Cheap reliable car
Discussion
Hi
I'm after some suggestions for a cheap, reliable car. I'm looking to spend around £2-2.5k on a car, and hopefully have something that will last me a couple of years without any major problems. I'm looking for something that will do 15-20k a year, mixture of town an motorway driving. I'm quite tall so nothing smaller than a Focus sized car, something with a central armrest and cruise would be ideal. Also, something I can plug my phone into for music would be great, so I don't have to start looking at aftermarket headunits.
I've always financed cars in the past, and the used car market is a bit of a mystery to me. My initial thought is go Japanese, but as cars get older, does it make much difference? I'm guessing an old 3 Series is probably asking for trouble? Should I be put off by high mileage?
A couple of cars I've spotted, and would appreciate some thoughts from someone more knowledgeable on older cars.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211241... - a Kia Ceed, very sensible, bit dull perhaps. Also spotted some Hyundai I30s, prefer the Kia though as they seem to have cruise control, which the I30s don't seem to have.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211121... - A Mazda 3, looks very well equipped, not sure it looks a bit of a dodgy dealer. I know older Mazdas had rust problems, was that solved by 2010?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212012... - A Citroen C5, bit of a left field car, and French might not be a good idea, but looks nice, and probably very comfortable. Some chrome badges on the back and a towbar, I'm thinking the previous owners were quite possibly doggers.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208178... - A Saab 9-3, I actually really like these, but don't know a lot about Saabs, would it be asking for trouble, also got a short MOT.
Thank you
I'm after some suggestions for a cheap, reliable car. I'm looking to spend around £2-2.5k on a car, and hopefully have something that will last me a couple of years without any major problems. I'm looking for something that will do 15-20k a year, mixture of town an motorway driving. I'm quite tall so nothing smaller than a Focus sized car, something with a central armrest and cruise would be ideal. Also, something I can plug my phone into for music would be great, so I don't have to start looking at aftermarket headunits.
I've always financed cars in the past, and the used car market is a bit of a mystery to me. My initial thought is go Japanese, but as cars get older, does it make much difference? I'm guessing an old 3 Series is probably asking for trouble? Should I be put off by high mileage?
A couple of cars I've spotted, and would appreciate some thoughts from someone more knowledgeable on older cars.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211241... - a Kia Ceed, very sensible, bit dull perhaps. Also spotted some Hyundai I30s, prefer the Kia though as they seem to have cruise control, which the I30s don't seem to have.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211121... - A Mazda 3, looks very well equipped, not sure it looks a bit of a dodgy dealer. I know older Mazdas had rust problems, was that solved by 2010?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212012... - A Citroen C5, bit of a left field car, and French might not be a good idea, but looks nice, and probably very comfortable. Some chrome badges on the back and a towbar, I'm thinking the previous owners were quite possibly doggers.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208178... - A Saab 9-3, I actually really like these, but don't know a lot about Saabs, would it be asking for trouble, also got a short MOT.
Thank you
20k miles a year in a sub £2500 car could be pushing it - no doubt some old codger will be along in a minute to tell me their £400 shed has done 90,000 miles and only needed a new front wheel bearing, but generally, it's a risk and might need some money spending on it over time.
That said, I think your ideas for such a car are pretty good. I was in a Kia Ceed taxi with that exact 1.6 CRDi engine not too long ago, and it had something like 200k on it. The taxi driver told me his last one died just short of 500k. Which then raises a good point - make sure you do VChecks on any of these motors you are seriously considering, especially the diesel ones as there is a high chance they could have been used as a private hire car.
The Mazda 3 looks good too, just watch out for rust on those.
I'm not sure about the Citroen, they scare me a bit. Did these have that crazy hydraulic suspension, or had they got rid of it by this point?
The Saab should be ok, the engine in those is the Fiat JTD engine, which is very reliable and capable of 300k with basic servicing.
Some other ideas
Honda Accords are usually very nicely equipped inside for their age, both the diesel and petrol engines are good, but as with other Japanese cars, watch out for rust! This one has tatty bodywork but everything else looks good
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211181...
Or it's smaller brother the Civic
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212022...
This Vauxhal Vectra 1.9 CDTi also uses the same engine as the Saab 9-3
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211221...
That said, I think your ideas for such a car are pretty good. I was in a Kia Ceed taxi with that exact 1.6 CRDi engine not too long ago, and it had something like 200k on it. The taxi driver told me his last one died just short of 500k. Which then raises a good point - make sure you do VChecks on any of these motors you are seriously considering, especially the diesel ones as there is a high chance they could have been used as a private hire car.
The Mazda 3 looks good too, just watch out for rust on those.
I'm not sure about the Citroen, they scare me a bit. Did these have that crazy hydraulic suspension, or had they got rid of it by this point?
