Am I being paranoid?
Discussion
Hi all
Sorry for one of my first posts being a bit of a 'what to buy' but I have a general question rather than asking what model to buy.
I am 27, just passed my test. I have been a biker for several years but finally being sensible for my 20 mile commute (10 miles A-road, 10 miles M5). It's fine in summer but I have got bored of getting soaked and/or cold in the winter months.
I know all about the second-hand market for bikes, but cars have been confusing me. There are far fewer private sales than I expected and autotrader is full of 'IMMACULATE CONDITION++LOW MILES++120,000MI++ECU BROKEN dealer nonsense.
I have been looking for a hatchback that will deal with the commute and frequent trips to London for about £3.5k and have landed at the 8th gen Civic 1.8. I am keen on a 6s box and petrol. Not keen on diesels because of emissions, high-mileage maintenance (my research tells me this is worse on diesels), and I don't want to get shafted by charges when I go to London.
My budget seems to buy hatchbacks with somewhere around 100,000mi - but it seems like a value cliff, from what I can tell. It has been difficult to find high-mileage modern cars, it seems like there must be a lot of economic write-offs between 100-150k, at least that is what I am inferring from there being so few cars available that aren't superminis.
My question (TL;DR): Is £3k for a 10yo car a fool's errand, even if Japanese? Will it be worth sweet FA once it hits 125k? Am I better off buying a 20yo over-engineered bus for <£1k instead and shrugging when it goes bang? Or am I being paranoid, and just need to look at mileage since cambelt change?
Many thanks in advance, can't wait to get started with my first warm, practical vehicle...
Sorry for one of my first posts being a bit of a 'what to buy' but I have a general question rather than asking what model to buy.
I am 27, just passed my test. I have been a biker for several years but finally being sensible for my 20 mile commute (10 miles A-road, 10 miles M5). It's fine in summer but I have got bored of getting soaked and/or cold in the winter months.
I know all about the second-hand market for bikes, but cars have been confusing me. There are far fewer private sales than I expected and autotrader is full of 'IMMACULATE CONDITION++LOW MILES++120,000MI++ECU BROKEN dealer nonsense.
I have been looking for a hatchback that will deal with the commute and frequent trips to London for about £3.5k and have landed at the 8th gen Civic 1.8. I am keen on a 6s box and petrol. Not keen on diesels because of emissions, high-mileage maintenance (my research tells me this is worse on diesels), and I don't want to get shafted by charges when I go to London.
My budget seems to buy hatchbacks with somewhere around 100,000mi - but it seems like a value cliff, from what I can tell. It has been difficult to find high-mileage modern cars, it seems like there must be a lot of economic write-offs between 100-150k, at least that is what I am inferring from there being so few cars available that aren't superminis.
My question (TL;DR): Is £3k for a 10yo car a fool's errand, even if Japanese? Will it be worth sweet FA once it hits 125k? Am I better off buying a 20yo over-engineered bus for <£1k instead and shrugging when it goes bang? Or am I being paranoid, and just need to look at mileage since cambelt change?
Many thanks in advance, can't wait to get started with my first warm, practical vehicle...
Goldfever4 said:
Hi all
Sorry for one of my first posts being a bit of a 'what to buy' but I have a general question rather than asking what model to buy.
I am 27, just passed my test. I have been a biker for several years but finally being sensible for my 20 mile commute (10 miles A-road, 10 miles M5). It's fine in summer but I have got bored of getting soaked and/or cold in the winter months.
I know all about the second-hand market for bikes, but cars have been confusing me. There are far fewer private sales than I expected and autotrader is full of 'IMMACULATE CONDITION++LOW MILES++120,000MI++ECU BROKEN dealer nonsense.
I have been looking for a hatchback that will deal with the commute and frequent trips to London for about £3.5k and have landed at the 8th gen Civic 1.8. I am keen on a 6s box and petrol. Not keen on diesels because of emissions, high-mileage maintenance (my research tells me this is worse on diesels), and I don't want to get shafted by charges when I go to London.
