Yup, that would do it

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the mazda 3 as chicks seem to dig them. I *think* they are in your price range.

A four speed automatic gearbox is rather antiquated.

My car has this, and I agree, it's not smooth through the gear changes and is limited on highways. I don't mind too much though as the sea-to-sky only has a speed limit of 90 or something, and my crashing sports cars days are over anyway.

Is it? I have no idea. It is perhaps a little low-geared - 120kph is about 3,300rpm - but otherwise it seems perfectly competent to me.

And anyway, given that the required spec was "automatic and silver", I don't suppose the latest technology would be totally appreciated by the lady driver in question.

Or, in the case of my BIL, a 9 litre Cobra. He's worked out that his 50km commute to work would be cheaper by taxi.

Are they not made in Mexico now? I had a Jetta a while back that was Mexican built, never had such a crappy car. You may find the Lemon Aid guide report about the new Golf and Jetta an interesting read.

You are not wrong there, when I mentioned something about keyless entry she said she really wanted to be able to lock the car as its not safe in Vancouver.

Just bought the Mrs an 18 month old VW Rabbit ( Golf ), incs additional 2 year warranty on top of remaining Manufacturer's Warranty for $18k inc taxes.

How many kilometers on it? Was it an auto?

Auto ( wife didn't want the complication of clutch and gears and wrong side of road ) and about 45,000 km.

VW Certified car, I thought it was a good deal as we had compared it to a Mazda 3 for the same price and were only getting a 2005/2006 Mazda 3 with about 70k on the clock.

Quite happy with it, nice 6 speed auto.

If I could get to go for something like that, I'd could have my scooter outright.

Surely they're not that expensive.

I suppose this is more to your taste.

How about the Saturn Astra as a nearly new used buy?

They are simply the European/UK Vauxhall Astra with a new badge stuck on.

Look good, handle properly, hatchback etc.

Very good price too as were never popular over here. Lot less than you would pay in the UK.