What family car??? Comes with a warning!
Discussion
So, I need a family car. Baby is on the way (due August) and we have two dogs. We need something that will comfortably take a baby seat in the back/front and take two dogs in the boot. Ideally it needs to be under 1.6l as I pay enough on tax as it is, so the less the better. Preferably petrol although must get around 35mpg on a combined cycle. Could be swayed to a diesel (although I realise the under 1.6 rule goes out of the window with a diesel).
Haven't really got a clue what to look at. These type of cars used to be the ones I avoided. My first attempt at a family car as thus far totally failed. Hence the warning...
DO NOT BUY CHEAP CARS OFF EBAY WITHOUT LOOKING! (and if you do, don't expect it to be a goodun...)
Two weeks ago, I sold my Volvo 240. Which was an excellent car, very tidy, just very thirsty. It didn't have a boot suitable for the dogs so needed changing anyway. I looked around and decided a Vectra B would be a good bet. The 1.8 16v has a combined mpg of around 37mpg so was right up my street. Plus, the boot is big and the rear hatch slopes nicely to allow the two dogs to stand up and roam around in there. Not forgetting the little side windows in the C pillar so they can look out!!
Cue hunting around on the net for reviews and autotrader/ebay for cars. All looks good except for the majority being out of my price range... Except for one. It had tax for 2 months, MOT for 8. Looked tidy in the pictures, had service history, ok milage and the seller insisted everything was 100% bar a bit of rust on the rear arches and some scuffs. Advertised for £400.
The price made me reconsider slightly but I thought it was worth a punt. Bought it.
Went to pick it up a few days later. Nice council estate in Bradford. Greeted by his 5 children, all half naked. Takes me inside and tells me how he's selling because he can't afford the insurance on Job seekers and the child benefits don't cover it etc. He shows me through the documents, all is in order including a cam belt change a few k back etc. Looking good.
We go out for him to show me the car. Notice the rust. Not bad really. Notice the scuffs... everywhere. Ah well, its only cosmetic... Notice the tyres all being only slightly above legal... Notice the exhaust is blowing... Notice that the clutch judders... Plus a few other niggly little bits. Nothing OTT major so I drove away. Afterall, its a £400 s
tter, what could go wrong???
Driving home was a joy, actually. Plenty of power, nice smooth ride, comfy car. Drove it around for a week, noticed how it sipped petrol (getting 450 miles to 50 litres) and actually quite enjoyed it. The exhaust annoyed me a bit so I got the part off ebay and spent an evening fitting it (£35). Drove around for a few more days and noticed that the exhaust was now blowing in another place. Pissed off now.
Then the real problems started. The oil light flickered on one evening on the way home from work. I checked the oil level and noticed it was off the bottom of the dip stick. Decided I might as well do an oil change rather than just top it up, so bought the oil and filter (£16) and spent a morning doing the change.
Oil light went off and so I drove it around for a few days. No problems. Still a lovely drive. Plenty of power etc.
Yesterday I had to run down to Northampton. Went after work and got there around 6:30pm Noticed the engine being a little rattly but thought nothing of it. Did what I needed to do and came home. After about 5 minutes of setting off back, the light flickered on again. Bugger. So I pulled into an service station and bought a litre of oil (£13!!! FFS) and poured it in. Light goes off so I carry on. 5 minutes later, the light flickers on again. Really pissed off now. Decide to carry on driving the 10 miles left to the nearest Tesco. Didn't want to buy anymore oil at service station prices.
Got to tescos and bought 2.5l (£6) and poured the whole fking lot in. Car sounded like a bag of spanners but I drove home anyway. Light went off when I started it but flickered back on about 500metres down the road. fk it, I'm driving home!!!. 10 miles later and I pull up on my drive. and it has sat there until this morning, now with it own lovely oil puddle which appears to be leaking from the gearbox. I assume the worst. Crank seal?
So, £400 down the drain with a repair that will cost more than the cost of the car (new engine or gear box off and majority of bottom end apart). All I have left is my bicycle!
I repeat... DO NOT BUY CHEAP CARS OFF EBAY WITHOUT LOOKING!
I like the vectra alot but I'm thinking of a sub 1.6 now so PLEASE suggest something that will fit a car seat and two dogs in the boot. Must be sub 1.6 petrol or sub 2.0 diesel. hatch or estate. Anything really. Budget £1200.
Cheers!
Haven't really got a clue what to look at. These type of cars used to be the ones I avoided. My first attempt at a family car as thus far totally failed. Hence the warning...
DO NOT BUY CHEAP CARS OFF EBAY WITHOUT LOOKING! (and if you do, don't expect it to be a goodun...)
Two weeks ago, I sold my Volvo 240. Which was an excellent car, very tidy, just very thirsty. It didn't have a boot suitable for the dogs so needed changing anyway. I looked around and decided a Vectra B would be a good bet. The 1.8 16v has a combined mpg of around 37mpg so was right up my street. Plus, the boot is big and the rear hatch slopes nicely to allow the two dogs to stand up and roam around in there. Not forgetting the little side windows in the C pillar so they can look out!!
Cue hunting around on the net for reviews and autotrader/ebay for cars. All looks good except for the majority being out of my price range... Except for one. It had tax for 2 months, MOT for 8. Looked tidy in the pictures, had service history, ok milage and the seller insisted everything was 100% bar a bit of rust on the rear arches and some scuffs. Advertised for £400.
The price made me reconsider slightly but I thought it was worth a punt. Bought it.
Went to pick it up a few days later. Nice council estate in Bradford. Greeted by his 5 children, all half naked. Takes me inside and tells me how he's selling because he can't afford the insurance on Job seekers and the child benefits don't cover it etc. He shows me through the documents, all is in order including a cam belt change a few k back etc. Looking good.
We go out for him to show me the car. Notice the rust. Not bad really. Notice the scuffs... everywhere. Ah well, its only cosmetic... Notice the tyres all being only slightly above legal... Notice the exhaust is blowing... Notice that the clutch judders... Plus a few other niggly little bits. Nothing OTT major so I drove away. Afterall, its a £400 s
tter, what could go wrong???Driving home was a joy, actually. Plenty of power, nice smooth ride, comfy car. Drove it around for a week, noticed how it sipped petrol (getting 450 miles to 50 litres) and actually quite enjoyed it. The exhaust annoyed me a bit so I got the part off ebay and spent an evening fitting it (£35). Drove around for a few more days and noticed that the exhaust was now blowing in another place. Pissed off now.
Then the real problems started. The oil light flickered on one evening on the way home from work. I checked the oil level and noticed it was off the bottom of the dip stick. Decided I might as well do an oil change rather than just top it up, so bought the oil and filter (£16) and spent a morning doing the change.
Oil light went off and so I drove it around for a few days. No problems. Still a lovely drive. Plenty of power etc.
Yesterday I had to run down to Northampton. Went after work and got there around 6:30pm Noticed the engine being a little rattly but thought nothing of it. Did what I needed to do and came home. After about 5 minutes of setting off back, the light flickered on again. Bugger. So I pulled into an service station and bought a litre of oil (£13!!! FFS) and poured it in. Light goes off so I carry on. 5 minutes later, the light flickers on again. Really pissed off now. Decide to carry on driving the 10 miles left to the nearest Tesco. Didn't want to buy anymore oil at service station prices.
Got to tescos and bought 2.5l (£6) and poured the whole f
king lot in. Car sounded like a bag of spanners but I drove home anyway. Light went off when I started it but flickered back on about 500metres down the road. fk it, I'm driving home!!!. 10 miles later and I pull up on my drive. and it has sat there until this morning, now with it own lovely oil puddle which appears to be leaking from the gearbox. I assume the worst. Crank seal?So, £400 down the drain with a repair that will cost more than the cost of the car (new engine or gear box off and majority of bottom end apart). All I have left is my bicycle!
I repeat... DO NOT BUY CHEAP CARS OFF EBAY WITHOUT LOOKING!
I like the vectra alot but I'm thinking of a sub 1.6 now so PLEASE suggest something that will fit a car seat and two dogs in the boot. Must be sub 1.6 petrol or sub 2.0 diesel. hatch or estate. Anything really. Budget £1200.
Cheers!
Ignoring the engine size completely (wrong of me I know,) I suggest a Saab 9-5 Estate. Will do mid 30's more on a run, and has oodles of space.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
Edited by davidjpowell on Wednesday 14th April 08:31
davidjpowell said:
That Aero is either a bargain or a nail, tread carefully.When the oil light comes on, the damage is already done.
The oil pressure light only comes on when the oil feed line is clear of the oil in the sump.
This means that when the light comes on, there is no oil getting to your engine. At all.
The primary problem is the crank. This "floats" on a cushion of oil on its bearings, created by the pressure of the oil trying to return. If there is no oil, it starts to make metal on metal contact and extreme wear is guaranteed.
If the oil light comes on, stop driving the car. Do not pass go, do not collect 200 pounds. Have the car recovered.
Also, you are being a girl. Get under the car and figure out what is wrong and fix it. The Ecotec lumps are horrible things IMHO but all GM stuff does have the saving grace that parts are very cheap and taking the car apart is easy.
The oil pressure light only comes on when the oil feed line is clear of the oil in the sump.
This means that when the light comes on, there is no oil getting to your engine. At all.
The primary problem is the crank. This "floats" on a cushion of oil on its bearings, created by the pressure of the oil trying to return. If there is no oil, it starts to make metal on metal contact and extreme wear is guaranteed.
If the oil light comes on, stop driving the car. Do not pass go, do not collect 200 pounds. Have the car recovered.
Also, you are being a girl. Get under the car and figure out what is wrong and fix it. The Ecotec lumps are horrible things IMHO but all GM stuff does have the saving grace that parts are very cheap and taking the car apart is easy.
I just sold mine for £425, nothing much wrong with it at all. I think its Quentin Wilson who says buy the seller as well as the car? I always thought that to be good advice so was comforted when I got my M3 from a guy with an E46 M3, Ferarri 355 and a Ducati 916 all neatly in the garage / drive in mint condition!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1607603.htm
Its a saloon which doesn't help with the dogs much though! Also a 23-25mpg machine due to the V6. My point ( that I am making very badly ) is that its very possible to get a nice motor for under £500.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1607603.htm
Its a saloon which doesn't help with the dogs much though! Also a 23-25mpg machine due to the V6. My point ( that I am making very badly ) is that its very possible to get a nice motor for under £500.
Edited by BluePurpleRed on Wednesday 14th April 09:28
I put more oil in it because it had none.. Simple. I just wanted to get home. Northampton isn't exactly just around the corner. And pay for recovery? That would write the car off.
I realised the damage was already done due to how the engine sounded. I just didn't want it to seize or destroy itself and leave me stranded.
I don't really give a st about the car anyway, it needs loads doing to make it a write off anyway (full set of tyres would probably write it off).
I realised the damage was already done due to how the engine sounded. I just didn't want it to seize or destroy itself and leave me stranded.
I don't really give a s
t about the car anyway, it needs loads doing to make it a write off anyway (full set of tyres would probably write it off).Had a few of these in the past actually very good for the job
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
Other similar car
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
Other similar car
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
HellDiver said:
ExPat2B said:
The oil pressure light only comes on when the oil feed line is clear of the oil in the sump.
False. It's an oil pressure light. You can have 50 litres of oil in the engine, but a dud oil pump, clogged pickup, or faulty filter will lose your oil pressure.
Deluded said:
So, I need a family car. Baby is on the way (due August) and we have two dogs. We need something that will comfortably take a baby seat in the back/front and take two dogs in the boot. Ideally it needs to be under 1.6l as I pay enough on tax as it is, so the less the better. Preferably petrol although must get around 35mpg on a combined cycle. Could be swayed to a diesel (although I realise the under 1.6 rule goes out of the window with a diesel).
Haven't really got a clue what to look at. These type of cars used to be the ones I avoided. My first attempt at a family car as thus far totally failed. Hence the warning...
DO NOT BUY CHEAP CARS OFF EBAY WITHOUT LOOKING! (and if you do, don't expect it to be a goodun...)
Two weeks ago, I sold my Volvo 240. Which was an excellent car, very tidy, just very thirsty. It didn't have a boot suitable for the dogs so needed changing anyway. I looked around and decided a Vectra B would be a good bet. The 1.8 16v has a combined mpg of around 37mpg so was right up my street. Plus, the boot is big and the rear hatch slopes nicely to allow the two dogs to stand up and roam around in there. Not forgetting the little side windows in the C pillar so they can look out!!
