Recommend a shed
Discussion
I asked a question a while back about owning 1 car vs 2, and I've decided owning 2 is the only way to go now, which makes the decision of what to buy twice as difficult. Here I'd like some recommendations on what daily shed to get.
I'm looking ideally something <£1000 but reliable. I'm not too fussy what I get within reason (please no people carriers or cars so small I don't fit in unless it's fast enough to make up for that). I think an estate would be useful so it can double up as a van and a campervan, but not the end of the world if not, but must be big enough for a greyhound who refuses to lie down to get in the back of.
I've seen Saabs are ridiculously cheap for the standard of car you get, and I do like the idea of a 9-5 estate especially with some of the faster engines, but I'm a little scared of the lack of reliability. I also like the look of an IS-200, which are a little more but they are nice looking cars (imo) and presumably still reliable.
I'm looking ideally something <£1000 but reliable. I'm not too fussy what I get within reason (please no people carriers or cars so small I don't fit in unless it's fast enough to make up for that). I think an estate would be useful so it can double up as a van and a campervan, but not the end of the world if not, but must be big enough for a greyhound who refuses to lie down to get in the back of.
I've seen Saabs are ridiculously cheap for the standard of car you get, and I do like the idea of a 9-5 estate especially with some of the faster engines, but I'm a little scared of the lack of reliability. I also like the look of an IS-200, which are a little more but they are nice looking cars (imo) and presumably still reliable.
eybic said:
Petrol or Diesel?
A Mondeo (2004 era) fits the criteria as does a Focus of similar age although smaller.
I'm not too fussed really, I've never actually owned a diesel and generally prefer petrol, but for a daily runner I'd just go which whatever the best option for the specific car. I should really look at Mondeos I think, seem like a good option.A Mondeo (2004 era) fits the criteria as does a Focus of similar age although smaller.
Turnippp said:
eybic said:
Petrol or Diesel?
A Mondeo (2004 era) fits the criteria as does a Focus of similar age although smaller.
I'm not too fussed really, I've never actually owned a diesel and generally prefer petrol, but for a daily runner I'd just go which whatever the best option for the specific car. I should really look at Mondeos I think, seem like a good option.A Mondeo (2004 era) fits the criteria as does a Focus of similar age although smaller.
Yep, something Japanese and petrol at that money.
Our £1500 2.0 Accord tourer has been great - couple of suspension bushes is all it's needed over 4 years and 50k miles. Drives well and does an easy 35 mpg in day to day running. Absolutely massive boot with the vertical tailgate giving a heaps of room for the dog.
Our £1500 2.0 Accord tourer has been great - couple of suspension bushes is all it's needed over 4 years and 50k miles. Drives well and does an easy 35 mpg in day to day running. Absolutely massive boot with the vertical tailgate giving a heaps of room for the dog.
Back in 2014 I bought a 1996 Mazda 323F 1.5i for less than £700.
Non-interference engine so change the cam-belt when it breaks, cheap road tax as it was less than 1,549cc, just 61K miles and 2 previous (probably elderly South Coast) owners, so plenty of scuffs and dents!
While it just worked, it was so boring to drive that I only kept it 6 months.

Non-interference engine so change the cam-belt when it breaks, cheap road tax as it was less than 1,549cc, just 61K miles and 2 previous (probably elderly South Coast) owners, so plenty of scuffs and dents!
While it just worked, it was so boring to drive that I only kept it 6 months.
Definitely alright with something Japanese, I've always had a thing for Jap cars and the reason I want a cheap daily is to get either a 350z or mk1 mx5 as a second car.
I cant believe how cheap ~10 year old insignias are. 10 years to me doesn't feel that old, so presumably still reliable too. Reliability wise, which would be better between a 10 year old insignia and a 15 year old mondeo do you think?
Thanks for the help so far guys.
I cant believe how cheap ~10 year old insignias are. 10 years to me doesn't feel that old, so presumably still reliable too. Reliability wise, which would be better between a 10 year old insignia and a 15 year old mondeo do you think?
Thanks for the help so far guys.
For me, if I am spending £1K on a shed then the cost of road tax and fuel economy suddenly become pretty important. For example, I do 12k miles a year and my last two sheds have been.
1)2007 Renault Megane DCI. £30 road tax and 60MPG = £1181 on fuel + £30 = £1211 a year
2)2005 Honda Civic 2.0 Petrol. £260 road tax and 37MPG = £1842 on fuel + £260 = £2102 a year.
So roughly the Civic cost me £900 a year more to run than the Megane or £75 a month. To be honest, for another £75 a month I could just lease something instead.
You would be better off buying a £3/4K megane over the £1K civic as it would have paid for itself in 2 or 3 years.
1)2007 Renault Megane DCI. £30 road tax and 60MPG = £1181 on fuel + £30 = £1211 a year
2)2005 Honda Civic 2.0 Petrol. £260 road tax and 37MPG = £1842 on fuel + £260 = £2102 a year.
So roughly the Civic cost me £900 a year more to run than the Megane or £75 a month. To be honest, for another £75 a month I could just lease something instead.
You would be better off buying a £3/4K megane over the £1K civic as it would have paid for itself in 2 or 3 years.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff


