Anyone got time to give a newbie some car purchase advice?
Discussion
Hi guys. First up, apologies if I'm posting in the wrong bit. There are so many sub forums here! Feel free to point me somewhere else and/or shout at me.
A quick history - I'm 32, for years worked from home but recently had reason to learn to drive. Passed 2 weeks ago. I've got a 2004 suzuki wagon on loan temporarily for a couple of weeks right now but I'm looking into getting something of my own. I know very little about cars and I thought you guys might be able to point me in the right direction.
I'll be travelling around 50 miles roundtrip commute daily mon-fri with some town driving and a bit round the UK. Budget is about £4-6k. Looking for something reliable, relatively inexpensive to run and insure, that's cheap for parts. Preferably something comfortable and even fun to drive. Through some research I've come to the conclusion a fiesta would be a great all round choice, or possibly a focus.
Right now I've been mainly looking at the mark 7 fiesta titanium, I really like the look of it aesthetically and it comes with nice bells and whistles - although I'm finding most ones with reasonable mileage a little outside my budget. I'd ideally like to buy from a dealer so that I'm partly covered via sale of goods act/warranty.
Basically I'd be hugely grateful for any input you guys can give me at all, but particularly on the following:
-car choice for budget / suggestions for alternatives with expected costs
-anything to watch out for with these models/years
-tips on trim levels to go for (ie - is titanium overkill? Been recommended cruise control since I'm on the motorway lots but with me travelling at rush hour I'm not sure how much I'd use it. Love the idea of bluetooth but surely I could get it cheap after market? Climate control would be nice but aircon essential)
-what to look out for re: mileage. I have been recommended to look ideally sub 50k but from what I understand high mileage motorway cars often run better than low mileage town cars. I'm guessing if I ask how a car has been used a dealer will feed me what I want to hear though. I've been told around 60-70k cars often need their timing belt changed, which can cause expensive issues, and that this should be replaced before purchasing cars with higher mileage.
-is getting a warranty with a dealership worth it?
-since I don't know any mechanics etc is the AA car check worth it before making a purchase?
-will dealers generally be open to price negotiations? Obviously if I did have it checked and was advised certain things needed fixed I'd have a bargaining chip, but I'm not sure how I'd approach this otherwise!
I'm sorry to ramble on for so long. Driving never interested me much but I've started to genuinely enjoy and and feel like I'm getting the bug. I'd love to know more, I just don't know anyone who I can ask for help!
A quick history - I'm 32, for years worked from home but recently had reason to learn to drive. Passed 2 weeks ago. I've got a 2004 suzuki wagon on loan temporarily for a couple of weeks right now but I'm looking into getting something of my own. I know very little about cars and I thought you guys might be able to point me in the right direction.
I'll be travelling around 50 miles roundtrip commute daily mon-fri with some town driving and a bit round the UK. Budget is about £4-6k. Looking for something reliable, relatively inexpensive to run and insure, that's cheap for parts. Preferably something comfortable and even fun to drive. Through some research I've come to the conclusion a fiesta would be a great all round choice, or possibly a focus.
Right now I've been mainly looking at the mark 7 fiesta titanium, I really like the look of it aesthetically and it comes with nice bells and whistles - although I'm finding most ones with reasonable mileage a little outside my budget. I'd ideally like to buy from a dealer so that I'm partly covered via sale of goods act/warranty.
Basically I'd be hugely grateful for any input you guys can give me at all, but particularly on the following:
-car choice for budget / suggestions for alternatives with expected costs
-anything to watch out for with these models/years
-tips on trim levels to go for (ie - is titanium overkill? Been recommended cruise control since I'm on the motorway lots but with me travelling at rush hour I'm not sure how much I'd use it. Love the idea of bluetooth but surely I could get it cheap after market? Climate control would be nice but aircon essential)
-what to look out for re: mileage. I have been recommended to look ideally sub 50k but from what I understand high mileage motorway cars often run better than low mileage town cars. I'm guessing if I ask how a car has been used a dealer will feed me what I want to hear though. I've been told around 60-70k cars often need their timing belt changed, which can cause expensive issues, and that this should be replaced before purchasing cars with higher mileage.
-is getting a warranty with a dealership worth it?
-since I don't know any mechanics etc is the AA car check worth it before making a purchase?
-will dealers generally be open to price negotiations? Obviously if I did have it checked and was advised certain things needed fixed I'd have a bargaining chip, but I'm not sure how I'd approach this otherwise!
I'm sorry to ramble on for so long. Driving never interested me much but I've started to genuinely enjoy and and feel like I'm getting the bug. I'd love to know more, I just don't know anyone who I can ask for help!
For a commuting car, I'd suggest the one with the comfiest seats, best aircon, lots of toys and good mpg.
When you're sitting in a queue on the M5 at 5pm on a rainy Friday night in November trying to get on the M6 just so you can get home, you won't give a s
t about which wheels are the driven ones or how quick it goes round the Nurburgring.
