I have up to €9,000 to spend on a good automatic car...

I'm about to buy my first car and I'm looking for an automatic vehicle at a reasonable price. My budget is currently between €7,000 and €9,000, and I'd like to know if it's realistic to find a good option within that range ideally a super small car for my daughter (four years old) and I.

I should mention that I don't have much knowledge about cars or mechanics, which is why I decided to ask here. I want to make a good decision and avoid making a costly mistake.

Could you guide me on where to start?

What are the basic things I should know before beginning my search? Also, do you think my budget is enough, or would it be better to wait and save a bit more?

Thank you very much in advance!

Karla, Dublin (Dublin )

Mar 2026 Filed under: choosing used car

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Expert answer

Hi Karla,

That budget is plenty to find a decent automatic runaround that's big enough for the two of you and relatively cheap to keep on the road.

A few models that are worth looking into:

Ford Fiesta: plentiful, reliable, inexpensive to maintain
Honda Jazz: not so common, but exceptionally reliable and very spacious (also badged the Honda Fit if a Japanese import)
Kia Picanto: you'd get quite a modern one for your budget, though they are smaller than the above cars, and again, not so plentiful
Mazda Demio: this is a Japanese import, badged the Mazda2 here – nice car

There are loads of other options of course, but those are good starting points to begin your search. Sites like Carzone.ie have good search filters to allow you to put in your budget and an automatic gearbox.

In terms of general tips, we'd give you the following advice:

1 – Prioritise the condition and service history of a car over its age and mileage.
2 – If you decide on a particular make and model that you like, seek out different examples of it from various sellers and test-drive as many as you can so you get a feel for which one 'feels' best.
3 – Don't view a car at night or in the rain as that can disguise issues with it.
4 – I would suggest that a diesel car would be a bad fit for you unless you spend a lot of time on the motorway every day covering long distances – they can come with higher maintenance costs.
5 – Make sure you get an insurance quote for any car you are considering before you commit to it.
6 – If at all possible, bring a friend or family member with you when looking at cars, preferably one that has a bit of experience in such things. It's quite a daunting thing to do on your own for the first time.
7 – Ask to see the paperwork on any car you're serious about before you talk about the price.

Hopefully all that is of help. Don't hesitate to send us another question if you'd like more assistance.

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Advisor