The Saab should be ok, the engine in those is the Fiat JTD engine, which is very reliable and capable of 300k with basic servicing.
Some other ideas
Honda Accords are usually very nicely equipped inside for their age, both the diesel and petrol engines are good, but as with other Japanese cars, watch out for rust! This one has tatty bodywork but everything else looks good
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211181...
Or it's smaller brother the Civic
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212022...
This Vauxhal Vectra 1.9 CDTi also uses the same engine as the Saab 9-3
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211221...
georgeyboy12345 said:
This Vauxhal Vectra 1.9 CDTi also uses the same engine as the Saab 9-3
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211221...
That SAAB uses a more modern twin turbo Fiat/Alfa derived engine, very different to the Vectra 1.9cdti (which by all accounts was a pig of an engine in Vectra form, stick with petrols with Vectra's for reliability) maybe the older single turbo 9-3's were similar (non TTid)https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211221...
Do you need diesel...with the price of fuel at the moment I am really not sure it's even that much more cost effective, a basic 1.8 NA petrol on a steady run will hit 50mpg, and be considerably more reliable with less "bork factor".
Edited by 757 on Friday 2nd December 21:13
carlove said:
Hi
I'm after some suggestions for a cheap, reliable car. I'm looking to spend around £2-2.5k on a car, and hopefully have something that will last me a couple of years without any major problems. I'm looking for something that will do 15-20k a year, mixture of town an motorway driving. I'm quite tall so nothing smaller than a Focus sized car, something with a central armrest and cruise would be ideal. Also, something I can plug my phone into for music would be great, so I don't have to start looking at aftermarket headunits.
I've always financed cars in the past, and the used car market is a bit of a mystery to me. My initial thought is go Japanese, but as cars get older, does it make much difference? I'm guessing an old 3 Series is probably asking for trouble? Should I be put off by high mileage?
A couple of cars I've spotted, and would appreciate some thoughts from someone more knowledgeable on older cars.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211241... - a Kia Ceed, very sensible, bit dull perhaps. Also spotted some Hyundai I30s, prefer the Kia though as they seem to have cruise control, which the I30s don't seem to have.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211121... - A Mazda 3, looks very well equipped, not sure it looks a bit of a dodgy dealer. I know older Mazdas had rust problems, was that solved by 2010?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212012... - A Citroen C5, bit of a left field car, and French might not be a good idea, but looks nice, and probably very comfortable. Some chrome badges on the back and a towbar, I'm thinking the previous owners were quite possibly doggers.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208178... - A Saab 9-3, I actually really like these, but don't know a lot about Saabs, would it be asking for trouble, also got a short MOT.
Thank you
The trick is to look at the drivetrains & they're current mileage as well as you're intended mileage, things with 140k on the clock will be needing suspension components replacing & turbo replacement may be on the cards.I'm after some suggestions for a cheap, reliable car. I'm looking to spend around £2-2.5k on a car, and hopefully have something that will last me a couple of years without any major problems. I'm looking for something that will do 15-20k a year, mixture of town an motorway driving. I'm quite tall so nothing smaller than a Focus sized car, something with a central armrest and cruise would be ideal. Also, something I can plug my phone into for music would be great, so I don't have to start looking at aftermarket headunits.
I've always financed cars in the past, and the used car market is a bit of a mystery to me. My initial thought is go Japanese, but as cars get older, does it make much difference? I'm guessing an old 3 Series is probably asking for trouble? Should I be put off by high mileage?
A couple of cars I've spotted, and would appreciate some thoughts from someone more knowledgeable on older cars.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211241... - a Kia Ceed, very sensible, bit dull perhaps. Also spotted some Hyundai I30s, prefer the Kia though as they seem to have cruise control, which the I30s don't seem to have.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211121... - A Mazda 3, looks very well equipped, not sure it looks a bit of a dodgy dealer. I know older Mazdas had rust problems, was that solved by 2010?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212012... - A Citroen C5, bit of a left field car, and French might not be a good idea, but looks nice, and probably very comfortable. Some chrome badges on the back and a towbar, I'm thinking the previous owners were quite possibly doggers.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208178... - A Saab 9-3, I actually really like these, but don't know a lot about Saabs, would it be asking for trouble, also got a short MOT.
Thank you
So look for some suspension component changes at least, also with older cars look to change the oil as soon as you buy it & then work on servicing ever 10k.
The next thing is to look at the alternates as there are some very good cars but like on any car purchase make sure you do your checks.
Last of the line Laguna, these are very good buys & due to them not being popular you can land one with sensible miles too:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211262...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211111...
Alfa 147 the 1.9d is well proven:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212022...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205276...
As is the 2.0d unit found in the Giulietta Veloce:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210251...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212032...
Volvo S40 both this & the C30 use the same platfom as the Focus:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211252...