Cue hunting around on the net for reviews and autotrader/ebay for cars. All looks good except for the majority being out of my price range... Except for one. It had tax for 2 months, MOT for 8. Looked tidy in the pictures, had service history, ok milage and the seller insisted everything was 100% bar a bit of rust on the rear arches and some scuffs. Advertised for £400.
The price made me reconsider slightly but I thought it was worth a punt. Bought it.
Went to pick it up a few days later. Nice council estate in Bradford. Greeted by his 5 children, all half naked. Takes me inside and tells me how he's selling because he can't afford the insurance on Job seekers and the child benefits don't cover it etc. He shows me through the documents, all is in order including a cam belt change a few k back etc. Looking good.
We go out for him to show me the car. Notice the rust. Not bad really. Notice the scuffs... everywhere. Ah well, its only cosmetic... Notice the tyres all being only slightly above legal... Notice the exhaust is blowing... Notice that the clutch judders... Plus a few other niggly little bits. Nothing OTT major so I drove away. Afterall, its a £400 stter, what could go wrong???
Driving home was a joy, actually. Plenty of power, nice smooth ride, comfy car. Drove it around for a week, noticed how it sipped petrol (getting 450 miles to 50 litres) and actually quite enjoyed it. The exhaust annoyed me a bit so I got the part off ebay and spent an evening fitting it (£35). Drove around for a few more days and noticed that the exhaust was now blowing in another place. Pissed off now.
Then the real problems started. The oil light flickered on one evening on the way home from work. I checked the oil level and noticed it was off the bottom of the dip stick. Decided I might as well do an oil change rather than just top it up, so bought the oil and filter (£16) and spent a morning doing the change.
Oil light went off and so I drove it around for a few days. No problems. Still a lovely drive. Plenty of power etc.
Yesterday I had to run down to Northampton. Went after work and got there around 6:30pm Noticed the engine being a little rattly but thought nothing of it. Did what I needed to do and came home. After about 5 minutes of setting off back, the light flickered on again. Bugger. So I pulled into an service station and bought a litre of oil (£13!!! FFS) and poured it in. Light goes off so I carry on. 5 minutes later, the light flickers on again. Really pissed off now. Decide to carry on driving the 10 miles left to the nearest Tesco. Didn't want to buy anymore oil at service station prices.
Got to tescos and bought 2.5l (£6) and poured the whole fking lot in. Car sounded like a bag of spanners but I drove home anyway. Light went off when I started it but flickered back on about 500metres down the road. fk it, I'm driving home!!!. 10 miles later and I pull up on my drive. and it has sat there until this morning, now with it own lovely oil puddle which appears to be leaking from the gearbox. I assume the worst. Crank seal?
So, £400 down the drain with a repair that will cost more than the cost of the car (new engine or gear box off and majority of bottom end apart). All I have left is my bicycle!
I repeat... DO NOT BUY CHEAP CARS OFF EBAY WITHOUT LOOKING!
I like the vectra alot but I'm thinking of a sub 1.6 now so PLEASE suggest something that will fit a car seat and two dogs in the boot. Must be sub 1.6 petrol or sub 2.0 diesel. hatch or estate. Anything really. Budget £1200.
Cheers!
why didn't you stick with the Volvo brand?Haven't really got a clue what to look at. These type of cars used to be the ones I avoided. My first attempt at a family car as thus far totally failed. Hence the warning...
DO NOT BUY CHEAP CARS OFF EBAY WITHOUT LOOKING! (and if you do, don't expect it to be a goodun...)
Two weeks ago, I sold my Volvo 240. Which was an excellent car, very tidy, just very thirsty. It didn't have a boot suitable for the dogs so needed changing anyway. I looked around and decided a Vectra B would be a good bet. The 1.8 16v has a combined mpg of around 37mpg so was right up my street. Plus, the boot is big and the rear hatch slopes nicely to allow the two dogs to stand up and roam around in there. Not forgetting the little side windows in the C pillar so they can look out!!
Cue hunting around on the net for reviews and autotrader/ebay for cars. All looks good except for the majority being out of my price range... Except for one. It had tax for 2 months, MOT for 8. Looked tidy in the pictures, had service history, ok milage and the seller insisted everything was 100% bar a bit of rust on the rear arches and some scuffs. Advertised for £400.
The price made me reconsider slightly but I thought it was worth a punt. Bought it.
