What's the "sweet spot" age wise for buying a small car?
Discussion
I'm looking for a second car to use as a local runaround and mini "delivery van". Around 3k miles a year.
It needs to have 5 doors, and be as small as possible for parking in small spaces. Cheap to run, and pretty simple to minimise the potential for big bills.
I'm the kind of person that's happier paying out up front, rather than have high monthly/annual outgoings. My monthly budget is limited, but I have savings.
A mid-spec Panda seems to tick the boxes (basic ones don't have aircon?).
The used car market here in Cornwall is quite limited, and cheap cars sell quickly. Sellers know this, and bump up their prices.
For a grand, I could get something 14 years old and tatty, with over 100k on the clock. Risky with a tiny engine? I'm happy to own bigger cars at this mileage, not sure about smaller stuff.
For 2 grand I can get one the same age, but with 70 or 80k, and in better condition.
For around 4 grand I can get a 5 year old car with average mileage, probably the newer model.
For 10 grand (list price, hopefully at least a grand off that) I can get a new one, nothing to worry about for 3 years.
What's the most cost-effective way forward? Seems to me that I could buy a 5 year old car, run it for 5 years, and get half my money back. Or a new one, run it for 5 years and do pretty much the same. A 14 year old one might last 5 years, or it could end up in the scrapyard.
How does the depreciation stack up against the maintenance costs/age/mileage?
It needs to have 5 doors, and be as small as possible for parking in small spaces. Cheap to run, and pretty simple to minimise the potential for big bills.
I'm the kind of person that's happier paying out up front, rather than have high monthly/annual outgoings. My monthly budget is limited, but I have savings.
A mid-spec Panda seems to tick the boxes (basic ones don't have aircon?).
The used car market here in Cornwall is quite limited, and cheap cars sell quickly. Sellers know this, and bump up their prices.
For a grand, I could get something 14 years old and tatty, with over 100k on the clock. Risky with a tiny engine? I'm happy to own bigger cars at this mileage, not sure about smaller stuff.
For 2 grand I can get one the same age, but with 70 or 80k, and in better condition.
For around 4 grand I can get a 5 year old car with average mileage, probably the newer model.
For 10 grand (list price, hopefully at least a grand off that) I can get a new one, nothing to worry about for 3 years.
What's the most cost-effective way forward? Seems to me that I could buy a 5 year old car, run it for 5 years, and get half my money back. Or a new one, run it for 5 years and do pretty much the same. A 14 year old one might last 5 years, or it could end up in the scrapyard.
How does the depreciation stack up against the maintenance costs/age/mileage?
For this type of usage my experience has been that if you buy the right car with a very low budget it costs you nothing. I've even managed to make money on a few.
Guy I work with views his car purely as a necessary inconvenience and has spent a total of £1200 in 4 years on cars. Ran a Suzuiki Ignis for 3 years and has recently picked up a Ford Focus after the Ignis gearbox died.
I'd spend £1500 max on the best Honda Jazz (small van) I could find and probably end up running it forever.
Guy I work with views his car purely as a necessary inconvenience and has spent a total of £1200 in 4 years on cars. Ran a Suzuiki Ignis for 3 years and has recently picked up a Ford Focus after the Ignis gearbox died.
I'd spend £1500 max on the best Honda Jazz (small van) I could find and probably end up running it forever.
I hadn't considered an EV, as I assumed they were too expensive. I've looked on Autotrader, and you are right, they are very cheap secondhand. I assume this is because the battery contract is expensive?
£50 a month to lease the battery? At 3k miles a year, that makes it twice the cost of petrol
£50 a month to lease the battery? At 3k miles a year, that makes it twice the cost of petrol
Edited by clockworks on Friday 22 June 14:53
Edited by clockworks on Friday 22 June 14:54
Not all of them have battery contracts. In fact, most non Renault EVS don't. Look for one without. You should be able to find a contract free Zoe too. I have a contractless Leaf which I bought for £9k, 2 years old 7k miles on the clock. Probably bigger and dearer than you want, but other alternatives exist. You can get a Leaf for as little as about £5k with no battery lease now.
There are small Peugeot and Mitsubishi EVs, Peugeot Ion and Mitsubishi I-MIEV. They're rare, but they're the perfect size for you. A handful of each on autotrader.
Worth thinking about.