My budget seems to buy hatchbacks with somewhere around 100,000mi - but it seems like a value cliff, from what I can tell. It has been difficult to find high-mileage modern cars, it seems like there must be a lot of economic write-offs between 100-150k, at least that is what I am inferring from there being so few cars available that aren't superminis.
My question (TL;DR): Is £3k for a 10yo car a fool's errand, even if Japanese? Will it be worth sweet FA once it hits 125k? Am I better off buying a 20yo over-engineered bus for <£1k instead and shrugging when it goes bang? Or am I being paranoid, and just need to look at mileage since cambelt change?
Many thanks in advance, can't wait to get started with my first warm, practical vehicle...
Keep to jap over 10 years old. lots out there with far lower miles for your budget just not that desirable??Sorry for one of my first posts being a bit of a 'what to buy' but I have a general question rather than asking what model to buy.
I am 27, just passed my test. I have been a biker for several years but finally being sensible for my 20 mile commute (10 miles A-road, 10 miles M5). It's fine in summer but I have got bored of getting soaked and/or cold in the winter months.
I know all about the second-hand market for bikes, but cars have been confusing me. There are far fewer private sales than I expected and autotrader is full of 'IMMACULATE CONDITION++LOW MILES++120,000MI++ECU BROKEN dealer nonsense.
I have been looking for a hatchback that will deal with the commute and frequent trips to London for about £3.5k and have landed at the 8th gen Civic 1.8. I am keen on a 6s box and petrol. Not keen on diesels because of emissions, high-mileage maintenance (my research tells me this is worse on diesels), and I don't want to get shafted by charges when I go to London.
My budget seems to buy hatchbacks with somewhere around 100,000mi - but it seems like a value cliff, from what I can tell. It has been difficult to find high-mileage modern cars, it seems like there must be a lot of economic write-offs between 100-150k, at least that is what I am inferring from there being so few cars available that aren't superminis.
My question (TL;DR): Is £3k for a 10yo car a fool's errand, even if Japanese? Will it be worth sweet FA once it hits 125k? Am I better off buying a 20yo over-engineered bus for <£1k instead and shrugging when it goes bang? Or am I being paranoid, and just need to look at mileage since cambelt change?
Many thanks in advance, can't wait to get started with my first warm, practical vehicle...
With my commute I don't want a small city car, also need to load pushbikes in the back occasionally.
Luggage is negative point against an old barge too, as much as I'd like an E46 BMW and they seem to have hit the bottom of their depreciation curve, the insurance for me and lesser practicality are frustrating cons.
Luggage is negative point against an old barge too, as much as I'd like an E46 BMW and they seem to have hit the bottom of their depreciation curve, the insurance for me and lesser practicality are frustrating cons.
Yes boring and predictable but it will be very reliable and IMO keep its price well.
Also hatchback so plenty of room if needed and insurance won't be too bad.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Also hatchback so plenty of room if needed and insurance won't be too bad.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Goldfever4 said:
With my commute I don't want a small city car, also need to load pushbikes in the back occasionally.
Luggage is negative point against an old barge too, as much as I'd like an E46 BMW and they seem to have hit the bottom of their depreciation curve, the insurance for me and lesser practicality are frustrating cons.
With the CLK's the rear seats fold down so as long as you take the front wheel off (handlebar dependent) you can fit a bike in.Luggage is negative point against an old barge too, as much as I'd like an E46 BMW and they seem to have hit the bottom of their depreciation curve, the insurance for me and lesser practicality are frustrating cons.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Also take a look at the C Coupe as the insurance is a little less but the Hatchback may prove more practical, they come with a range of engines which should enable you to find an insurance friendly model:
1.8 C180 Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
2.5 C230 SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
1.8 C230 SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Low mileage C200 SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Another oddball that tends to be cheaper on insurance than the normal E46 coupe/saloon:
316/318i ti Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
120i Sport
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Astra 1.6t SRi these have a great sized boot & are a decent car whilst still being reliable.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Astra 2.0t SRI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Alfa 147 Collezione 1.6 N/A
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
All are practical insurance wise only doing some checks will tell you which is best.
I'm in the same boat, bikes all my life never had a car and underestimated how hard it is to find a genuine car sale for the right price in comparison to bikes.
