Discussion
I've had moderate success in my bangernomics history.
MG ZR. Swapped a broken motorbike for it. I serviced it, replaced the starter motor and that was it. Lasted the best part of a year but would never pass an MOT so was scrapped.
Current 2002 Focus Diesel Estate. Bought for £800, and has needed nothing so far, but will be getting a new battery, aux belt and starter motor as it's struggling to start when cold. All the above is still under £200 and I'll fit it all myself.
The one failure was mt 2003 Audi A4 2.0 FSI. Lovely car, and still probably the nicest car I've owned. But a few days after buying it became obvious that the steering rack had failed and was leaking a lot. Was going to get it fixed for £500 and on the way to the garage it went into limp mode. In all likeliness it was the throttle body being coked up, or a coilpack, but decided to cut my losses and scrap it. Bought for £900, scrapped 10 days later for £180. Yep that one stung......
MG ZR. Swapped a broken motorbike for it. I serviced it, replaced the starter motor and that was it. Lasted the best part of a year but would never pass an MOT so was scrapped.
Current 2002 Focus Diesel Estate. Bought for £800, and has needed nothing so far, but will be getting a new battery, aux belt and starter motor as it's struggling to start when cold. All the above is still under £200 and I'll fit it all myself.
The one failure was mt 2003 Audi A4 2.0 FSI. Lovely car, and still probably the nicest car I've owned. But a few days after buying it became obvious that the steering rack had failed and was leaking a lot. Was going to get it fixed for £500 and on the way to the garage it went into limp mode. In all likeliness it was the throttle body being coked up, or a coilpack, but decided to cut my losses and scrap it. Bought for £900, scrapped 10 days later for £180. Yep that one stung......
The worst I've bought was my primera the engine would just loose power.
I bought a pretty knackered Citroen c5 that worked but it was battered to f
k and I was told to sell it by the Mrs 
I've had decent c5's , Saab aero , grand Cherokee, bmw 325ci and the current puma for under a grand.
Pushed the boat out with the Clio 172 cup that was £1200 plus I did the cambelt clutch and a new boot motor kept it 6 months then decided I wanted something more comfy and got the Saab- fool
I bought a pretty knackered Citroen c5 that worked but it was battered to f
k and I was told to sell it by the Mrs I've had decent c5's , Saab aero , grand Cherokee, bmw 325ci and the current puma for under a grand.
Pushed the boat out with the Clio 172 cup that was £1200 plus I did the cambelt clutch and a new boot motor kept it 6 months then decided I wanted something more comfy and got the Saab- fool
I'm crap at it due to car OCD. I've tried but I just can't do zero or minimum maintenance.
£250 Nissan Almera in for MOT
Garage "The car has failed and needs about £600 spending, do you want to go ahead?"
Me "What does it need?"
Garage "List of things like 1 shock, 1 spring, 1 brake calliper and some welding"
Me "In that case replace all the springs, all the shocks and the brakes all round. Oh and do the welding"
Garage "That's a lot of money and really not worth it, just do the minimum and you'll be good for another 12 months"
Me "I can't drive it once I know only 1 of the springs and shocks is done, it'll kill the handling"
Garage "It's a £250 rust Almera, it doesn't technically have handling"
Me "Nope, can't live it so please go ahead and empty my bank account so that I can sell the car next week"
I've long since given up home maintenance and I now lease a new car, it's far cheaper for me! I'm fully aware I have a mental problem and I really wish I didn't love every car I own.
£250 Nissan Almera in for MOT
Garage "The car has failed and needs about £600 spending, do you want to go ahead?"
Me "What does it need?"
Garage "List of things like 1 shock, 1 spring, 1 brake calliper and some welding"
Me "In that case replace all the springs, all the shocks and the brakes all round. Oh and do the welding"
Garage "That's a lot of money and really not worth it, just do the minimum and you'll be good for another 12 months"
Me "I can't drive it once I know only 1 of the springs and shocks is done, it'll kill the handling"
Garage "It's a £250 rust Almera, it doesn't technically have handling"
Me "Nope, can't live it so please go ahead and empty my bank account so that I can sell the car next week"
I've long since given up home maintenance and I now lease a new car, it's far cheaper for me! I'm fully aware I have a mental problem and I really wish I didn't love every car I own.