C30:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211302...
In all honesty I'd buy one of the Mercedes below their drivetrains are well proven (budget £300 for a gearbox fluid & filter change) you'll have to buy a module to allow bluetooth or you may get one that has the 3.5mm jack in the glovebox.
Apart from the Laguna coupe they'll also be nicer places to spend 20k in.
CLC200 SE:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211111...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209089...
220cdi Sport:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211282...
CLK270 Avantgarde the pick of the engines these are bulletproof:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211091...
220 Avantgarde:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208239...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211171...
C Coupe 220 Sport:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205225...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211191...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211101...
Bulletproof and cheap as chips to buy and run
Easy to resell in a couple of years too
Bulletproof and cheap as chips to buy and run
Easy to resell in a couple of years too
I too am looking at a Mazda 3 - my budget is slightly more. I have done an MOT check of the one you are looking at and it has the usual previous fail/issues. I have similar issues with the sorts of garages that you will have to frequent to buy car at these price levels - but it is what it is - it is either this or look for a private sale.
Another option for me is a Toyota Avensis Estate (Petrol) - yes an old mans car, the Mazda 3 will be a bit more street cred. Something I never thought of was the Renault Laguna, so that might be an option, as Estate's seem to be in short supply at this price level.
Another option for me is a Toyota Avensis Estate (Petrol) - yes an old mans car, the Mazda 3 will be a bit more street cred. Something I never thought of was the Renault Laguna, so that might be an option, as Estate's seem to be in short supply at this price level.
Thanks for the suggestions. Particularly liking the idea of the CLK, 4 doors would be ideal really, but also I think I want a CLK.
Civic is very high on the list, a friend has a 2007 Type R with a lot of miles and has never caused an issue. My old landlord used to have a very high spec one, also a 2007 IIRC and spoke very highly of it.
I've also looked at the Auris online, but I can't get past the fact that they look really, really boring.
The Aygo is just too small for me, I've been driving a C1 courtesy car last week, and it wasn't a Particularly enjoyable experience, definitely wouldn't want to have taken it on a long motorway drive.
Civic is very high on the list, a friend has a 2007 Type R with a lot of miles and has never caused an issue. My old landlord used to have a very high spec one, also a 2007 IIRC and spoke very highly of it.
I've also looked at the Auris online, but I can't get past the fact that they look really, really boring.
The Aygo is just too small for me, I've been driving a C1 courtesy car last week, and it wasn't a Particularly enjoyable experience, definitely wouldn't want to have taken it on a long motorway drive.
carlove said:
Thanks for the suggestions. Particularly liking the idea of the CLK, 4 doors would be ideal really, but also I think I want a CLK.
Civic is very high on the list, a friend has a 2007 Type R with a lot of miles and has never caused an issue. My old landlord used to have a very high spec one, also a 2007 IIRC and spoke very highly of it.
I've also looked at the Auris online, but I can't get past the fact that they look really, really boring.
The Aygo is just too small for me, I've been driving a C1 courtesy car last week, and it wasn't a Particularly enjoyable experience, definitely wouldn't want to have taken it on a long motorway drive.
The CLK is very practical (they come with folding rear seats as standard, which is something you don't get on the saloon) the drivetrains are well proven (no DPF/Cambelt or DMF issues to worry about) the 270 is the pick but you'll get a newer 220.Civic is very high on the list, a friend has a 2007 Type R with a lot of miles and has never caused an issue. My old landlord used to have a very high spec one, also a 2007 IIRC and spoke very highly of it.
I've also looked at the Auris online, but I can't get past the fact that they look really, really boring.
The Aygo is just too small for me, I've been driving a C1 courtesy car last week, and it wasn't a Particularly enjoyable experience, definitely wouldn't want to have taken it on a long motorway drive.
CLK 270 with the facelift interior:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255719556945?hash=item3...
C270 Saloon Avantgarde SE:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208249...
C220:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201071...
I'm bias but the CLK is a great place to soak up the miles.
Whatever fiat Panda fits into your budget would be my bet.
I bought a 1.1 Eco Active for around £1k and it’s a little trooper. Being a tall, boxy thing it feels much bigger than it’s footprint and would be ideal for a taller person. Costs naff all to run (£30 road tax, 45+MPG) and feels bulletproof. Surprisingly fine to chug along on the motorway at 70mph and just an entirely satisfying, care free car to own.
I bought a 1.1 Eco Active for around £1k and it’s a little trooper. Being a tall, boxy thing it feels much bigger than it’s footprint and would be ideal for a taller person. Costs naff all to run (£30 road tax, 45+MPG) and feels bulletproof. Surprisingly fine to chug along on the motorway at 70mph and just an entirely satisfying, care free car to own.
