Recommendations wanted

If I was you, I'd go for the manual, it's easier to spell :-)

The message from "Arthur" contains these words:

I bought an L-reg Audi 100 estate, 2.5 turbo diesel automatic. Luvverly, it is. Cost me £1200.

Assuming that the seat is bolted in correctly, if I remember that forward means the way I'm facing, I'm not worried. :)

ar.

ps 1/10 for trying, arth

Good for the money aren't they :-) Actually any large , moderately unusual, auto will turn up going cheap at some point. Audis & the Japanese ones are often a bargain, anything for a grand might die on you though.

Loads of big Vauxhalls at that price as an estate

I'm going to be predictable and suggest a Volvo again here :o)

Loads of old 700 and 900 series for under a grand, plus a fair few 850s. Fairly bulletproof and surprisingly cheap to run, as they're built properly in the first place! Will do intergalactic mileages if looked after. Rarely go wrong and when they occasionally do, plenty of resources to help you find a solution.