Never bought a banger but my Civic is now 11 years old and perilously close to banger value and my OH has had her corsa for 8 years and it's been at banger value for a good while now. The Honda has acquired a few minor dents and scrapes but mechanically always well looked after. Any time something broke, eg folding mirrors or A/C and a little time on Google and a cheap relay/fuse usually sorts the problem. It's cheap to run and comfy for long journeys and much as I love cars I'd hate to get rid of a perfectly functioning car just because I was bored. All filters, oil etc done regularly and always fitted with premium tyres and good discs/pads as I often depend on the car to do 1000 miles over a weekend.
The corsa went largely unused for years but now my OH uses it daily to get to work. Because of this I've been on a mission to get it back to working properly. Lights were awful so cleaned them and fitted good Phillips bulbs, rear bench stuck so replaced some parts to get it working. Wipers would stop wherever they wanted so fitted a new motor which sorted the issue. Drivers door lock was temperamental so that also needed a new motor. Indicators malfunctioned so they needed a new relay which was a pain to fit. All filters and oil now changed and the car is running so much better. A/C also fixed and fitted new housing to key as old one was perished. Suspension is knackered so that's next on the list. Total spend on maintenance must be over £500 this year already and will easily hit £1000 once tyres and the suspension are sorted. This probably seems ridiculous on a car that's worth £200-300 but I know that for the money spent that car will now work perfectly for a good few years which is a lot cheaper than keeping up repayments on a new car. Also much better to have an older car for commuting, especially as my OH scratched the whole front bumper on the way onto the drive this evening. Quick glance- oh that's pretty bad, oh well glad it's not a new car!
The corsa went largely unused for years but now my OH uses it daily to get to work. Because of this I've been on a mission to get it back to working properly. Lights were awful so cleaned them and fitted good Phillips bulbs, rear bench stuck so replaced some parts to get it working. Wipers would stop wherever they wanted so fitted a new motor which sorted the issue. Drivers door lock was temperamental so that also needed a new motor. Indicators malfunctioned so they needed a new relay which was a pain to fit. All filters and oil now changed and the car is running so much better. A/C also fixed and fitted new housing to key as old one was perished. Suspension is knackered so that's next on the list. Total spend on maintenance must be over £500 this year already and will easily hit £1000 once tyres and the suspension are sorted. This probably seems ridiculous on a car that's worth £200-300 but I know that for the money spent that car will now work perfectly for a good few years which is a lot cheaper than keeping up repayments on a new car. Also much better to have an older car for commuting, especially as my OH scratched the whole front bumper on the way onto the drive this evening. Quick glance- oh that's pretty bad, oh well glad it's not a new car!
Is any car which is only £1k still classed as bangernomics or has risen to a higher price point like SOTW?
Not sure if my car is as bangernomics, I bought my 2003 S60t5 about 7 years ago for £3k, had only 74k miles on it now it's on 140k miles but I seem to be doing the bangernomics wrong as I send it to local Volvo specialists for any that needs doing and also get them to service it and MOT it every year.
Was going to px it for something else but they only offered me £150 px so decided to keep longer.
Not sure if my car is as bangernomics, I bought my 2003 S60t5 about 7 years ago for £3k, had only 74k miles on it now it's on 140k miles but I seem to be doing the bangernomics wrong as I send it to local Volvo specialists for any that needs doing and also get them to service it and MOT it every year.
Was going to px it for something else but they only offered me £150 px so decided to keep longer.
My current car is worth about as much as the petrol in the tank. 
But it still works out cheaper than buying something new. I have zero depreciation, no lease costs, and while I shell out around £800 a year in servicing (bit more this year due to the cambelt) it's still cheaper than an econobox that I don't own.
