New (sort of) member, new car

[AndyCaerdydd]

Hello, I've been a member since 2006(ish) off and on under a few different names with a few different cars - Renaults, a 2008 Clio, a 2007 Megane, a 2010 Twingo RS and, more recently a 2008 Civic Type S, which I had to sell for health reasons.

However, I am now back in the market for a car, which I'm going to start looking at the end of January(ish). My budget will be £5-7,000 but I don't want to have to work on it nor have any major issues looming. I don't mind 100k miles plus as long as there's history to back up decent maintenance.

I don't want to travel more than 10 miles from Cardiff and have been looking at what's around. So far I've seen a 2012 120i for £5995, a 2009 320i M Sport Convertible for £5250, a 2008 C350 Coupe for £5-6k and a TTS for about £6500. These are the kind of things I'm looking for.

Any advice on what to look for would be handy, thanks

[Lester H]

AndyCaerdydd said:

Hello, I've been a member since 2006(ish) off and on under a few different names with a few different cars - Renaults, a 2008 Clio, a 2007 Megane, a 2010 Twingo RS and, more recently a 2008 Civic Type S, which I had to sell for health reasons.

However, I am now back in the market for a car, which I'm going to start looking at the end of January(ish). My budget will be £5-7,000 but I don't want to have to work on it nor have any major issues looming. I don't mind 100k miles plus as long as there's history to back up decent maintenance.

I don't want to travel more than 10 miles from Cardiff and have been looking at what's around. So far I've seen a 2012 120i for £5995, a 2009 320i M Sport Convertible for £5250, a 2008 C350 Coupe for £5-6k and a TTS for about £6500. These are the kind of things I'm looking for.

Any advice on what to look for would be handy, thanks

Whilst there are advantages to buying near home, if you extended the search to 20 miles, the choice would increase a lot, as you can verify on Autotrader, or similar.Bear in mind that pre 2010 are quite old cars now.

[GreatGranny]

10 miles?!?

Put a bit of effort into it mate

That TTS looks a bit of a possible money pit.

I would go for this

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412287...

420d - high (ish) mileage but looks ok

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411296...

[Philv8s]

I have to agree with the other posters. I have travelled hundreds of miles for the right car. Admittedly a bit rare or exceptional condition and spec but 10 miles is just closing too many possibilities off to you. Put some more effort in and the right car will appear.

[ZX10R NIN]

Personally I'd travel as you'll be very limited in what's available.

[Mr Tidy]

What you need to use it for and the sort of car you like must be major factors too.

But restricting your search to within 10 miles of Cardiff is very limiting!

Broaden your horizons, you never know what you'll find.

[AndyCaerdydd]

GreatGranny said:

10 miles?!?

Put a bit of effort into it mate

That TTS looks a bit of a possible money pit.

I would go for this

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412287...

420d - high (ish) mileage but looks ok

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411296...

I noticed the red TT you highlighted but the red flashes inside look a bit Halfords

[AndyCaerdydd]

Thanks for the advice, guys. The reason I don't want to travel more than 10 miles is that I have to rely on public transport, for the health reasons I haven't had a car for a few years. I don't want to have an awkward journey to view a car and another possible awkward journey to pick it up.

Because some of the older German cars started to look a bit tatty, I've seen a decent, low-ish mileage 2015 Fiesta ST within my budget which I'm very tempted by.

Some great advice and thank you.

Edited by AndyCaerdydd on Sunday 5th January 11:22

[ZX10R NIN]

The Fiesta ST is a good car, if you like it go for it.

[Resolutionary]

AndyCaerdydd said:

Thanks for the advice, guys. The reason I don't want to travel more than 10 miles is that I have to rely on public transport, for the health reasons I haven't had a car for a few years. I don't want to have an awkward journey to view a car and another possible awkward journey to pick it up.

Because some of the older German cars started to look a bit tatty, I've seen a decent, low-ish mileage 2015 Fiesta ST within my budget which I'm very tempted by.

Some great advice and thank you.

Edited by AndyCaerdydd on Sunday 5th January 11:22

Possibly a side note, but why not make a day of it with a friend who can take you further afield? You really are limiting yourself massively with a search radius like that. I have always gone to view / purchase with a mate - preferably someone into / knowledgeable about cars but equally could be someone competent who is up for a road trip and a pub lunch on me. It'll open up a whole load of possibilities for your next car I'm sure. I've happily travelled over 200 miles for the right car with all the credentials you would like (history file, genuine seller, condition, spec etc) - and bonded with a pal on the journey as a bonus.