What car for £4.5k?

[mattdyson]

I have recently sold my suzuki swift as I was moving to London and didn't need a car any more. However its a few months later and I'm missing having a car so have started looking at what I can get.

I have max £4.5k to spend on a car that I will solely be using at the weekend.

My requirements are as follows:
- Insurable for a 23yr old with 0 NCB
- Reliable and in good enough condition that it will only require normal servicing (ie. a £500 rust repair or major cambelt service is something I can't afford)
- Liveable on fuel (around 30mpg)
- Able to transport a mountain bike

The cars i've been looking at atm are Civic Type R (but may cost too much to run), MX5 mk3 (struggle with the mountain bike) & Colt CZT (don't like the interior).

Does anyone else have any good suggestions?

[rb5er]

If you cant ever afford a £500 repair bill if something goes wrong then I suggest you walk or get a bike. ANY car could easily throw a bill of that amount at you at some point.

[McHaggis]

In London your insurance is going to be the killer on anything fun with no NCB - have you done your quotes yet on bog standard boring stuff?

For fun:

Audi 100 Avant:
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...

Honda FR-V
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...

[mattdyson]

I take your point that any car can throw up a £500 bill, what I mean is I don't want something where large bills in the future are likely. For example I'd steer clear or an RX8 for fear of a big rotor tips refurb bill or a tatty mk1 mx5 with rust issues.

As for insurance, I've had a few quotes and a Type R is £1200, which is pretty much the limit of what I would pay.

[S10GTA]

I would have said a Clio 197 till I saw the bit about not being able to afford 500 quid bills.

I have a wacky suggestion. Spend 3.5k on a car (182 for example), and keep 1k in the bank. You can the afford 2 x 500 quid bills then.

Just an idea.

Edited by S10GTA on Saturday 1st September 10:16

[mattdyson]

I like the idea of picking something up for £3.5k and having the £1k cushion. Just never been the biggest fan of clio's.

[Chrisw666]

With no NCB you should look at older cars which can be insured as a classic, things like w124 or w201 mercs, E30 Bmws older Volvos, etc etc.

Have a look at Retro rides if you think old = boring or unreliable.

[Powerrr]

OP, it sounds like you really have not given this much thought at all.

Seems like you have your eye on a Type r.

Can you afford a Type r?
Can you afford to Insure a Type r?
Can you afford 25-30mpg in a Type r?
Can you afford road tax on a Type r?
Can you afford new discs and pads for a Type r?



You know just a couple of thoughts, the little things that matter. Like has been said it makes pretty decent sense for a kick off to spend less and have a little in the bank to use if need be.


Go and search through the classifieds, you would be surprised what you can pick up for 3/3.5K. . .. . Like a Type r.

[mattdyson]

Thanks for the replys. I'm gona have a look and see what the cheaper type r's are like and whether I can really afford to run one, as I won't be doing many miles its a possibility

[rallyeS2]

Fiat panda 100hp can be had on budget... Cheap to run, low insurance group, easy to park and nippy when needed!

[mattdyson]

Thanks for the suggestion but its a little to similar to the swift I sold (although not the sport it was 1.5 102bhp) and fancy a bit more of a change

[crosseyedlion]

The most minty mint of BMW e36 328i touring's - with msport kit.

Swift, cheap to insure (relatively), 30mpg average isnt difficult, big enough for a bike, cheap parts and more reliable than the e46 shape.

A great steer, and If kept in decent condition, depreciation free.

[mjb1]

Late model celica? Fold down the rear seats and a bike will go in easy. Should do near 40mpg.

[Clinton Baptiste]

Skoda Octavia Vrs, you'll get a good un for that money. Plenty of room for the mtb too.

Here you go...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3724907.htm

Edited by Clinton Baptiste on Saturday 1st September 13:22