But it still works out cheaper than buying something new. I have zero depreciation, no lease costs, and while I shell out around £800 a year in servicing (bit more this year due to the cambelt) it's still cheaper than an econobox that I don't own.
Yodafone said:
Is any car which is only £1k still classed as bangernomics or has risen to a higher price point like SOTW?
Not sure if my car is as bangernomics, I bought my 2003 S60t5 about 7 years ago for £3k, had only 74k miles on it now it's on 140k miles but I seem to be doing the bangernomics wrong as I send it to local Volvo specialists for any that needs doing and also get them to service it and MOT it every year.
Was going to px it for something else but they only offered me £150 px so decided to keep longer.
Cheeky fNot sure if my car is as bangernomics, I bought my 2003 S60t5 about 7 years ago for £3k, had only 74k miles on it now it's on 140k miles but I seem to be doing the bangernomics wrong as I send it to local Volvo specialists for any that needs doing and also get them to service it and MOT it every year.
Was going to px it for something else but they only offered me £150 px so decided to keep longer.
kers. That car would probably sell for over £1k assuming nothing's wrong with it.THIS IS ME !
Im OK for money but knocking on a bit now so need to keep funds rarther than spend
I run a 2000 Toyota Previa 2.0 D4D 290 K on the clock looked after by me in my workshop paid 1k for it ages ago
1996 Saab 900 convertible rescued for £296 spent a little time and money and now a nice car
run a small business have a couple pf older vans
LDV convoy 2000 flat bed well look after and will go anywhere
53 Berlingo
53 Citreon c15 I drive this thing myself 1000 miles a week Now known as the busiest C15 in the UK
I like living this way and scared to death of monthly payments and spending any money on vehicles
I always hire in newer stuff all the time It is nice but I would not want to have to repair it in four years time when the warranty has run out
Bangernomics as they call it does work but you must be prepared to do the work yourself to make it viable
Im OK for money but knocking on a bit now so need to keep funds rarther than spend
I run a 2000 Toyota Previa 2.0 D4D 290 K on the clock looked after by me in my workshop paid 1k for it ages ago
1996 Saab 900 convertible rescued for £296 spent a little time and money and now a nice car
run a small business have a couple pf older vans
LDV convoy 2000 flat bed well look after and will go anywhere
53 Berlingo
53 Citreon c15 I drive this thing myself 1000 miles a week Now known as the busiest C15 in the UK
I like living this way and scared to death of monthly payments and spending any money on vehicles
I always hire in newer stuff all the time It is nice but I would not want to have to repair it in four years time when the warranty has run out
Bangernomics as they call it does work but you must be prepared to do the work yourself to make it viable
Edited by jeremyh1 on Tuesday 20th March 05:37
Edited by jeremyh1 on Tuesday 20th March 05:37
lord trumpton said:
I really see the appeal of the bangernomics approach.
My problem is that I like the car to look good, no parking dents or scuffed wheels etc and no matter what I bought I think it would always grate
Not giving a fvuck about dents, dings and dirt is key to Bangernomics. Providing it works and is safe not having anything more than those criteria on your mind is incredibly liberating. The scabbier the better in fact - the first dent or scrape or stonechip is always the one that hurts the most and once you've got half a dozen one more really doesn't matter.My problem is that I like the car to look good, no parking dents or scuffed wheels etc and no matter what I bought I think it would always grate
Do you own your car or does your car own you?
Yodafone said:
Is any car which is only £1k still classed as bangernomics or has risen to a higher price point like SOTW?
Not sure if my car is as bangernomics, I bought my 2003 S60t5 about 7 years ago for £3k, had only 74k miles on it now it's on 140k miles but I seem to be doing the bangernomics wrong as I send it to local Volvo specialists for any that needs doing and also get them to service it and MOT it every year.
Was going to px it for something else but they only offered me £150 px so decided to keep longer.