I'd head to one of the car supermarket places and have a look in loads of different cars (saves time trawling round loads of dealers) then once you've narrowed your choice down a bit then start looking around a bit more seriously.
Another way of doing it is to get on Autotrader, set your maximum budget at £7k (allowing for Man Maths), filter by most expensive first and then start at Audi. You can then start ruling out cars you don't like.
When you're sitting in a queue on the M5 at 5pm on a rainy Friday night in November trying to get on the M6 just so you can get home, you won't give a s
t about which wheels are the driven ones or how quick it goes round the Nurburgring.I'd head to one of the car supermarket places and have a look in loads of different cars (saves time trawling round loads of dealers) then once you've narrowed your choice down a bit then start looking around a bit more seriously.
Another way of doing it is to get on Autotrader, set your maximum budget at £7k (allowing for Man Maths), filter by most expensive first and then start at Audi. You can then start ruling out cars you don't like.
If you've not got much experience driving, then go to a bunch of dealers and take a load of different types of car for a test drive. You'll figure out what you like in a car.
Personally I'd rather be in something bigger than a fiesta for any sort of drive. Something like this: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Drive a fiesta and a large car (mondeo for instance?) and see which one you'd rather spend 3 hours in.
Personally I'd rather be in something bigger than a fiesta for any sort of drive. Something like this: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Drive a fiesta and a large car (mondeo for instance?) and see which one you'd rather spend 3 hours in.
Hi guys - thanks for the advice. I was thinking with something like that BMW that I'd be paying a fair whack extra for fuel (and insurance on a 2 litre engine with it being my first proper car) - also unsure on those sort of numbers mileage wise, could still use some advice on that.
I'm based around the Blackpool area so I'll look into places where I could test drive something in Lancashire.
Any other suggestions welcome
I'm based around the Blackpool area so I'll look into places where I could test drive something in Lancashire.
Any other suggestions welcome
Shemmer said:
Hi guys - thanks for the advice. I was thinking with something like that BMW that I'd be paying a fair whack extra for fuel (and insurance on a 2 litre engine with it being my first proper car) - also unsure on those sort of numbers mileage wise, could still use some advice on that.
I'm based around the Blackpool area so I'll look into places where I could test drive something in Lancashire.
Any other suggestions welcome
Big diesels are way better on fuel than small petrols, at least on longer trips.I'm based around the Blackpool area so I'll look into places where I could test drive something in Lancashire.
Any other suggestions welcome
I rented a Mercedes C220 diesel for a weekend, got 60 mpg.
The next weekend I did the same trip in a rented Fiesta 1.2 petrol, got 45 mpg. Of course the Fiesta got 45 mpg everywhere, whereas the Mercedes would have done a little better on the motorway but worse around town (there wasn't much town driving).
Get quotes - you're 32, not 17, so engine size might not make a huge difference to insurance, either.
Where a bigger diesel car might hurt your pocket is in the fact that the same budget will buy you an older one, which (on average) will go wrong more, and cost more (due to increased complexity and generally more expensive parts) when it does.
Suzuki Swift 1.5 GLX
Its a really nicely made thing for a budget hatchback. I moved away from Fords as the shoddy build and hard suspension got to me.
Its comfortable, handles well, pretty economical (I get 43mpg on a commute that sounds similar to your own).
The best thing is the keyless system. Just touch a button on any of the doors (with the key in your pocked) and you're in. Same to lock it. It has ignition similar to turning a key but no need to put the key in.
Its also really easy to work on and pretty reliable. Suspension bushes seem a weak point but I think thats true of most cars on UK roads.
Your budget will get a nice one and no need to worry about cambelts (chain driven cam).
Its a really nicely made thing for a budget hatchback. I moved away from Fords as the shoddy build and hard suspension got to me.
Its comfortable, handles well, pretty economical (I get 43mpg on a commute that sounds similar to your own).
The best thing is the keyless system. Just touch a button on any of the doors (with the key in your pocked) and you're in. Same to lock it. It has ignition similar to turning a key but no need to put the key in.
Its also really easy to work on and pretty reliable. Suspension bushes seem a weak point but I think thats true of most cars on UK roads.
Your budget will get a nice one and no need to worry about cambelts (chain driven cam).
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
You asked for reliable, efficient, comfortable, creature comforts etc.
Don't be put off by 1.8/2.0 litre petrols, modern era ones, especially Japanese are very good on fuel. Another bonus for you, the above cars don't have timing belts
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
You asked for reliable, efficient, comfortable, creature comforts etc.
Don't be put off by 1.8/2.0 litre petrols, modern era ones, especially Japanese are very good on fuel. Another bonus for you, the above cars don't have timing belts
V88Dicky said:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
You asked for reliable, efficient, comfortable, creature comforts etc.
Don't be put off by 1.8/2.0 litre petrols, modern era ones, especially Japanese are very good on fuel. Another bonus for you, the above cars don't have timing belts
This! I run a similar vintage Accord Tourer (2.4 petrol on LPG) for 30k+ miles a year. It's a lovely place to be for the commute. Mine is the EX spec, so heated leather, air con, nav, cruise and a decent stereo. I've had Octavia TDi's, a 5 series and other stuff in the past. This is dull and uninspiring to drive, but my god is it a competant "white goods" car. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
You asked for reliable, efficient, comfortable, creature comforts etc.
