Is 3k shed money
Author
Discussion

Matt11

Original Poster:

192 posts

187 months

Yesterday (20:59)
quotequote all
Want a reliable car with a big boot can't do diesel as only do small miles. Ideally want to avoid a turbos as this are expensive if go wrong. I was looking at an astra. Was looking at a 2015 astra J. Am I best of paying abit over total shed money to try get abit more reliability. I be using it for transporting tools so don't want anything too fancy.

Maxym

3,054 posts

266 months

Yesterday (21:06)
quotequote all
Imminent move to Car Buying?

T6 vanman

3,553 posts

129 months

Yesterday (21:25)
quotequote all
Get a Jazz

Matt11

Original Poster:

192 posts

187 months

Yesterday (21:30)
quotequote all
Thanks I've Jazz I have look at has looked really bad on rust underneath

Sir Keith Stormer

1,073 posts

15 months

Yesterday (21:33)
quotequote all
Check out the joy of running an old shed thread.

Blackpuddin

19,494 posts

235 months

Yesterday (21:35)
quotequote all
Jazzes collect water for fun, always check under the boot carpet. The one I bought for our son was awash in the back, the seller looked genuinely gobsmacked at the revelation.

swisstoni

24,116 posts

309 months

Yesterday (21:40)
quotequote all
Are you going to run this thing into the ground or only for a short while (whichever comes first) ?

Lincsls1

4,092 posts

170 months

Yesterday (21:51)
quotequote all
I have a 2015 Astra J, now approaching 100k miles.Its a brilliant car, and everything still works as it should, ice cold A/C etc..
Had an Astra H before it, took that to ~170k miles before the swap. Also was a brilliant car.

Ian_SW

1,022 posts

115 months

Yesterday (21:56)
quotequote all
From a reliability perspective, whether at £1500 or £3000, you're probably working on luck more than anything else.

Quite a bit of the difference in price will be down to cosmetic appearance at that age of car. Given it sounds like you're intending to use it as a work van, this would be an ideal opportunity to buy an otherwise roadworthy car with minor accident damage, such as a small dent in a wing or score down a side door, or one which has a tatty back seat and boot area due to the previous owner having a dog. Both would be much cheaper than something most people would be happy to run as a family car.

Heaveho

7,555 posts

204 months

Yesterday (22:04)
quotequote all
Lexus IS250.

Matt11

Original Poster:

192 posts

187 months

Yesterday (22:12)
quotequote all
Yes It does look a nice car so abit of a shame to start transporting tools in that was my thoughts . Has a full service history though.

Matt11

Original Poster:

192 posts

187 months

Yesterday (22:15)
quotequote all
If I get it I'll probably just keep it for as long as it was mechinically viable. I like Vauxhall Astras as they don't seem to rust too bad the ones I have looked at anyway. They were turbo engines and 6 speed gear ones so stayed away from them

Matt11

Original Poster:

192 posts

187 months

Yesterday (22:21)
quotequote all
Also seen a 2010 1.4 litre with 70k on clock. £2195. Is the newer car better value still?

Edited by Matt11 on Thursday 22 October 22:29

CaptainScarlet1967

596 posts

15 months

Yesterday (22:41)
quotequote all
2011 60-reg Chevrolet Cruze owner. Had it for 5 years now as a shed and the 1.6 petrol Ecotec engine, whilst not particularly geared towards performance, has been robust despite having taken quite a hammering from previous owner neglect. I've fixed it enough for not that much, and I'm in no rush to get rid of it.

The J300 is largely an Astra J under the bonnet and chassis. There are some occasional minor differences in OEM part numbers, whilst some are shared with other GM cars, but I've never had an issue sourcing any spare parts, new or second-hand.

The reviews when it was new were largely unfair, IMO. The interior is a functional but nice place to be, the brakes are spot on, steering and handling nimble and precise, and the seating and suspension are pretty comfy. Great [GM] air conditioning as mentioned above.

A reliable 'budget' alternative GM/Vauxhall car, in all.

Only downside to mine is that it's a saloon so not 100% practical if you're loading certain items, although the rear seats do fold down very well. As per the first paragraph, the 1.6 isn't meant for speed, but maybe a 1.8 could be the best balance to look for. You could probably source an estate or hatchback version for less than £2,500.

911Spanker

3,711 posts

46 months

I've just picked up a Toyota Corolla Verso - well within budget and in the 80 miles I have done so far it hasn't broken down. Yippee.