What car... 3 different small budgets!

[CrippsCorner]

Hi guys. Missus car (Jazz) has killed its gearbox. We're looking at £500ish for parts and labour to replace... perfectly happy to do so, however we do have a few options:

a) Find another car for £500ish - So far, found nothing that is better than the Jazz, especially as the mileage is around 80k. There were a few decent looking cars, I spotted a Megane that looked alright but they're all 140k miles or more at this price range!

b) Spend £1,000 on something a little better. At this price I'd be looking at something slightly more interesting that needs some work. Found an ST170 & Octavia vRS which both had easily sorted problems.

c) Spend up to £3,500. This is where I was intending to be next year, but I'd have to borrow the money and pay it back at this point. Would be looking at either a hot hatch - Golf GTI or Megane RS, or a 7 seater - Zafira VXR or S-Max Titanium.

d) Just fix the Jazz, and get option c) later next year.

We have 2 kids, so need a decent boot and 5 doors. Other than that, anything goes. What would you go for at this stage?

[kiethton]

Fix the Jizz, better the devil you know and all that

[InitialDave]

You can DIY the Jazz gearbox swap on a driveway if necessary. Engine bay is a bit tight, but it's all pretty straightforward in technical terms.

They do seem to be quite weak, unfortunately. Had to help a friend do the one on his wife's Jazz, and it's a common issue.

[Jamescrs]

Fix the Jazz and buy something better next year- You could be throwing away good money spending a grand on a new car, better the devil you know

[RazerSauber]

I'd go with fix the Jazz. As above, better the devil you know. You won't get stung for the remaining month of tax on your vehicle, admin fees on the insurance and the uncertainty of a new shed. Snapped cam belt after 2 weeks and you're goosed. You can use the replacement gearbox to help with the eventual sale too I suppose.

[ZX10R NIN]

Fix the Jazz then go back to option C.

[DaveyBoyWonder]

Any option other than a Megane

[CrippsCorner]

Seems pretty comprehensive

I've upped the budget for the quick replacement a bit, was considering these two:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-55-MK1-SKODA-OCTAV...

Have told the missus I'm happy to just get the Jazz fixed if she prefers though.