Beginners guide to shedding
Discussion
Due to some bad-luck with a business venture, I'll be joining the shed fraternity within the next month or two.
It's been quite some time since I owned an older car and those I have owned have usually ended poorly (MX-5 - killed by rust, W124 lost lots of money on because no one wanted to buy it).
I'll be looking in the sub-£1500 category and using it almost solely for motorway commuting (around 60 miles round-trip daily).
I'm not overly fussed about running costs, but would like reliability, a degree of comfort and space. An estate would be nice, but not essential. I'm focussing on petrol cars to avoid the woes of older-diesel engines.
Cars which have caught my attention include;
-Skoda Octavia Estate (2005 ish, petrol, 110-150k)
-Saab 9-5 (2003 ish, petrol, 100-130k)
-Volvo V50 (2005 ish, petrol, 100-130k)
-Vauxhall Omega Estate (2000 ish, petrol or diesel, sub-100k)
These seem, to me, to tick the boxes of reliability and all seem that they should have enough life left in them to last me for a few years. My main questions are;
-Are there any particular makes/models which I should be looking at or avoiding
-Other than the usual used-car buying advice, is there anything to help make sure I buy a decent shed?
It's been quite some time since I owned an older car and those I have owned have usually ended poorly (MX-5 - killed by rust, W124 lost lots of money on because no one wanted to buy it).
I'll be looking in the sub-£1500 category and using it almost solely for motorway commuting (around 60 miles round-trip daily).
I'm not overly fussed about running costs, but would like reliability, a degree of comfort and space. An estate would be nice, but not essential. I'm focussing on petrol cars to avoid the woes of older-diesel engines.
Cars which have caught my attention include;
-Skoda Octavia Estate (2005 ish, petrol, 110-150k)
-Saab 9-5 (2003 ish, petrol, 100-130k)
-Volvo V50 (2005 ish, petrol, 100-130k)
-Vauxhall Omega Estate (2000 ish, petrol or diesel, sub-100k)
These seem, to me, to tick the boxes of reliability and all seem that they should have enough life left in them to last me for a few years. My main questions are;
-Are there any particular makes/models which I should be looking at or avoiding
-Other than the usual used-car buying advice, is there anything to help make sure I buy a decent shed?
Don't be afraid to look at the "premium" manufacturers with a £1,500 budget.
A bit of research and careful shopping around will net you a lovely E39 530i/540i Touring, for example. Similarly, if you can find a non-rusty Mercedes estate for £1,500, chew the seller's arm off, and there are some pretty sensible deals to be done on bigger engined Audi A4s and A6s.
The reason I'm recommending larger petrol engined cars is twofold.
1) Non-enthusiast used car buyers shy away from big sixes and V8s - they'd prefer a sensible four pot, preferably with a turbo. This keeps the prices of large-engined cars low, relative to their "lesser" brethren.
2) Larger engined cars usually came better specified from the factory. The theory here is that if the original buyer is splashing out for a straight six/V6/V8 engine, they are more inclined to specify leather, sat nav, upgraded stereo, heated seats, climate control, etc. However, this isn't always true, so don't just assume that a BMW/Merc V8 will have all the toys as standard - do your homework first.
A bit of research and careful shopping around will net you a lovely E39 530i/540i Touring, for example. Similarly, if you can find a non-rusty Mercedes estate for £1,500, chew the seller's arm off, and there are some pretty sensible deals to be done on bigger engined Audi A4s and A6s.
The reason I'm recommending larger petrol engined cars is twofold.
1) Non-enthusiast used car buyers shy away from big sixes and V8s - they'd prefer a sensible four pot, preferably with a turbo. This keeps the prices of large-engined cars low, relative to their "lesser" brethren.
2) Larger engined cars usually came better specified from the factory. The theory here is that if the original buyer is splashing out for a straight six/V6/V8 engine, they are more inclined to specify leather, sat nav, upgraded stereo, heated seats, climate control, etc. However, this isn't always true, so don't just assume that a BMW/Merc V8 will have all the toys as standard - do your homework first.
MorganP104 said:
Don't be afraid to look at the "premium" manufacturers with a £1,500 budget.
A bit of research and careful shopping around will net you a lovely E39 530i/540i Touring, for example. Similarly, if you can find a non-rusty Mercedes estate for £1,500, chew the seller's arm off, and there are some pretty sensible deals to be done on bigger engined Audi A4s and A6s.
The reason I'm recommending larger petrol engined cars is twofold.
1) Non-enthusiast used car buyers shy away from big sixes and V8s - they'd prefer a sensible four pot, preferably with a turbo. This keeps the prices of large-engined cars low, relative to their "lesser" brethren.
2) Larger engined cars usually came better specified from the factory. The theory here is that if the original buyer is splashing out for a straight six/V6/V8 engine, they are more inclined to specify leather, sat nav, upgraded stereo, heated seats, climate control, etc. However, this isn't always true, so don't just assume that a BMW/Merc V8 will have all the toys as standard - do your homework first.
Thanks. I think I was just trying to avoid unnecessarily expensive repair bills. Most of the above which I've looked at in my budget are higher mileage and have more toys on them (to go wrong). I'm trying to be sensible because I can't really afford any expensive bills for the next year or so.A bit of research and careful shopping around will net you a lovely E39 530i/540i Touring, for example. Similarly, if you can find a non-rusty Mercedes estate for £1,500, chew the seller's arm off, and there are some pretty sensible deals to be done on bigger engined Audi A4s and A6s.
The reason I'm recommending larger petrol engined cars is twofold.