Don't be put off by 1.8/2.0 litre petrols, modern era ones, especially Japanese are very good on fuel. Another bonus for you, the above cars don't have timing belts
I'm warming to it so much I'm already thinking of how to ensure it lasts me to 200k (currently on 75!!)
Honda Civic, 2004-2005 model year...they do a 5-door 1.6 litre and a 2.0 "type s". There are options like auto gearbox, heated seats etc etc. They can be comfy places to sit in. I find them easy to work on, parts are not expensive and they have a reputation for being reliable...one of my friends has a 1.6 auto, really beats on it and the thing has survived all his abuse.
On my car, I had the timing belt replaced recently (8 years old but 61,000 miles). The belt that came off looked in good nick; in addition, my brother (who has the same model civic as me) also had his belt done at 8 years and 72,000 miles...belt was still in a usable condition. I dont think its an expensive job to do either, parts wernt expensive (belt and tensioner...water pump was ok on both my car and my brothers) and I dont think its too difficult a job (i know an engine mount needs removing but otherwise its quit accesible)
I get around 45 - 48 mpg with my commute (7 miles town, 18 miles motorway in one direction). Town driving still see's economy well in the 40's
On my car, I had the timing belt replaced recently (8 years old but 61,000 miles). The belt that came off looked in good nick; in addition, my brother (who has the same model civic as me) also had his belt done at 8 years and 72,000 miles...belt was still in a usable condition. I dont think its an expensive job to do either, parts wernt expensive (belt and tensioner...water pump was ok on both my car and my brothers) and I dont think its too difficult a job (i know an engine mount needs removing but otherwise its quit accesible)
I get around 45 - 48 mpg with my commute (7 miles town, 18 miles motorway in one direction). Town driving still see's economy well in the 40's
Edited by thatdude on Friday 30th May 09:59
Shemmer said:
I'll be travelling around 50 miles roundtrip commute daily mon-fri with some town driving and a bit round the UK. Budget is about £4-6k. Looking for something reliable, relatively inexpensive to run and insure, that's cheap for parts. Preferably something comfortable and even fun to drive. Through some research I've come to the conclusion a fiesta would be a great all round choice, or possibly a focus.
So 12k-14k miles per annum. Not really enough that diesel would be a better choice- stick to petrol.Having said that, it's enough mileage that the focus would be a better bet.
If you get the reference number off the current MOT certificate (any good dealer should freely give you that), you can put it into the database and get a print out of all previous MOTs including advisories. This is good for cross checking mileages too.
When you go to see a car, break your inspection down into segments, ie front quarter, rear quarter, interior, under bonnet etc. be as critical as possible. Anything you find can be used as a bartering tool. Check tyres, and if you can see them, brake pads too. Saggy seats, worn steering wheels and pedal rubbers, all the usual stuff to look for. And service history of course.
Good luck.
When you go to see a car, break your inspection down into segments, ie front quarter, rear quarter, interior, under bonnet etc. be as critical as possible. Anything you find can be used as a bartering tool. Check tyres, and if you can see them, brake pads too. Saggy seats, worn steering wheels and pedal rubbers, all the usual stuff to look for. And service history of course.
Good luck.
CYMR0 said:
Shemmer said:
Hi guys - thanks for the advice. I was thinking with something like that BMW that I'd be paying a fair whack extra for fuel (and insurance on a 2 litre engine with it being my first proper car) - also unsure on those sort of numbers mileage wise, could still use some advice on that.
I'm based around the Blackpool area so I'll look into places where I could test drive something in Lancashire.
Any other suggestions welcome
Big diesels are way better on fuel than small petrols, at least on longer trips.I'm based around the Blackpool area so I'll look into places where I could test drive something in Lancashire.
Any other suggestions welcome
I rented a Mercedes C220 diesel for a weekend, got 60 mpg.
The next weekend I did the same trip in a rented Fiesta 1.2 petrol, got 45 mpg. Of course the Fiesta got 45 mpg everywhere, whereas the Mercedes would have done a little better on the motorway but worse around town (there wasn't much town driving).
Get quotes - you're 32, not 17, so engine size might not make a huge difference to insurance, either.
Where a bigger diesel car might hurt your pocket is in the fact that the same budget will buy you an older one, which (on average) will go wrong more, and cost more (due to increased complexity and generally more expensive parts) when it does.
If you were living in London and wanted a runabout, we'd all be recommending small cars, but given the criteria you've set out, nobody on this forum will really recommend a small car over a large one, unless you really have your heart set on a hatchback.
In your situation I'd be buying the same car that large car fleet companies do. 3 series, a4, Passat, ect. Best combination of economy, comfort, speed, style and price you can get for the sort of driving you will be doing.
Plus you are on a car enthusiasts website. I'm surprised you've not been recommended an MX5 or a twin turbo supra yet.
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