Reliable family car, 10k budget
Discussion
Sick or worrying about big bills from my 2009 Audi a3 1.8 TFSI sport back.
I bought it as I have a baby due and needed more space and a reliable car. This 8 year old 83k example has been anything but reliable.
I've replaced the tyres, wheels, battery, water pump and thermostat, and a full 200 quid service.
Now I'm paranoid the timing chain tensioner is gonna f
k up and kill the engine every time I turn it on (thanks internet), and can't justify 850 quid to replace the chain just for peace of mind. It's also due the dual mass flywheel and clutch these things all need.
When I bought the car I didn't know much about cars, I know a lot more now.
Anyway the plan is to trade this car in while everything is working.
I'm expecting to negotiate a trade in price of 5k for my car and will be willing to take out a bank loan of another 5k to make my budget 10k.
I want a reliable low mileage small family car. So far I've come up with....
- 63 plate Honda civic 1.8 petrol, budget will get me one with under 20k on clock.
- 61 plate Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2.0 diesel, 70k on clock (can be had for 6k)
The Honda civic seems very boring, but reliability is important, I feel like I need either stress free motoring, or go total opposite and buy a shed, something like a Lexus is200, for under a grand, so cheap I won't care enough to stress over minor problems.
I bought it as I have a baby due and needed more space and a reliable car. This 8 year old 83k example has been anything but reliable.
I've replaced the tyres, wheels, battery, water pump and thermostat, and a full 200 quid service.
Now I'm paranoid the timing chain tensioner is gonna f
k up and kill the engine every time I turn it on (thanks internet), and can't justify 850 quid to replace the chain just for peace of mind. It's also due the dual mass flywheel and clutch these things all need.When I bought the car I didn't know much about cars, I know a lot more now.
Anyway the plan is to trade this car in while everything is working.
I'm expecting to negotiate a trade in price of 5k for my car and will be willing to take out a bank loan of another 5k to make my budget 10k.
I want a reliable low mileage small family car. So far I've come up with....
- 63 plate Honda civic 1.8 petrol, budget will get me one with under 20k on clock.
- 61 plate Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2.0 diesel, 70k on clock (can be had for 6k)
The Honda civic seems very boring, but reliability is important, I feel like I need either stress free motoring, or go total opposite and buy a shed, something like a Lexus is200, for under a grand, so cheap I won't care enough to stress over minor problems.
Honda would be near if not at the top of reliability, Alfa would be near if not at the bottom... Warranty Direct do a "reliability index" check out how the cars you are thinking o score (the lower the better).
Most of the costs you mention are service items that will need replacing on every single car and nothing to do with reliability.
Try posting in the Car buying forum, you may have more responses.
Most of the costs you mention are service items that will need replacing on every single car and nothing to do with reliability.
Try posting in the Car buying forum, you may have more responses.
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