There are small Peugeot and Mitsubishi EVs, Peugeot Ion and Mitsubishi I-MIEV. They're rare, but they're the perfect size for you. A handful of each on autotrader.
Worth thinking about.
If the market is limited then maybe be prepared to travel & get yourself a decent small car for around 2k.
The bargain cars are the Alfa 147's they're very robust & you can work on it yourself the 1.6 is pretty much bulletproof.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Kia Cee'd
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Rio (you might as well get the Cee'd as they cost around the same)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Punto
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...
Mazda3
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Corolla
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
The bargain cars are the Alfa 147's they're very robust & you can work on it yourself the 1.6 is pretty much bulletproof.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Kia Cee'd
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Rio (you might as well get the Cee'd as they cost around the same)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Punto
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...
Mazda3
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Corolla
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
It really does need to be a small car. Some of the places I visit have very limited parking, or are down stupidly narrow lanes. If I wanted a slightly bigger car, I'd just get an MX5 and use the front passenger seat for the clocks. Panda or Aygo is as big as I want to go.
No chance of needing to tow with it. I've got a Touareg if I need more space, or longer journeys.
I might end up having to travel a fair distance. Seems like there's much more choice east/north of Bristol.
No chance of needing to tow with it. I've got a Touareg if I need more space, or longer journeys.
I might end up having to travel a fair distance. Seems like there's much more choice east/north of Bristol.
clockworks said:
I'm looking for a second car to use as a local runaround and mini "delivery van". Around 3k miles a year.
It needs to have 5 doors, and be as small as possible for parking in small spaces. Cheap to run, and pretty simple to minimise the potential for big bills.
I'm the kind of person that's happier paying out up front, rather than have high monthly/annual outgoings. My monthly budget is limited, but I have savings.
A mid-spec Panda seems to tick the boxes (basic ones don't have aircon?).
Is lack of aircon good or bad for your purposes?It needs to have 5 doors, and be as small as possible for parking in small spaces. Cheap to run, and pretty simple to minimise the potential for big bills.
I'm the kind of person that's happier paying out up front, rather than have high monthly/annual outgoings. My monthly budget is limited, but I have savings.
A mid-spec Panda seems to tick the boxes (basic ones don't have aircon?).
Dr Jekyll said:
Is lack of aircon good or bad for your purposes?
I guess it depends on the age and price of the car. Personally I'd prefer to have aircon, and I think it makes a car easier to sell on - as long as it's still working. I think most buyers would expect it on a car that costs more than a grand?If you need small but with a dash of 'quirky' to help promote a business, why not look at JDM Kei Cars?
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/top-gear-series-2...
Suzuki Cappucino or a Diahatsu Copen is basically the same approach as an MX5 but smaller, and there are any number of options with four doors or even van things.
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/top-gear-series-2...
Suzuki Cappucino or a Diahatsu Copen is basically the same approach as an MX5 but smaller, and there are any number of options with four doors or even van things.
The small Japanese roadsters might struggle with a longcase (grandfather) clock, and I'd feel a bit vulnerable driving one on the back lanes.
Not sure if it counts as a Kei car, but the Nissan Cube has a certain quirky charm.
I was passing the Toyota dealer today, and stopped for a look at Aygos. Plenty of choice secondhand, but not cheap. They look a bit cramped inside. I guess that's not surprising really.
Not sure if it counts as a Kei car, but the Nissan Cube has a certain quirky charm.
I was passing the Toyota dealer today, and stopped for a look at Aygos. Plenty of choice secondhand, but not cheap. They look a bit cramped inside. I guess that's not surprising really.
I would go for a small Suzuki in your position, either an Alto or a Splash. If buying new then the Celerio is a mix of the two. The Alto would probably fit your requirements the best, but the Splash is a genuinely spacious little car and well worth a look.
Also worth considering;
Citroen C1 (sister car to the Aygo but cheaper)
Daihatsu Charade
Kia Picanto
Hyundai i10
Nissan Pixo
Vauxhall Agila
Vauxhall Viva
Any of those would be a good option imo.
Also worth considering;
Citroen C1 (sister car to the Aygo but cheaper)
Daihatsu Charade
Kia Picanto
Hyundai i10
Nissan Pixo
Vauxhall Agila
Vauxhall Viva
Any of those would be a good option imo.