This isn’t bangernomicsNot sure if my car is as bangernomics, I bought my 2003 S60t5 about 7 years ago for £3k, had only 74k miles on it now it's on 140k miles but I seem to be doing the bangernomics wrong as I send it to local Volvo specialists for any that needs doing and also get them to service it and MOT it every year.
Was going to px it for something else but they only offered me £150 px so decided to keep longer.
davepoth said:
My current car is worth about as much as the petrol in the tank.
This is bangernomics. Jaguar steve said:
lord trumpton said:
I really see the appeal of the bangernomics approach.
My problem is that I like the car to look good, no parking dents or scuffed wheels etc and no matter what I bought I think it would always grate
Not giving a fvuck about dents, dings and dirt is key to Bangernomics. Providing it works and is safe not having anything more than those criteria on your mind is incredibly liberating. The scabbier the better in fact - the first dent or scrape or stonechip is always the one that hurts the most and once you've got half a dozen one more really doesn't matter.My problem is that I like the car to look good, no parking dents or scuffed wheels etc and no matter what I bought I think it would always grate
Do you own your car or does your car own you?
I might give it a go though just to see if it's a breath of fresh air. It can be tiring always worrying about stonechips and dents.
What's the bangernomics go to car? I'm thinking e39 5 series
I am a fan of bangernomics. I've just put my old corsavan through another MOT.
Benefits: it costs pennies to run day to day, I don't care where I park it, it's reliable, it's got a comfortable seat/driving position, and by using it I'm saving my better car (an 8 year old Passat) from excessive mileage.
30,000 miles in 18 months with minimal costs to keep it going.
Benefits: it costs pennies to run day to day, I don't care where I park it, it's reliable, it's got a comfortable seat/driving position, and by using it I'm saving my better car (an 8 year old Passat) from excessive mileage.
30,000 miles in 18 months with minimal costs to keep it going.
swisstoni said:
I used to look for cars that depreciated like a stone.
That way you could pick up something with a bit of working life left in it.
That used to be large French saloons. I don’t know if there is an equivalent these days.
still big o Citreons if you love the spanners and playing with the fault code reader all weekend That way you could pick up something with a bit of working life left in it.
That used to be large French saloons. I don’t know if there is an equivalent these days.
The c5 and C6 if you love the workshop that much
lord trumpton said:
Jaguar steve said:
lord trumpton said:
I really see the appeal of the bangernomics approach.
My problem is that I like the car to look good, no parking dents or scuffed wheels etc and no matter what I bought I think it would always grate
Not giving a fvuck about dents, dings and dirt is key to Bangernomics. Providing it works and is safe not having anything more than those criteria on your mind is incredibly liberating. The scabbier the better in fact - the first dent or scrape or stonechip is always the one that hurts the most and once you've got half a dozen one more really doesn't matter.My problem is that I like the car to look good, no parking dents or scuffed wheels etc and no matter what I bought I think it would always grate
Do you own your car or does your car own you?
I might give it a go though just to see if it's a breath of fresh air. It can be tiring always worrying about stonechips and dents.
What's the bangernomics go to car? I'm thinking e39 5 series
Every single time I leave something nice and shiny and expensive in the garage and take the scabby old banger instead it's always accompanied by an enormous sense of liberation from worry and potential grief which lifts the entire day.
I learned a long time ago cars make excellent servants but terrible masters. I do have a nice car too but hardly ever use it because of this.
Jaguar steve said:
Go for it. Something Japanese, petrol and without a timing belt may be a good call.
Every single time I leave something nice and shiny and expensive in the garage and take the scabby old banger instead it's always accompanied by an enormous sense of liberation from worry and potential grief which lifts the entire day.
I learned a long time ago cars make excellent servants but terrible masters. I do have a nice car too but hardly ever use it because of this.
I know exactly what you mean Steve I see others with no money at the end of the month with cars on finance or lease and you get that feeling knowing your vehicle can do what theirs can do Every single time I leave something nice and shiny and expensive in the garage and take the scabby old banger instead it's always accompanied by an enormous sense of liberation from worry and potential grief which lifts the entire day.