I've been looking for solid two months and still only found 1 car that I felt was genuine and a great deal. It sold within ten minutes of me messaging about it
.
One thing with this site you will get good advice for your budget and needs.
I've been looking for solid two months and still only found 1 car that I felt was genuine and a great deal. It sold within ten minutes of me messaging about it
. One thing with this site you will get good advice for your budget and needs.
Japanese stuff is good but it can still go wrong. The problem? The parts IME tend to be pricier and this has a knock on effect with insurance premiums.
If it were me I'd consider a MkIII or MKIV Mondeo. Your budget will get you both but I'd get a petrol. We've done some huge mileages in them with not many issues along the way? How many have we had?
-2001 went from 77k to 380k on the original engine which strangely still had perfect compression when I broke the car for spares!
-'04 V6 Auto was like Trigger's broom from 111k to 281k ; That was a bad car due to a badly botched LPG conversion
-'05 V6 went from 11k to 262k ; it was a great car but it got totalled
-'07 went from 133k to 325k ; I should have kept that in hindsight, it was a superb car!
MkIV:
-2.5T from 113k to 171k ; we still have it
-2.5T from 125k to 161k ; still here.
Don't get me wrong, I did spend cash on them, especially the 2004 V6 Auto which was a bad buy but it also taught me what to look out for going forwards so it wasn't all too bad! We did things like springs, the odd bushes, dampers as well as the core servicing! In the case of the V6s I learned from the lesson of the '04 that basically any compromise with the cooling system will kill the V6s. With that in mind the second V6 was much better.
The 2.0s however stood out. They are cheap to maintain and with the right servicing very durable.
In estate form both are huge! Insurance is also dirt cheap on them due to their desirability. Or lack of. My sister who passed her test was paying less to insure the 1.8 '07 car than her '57 plate Saab 9-3 depite the Saab potentially being safer and not really much faster (it's a 1.8t). It's cheaper to insure her on the Saab than it is the sleeper of the Volvo engined MkIVs on the driveway!
Downsides?
The 2.5Ts can be thirstier ; ours see around 30MPG average With the soundtrack you do soon forget however. And catching people out
.
Diesel MkIII need meticulous servicing with the right parts. Use ECP parts on those Duratorqs at your peril ; I personally will not buy one secondhand for that reason
Rear brake callipers can go on the MKIIIs, specifically the handbrake. They are cheap and easy to change
MkIV can have random electrical gremlins but nothing that will stop you or get you into a twist.
But yes I've found it much harder to find a good car these days. I saw low mileage, high mileage cars, you name it. There were many many dogs out there. It's the main reason why we kept the 1.8 Mondeo for ages until we got the Saab ; I got it cheap albeit at high mileage for PHers here (110k), and I had personally helped him maintain the car so knew it was in good order.
16 months on that Saab has been as good as Gold and is now on 120k. Parts on that are tricky in some cases however.
If it were me I'd consider a MkIII or MKIV Mondeo. Your budget will get you both but I'd get a petrol. We've done some huge mileages in them with not many issues along the way? How many have we had?
-2001 went from 77k to 380k on the original engine which strangely still had perfect compression when I broke the car for spares!
-'04 V6 Auto was like Trigger's broom from 111k to 281k ; That was a bad car due to a badly botched LPG conversion
-'05 V6 went from 11k to 262k ; it was a great car but it got totalled
-'07 went from 133k to 325k ; I should have kept that in hindsight, it was a superb car!
MkIV:
-2.5T from 113k to 171k ; we still have it
-2.5T from 125k to 161k ; still here.
Don't get me wrong, I did spend cash on them, especially the 2004 V6 Auto which was a bad buy but it also taught me what to look out for going forwards so it wasn't all too bad! We did things like springs, the odd bushes, dampers as well as the core servicing! In the case of the V6s I learned from the lesson of the '04 that basically any compromise with the cooling system will kill the V6s. With that in mind the second V6 was much better.
The 2.0s however stood out. They are cheap to maintain and with the right servicing very durable.
In estate form both are huge! Insurance is also dirt cheap on them due to their desirability. Or lack of. My sister who passed her test was paying less to insure the 1.8 '07 car than her '57 plate Saab 9-3 depite the Saab potentially being safer and not really much faster (it's a 1.8t). It's cheaper to insure her on the Saab than it is the sleeper of the Volvo engined MkIVs on the driveway!
Downsides?
The 2.5Ts can be thirstier ; ours see around 30MPG average With the soundtrack you do soon forget however. And catching people out
.Diesel MkIII need meticulous servicing with the right parts. Use ECP parts on those Duratorqs at your peril ; I personally will not buy one secondhand for that reason
Rear brake callipers can go on the MKIIIs, specifically the handbrake. They are cheap and easy to change
MkIV can have random electrical gremlins but nothing that will stop you or get you into a twist.
But yes I've found it much harder to find a good car these days. I saw low mileage, high mileage cars, you name it. There were many many dogs out there. It's the main reason why we kept the 1.8 Mondeo for ages until we got the Saab ; I got it cheap albeit at high mileage for PHers here (110k), and I had personally helped him maintain the car so knew it was in good order.
16 months on that Saab has been as good as Gold and is now on 120k. Parts on that are tricky in some cases however.
Edited by SebringMan on Monday 19th February 18:05
GreatGranny said:
Yes boring and predictable but it will be very reliable and IMO keep its price well.
Also hatchback so plenty of room if needed and insurance won't be too bad.
The Auris is everything you say it is. Certainly this car with the mileage should retain value reasonably well. It's one of the fall-back options, because like you say it's pretty uninspiring.Also hatchback so plenty of room if needed and insurance won't be too bad.
ZX10R NIN said:
1.8 C180 Sport
2.5 C230 SE
2.5 C230 SE
Low mileage C200 SE
316/318i ti Sport
120i Sport
Astra 1.6t SRi
Astra 2.0t SRI
Alfa 147 Collezione 1.6 N/A
I ran an insurance search on the C Class - yeesh! One of the worst quotes I have received for anything. Seems the insurers don't rate them much! But, definitely on the right lines for my preferences, thank you for the thought. Not planning on going British or Italian for my first car, stereotypes n' all but not for me at this point.2.5 C230 SE
2.5 C230 SE
Low mileage C200 SE
316/318i ti Sport
120i Sport
Astra 1.6t SRi
Astra 2.0t SRI
Alfa 147 Collezione 1.6 N/A
Mak93 said:
I'm in the same boat, bikes all my life never had a car and underestimated how hard it is to find a genuine car sale for the right price in comparison to bikes.
I've been looking for solid two months and still only found 1 car that I felt was genuine and a great deal. It sold within ten minutes of me messaging about it frown.
One thing with this site you will get good advice for your budget and needs.
I know, it's odd. I suppose I am looking at the kind of car that is generally traded into a dealership as a deposit on a lease scheme or whatever. Also the MOTs are more of a minefield, but I expected that. PH is an awesome forum so far though, you're right about that! So much to absorb and learn.I've been looking for solid two months and still only found 1 car that I felt was genuine and a great deal. It sold within ten minutes of me messaging about it frown.
One thing with this site you will get good advice for your budget and needs.
SebringMan said:
Japanese stuff is good but it can still go wrong. The problem? The parts IME tend to be pricier and this has a knock on effect with insurance premiums.
If it were me I'd consider a MkIII or MKIV Mondeo. Your budget will get you both but I'd get a petrol. We've done some huge mileages in them with not many issues along the way.
Huge amount of useful info, thanks a lot for tapping all that out. What do you think about this? MOT history looks good, low mileage and I ran an insurance quote and it is pretty reasonable, especially for a 2.0.If it were me I'd consider a MkIII or MKIV Mondeo. Your budget will get you both but I'd get a petrol. We've done some huge mileages in them with not many issues along the way.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
ZX10R NIN said:
So look for one of these cars & you should be fine.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Thanks for the options and links. Seems like a forum favourite, but IS250 is pretty uninsurable for me, and they seem thirsty. The Merc is the right direction but again insurers don't like it. Mazda3 - one of my fall back options as a common Japanese hatchback. Competent, reliable, bit uninteresting.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
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