Which automatic car for about €10,000?

Hi, I need to get an automatic car for a price in the region of €10k. Preferably economical and reliable but not a Micra type car. I am looking at 2008/9 Prius, 2008/9 Golf, 2010 Kia cee'd and 2011 Renault Fluence. I am edging towards the Fluence but I am getting the usual "you can't trust Renault, stick to German or Japanese cars" type comments.

Any thoughts on the topic?

Pat O'Connor (Dublin)

Sep 2014 Filed under: choosing used car

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Expert answer

Hi Pat,

Your commenters are right. Although the Fluence is reasonably well built, it cannot hope to match the likes of the Prius or cee'd in the reliability stakes, and it will be far, far duller than either. If your driving is mostly around town, I'd say go for the Prius - city driving is its natural environment. If you're doing a lot of longer journeys (drives that destroy the Prius' economy) then go for the Golf or cee'd. 

Let us know which way you go

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Adviser
@neilmbriscoe