I learned a long time ago cars make excellent servants but terrible masters. I do have a nice car too but hardly ever use it because of this.
You get a lot of satisfaction from old vehicles that dont let you down
I know there are people reading these threads with cars on finance and I know they are wishing they brought a £500 car and not have this rope around their neck
jeremyh1 said:
swisstoni said:
I used to look for cars that depreciated like a stone.
That way you could pick up something with a bit of working life left in it.
That used to be large French saloons. I don’t know if there is an equivalent these days.
still big o Citreons if you love the spanners and playing with the fault code reader all weekend That way you could pick up something with a bit of working life left in it.
That used to be large French saloons. I don’t know if there is an equivalent these days.
The c5 and C6 if you love the workshop that much
Regularly serviced - it was fine and had no rust.
Don’t trot out that old pub folklore just for the sake of it.
I'm Mr Bangernomics.
I've had approx 25 cars...and all but 3 of them have been well under £1,000, many under £500, two of them FOC.
If repairs cost anywhere near the value of the car - they dont get done - or maybe get partly done.
I'm aware that i've been very lucky as none of my cars have let me down in a big way.
Now with 2 young kids...i've modified my approach and have gone for a newer, safer car (2011 C3 Picasso) but i still hanker after a 'real' cheapie.
There's something so liberating about driving an extremely cheap car - that works!
I HAVE had access to some really good prices though as i work in the motor trade as many of my cars have been cheap part-exes as trade prices. Not all though.
There have been some diamonds in the rough - a very clean 1999 Saab 9-5 Aero for £600! (private sale) That was a great car! I often keep saying WHY did you sell it...but this is the thing....i love cars of all shapes and sizes.....especially cheap ones....but the pull of a different cheap car is always there!
I've had approx 25 cars...and all but 3 of them have been well under £1,000, many under £500, two of them FOC.
If repairs cost anywhere near the value of the car - they dont get done - or maybe get partly done.
I'm aware that i've been very lucky as none of my cars have let me down in a big way.
Now with 2 young kids...i've modified my approach and have gone for a newer, safer car (2011 C3 Picasso) but i still hanker after a 'real' cheapie.
There's something so liberating about driving an extremely cheap car - that works!
I HAVE had access to some really good prices though as i work in the motor trade as many of my cars have been cheap part-exes as trade prices. Not all though.
There have been some diamonds in the rough - a very clean 1999 Saab 9-5 Aero for £600! (private sale) That was a great car! I often keep saying WHY did you sell it...but this is the thing....i love cars of all shapes and sizes.....especially cheap ones....but the pull of a different cheap car is always there!
Barchettaman said:
I usually buy part-worn tyres or wheelsets on Ebay.de, this saves hundreds of euros too. My winters were €200 for 7mm tyres on nice 17" rims, my summers were €80 for a set of four nearly-new Goodyear EfficientGrip.
This is a really good tip - thanks!bearman68 said:
I'm terrible at Bangernomics. It really really annoys me if the car is not running correctly. I don't like bangs from the suspension, or electrical bits not working, or seats torn, or a substandard car in the bodywork or knocked about interior. It might be cheap, but I still need to sit in it for many hours, so it has to be right.
With this in mind, I'll spend generally about £1-2000 on a car, and then another £6 or 700 making it right for me.
I purchased a Saab 9-3 for £1300 (with only 68k miles on it), and then promptly put a new set of tyres, brakes, suspension, wheel bearings, and rear calipers on it.
I'm like this. I also cannot have a car without 4 matching tyres on (ie. same make and model - I know they may be different sizes front to rear, before some pedants jump in), and I'll bin them all, even with good tread so I can buy matching ones, otherwise it does my head in.With this in mind, I'll spend generally about £1-2000 on a car, and then another £6 or 700 making it right for me.
I purchased a Saab 9-3 for £1300 (with only 68k miles on it), and then promptly put a new set of tyres, brakes, suspension, wheel bearings, and rear calipers on it.
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