Best buy for £1500
Discussion
I'm looking to buy a used car for around £1500, the plan is to keep it for around a year/eighteen months when I expect my finances will allow me to get a new/lower mileage car. It needs to be reasonably roomy and won't be used too much - mostly a couple of motorway trips a month, probably about 5000 miles in total.
Having never brought an older car and being completely hopeless at anything mechanical, I'm rather nervous about landing myself with something that will end up costing more than I paid for it.
To give you some idea, I've been considering a 2010 Nissan Qashquai with around 120k miles or a newer Vauxhall Antara/Insignia with similar mileage.
I appreciate that I'm taking a bit of a punt but if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions as to better alternatives or things that I should consider, I'd be really grateful!
Having never brought an older car and being completely hopeless at anything mechanical, I'm rather nervous about landing myself with something that will end up costing more than I paid for it.
To give you some idea, I've been considering a 2010 Nissan Qashquai with around 120k miles or a newer Vauxhall Antara/Insignia with similar mileage.
I appreciate that I'm taking a bit of a punt but if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions as to better alternatives or things that I should consider, I'd be really grateful!
If it was me I would be looking for a Japanese petrol. You want the least hassle possible and unfortunately neither Nissan or Vauxhall really fit that bill as they age/at that end of the market.
I got a real respect for Toyota after a trip to Uganda and seeing the absolute extreme abuse/lack of servicing they took and still ran. So I would go for an Auris. Adjust that for Yaris if you want smaller and Avensis if you want bigger.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601159...
I got a real respect for Toyota after a trip to Uganda and seeing the absolute extreme abuse/lack of servicing they took and still ran. So I would go for an Auris. Adjust that for Yaris if you want smaller and Avensis if you want bigger.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601159...
Kelsier said:
To give you some idea, I've been considering a 2010 Nissan Qashquai with around 120k miles or a newer Vauxhall Antara/Insignia with similar mileage.
And Diesel? From a dealer? These would be the absolute last choice of cars I would be choosing to fill your requirements.While these cars can run to a quarter of million miles without issue if serviced well. These cars, in that price range are more than likely reaching the end of their economical life and often, they are someone else's problem, being passed on. Clutch with DMF needed, a faulty injector and a few bushes and you've already spent the value of the car on repairs.
Not to say that you might get lucky, but it is not worth the risk in my opinion, especially if you are not an expert.
As mentioned. Go small petrol engine, Japanese (just check for rust on the MoT/ have a look underneath) and buy privately from an honest buyer who isn't someone posing as a trader, for better value. Don't buy in to the idea that buying from a dealer is safer, in my opinion.
Be prepared for some absolute howlers. Filthy, rusty, not serviced, falling to bits.
I managed to pick up a 2006 Civic 1.8 with 60k miles, one owner, fsh, and only needed one tyre at MOT for £1100.
But i saw dozens of utter dogs in the weeks before.
Buy on the seller and car presented, don't search for a particular model.
I managed to pick up a 2006 Civic 1.8 with 60k miles, one owner, fsh, and only needed one tyre at MOT for £1100.
But i saw dozens of utter dogs in the weeks before.
Buy on the seller and car presented, don't search for a particular model.
paul_c123 said:
Look closely at the MoT history for corrosion. This applies to any car, obvs.
True.The Civic i refer to above had a warning at MOT about sub-frame corrosion - I will be under the car in the better weather to treat and paint it, looking to eek out an additional year or so.
FWIW at that price point, I think it is a case of 'how long can I keep it going for without a big bill before the scrappy'. Anything over a year = win....
Get yourself over to the shed thread.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
But a japanese or korean petrol would be my vote.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
But a japanese or korean petrol would be my vote.
There are few guarantees at this price point.
I'd agree a simple Honda or similar might be a good call, but a friend's ultra-reliable 62 plate, 115k mile civic is just starting to look expensive.
£500 to get it through the MOT, now it needs some brakes in the near future and it's just thrown a warning light for some 'stability' thing.
So it could be the OP's budget just to keep it repaired for this year.
Suddenly, this year's cost is up there with the cheapest of new cars on the never-never!
The best way to be with really cheap cars is to never spend all your money, so if you buy a lemon, you can either afford to get it sorted, or you can buy another one.15/20 year old cars have a lot of electronics in them now, a lot to go wrong which is not easy to DIY.
If you've got a reasonable amount of cash, you can afford to gamble with sheds. I've been driving sheds for about 40 years so if I buy the odd lemon now, my average is still pretty good.
The other thing is, it seems increasingly hard to get an service from garages, they are all busy, booked up for a fortnight or a month ahead, so even a £300 minor problem becomes a serious lack of mobility issue. I've always had a motorbike and usually a partner's car and sometimes a third car in the household to fall back on. At times I've even been able to cycle to take the train to work, it's much easier to have a slightly dodgy car if you don't actually need it to earn a living and get food!
Some of the best cheap cars I've had were 'back door specials'. A small trader has a customer who wants to trade in a shed. Trader asks a few mates if they need a shed, I buy the car from the customer, so no warranty or CRA from the trader, but it's car car he knows isn't the owrst so I took a chance or two.
All the best cars I used to have as sheds are either long gone or 'valuable classics' now.
If you can find any cheap car with a genuine seller who isn't trying to get shot of a dog, don't be too choosy about make and model.
There are lots of perfectly drivable cars that WBAC won't give a grand for, trouble is, most people who have one will just keep it.
Conversely, if you've got a banger that will probably keep going for another year, it can be hard to sell it!
If you are older with some NCB, you have more choice because the young people can't afford the insurance on a 2 litre car.
I'd agree a simple Honda or similar might be a good call, but a friend's ultra-reliable 62 plate, 115k mile civic is just starting to look expensive.
£500 to get it through the MOT, now it needs some brakes in the near future and it's just thrown a warning light for some 'stability' thing.
So it could be the OP's budget just to keep it repaired for this year.
Suddenly, this year's cost is up there with the cheapest of new cars on the never-never!
The best way to be with really cheap cars is to never spend all your money, so if you buy a lemon, you can either afford to get it sorted, or you can buy another one.15/20 year old cars have a lot of electronics in them now, a lot to go wrong which is not easy to DIY.
If you've got a reasonable amount of cash, you can afford to gamble with sheds. I've been driving sheds for about 40 years so if I buy the odd lemon now, my average is still pretty good.
The other thing is, it seems increasingly hard to get an service from garages, they are all busy, booked up for a fortnight or a month ahead, so even a £300 minor problem becomes a serious lack of mobility issue. I've always had a motorbike and usually a partner's car and sometimes a third car in the household to fall back on. At times I've even been able to cycle to take the train to work, it's much easier to have a slightly dodgy car if you don't actually need it to earn a living and get food!
Some of the best cheap cars I've had were 'back door specials'. A small trader has a customer who wants to trade in a shed. Trader asks a few mates if they need a shed, I buy the car from the customer, so no warranty or CRA from the trader, but it's car car he knows isn't the owrst so I took a chance or two.
All the best cars I used to have as sheds are either long gone or 'valuable classics' now.
If you can find any cheap car with a genuine seller who isn't trying to get shot of a dog, don't be too choosy about make and model.
There are lots of perfectly drivable cars that WBAC won't give a grand for, trouble is, most people who have one will just keep it.
Conversely, if you've got a banger that will probably keep going for another year, it can be hard to sell it!
If you are older with some NCB, you have more choice because the young people can't afford the insurance on a 2 litre car.
irish boy said:
If it was me I would be looking for a Japanese petrol. You want the least hassle possible and unfortunately neither Nissan or Vauxhall really fit that bill as they age/at that end of the market.
I got a real respect for Toyota after a trip to Uganda and seeing the absolute extreme abuse/lack of servicing they took and still ran. So I would go for an Auris. Adjust that for Yaris if you want smaller and Avensis if you want bigger.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601159...
Nissan is a Japanese brand ... I got a real respect for Toyota after a trip to Uganda and seeing the absolute extreme abuse/lack of servicing they took and still ran. So I would go for an Auris. Adjust that for Yaris if you want smaller and Avensis if you want bigger.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601159...
My approach would be to DIY all the way for smaller jobs; and try to look for something with evidence of a cam belt change recently (or cam chain if its known for stretching or the tensioner/guides failing). A fully stamped service book would be lovely but receipts and/or a sticker with date/mileage would do. Then assume that at least some of these will need doing soon, and price up a "basket of parts":
service kit
some balljoints or lower arms
brake discs and pads
tyres
If you can buy a car that doesn't need any of the above, you'll be lucky (but it is possible - I've done it a few times).
In my experience, from cheapest to most expensive, is approx:
Ford Fiesta (35+20+45+25)
Peugeot (40+22+60+25)
VW Golf (55+25+60+30)
BMW 3 series (65+35+70+40)
Volvo (75+50+70+40)
(I've only included figures for cars I've bought recently or researched prices for. I've not bought a Japanese car for a long time, and never a Korean one. But it would be easy to do your own research).
Of course, my basket of parts is incomplete, there are many other things that could/would need replacing in due course, at that price point. For example, a BMW injector could be over 100. Or a thermostat, or a radiator, or locks, etc etc
service kit
some balljoints or lower arms
brake discs and pads
tyres
If you can buy a car that doesn't need any of the above, you'll be lucky (but it is possible - I've done it a few times).
In my experience, from cheapest to most expensive, is approx:
Ford Fiesta (35+20+45+25)
Peugeot (40+22+60+25)
VW Golf (55+25+60+30)
BMW 3 series (65+35+70+40)
Volvo (75+50+70+40)
(I've only included figures for cars I've bought recently or researched prices for. I've not bought a Japanese car for a long time, and never a Korean one. But it would be easy to do your own research).
Of course, my basket of parts is incomplete, there are many other things that could/would need replacing in due course, at that price point. For example, a BMW injector could be over 100. Or a thermostat, or a radiator, or locks, etc etc
edc said:
irish boy said:
If it was me I would be looking for a Japanese petrol. You want the least hassle possible and unfortunately neither Nissan or Vauxhall really fit that bill as they age/at that end of the market.
I got a real respect for Toyota after a trip to Uganda and seeing the absolute extreme abuse/lack of servicing they took and still ran. So I would go for an Auris. Adjust that for Yaris if you want smaller and Avensis if you want bigger.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601159...
Nissan is a Japanese brand ... I got a real respect for Toyota after a trip to Uganda and seeing the absolute extreme abuse/lack of servicing they took and still ran. So I would go for an Auris. Adjust that for Yaris if you want smaller and Avensis if you want bigger.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601159...
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff