ideas for a sub 2k run around

[Sir Snaz]

Hi all

Prompted by being quoted RIDICULOUS hire car prices, I am looking for a reliable (or as reliable as you can get) run-around to use whilst back in blighty over the summer.

Not really any criteria other than a long MOT & Ulez compliant.

Have seen a couple of Mercs (1999 CLK, 200 SLK) that interest, also a couple of Jag X-types.

Would like to try and avoid really small cars (Pandas, Clios etc etc) which I know narrows the search quite a bit.

what can the good Pistonistas suggest?

[Sir Snaz]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far chaps

Front runners at the moment appear to :- Merc C Coupe 2004/5 or possibly the CLC if we up budget a few hundred, new shape SLK 2004/5 again budget upped, the Saab Convertible 06/07? and (bit of a curveball) the newer shape Renault Megan coupe 09/10.

plan is to buy in May, and sell back end of August. Have done some sums - 3mth tax and ins costs + 1000mile fuel spend and then using motorway to give me a buy back price (obv this number could be higher if I sell privately) all of the above seem to end up costing me between 700 - 900 quid for the three months....a little better than the 4k!!!!! hertz are quoting.

Anything I buy will be from a dealer (so I hope will have some sort of warranty) - of the above list, which offers least chance of borkage do we think?

[Sir Snaz]

Joey Deacon said:

I have a 2011 Megane Coupe and I am very pleased with it, but it seems you have this picture in your head that you are going to be able to buy a fully working German car with zero issues for £2K and run it without issues. I mean you might get lucky, but equally it might be a massive headache and money pit.

Believe me I totally agree and am going into this with eyes wide open, but if i can get three months driving & possibly get some cash back at the end - its still a damn site better than me just pouring 4k into Hertz coffers

[Sir Snaz]

Maybe I should have posed my question in a different format.

It seems from looking at a lot of different cars with their diff insurance profiles, tax profiles and MPGs - that the three month cost (excluding the buying and selling) ranges, for me, between GBP300-500.00

so what I really need to look at is the smallest turn between buying and selling - when i think like that I could 'up' the initial budget to 4k - but would like to keep under 3k if possible - in the event that the thing blows up and catches fire it still costs me less than hertz

anyone clued in to any weird used car arbitrage? - I noticed that 2011on Renault Megan convertibles and also the Renault Wind are almost there, no idea why I have focused on Renault btw.

[Sir Snaz]

blimey - its got a bit salty in PH land since last I was here

believe me I have taken your comments to heart .....and the Germans are out!

leaning jap / brit / french (!!!???!!), with a possible outside hint of sweed

[Sir Snaz]

mattman said:

You can have my 2006 MX5 1.8 for 2k (Subject to it passing its MOT on 9th May)

Fun little car to drive, not the fastest thing in the world, but roof drops quickly and cheap to insure

The answer is always MX5 - in all seriousness do drop me a PM - be interested in the details

[Sir Snaz]

braddo said:

See what webuyanycar offers on these private sales which are at £2500 asking price.

accord saloon
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304236...

c-class saloon
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205165...

Using Motorway - the Honda came back as 871, and the merc 1376.

[Sir Snaz]

Hey all

just thought I would update this as I actually bought something!!

Now, no laughing at the back - I am now the, proud?, owner of a 2008/9 Renault Megane Convertible!!

I shall take onboard all jibes re hairdresser, cheese eating doodah etc etc etc - but for 1400 quid with 90k miles, new breaks and tyres and a years MOT I am quite happy to provide une petit short back et sides

ALEZ LE BLU!! (megane)

Edited by Sir Snaz on Wednesday 31st May 16:54