Used car buying advice sought - for old banger...
Discussion
Hi guys, I'm looking for advice on the most reliable and cost effective medium size family car around 6 to 8 years old. Must be petrol and can be as boring as hell. After years of new car ownership, I'm back to the spanners and overalls. So whilst I have no issues working on any car for normal everyday maintenance, I'm trying to avoid dragging the hoist out of the garage for major repairs.
I've been living in that bubble of company car land. Hand it over when it goes wrong, get a new one if they cant fix it. I'm now down on my luck and need to make a return to austerity vehicles.
I've been living in that bubble of company car land. Hand it over when it goes wrong, get a new one if they cant fix it. I'm now down on my luck and need to make a return to austerity vehicles.
I think you will get loads of different answers! Most have their own personal ideas of what makes a good "older" car.
Can't disagree with the Mondeo idea.
But I quite like Japanese or other "Asian" cars. Daewoo/Chevrolet Nubira springs to mind as boring as hell but gets the job done.
Main thing (whatever make/model) is to choose well (i.e. one that's been looked after).
Can't disagree with the Mondeo idea.
But I quite like Japanese or other "Asian" cars. Daewoo/Chevrolet Nubira springs to mind as boring as hell but gets the job done.
Main thing (whatever make/model) is to choose well (i.e. one that's been looked after).
mini1380cc said:
I'll also say accord. I've had a few and they were all very reliable, even the type-r one. Avensis is also reliable.
I have a Generation 7 Accord, and the bargains are petrol, and generation 6. A mate just bought a 2.0 manual executive, 51 reg, for £750. Highish miles at 130K but full history, and only 2 owners. Given the "Lease" cost of a s
tbox is £129 a month, he wants it to last 6 months, at which point he will consider it a free car. mattman said:
Lexus Is200/300 - cheap to buy, good spec and from the reviews I've read pretty much bullet proof
Good call. Not sure about part prices in the UK (nothing ever breaks tho) and not exactly good on fuel. But a lot of car for the money! Nice I6 engine, still feels refined, well built (as one would expect). Accord also excellent call IMO.Bit more detail would be helpful. Is fuel economy relevant? Depreciation? What budget roughly? How much room do you need? Does it have to be boring?
Left field choices dept suggests: X300 XJ6, Saab 95 (from 04), W124 Estate :-).
I bought a 1999 Toyota Avensis June 2013 for a weeks wages. I was fed up of being thrown bills by my newer car, so moved it on and moved into disposable motoring.
A year later: no disposing has yet occurred.
I've done 32,000 miles in a year (yep - petrol) and other than 3.9 litres of oil every 10k miles, 3x oil filters, 3x air filters and 4x tyres (one was distorted at point of sale) it's needed nothing.
Nothing.
Its now 15 years old, has 133k on the clock, and passed its MOT without a single advisory. MOT tester commented on how straight it was. Going through MOT history, the emissions are now lower than they've been in 5 years (good petrol)
My advice?
Buy a 90s Jap Petrol Machine.
A year later: no disposing has yet occurred.
I've done 32,000 miles in a year (yep - petrol) and other than 3.9 litres of oil every 10k miles, 3x oil filters, 3x air filters and 4x tyres (one was distorted at point of sale) it's needed nothing.
Nothing.
Its now 15 years old, has 133k on the clock, and passed its MOT without a single advisory. MOT tester commented on how straight it was. Going through MOT history, the emissions are now lower than they've been in 5 years (good petrol)
My advice?
Buy a 90s Jap Petrol Machine.
Jazzer77 said:
This +1.
Due to the sheer numbers around you should be able to pickup a nice privately owned car with history for not a lot of cash. The 1.8 rarely gives bother and most other things are easy to fix.
I'm doing this at the moment. If you can handle spanners and can make ebay work for you this would be ideal. A BMW E36 or 46 would also be an option but it depends how big a car you need; the boot on the Mondeo is massive and it will seat 4 adults in comfort, the BMW is smaller and definitey a 2 adults 2 kids car.Due to the sheer numbers around you should be able to pickup a nice privately owned car with history for not a lot of cash. The 1.8 rarely gives bother and most other things are easy to fix.
Also, ditch the Haynes manual, there are always videos on youtube of anything you need to do.
Wow, you've taken me back here with all the reply's. Thanks for the input, It will certainly help steer me in the right direction. I'll take a closer look at all the suggestions and no doubt have some more specific model questions later on.
Many thanks guys, I really appreciate your advice.
Many thanks guys, I really appreciate your advice.
I've a Gen7 Accord. It's a consumate performer. Only had it since September, but covered 20k without issue, flew through it's MOT with an advisory on a rear ARB bush (not surprising, I stack the rear up with heavy stuff often). It's an 08 plate tourer which is perhaps a touch out of your budget, an earlier Gen7 might be within budget though.
It's boring as hell, but in petrol form it just works. I walk out to it of a morning and know it will start, move, stop and get me to my meeting and home again with no fuss. Completely different from the starting lottery of the e60 BMW it replaced.
It's boring as hell, but in petrol form it just works. I walk out to it of a morning and know it will start, move, stop and get me to my meeting and home again with no fuss. Completely different from the starting lottery of the e60 BMW it replaced.
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