Went to pick it up a few days later. Nice council estate in Bradford. Greeted by his 5 children, all half naked. Takes me inside and tells me how he's selling because he can't afford the insurance on Job seekers and the child benefits don't cover it etc. He shows me through the documents, all is in order including a cam belt change a few k back etc. Looking good.
We go out for him to show me the car. Notice the rust. Not bad really. Notice the scuffs... everywhere. Ah well, its only cosmetic... Notice the tyres all being only slightly above legal... Notice the exhaust is blowing... Notice that the clutch judders... Plus a few other niggly little bits. Nothing OTT major so I drove away. Afterall, its a £400 s
tter, what could go wrong???Driving home was a joy, actually. Plenty of power, nice smooth ride, comfy car. Drove it around for a week, noticed how it sipped petrol (getting 450 miles to 50 litres) and actually quite enjoyed it. The exhaust annoyed me a bit so I got the part off ebay and spent an evening fitting it (£35). Drove around for a few more days and noticed that the exhaust was now blowing in another place. Pissed off now.
Then the real problems started. The oil light flickered on one evening on the way home from work. I checked the oil level and noticed it was off the bottom of the dip stick. Decided I might as well do an oil change rather than just top it up, so bought the oil and filter (£16) and spent a morning doing the change.
Oil light went off and so I drove it around for a few days. No problems. Still a lovely drive. Plenty of power etc.
Yesterday I had to run down to Northampton. Went after work and got there around 6:30pm Noticed the engine being a little rattly but thought nothing of it. Did what I needed to do and came home. After about 5 minutes of setting off back, the light flickered on again. Bugger. So I pulled into an service station and bought a litre of oil (£13!!! FFS) and poured it in. Light goes off so I carry on. 5 minutes later, the light flickers on again. Really pissed off now. Decide to carry on driving the 10 miles left to the nearest Tesco. Didn't want to buy anymore oil at service station prices.
Got to tescos and bought 2.5l (£6) and poured the whole f
king lot in. Car sounded like a bag of spanners but I drove home anyway. Light went off when I started it but flickered back on about 500metres down the road. fk it, I'm driving home!!!. 10 miles later and I pull up on my drive. and it has sat there until this morning, now with it own lovely oil puddle which appears to be leaking from the gearbox. I assume the worst. Crank seal?So, £400 down the drain with a repair that will cost more than the cost of the car (new engine or gear box off and majority of bottom end apart). All I have left is my bicycle!
I repeat... DO NOT BUY CHEAP CARS OFF EBAY WITHOUT LOOKING!
I like the vectra alot but I'm thinking of a sub 1.6 now so PLEASE suggest something that will fit a car seat and two dogs in the boot. Must be sub 1.6 petrol or sub 2.0 diesel. hatch or estate. Anything really. Budget £1200.
Cheers!
serious question..not an Anti-Vauxhall dig
GreatGranny said:
As mentioned the Volvo V40 is an excellent choice for your budget.
Or haggle hard and get yourself a Mondeo, the shape before the present one.
It will be a 1.8 but for the money they are great cars. The hatch might not be suitable for the dogs though. It does slope a lot.
Looked at the later V50. You won't fit much in the back of anything like a V50/Saab 9-3 estate. The boot floor is too high & the angle that the roof & rear window come down at limit load space quite alot. Look nice though.Or haggle hard and get yourself a Mondeo, the shape before the present one.
It will be a 1.8 but for the money they are great cars. The hatch might not be suitable for the dogs though. It does slope a lot.
We put our pram in the boot of the V50 & Saab 9-3 but had no more space available than a Golf hatchback. Oh & the rear wheel wells pertrude in quite far so you have to balance the pram on top of them to leave room for Fido. That does away with any rear visibility too.
If you need space (you don't say how big your dogs are BTW) I'd look at something like an A6 Avant, or for a really huge boot, the Mercedes E Class with a 2ltr Diesel engine (if they do one).
It's better to have more space than you really need
Deluded said:
y2blade said:
why didn't you stick with the Volvo brand?
serious question..not an Anti-Vauxhall dig
The 240 drunk too much fuel (around 20mpg at best). I would have another volvo but they all seem to be pretty poor when it comes to mpg. Have looked at v40s before. I will look again.serious question..not an Anti-Vauxhall dig
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