What's your 5 car buying rules for workhorse

[yakka]

1. Must do 20 k a year reliably
2. Take a mucky bike
3. Perky
4. Do 50. Mpg
5. Depreciate at less than 5p per mile.

[Burnzyb]

1: cheap or depreciation to a minimal.
2: good on fuel.
3: reliable as can be.
4: decent boot space.
5: has some power to it.
6: most importantly, can I fit in it comfortably.

[Barchettaman]

1) must have 7 seats
2) good on fuel, TD a bonus
3) look better dirty than clean
4) easy to service at home is a bonus
5) high-profile tyres

[Muncher]

1) must have a twin turbo V8
2) must do at least 15mpg
3) must have air suspension
4) must have a heated steering wheel
5) must have room for a pram in the boot

Am I doing this wrong?

[MorganP104]

1) Estate boot (or SUV).
2) Engine of more than 4 cylinders.
3) Something I instinctively look over my shoulder at as I lock it.
4) Automatic gearbox.
5) Something that's done the bulk of its depreciation.

[OddCat]

1. Fast
2. Beautiful
3. V8
4. Automatic gearbox
5. Reliable

[talksthetorque]

1.Auto
2. Meets company criteria as I opted for cash not compny car
3. In Budget (exceptions made for something I want)
4. comfy for 200 miles in 1 schlep
5. missus doesn't veto it.

[mattman]

OddCat said:

1. Fast
2. Beautiful
3. V8
4. Automatic gearbox
5. Reliable

Snap! Although may change reliable for throaty exhaust noise

[A135i]

1. Maintainance
2. Specification
3. Condition
4. Minimal depreciation
5. Looks including colour

[mattdaniels]

I'm genuinely surprised by the number of people mentioning depreciation as one of their five rules for buying a work horse.

[talksthetorque]

mattdaniels said:

I'm genuinely surprised by the number of people mentioning depreciation as one of their five rules for buying a work horse.

As it's a workhorse, then depreciation is in effect just throwing money away on a business item. I would imaging that's why it's mentioned.
Also people might be on car allowance.

[yakka]

I was just curious - I have ended up doing 120k in the most tedious, mediocre motor. It's now worth buttons but feels like it will do another 120k. Diesel Astra for my shame.

[MorganP104]

yakka said:

I was just curious - I have ended up doing 120k in the most tedious, mediocre motor. It's now worth buttons but feels like it will do another 120k. Diesel Astra for my shame.

Life's too short to drive tedious motors.

Get yourself something interesting, and enjoy driving again.