Edited by FieldAtlanta on Sunday 4th December 21:50
Well a Focus Titanium 2.0 TDCI came up fairly locally, 100k miles, £1800, FSH, Michelin tyres all round with decent tread. Seems a well looked after car, so I've bought it. This is my first venture into old cars, so hopefully it'll last a couple of years without any major headaches.
Only complaint is it has gangsta tints on the back, which I don't like.
I have to admit, after years of having touch screen infotainment systems, I'm quite pleased to have a CD player again, I dug out my old CDs. It does have AUX input, and I'll probably use that most, but using CDs has a certain novelty after so many years.
Only complaint is it has gangsta tints on the back, which I don't like.
I have to admit, after years of having touch screen infotainment systems, I'm quite pleased to have a CD player again, I dug out my old CDs. It does have AUX input, and I'll probably use that most, but using CDs has a certain novelty after so many years.
Edited by carlove on Monday 5th December 21:32
GreatGranny said:
Good choice OP.
We have a 13 year old Titanium spec Fiesta and it's well equipped with cruise, auto lights and wipers, climate and bluetooth.
It's our 'pool' car and despite abuse refuses to die on 115k+ miles.
I'm actually looking at something similar perhaps to get back into driving after basically not for 3 years, but at the same time I do agree with the philosophies of "life's too short to drive a boring car" or "only worth buying a car that's worth putting the current price petrol in" etc, but got to think about the bigger picture and maybe not rush into something too hot. Pretty impressed that you can find one of these for not much, but not sure if the sub 100 lb/ft torque / having a slower car brings its own danger element We have a 13 year old Titanium spec Fiesta and it's well equipped with cruise, auto lights and wipers, climate and bluetooth.
It's our 'pool' car and despite abuse refuses to die on 115k+ miles.
Looks like a great find OP on the Focus. Personally mileage wise I'm looking at like 60-70k max miles, unless it's a VW Golf or a Civic say that I know could easily rack up more than 150k probably if well looked after. I probably won't be doing more than 5k in a year anyway so even a 100k or 110k mileage car isn't bad but I don't mind paying a bit more for something lower mileage as who knows how long I'll have it for, or part ex prices may stay a bit more solid.
Edit: damn it, the Titanium I was looking at yesterday which was pretty local for around £5k which also had rear sensors has now disappeared off the market...
Edited by Stallzy on Tuesday 6th December 14:00
georgeyboy12345 said:
20k miles a year in a sub £2500 car could be pushing it - no doubt some old codger will be along in a minute to tell me their £400 shed has done 90,000 miles and only needed a new front wheel bearing, but generally, it's a risk and might need some money spending on it over time.
That said, I think your ideas for such a car are pretty good. I was in a Kia Ceed taxi with that exact 1.6 CRDi engine not too long ago, and it had something like 200k on it. The taxi driver told me his last one died just short of 500k. Which then raises a good point - make sure you do VChecks on any of these motors you are seriously considering, especially the diesel ones as there is a high chance they could have been used as a private hire car.
The Mazda 3 looks good too, just watch out for rust on those.
I'm not sure about the Citroen, they scare me a bit. Did these have that crazy hydraulic suspension, or had they got rid of it by this point?
The Saab should be ok, the engine in those is the Fiat JTD engine, which is very reliable and capable of 300k with basic servicing.
Some other ideas
Honda Accords are usually very nicely equipped inside for their age, both the diesel and petrol engines are good, but as with other Japanese cars, watch out for rust! This one has tatty bodywork but everything else looks good
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211181...
Or it's smaller brother the Civic
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212022...
This Vauxhal Vectra 1.9 CDTi also uses the same engine as the Saab 9-3
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211221...
Ah,some old codger,£1500 astra cdti,53k miles to 180k work all over UK Aberdeen to south east/west,can be done,can't be late,miss a shift or big cost implication That said, I think your ideas for such a car are pretty good. I was in a Kia Ceed taxi with that exact 1.6 CRDi engine not too long ago, and it had something like 200k on it. The taxi driver told me his last one died just short of 500k. Which then raises a good point - make sure you do VChecks on any of these motors you are seriously considering, especially the diesel ones as there is a high chance they could have been used as a private hire car.
The Mazda 3 looks good too, just watch out for rust on those.
I'm not sure about the Citroen, they scare me a bit. Did these have that crazy hydraulic suspension, or had they got rid of it by this point?
The Saab should be ok, the engine in those is the Fiat JTD engine, which is very reliable and capable of 300k with basic servicing.
Some other ideas
Honda Accords are usually very nicely equipped inside for their age, both the diesel and petrol engines are good, but as with other Japanese cars, watch out for rust! This one has tatty bodywork but everything else looks good
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211181...
Or it's smaller brother the Civic
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212022...
This Vauxhal Vectra 1.9 CDTi also uses the same engine as the Saab 9-3
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211221...
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