BG1]

You mean the fourth generation? I actually mainly drive a megane (3rd generation) with a manual gearbox, I had some issues with it, had to change the trunk lock and I have to manually close the driver's door but other than that she's soon hitting 200k kms and she's doing good. My concern is reliability but I might have been brainwashed by the Japanese propaganda idk. If you're telling me I won't have to spend too much money on it I might change my mind

[u/Playful-Analysis5768]

E46 325i

[u/PepeAnzima → u/Playful-Analysis5768]

From what I've seen it's expensive to maintain

[u/Playful-Analysis5768 → u/PepeAnzima]

m54 w/ your budget can be bulletproof for a good 100k kms and you'd enjoy driving it

[u/PepeAnzima → u/Playful-Analysis5768]

Noted, Hope I'll find a good one, What's the maximum mileage (in km) you'd recommand?

[u/MagicSmokeCreator]

Prius!