unrealistic expectations of the used car market???

[CorvetteConvert]

So what have you chosen OP?

[Ghost91]

I've stumbled across a bargain Saab estate for £500. If I buy it I'll post it up here to make you jealous.... Black leather too!

In seriousness though, all the best in finding your new motor Dan. It's out there. Make sure you do a readers cars thread when you have bought it.

[danlightbulb]

CorvetteConvert said:

So what have you chosen OP?

I'm going to contact another Honda Accord Estate seller tomorrow. This one has higher mileage (130k) but looks in good condition and has good service history according to the advert, and its under budget. MOT history looks good, but what does this mean:

Advisory notice item(s)
nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

[S10GTA]

danlightbulb said:

CorvetteConvert said:

So what have you chosen OP?

I'm going to contact another Honda Accord Estate seller tomorrow. This one has higher mileage (130k) but looks in good condition and has good service history according to the advert, and its under budget. MOT history looks good, but what does this mean:

Advisory notice item(s)
nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

Might have a beam deflector on

[MDMA .]

Or a fly !

[anonymous-user]

e39 530i Touring

What could possibly go wrong, its only £500 over budget, and nothing ever goes wrong.....

or this, just £2895, 16mpg and beige on beige

mmmm beige

Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 24th November 21:51

[Super Slo Mo]

egor110 said:

Ive no idea what your criteria is but the guy who started the thread was just after a cheap car.

No mention of winning slip road grand Prix or beating Audi rep in his torquey diesel.

He's mentioned he wants something fairly quick too.

I linked to a cheap but very tidy, low (genuine mileage) 51,000 mile Avensis on a 53 plate yesterday. As cheap cars go, it's likely to be a reasonable bet in terms of running costs and reliability.
Performance isn't the greatest though, only being the 1.8 VVTi model, so I guess it's automatically ruled out on that basis, not to mention that it's not exactly an exciting car.

[bockaaarck]

OP, it's your £2k and I don't blame you for wanting to spend the money wisely. You've got your criteria and for the moment you're sticking to what you want, fair play.

The reality is, and you know this. Is that what you want, in your budget, with your criteria, is a rare thing. Based on all the suggestions and recommendations made, there are lots of options out there for you. Few of them, other than the Honda / Saab have met you requirements.

All this really means is the following.........you're just going to have to continue to be very, very, very patient. I would say that it is harder now to find the kind of deal you're after than a few years ago.

It may be that you'll find exactly what you're after next week, or next month, or maybe 3 months down the road. If you do, good for you, you'll have got what you're after and happy motoring to you.

Or, it may be that in two weeks something major on the Mondeo goes 'bang' and you're in a desperate panic to get a replacement.

Whatever the case, I think you're now much better informed than you were. You know what you'd like, based on info from the threads you've posted. If need be and you can't wait or get what you want. You've got a host of alternative suggestions.

I don't know that there is anything else that anyone here can offer. You're in control now, I think you just need to get out there and keep searching. I hope you find the car you're after, good luck

[Bonefish Blues]

bockaaarck said:

All this really means is the following.........you're just going to have to continue to be very, very, very patient. I would say that it is harder now to find the kind of deal you're after than a few years ago.

...and very very decisive and speedy when it does come up.

[Garybee]

Garybee said:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Saab-9-5-2-0t-Vector-Aut...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-Vectra-VXR-Spec...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jaguar-X-Type-2-5L-Sport...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-6-Sakata-/25213511...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-Skoda-Octavia-1-8-v...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-54-Volkswagen-Passa...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEXUS-IS200-SPORT-CROSS-...

OP, what was your take on these?

[bockaaarck]

Bonefish Blues said:

...and very very decisive and speedy when it does come up.

Agreed, he who hesitates is lost!

Edited by bockaaarck on Tuesday 24th November 22:39

[egor110]

Super Slo Mo said:

egor110 said:

Ive no idea what your criteria is but the guy who started the thread was just after a cheap car.

No mention of winning slip road grand Prix or beating Audi rep in his torquey diesel.

He's mentioned he wants something fairly quick too.

I linked to a cheap but very tidy, low (genuine mileage) 51,000 mile Avensis on a 53 plate yesterday. As cheap cars go, it's likely to be a reasonable bet in terms of running costs and reliability.
Performance isn't the greatest though, only being the 1.8 VVTi model, so I guess it's automatically ruled out on that basis, not to mention that it's not exactly an exciting car.

Totally agree with the avensis as good as a safe bet as your going to get for under £2000.

I've had a few citroen c5's for around a grand and they've been pretty good, diesel superb ride quality loads of room for the family.

[CorvetteConvert]

C5 diesel is a good shout.

[CO2000]

bockaaarck said:

Bonefish Blues said:

...and very very decisive and speedy when it does come up.

Agreed, he who hesitates is lost!

Edited by bockaaarck on Tuesday 24th November 22:39

Reminds me of a tale from a mate about a bird at his work, walking towards him he later said "before I could do nothing whatsoever about it the moment was past"....

[boyse7en]

CorvetteConvert said:

C5 diesel is a good shout.

Not if you are looking for sporty or performance.
Otherwise it is a good choice

[anonymous-user]

sjc said:

danlightbulb said:

Trexthedinosaur said:

If you last changed car 9(!) years ago, how long are you planning to keep this car?

If you are again planning for 9 years, then a £2,000 car I would assume is going to run into some sort of expensive trouble within that time frame.

At least 5 years. Hence why i want to get it right first time.

Ive had to spend a not inconsiderable amount to keep the mondeo running over the years. DMF, 2x pas pumps, steering rack, various suspension components, brake lines, exhausts, sensors, replacement seat belt, couple of windscreens, wheel bearings on all 4 corners, cv joints, track rods, couple of batteries. All the usual stuff id expect over 9 years and 190k miles but some of them were big bills. Luckily ive never had any direct engine issues.

Why don't you just buy Triggers broom???

The mind boggles; if you would have spent more in the first place ....

Why are you so restricted to £2,0000 yet willing to spend the above on spares.

[Ghost91]

Trexthedinosaur said:

The mind boggles; if you would have spent more in the first place ....

Why are you so restricted to £2,0000 yet willing to spend the above on spares.

To be fair that's over 9 years! It's not too bad going really!

[egor110]

boyse7en said:

CorvetteConvert said:

C5 diesel is a good shout.

Not if you are looking for sporty or performance.
Otherwise it is a good choice

Define sporty/performance.

If all your doing is going on dual carriageway or motorways the 2.2hdi would be fine if you want to thrash around b roads then yes my Clio cup would be far better.

Horses for courses.

[danlightbulb]

Ghost91 said:

Trexthedinosaur said:

The mind boggles; if you would have spent more in the first place ....

Why are you so restricted to £2,0000 yet willing to spend the above on spares.

To be fair that's over 9 years! It's not too bad going really!

Yeah 9 years ive owned it. It was 3 years old when i bought it, on 93k miles and cost me £6k.

[danlightbulb]

egor110 said:

Define sporty/performance.

Being pushed back into my seat when i put my foot down. Even if i do have to lift off at 50mph.