Car for an Apprentice

[Mr.Nobody]

I’m looking to buy a car for work whilst I do my apprenticeship. I’ve around £1500 to spend on a car. It would need to be reliable as possible and not cost too much to maintain. Reasonable to tax £330 or less and okay on Petrol. The type of tools I carry are hand tools, power tools and a small set of step ladders. I would be a bonus if I could get some triples to fit on the roof but not essential.

Any recommendations would be great.

[codenamecueball]

Anything small, petrol and japanese near you, spend a few quid throwing some new oil and filters at it and make sure it's not on ditchfinder tyres and you'll be set for life.

[Gerradi]

A Bus...

[kiethton]

Hyundai i10

Cheap to insure, cheap to run, your mates won't want a lift and should fit your kit

[CG2020UK]

Toyota Aygo/Peugeot 107/Citroen C1.

Bought my fiancée a Corsa when she passed and it has been a money pit.

I’d suggest trying to find something that belonged to a more mature driver who took care of it.

[sherman]

If its just you needing transported about I would be looking at a car based van.
Something like an astra van.

[Jazzy Jag]

Pre facelift Nissan Micra K11

All 3 of my kids had/ have them as their 1st car.

Just keep an eye on the tin worm in the sills and front corners of the inner wheel arch area.

Distributor engine is better than the cool pack engine.

All in my experience....

[Mr.Nobody]

Gerradi said:

A Bus...

Yeah sure....

[W201_190e]

Peugeot 107, or the equivalent Citroen or Aygo. Motoring doesn't get cheaper.

[Baldchap]

Jazzy Jag said:

Pre facelift Nissan Micra K11

All 3 of my kids had/ have them as their 1st car.

Just keep an eye on the tin worm in the sills and front corners of the inner wheel arch area.

Distributor engine is better than the cool pack engine.

All in my experience....

Mine is going to the scrapyard in the sky tomorrow. Rust.

I'd pick up £1.5k of Toyota Auris. Bland, boring, invisible and utterly, utterly reliable.

Edited by Baldchap on Monday 8th March 09:36

[jason61c]

Gerradi said:

A Bus...

you really have been failed in life.

[andburg]

A small car derived van sounds more appropriate.

Astravan / Fiesta van
bit bigger maybe a berlingo/despatch/kangoo

right now prices are a bit silly but the small vans shouldn't be too bad as they're too small for all the couriers.

[Tomthespesh]

When I was an apprentice about 10 years ago I had £2k to spend and got a 2005 Fabia estate with a 1.2 3 cylinder engine. It was £65 tax, did 40+ mpg and lasted 4 years of abuse before I got a decent paying job. Loads of space in it and insurance was cheap too.

I'd say something like that, well a later shape now but would be a worthy shout.

[MajorMantra]

codenamecueball said:

Anything small, petrol and japanese near you, spend a few quid throwing some new oil and filters at it and make sure it's not on ditchfinder tyres and you'll be set for life.

This. I'd look at an older Honda Jazz in particular. With the rear seats folded flat the cargo area is huge for a small car, should be more than adequate for your needs.

[some bloke]

Don't get a van - all you mates will want to borrow it and you'll get roped into helping them move into new flats. Ask me how I know.

[quinny100]

Mk2 Focus. A decent step up from the tinny supermini's and in my experience they don't cost any more to run. Estate is an option if you need more room.

[Mr.Nobody]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I’m going to go down the estate route. As it seems the most sensible option. I’ve had some Japanese cars before, they are good. A Ford Focus or Mondeo would be great I would imagine, as Ford parts are not that expensive and there is plenty of choice.

[nobrakes]

some bloke said:

Don't get a van - all you mates will want to borrow it and you'll get roped into helping them move into new flats. Ask me how I know.

This.

[nobrakes]

Mr.Nobody said:

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I’m going to go down the estate route. As it seems the most sensible option. I’ve had some Japanese cars before, they are good. A Ford Focus or Mondeo would be great I would imagine, as Ford parts are not that expensive and there is plenty of choice.

You can’t go too far wrong with a mondy, Mazda 6, or avensis.

The larger estate car will make it easier to chuck stuff in and out of and you’ll end up using it a a storage bin, too.

[vindaloo79]

Mr.Nobody said:

I’m looking to buy a car for work whilst I do my apprenticeship. I’ve around £1500 to spend on a car. It would need to be reliable as possible and not cost too much to maintain. Reasonable to tax £330 or less and okay on Petrol. The type of tools I carry are hand tools, power tools and a small set of step ladders. I would be a bonus if I could get some triples to fit on the roof but not essential.

Any recommendations would be great.

Did you get any insurance quotes yet, that may steer your decision making a bit.