Discussion
Hi all
I'm currently on the search for new car and just want to hear your recommendations.
The main use for the car is town driving and some longer journeys at weekends. I'm not too fussed in make and model but I just want a car that will be reliable and last me as long as possible for this price so I'm just considering any vehicle with low mileage and service history. I can pay more if needed.
These are some of the cars in my area that I'm currently considering and just want to see what you guys would be looking at in my shoes? They all have long MOT and service history and are petrol.
2006 Ford Focus Zetec 1.6. 56k has more toys than the other options (cruise control parking sensors Bluetooth)
2005 Vauxhall Astra 1.4 68k Has only had 2 owners and one of them was a senior citizen according to the ad
Peugeot 207 - a few of these about with low mileage and service history
2000 BMW 3 series 1.9 - Cheapest one at £1500 only 48k on the clock despite its age (not sure if that's a bad sign as it may have been sat for long periods? ) but a German brand so possibly more reliable?
Thanks for reading - open to any other input and suggestions! I'm flexible on the budget
I'm currently on the search for new car and just want to hear your recommendations.
The main use for the car is town driving and some longer journeys at weekends. I'm not too fussed in make and model but I just want a car that will be reliable and last me as long as possible for this price so I'm just considering any vehicle with low mileage and service history. I can pay more if needed.
These are some of the cars in my area that I'm currently considering and just want to see what you guys would be looking at in my shoes? They all have long MOT and service history and are petrol.
2006 Ford Focus Zetec 1.6. 56k has more toys than the other options (cruise control parking sensors Bluetooth)
2005 Vauxhall Astra 1.4 68k Has only had 2 owners and one of them was a senior citizen according to the ad
Peugeot 207 - a few of these about with low mileage and service history
2000 BMW 3 series 1.9 - Cheapest one at £1500 only 48k on the clock despite its age (not sure if that's a bad sign as it may have been sat for long periods? ) but a German brand so possibly more reliable?
Thanks for reading - open to any other input and suggestions! I'm flexible on the budget
I had a 2006 Focus 1.6 as a daily car for over a year in 2020 until someone wrote it off. Cost me £1,400 and was completely reliable in that time. MPG of mixed driving was 36. Good for town and fine for motorway.
I’m actually looking to spend £3k-ish on a 2010ish Focus 1.8 soon. Just want a little more power over the 1.6.
I’m actually looking to spend £3k-ish on a 2010ish Focus 1.8 soon. Just want a little more power over the 1.6.
This S-Class Merc should be a good solid car which is going to last a while: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206106...
ingenieur said:
This S-Class Merc should be a good solid car which is going to last a while: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206106...
2 grand merc with £60k running costs and repair bills, does "a while" mean at least a fortnight? 
Haha I love that someone has suggested a 5.0 litre Mercedes S class! 
OP, the issue with the cars you have mentioned is I think they all use cambelts rather than chains, so you'll have to check if they are due - quite likely will be on a 2 grand car, so there's an extra expense right away, unless you want to risk your engine going bang at any moment. As mentioned, check the MOT histories, avoid anything with words like "corrosion", "rust", "oil leak" or if it fails any emissions tests as they will likely fail again and be expensive to put right.
Avoid that BMW like the plague, it's a total myth that German cars are reliable. Cheap old ones are quite the opposite, hence the low price.
OP, the issue with the cars you have mentioned is I think they all use cambelts rather than chains, so you'll have to check if they are due - quite likely will be on a 2 grand car, so there's an extra expense right away, unless you want to risk your engine going bang at any moment. As mentioned, check the MOT histories, avoid anything with words like "corrosion", "rust", "oil leak" or if it fails any emissions tests as they will likely fail again and be expensive to put right.
Avoid that BMW like the plague, it's a total myth that German cars are reliable. Cheap old ones are quite the opposite, hence the low price.
Cheers for all the top advice.
I've just seen another focus that's had 1 owner and the cambelt changed and another focus which has had the cambelt, alternator and waterpump changed so maybe they're better options than the one I've found.
I'll probably just look at raising my budget though. I'm just about to scrap a Seat Ibiza which I've had for 11 years since I was 18 so I'm completely clueless and out of touch in terms of buying cars really so probably a bit naive with my budget.
I've just seen another focus that's had 1 owner and the cambelt changed and another focus which has had the cambelt, alternator and waterpump changed so maybe they're better options than the one I've found.
I'll probably just look at raising my budget though. I'm just about to scrap a Seat Ibiza which I've had for 11 years since I was 18 so I'm completely clueless and out of touch in terms of buying cars really so probably a bit naive with my budget.
Cheers for all the top advice.
I've just seen another focus that's had 1 owner and the cambelt changed and another focus which has had the cambelt, alternator and waterpump changed so maybe they're better options than the one I've found.
I'll probably just look at raising my budget though. I'm just about to scrap a Seat Ibiza which I've had for 11 years since I was 18 so I'm completely clueless and out of touch in terms of buying cars really so probably a bit naive with my budget.
I've just seen another focus that's had 1 owner and the cambelt changed and another focus which has had the cambelt, alternator and waterpump changed so maybe they're better options than the one I've found.
I'll probably just look at raising my budget though. I'm just about to scrap a Seat Ibiza which I've had for 11 years since I was 18 so I'm completely clueless and out of touch in terms of buying cars really so probably a bit naive with my budget.
A medium-sized hatchback will strike the best balance between size/space and comfort.
Anything with affordable and readily-available parts is a good idea, so your Focus and Astra choices are good. Be prepared for old car gremlins though.