As said above, save some money by travelling to buy the car. Old rule used to be 'the further north, the cheaper the car'. Short holiday to Scotland maybe??
As for car, how about a Vauxhall Meriva? Unloved, but small and boxy. Should be very cheap to buy and run. I would prefer a Panda though.
As for car, how about a Vauxhall Meriva? Unloved, but small and boxy. Should be very cheap to buy and run. I would prefer a Panda though.
Mum had a 2011 Vauxhall Agila, sold it a few months ago when she gave up driving. I should have bought that.
Having spent hours on the 'net, it looks like an Aygo or current model Panda, with the leftfield option being a Fiat Qubo. I owned a Qubo before, and it's a more practical (if a little larger) choice. Been around for a while, but not so many out there.
The Citroen and Peugeot are out because of the shorter manufacturer's warranty compared to Toyota's 5 years on the Aygo. I'm guessing that Toyota's perceived reliability over the Frenchies will help when I come to sell it? The Aygo also looks a lot less boring. Worth paying a few hundred more when buying at 3 years old.
Something that has surprised me is how many small cars fail their first MOT. I've been checking a few likely candidates in the classifieds against the DVLA database. I guess a lot of these cars are ex-PCP, so the owners did the bare minimum maintenance to satisfy the lease company. Just seems odd to me that 3 year old cars with less than 30k on the clock are failing with dodgy brakes.
If I were to buy a car that's not due it's first MOT for a few months, can I insist they put a year's ticket on it?
Having spent hours on the 'net, it looks like an Aygo or current model Panda, with the leftfield option being a Fiat Qubo. I owned a Qubo before, and it's a more practical (if a little larger) choice. Been around for a while, but not so many out there.
The Citroen and Peugeot are out because of the shorter manufacturer's warranty compared to Toyota's 5 years on the Aygo. I'm guessing that Toyota's perceived reliability over the Frenchies will help when I come to sell it? The Aygo also looks a lot less boring. Worth paying a few hundred more when buying at 3 years old.
Something that has surprised me is how many small cars fail their first MOT. I've been checking a few likely candidates in the classifieds against the DVLA database. I guess a lot of these cars are ex-PCP, so the owners did the bare minimum maintenance to satisfy the lease company. Just seems odd to me that 3 year old cars with less than 30k on the clock are failing with dodgy brakes.
If I were to buy a car that's not due it's first MOT for a few months, can I insist they put a year's ticket on it?
clockworks said:
Mum had a 2011 Vauxhall Agila, sold it a few months ago when she gave up driving. I should have bought that.
Having spent hours on the 'net, it looks like an Aygo or current model Panda, with the leftfield option being a Fiat Qubo. I owned a Qubo before, and it's a more practical (if a little larger) choice. Been around for a while, but not so many out there.
The Citroen and Peugeot are out because of the shorter manufacturer's warranty compared to Toyota's 5 years on the Aygo. I'm guessing that Toyota's perceived reliability over the Frenchies will help when I come to sell it? The Aygo also looks a lot less boring. Worth paying a few hundred more when buying at 3 years old.
The Aygo does have the best residuals of the three, but the 5 year warranty does have a 100k mileage cap as does Kia's 7 year offering. Only Hyundai has 5 years unlimited mileage. The Fiats are the standard 3 year/60k warranty.Having spent hours on the 'net, it looks like an Aygo or current model Panda, with the leftfield option being a Fiat Qubo. I owned a Qubo before, and it's a more practical (if a little larger) choice. Been around for a while, but not so many out there.
The Citroen and Peugeot are out because of the shorter manufacturer's warranty compared to Toyota's 5 years on the Aygo. I'm guessing that Toyota's perceived reliability over the Frenchies will help when I come to sell it? The Aygo also looks a lot less boring. Worth paying a few hundred more when buying at 3 years old.
kieranblenk said:
The Aygo does have the best residuals of the three, but the 5 year warranty does have a 100k mileage cap as does Kia's 7 year offering. Only Hyundai has 5 years unlimited mileage. The Fiats are the standard 3 year/60k warranty.
Toyota mileage cap won't be an issue for me. All the 2 to 3 year old cars I've looked at are well under 40k miles, and my total mileage on both cars is less than 10k pa. If the Kia and Hyundai weren't so bland, I'd consider them. The Aygo is an appliance like most small cars, but it does have a bit of style with the right colour scheme and wheels.Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff