Short term cheap daily
Discussion
Just about to sell my car while it has some value, and ordering a new car which will be ready in March.
I need a car for a short-ish commute twice a week, plus general pottering about. Preferably something I won't lose much (if any) money on.
Looked at short term leases, but they're all about the same price as my finance payment, so I'm thinking of spending around £1800 and hopefully getting a fair chunk back in March after about 2-3k miles.
Any recommendations? Not bothered about size, engine size, fuel type etc, it just needs to be sellable easily next year.
I need a car for a short-ish commute twice a week, plus general pottering about. Preferably something I won't lose much (if any) money on.
Looked at short term leases, but they're all about the same price as my finance payment, so I'm thinking of spending around £1800 and hopefully getting a fair chunk back in March after about 2-3k miles.
Any recommendations? Not bothered about size, engine size, fuel type etc, it just needs to be sellable easily next year.
Edited by RonnieHotdogs on Saturday 28th October 18:24
I've looked at the market at some Citroen C1s / Peugeot 107s, due to the £20 VED.
Fair few Mini Coopers around as well, but they all seem to have something wrong with them and a long list of MOT advisories that have never been dealt with.
I'm guessing a private sale is going to be the best bet for price?
Fair few Mini Coopers around as well, but they all seem to have something wrong with them and a long list of MOT advisories that have never been dealt with.
I'm guessing a private sale is going to be the best bet for price?
PositronicRay said:
Sellable will be a small engne low RFL hatch back.
While true, the ease of selling when you're done with it also correlates to them being more in demand now, so the alternative if you're in a position where you don't really need to worry so much about fuel economy, tax band, or insurance is to just buy whatever is available and cheap irrespective of resale potential.PositronicRay said:
Don't worry too much about brand/model buy on condition.
Agreed.We ran a series 3 Hyundai coupe for a few years. Apart from key fob batteries it was very reliable. Paint was a bit flaky in places, and the 2.0 engine was unrefined, low power and high mpg for its size. Good stop gap though.
Also based on recent experience, stay away from high pressure diesel engines with about 100K on them. You'll just be inheriting someone else's problems
On paper the punchy engine, mpg and low rfl look good. But our GM flavor car has needed loads spending on it for dmf, glow plugs, throttle body, sensors etc.
I suppose that's the risk at this price point though, but it surprised me given I've run similarly aged petrol cars without this level of cost.
Also based on recent experience, stay away from high pressure diesel engines with about 100K on them. You'll just be inheriting someone else's problems
On paper the punchy engine, mpg and low rfl look good. But our GM flavor car has needed loads spending on it for dmf, glow plugs, throttle body, sensors etc.
I suppose that's the risk at this price point though, but it surprised me given I've run similarly aged petrol cars without this level of cost.
As a sub £2k stop gap I’d be looking for something low mileage, small and old enough to appeal to the kind of person looking for a borderline classic (retro) car in the spring when you’ll be looking to sell. Something like an early Corsa, K11 Micra or almost anything from Honda/Toyota etc
Anything at the low end of the market is sellable. Its not like you're going to lose money through depreciation. If you're going to lose money, its going to be because the car requires a repair or maintenance.
IMO I would go for something Japanese e.g. a naturally aspirated, petrol, Toyota.
IMO I would go for something Japanese e.g. a naturally aspirated, petrol, Toyota.
Rob 131 Sport said:
biggbn said:
RedAndy said:
saaaab ttid convertible
Good shout, as is any saab really. 
)Edited by biggbn on Monday 30th October 06:34
turbomoggie said:
Anything at the low end of the market is sellable. Its not like you're going to lose money through depreciation. If you're going to lose money, its going to be because the car requires a repair or maintenance.
IMO I would go for something Japanese e.g. a naturally aspirated, petrol, Toyota.
I did notice a couple of Yaris', and even a really nice 1 owner low mileage Micra. All gone now.IMO I would go for something Japanese e.g. a naturally aspirated, petrol, Toyota.
Hopefully will be looking around for something by the weekend, so thanks all for your advice.
I think I'll aim for something with wide appeal as I don't really want it sat around for ages, so small, low VED, probably Japanese.
RonnieHotdogs said:
turbomoggie said:
Anything at the low end of the market is sellable. Its not like you're going to lose money through depreciation. If you're going to lose money, its going to be because the car requires a repair or maintenance.
IMO I would go for something Japanese e.g. a naturally aspirated, petrol, Toyota.
I did notice a couple of Yaris', and even a really nice 1 owner low mileage Micra. All gone now.IMO I would go for something Japanese e.g. a naturally aspirated, petrol, Toyota.
Hopefully will be looking around for something by the weekend, so thanks all for your advice.
I think I'll aim for something with wide appeal as I don't really want it sat around for ages, so small, low VED, probably Japanese.
Wouldn't go diesel, N/A petrol would be my choice - was in same situation as you OP, needed a decent reliable daily, with stupid low budget £1500 at the time - 20k miles later and nearly 2 years have passed, and I am still in my 'stop gap' car 
one of these.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?advertisin...
one of these.https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?advertisin...
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