1) Non-enthusiast used car buyers shy away from big sixes and V8s - they'd prefer a sensible four pot, preferably with a turbo. This keeps the prices of large-engined cars low, relative to their "lesser" brethren.
2) Larger engined cars usually came better specified from the factory. The theory here is that if the original buyer is splashing out for a straight six/V6/V8 engine, they are more inclined to specify leather, sat nav, upgraded stereo, heated seats, climate control, etc. However, this isn't always true, so don't just assume that a BMW/Merc V8 will have all the toys as standard - do your homework first.
There's plenty of W210 mercs in budget, but I know they can rust really badly and I know (from experience) that some terminal rust is just impossible to spot until it's too late. Do they hide anything bad, or is it mainly just front arches which rust on these?
milb001 said:
... and have more toys on them (to go wrong). I'm trying to be sensible because I can't really afford any expensive bills for the next year or so.
That why I always look for manuals. Probably someone will disagree on that.Gurgel used to say: What the car dont have cant go wrong.
milb001 said:
MorganP104 said:
Don't be afraid to look at the "premium" manufacturers with a £1,500 budget.
A bit of research and careful shopping around will net you a lovely E39 530i/540i Touring, for example. Similarly, if you can find a non-rusty Mercedes estate for £1,500, chew the seller's arm off, and there are some pretty sensible deals to be done on bigger engined Audi A4s and A6s.
The reason I'm recommending larger petrol engined cars is twofold.
1) Non-enthusiast used car buyers shy away from big sixes and V8s - they'd prefer a sensible four pot, preferably with a turbo. This keeps the prices of large-engined cars low, relative to their "lesser" brethren.
2) Larger engined cars usually came better specified from the factory. The theory here is that if the original buyer is splashing out for a straight six/V6/V8 engine, they are more inclined to specify leather, sat nav, upgraded stereo, heated seats, climate control, etc. However, this isn't always true, so don't just assume that a BMW/Merc V8 will have all the toys as standard - do your homework first.
Thanks. I think I was just trying to avoid unnecessarily expensive repair bills. Most of the above which I've looked at in my budget are higher mileage and have more toys on them (to go wrong). I'm trying to be sensible because I can't really afford any expensive bills for the next year or so.A bit of research and careful shopping around will net you a lovely E39 530i/540i Touring, for example. Similarly, if you can find a non-rusty Mercedes estate for £1,500, chew the seller's arm off, and there are some pretty sensible deals to be done on bigger engined Audi A4s and A6s.
The reason I'm recommending larger petrol engined cars is twofold.
1) Non-enthusiast used car buyers shy away from big sixes and V8s - they'd prefer a sensible four pot, preferably with a turbo. This keeps the prices of large-engined cars low, relative to their "lesser" brethren.
2) Larger engined cars usually came better specified from the factory. The theory here is that if the original buyer is splashing out for a straight six/V6/V8 engine, they are more inclined to specify leather, sat nav, upgraded stereo, heated seats, climate control, etc. However, this isn't always true, so don't just assume that a BMW/Merc V8 will have all the toys as standard - do your homework first.
There's plenty of W210 mercs in budget, but I know they can rust really badly and I know (from experience) that some terminal rust is just impossible to spot until it's too late. Do they hide anything bad, or is it mainly just front arches which rust on these?
If you want the inside scoop on old Mercs, head over to the "Best Smoker Barges £1-5k" thread, as there's M-B beardage apently over there.
VPXavier said:
That why I always look for manuals. Probably someone will disagree on that.
Gurgel used to say: What the car dont have cant go wrong.
You forgot about DMFs and cars with concentric slave cylinders then Gurgel used to say: What the car dont have cant go wrong.
.Pretty decent advice really. I'd keep your options open and get something petrol based. For me the collateral for a derv to go wrong is a bit too high for £1.5k. My friend was saying this about his Mk3 Mondeo. If anything goes wrong on it like the Turbo, injectors, injection pump etc. it'll cost basically what he paid for the car, which was £1k and it's not like they are unknown for going.
MorganP104 said:
A bit of research and careful shopping around will net you a lovely E39 530i/540i Touring, for example.
Are these not a bit unicorn, though? A look at AT and PH classifieds always seems to reveal a lot of very expensive, low-mileage cars, but only rarely a private sale at a price under a couple of grand!Mondeo
I was in the same situation recently and needed a cheap car
Mondeo was really something i didn't want to do but I had slim pickings locally, so went to see one and test drive.
Admittedly they are fairly dull but it drives well, very comfy and should prove to be a reliable horse.
At £1500 you will have plenty to choose from! Some MK4 (high mileage) are slipping into the £1500 category too
Just look for service history, check the MOT history and buy the best condition you can find
I just bought 2004 (54 plate), FSH, 2 owners, very good condition, 1.8 petrol - £650
With the MK3 try to go post 2003 (when the did some revisions) and better than LX spec (LX, Zetec, Ghia, Ghia X) - Although mine is LX spec and OK!
Newer Shape MK4
I was in the same situation recently and needed a cheap car
Mondeo was really something i didn't want to do but I had slim pickings locally, so went to see one and test drive.
Admittedly they are fairly dull but it drives well, very comfy and should prove to be a reliable horse.
At £1500 you will have plenty to choose from! Some MK4 (high mileage) are slipping into the £1500 category too
Just look for service history, check the MOT history and buy the best condition you can find
I just bought 2004 (54 plate), FSH, 2 owners, very good condition, 1.8 petrol - £650
With the MK3 try to go post 2003 (when the did some revisions) and better than LX spec (LX, Zetec, Ghia, Ghia X) - Although mine is LX spec and OK!
Newer Shape MK4
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