I'd personally recommend going Japanese and looking for a 2001 onwards Toyota Corolla / Auris or a Honda Civic. They still look good even by today's standards and they are quality cars. I had a 2003 1.6 Corolla and it is one of the best cars I have ever had. Only sold it as I needed the cash.
A Japanese car will hold its value and be sought after come what may. There's a reason why the oldest and last surviving cars on the road tend to be Japanese when everything else has long since been scrapped!
Just beware that in the current market everyone is trying to earn a crust so you may find some over-inflated prices.
Also see if you can find a genuine private seller in case an auction flipper / trader sells you a potential lemon.
If you're confident enough, know what you're doing, a risk taker and have some spare time then checking the part exchanges / spares or repair listings on ebay etc (or even checking out at a local second hand car garage) can reveal some rough diamonds that they simply can't be bothered doing up or it's not what they'd typically want on their forecourts anyway.
Anything with affordable and readily-available parts is a good idea, so your Focus and Astra choices are good. Be prepared for old car gremlins though.
I'd personally recommend going Japanese and looking for a 2001 onwards Toyota Corolla / Auris or a Honda Civic. They still look good even by today's standards and they are quality cars. I had a 2003 1.6 Corolla and it is one of the best cars I have ever had. Only sold it as I needed the cash.
A Japanese car will hold its value and be sought after come what may. There's a reason why the oldest and last surviving cars on the road tend to be Japanese when everything else has long since been scrapped!
Just beware that in the current market everyone is trying to earn a crust so you may find some over-inflated prices.
Also see if you can find a genuine private seller in case an auction flipper / trader sells you a potential lemon.
If you're confident enough, know what you're doing, a risk taker and have some spare time then checking the part exchanges / spares or repair listings on ebay etc (or even checking out at a local second hand car garage) can reveal some rough diamonds that they simply can't be bothered doing up or it's not what they'd typically want on their forecourts anyway.
KyleFZ6 said:
Thanks for reading - open to any other input and suggestions!
At this price range, it comes down far, far more to buying on condition and what you can see and learn from the car by inspecting it, talking to the seller (buy privately!) and doing your own research. There will be a vast, vast difference in quality between cars, and this will be completely impossible to tell from the adverts.
Two £2000 100k mile hatchbacks at the same price and same spec can be absolutely worlds apart in condition and level of care.
Things I wish I'd known / checked when in the same position last year:
1) Always check the online MOT history
2) Have a test drive and listen for odd noises
3) The further North or closer to the coast the car is from, the worse the corrosion
4) Consider a diesel if you don't need ULEZ and you do a few miles
1) Always check the online MOT history
2) Have a test drive and listen for odd noises
3) The further North or closer to the coast the car is from, the worse the corrosion
4) Consider a diesel if you don't need ULEZ and you do a few miles
KyleFZ6 said:
Hi all
I'm currently on the search for new car and just want to hear your recommendations.
The main use for the car is town driving and some longer journeys at weekends. I'm not too fussed in make and model but I just want a car that will be reliable and last me as long as possible for this price so I'm just considering any vehicle with low mileage and service history. I can pay more if needed.
These are some of the cars in my area that I'm currently considering and just want to see what you guys would be looking at in my shoes? They all have long MOT and service history and are petrol.
2006 Ford Focus Zetec 1.6. 56k has more toys than the other options (cruise control parking sensors Bluetooth)
2005 Vauxhall Astra 1.4 68k Has only had 2 owners and one of them was a senior citizen according to the ad
Peugeot 207 - a few of these about with low mileage and service history
2000 BMW 3 series 1.9 - Cheapest one at £1500 only 48k on the clock despite its age (not sure if that's a bad sign as it may have been sat for long periods? ) but a German brand so possibly more reliable?
Thanks for reading - open to any other input and suggestions! I'm flexible on the budget
I'd look for rep cars as they're easy to find & you should be able to land a decent one.I'm currently on the search for new car and just want to hear your recommendations.
The main use for the car is town driving and some longer journeys at weekends. I'm not too fussed in make and model but I just want a car that will be reliable and last me as long as possible for this price so I'm just considering any vehicle with low mileage and service history. I can pay more if needed.
These are some of the cars in my area that I'm currently considering and just want to see what you guys would be looking at in my shoes? They all have long MOT and service history and are petrol.
2006 Ford Focus Zetec 1.6. 56k has more toys than the other options (cruise control parking sensors Bluetooth)
2005 Vauxhall Astra 1.4 68k Has only had 2 owners and one of them was a senior citizen according to the ad
Peugeot 207 - a few of these about with low mileage and service history
2000 BMW 3 series 1.9 - Cheapest one at £1500 only 48k on the clock despite its age (not sure if that's a bad sign as it may have been sat for long periods? ) but a German brand so possibly more reliable?
Thanks for reading - open to any other input and suggestions! I'm flexible on the budget
Insignia SRI:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206196...
Avensis:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201111...
KyleFZ6 said:
Cheers for all the top advice.
I've just seen another focus that's had 1 owner and the cambelt changed and another focus which has had the cambelt, alternator and waterpump changed so maybe they're better options than the one I've found.
Just make sure that the timing belt and pump were changed relatively recently and not like 10 years ago. The mileage interval on these cambelts is pretty long at 10 years/100,000 miles. I've just seen another focus that's had 1 owner and the cambelt changed and another focus which has had the cambelt, alternator and waterpump changed so maybe they're better options than the one I've found.
Here's what I'd be looking at for around £2k
Low mileage Mazda 3 1.6 TS2
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206166...
Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206036...
Kia Ceed 1.6 GS
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204295...
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