Car choice/options - Saving for a house

[culpz]

I appreciate that this is going to differ/vary as not everyone is in the same financial position as me/other people. But what is the best way, car wise, when it comes to saving money for a deposit?

The general consensus seems to be get a cheap snotter and just save everything that you can but i'm not 100% convinced at times. An absolute dog of a car is not going to serve it's purpose for social and commuting use and can potentially cost more money getting it repaired and roadworthy if/when it breaks down/fails MOT etc. Or having to cut your losses and get rid and then get another which means more money down the drain.

Maybe it's just me being scared of getting something very cheap after having a few lease cars. After the Audi goes i really wanna start putting some serious money away as apposed to £100-£200 a month max that i am able to now.

What's the best way to go about it?

[culpz]

TooMany2cvs said:

culpz said:

The general consensus seems to be get a cheap snotter and just save everything that you can but i'm not 100% convinced at times. An absolute dog of a car...

There is a very happy mid-ground between near-new-leased-expensive and "absolute dog". There is a massive choice of very decent, very presentable cars for a grand. Some of them are even quite good fun to drive.

culpz said:

is not going to serve it's purpose for social and commuting use...

What do you mean by that? Do you mean it won't get you where you want to go? Or is there some kind of "keeping up appearances" subtext?

In all fairness my wording hasn't helped me here. My friend is in a similar position and bought a diesel Mondeo for 600 quid off a work friend but it's basically absolutely sh4gged. His fault really and it's surprising since he's quite knowledgeable on cars. I just don't wanna end up in that position that's all.

Yes, just meaning that it needs to get me to work and back and obviously just general use day to day. Otherwise, i haven't got a clue what you're on about.

[culpz]

ZX10R NIN said:

When you say snorter there are a lot of options even if you only want to spend 2-3k then your options are pretty much endless.

Family Car:

2008 Renault Laguna Dynamique (a leftfield choice but you get more car for your cash.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Saab 9-3 (the normal PH choice)
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Mazda 6 Sport
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Coupe

CLK270
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

CLK320
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

BMW 330i
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

You need to work out what size of car you want & take it from there.

Tbh i'd probably just get a small, light, warm hatch. A Suzuki Ignis Sport or maybe a Ford Puma 1.7 would be what i'm after. Fun to drive, economical, dependable and cheap (both car price and parts/servicing etc.). I'd want it to cost less than 1k.