Which cheap approved car?

[rasputin]

Looking for a used car that I can run for a couple of years without costing much in repairs. I want it to have a decent warranty (so not 3rd party) so I don't have to worry about that.

Main needs:
1) Approved-used type warranty
2) Can carry a labrador (estate is best, hatch OK)
3) £4000 budget

It's a mostly economical decision. It's just going to be a dog-mobile so performance, etc. is not important. Fuel economy also not important as I won't drive it much.

I can only find one suitable candidate and that's a Chevrolet Lacetti SW. Which seems to fit the bill!

Any other suggestions though?

[Defcon5]

Why is the warrently so important is you dont use it much?

[Fastdruid]

£1000 estate and save £3000 for if it does go wrong?

[Matt UK]

Go with the Chevrolet Lacetti SW, sounds ideal

[rasputin]

Defcon5 said:

Why is the warrently so important is you dont use it much?

I've had a few cars that only needed a few miles to cost thousands!

[Scott888]

Do you need space for passengers as well, or just a dog? If just a dog you could just get a hatch of any size where the seats fold flat i.e. C'eed which will still have 2 years left on the warranty if you get an 07, which falls into budget.

[rasputin]

I did actually look at the Cee'd. But I think the last 2 years of the warranty is engine & gearbox only, which isn't enough on a 6 year old car!

[va1o]

Problem is at that end of the market with an approved used car you are probably going to be paying twice what its really worth. Chances are it cost them about £2k in the trade. I'd rather pick it up from auction myself and leave the other £2k in the bank for in case it goes wrong.

[Matt UK]

Fastdruid said:

£1000 estate and save £3000 for if it does go wrong?

I'd be inclined to a agree with this.

Even a 'decent warranty' will try and wriggle out of everything.

[Fastdruid]

I was serious. Pick sensibly, ie no modern diesels, no turbo's, nothing with a dmf. No french (unreliable) or german (very expensive parts). Ideally something that sold a lot and ideally get the half life facelift model because most of the issues should have been fixed from the early models. 3k then buys a lot of repairs!

As an example I bought a mondeo 65k/4 years ago for 950 and haven't spent 3k on normal wear and tear items (ie ones that wouldn't even be covered by a warranty), hell I'm not sure I've spent that much including tyres and servicing! (3k a year in petrol though! )

[rasputin]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I've had a few sub-£1k cars and they did cost about £1k a year to keep running. Maybe I've just been unlucky, but I don't expect my luck to change with the next one...

I've also just gotten rid of my 5th Mondeo (6 if you include an X-Type), and I've come to the conclusion that they're not the bargains they seem. The old ones soldiered on, but the post-2001 models all developed expensive problems.

So on Saturday I'm picking up a '58' Lacetti estate, 50k miles, Chevrolet approved-used with 1 year warranty, 2 months tax and they're doing a service for me before I collect it.
Cost: £3,000!

The dogs will be happy to have an estate again

[Fastdruid]

rasputin said:

The old ones soldiered on, but the post-2001 models all developed expensive problems.

So many electrics and extra gubbins on them these days and every one is *bloody* expensive to fix when they fail. Really don't know what I'll replace my '98 Mondeo with when it finally goes pop (I keep expecting it any day now) or horrifically fails an MOT but it keeps soldiering on. Last MOT it 'failed' on a number plate light. £15 bloody quid it cost me because the fitting broke when replacing it!

[jamoor]

Fastdruid said:

I was serious. Pick sensibly, ie no modern diesels, no turbo's, nothing with a dmf. No french (unreliable) or german (very expensive parts). Ideally something that sold a lot and ideally get the half life facelift model because most of the issues should have been fixed from the early models. 3k then buys a lot of repairs!

As an example I bought a mondeo 65k/4 years ago for 950 and haven't spent 3k on normal wear and tear items (ie ones that wouldn't even be covered by a warranty), hell I'm not sure I've spent that much including tyres and servicing! (3k a year in petrol though! )

German cars have cheap parts, Japanese are expensive.

[Fastdruid]

jamoor said:

German cars have cheap parts, Japanese are expensive.

What, BMW, Audi and VW have cheap parts? Pull the other one!

Although I'll agree Japanese aren't cheap either.

[jamoor]

Fastdruid said:

What, BMW, Audi and VW have cheap parts? Pull the other one!

Although I'll agree Japanese aren't cheap either.

Er, yes?

I have never found their parts expensive really.

Compared to some £300 denso MAFs for jap cars.

European parts are cheap because they are readily available on the after market too.