Good time to buy a car?

[iainfitzy]

Hi all,

I am in the market for a small hatchback.

Looking to spend 6-7k on a low mileage car, I am unsure where I am best to go to get the best value.

I have been looking on autotrader the last few weeks but not managed to fidn what I am looking for.

I am thinking a Fiesta, Corsa or Mazda 2 - but a complete novice when it comes to buying.

Can anyone help or point me in the direction of a good guide?

Also - is this the best time to buy a car?!

[Snowdrop22]

I'm thinking of getting a small car also
The givernment are thinking of bringing in the scrapping scheme where you get £2000 for your old car (over 9 years) to spend on a new car.
It might be worth hanging on to see if they introduce this in the budget if you have an old banger....

I'm looking at the hyundia's. They are a bit 'plasticky' inside but very cheap and have the 5 year warranty

[kitchpoo]

The good quality mid range used market is strong at the moment. Only big engines and the high cost to tax cars are slow in this bracket.

[Any]

I'm thinking of getting a small car also
The givernment are thinking of bringing in the scrapping scheme where you get £2000 for your old car (over 9 years) to spend on a new car.
It might be worth hanging on to see if they introduce this in the budget if you have an old banger....

I'm looking at the hyundia's. They are a bit 'plasticky' inside but very cheap and have the 5 year warranty


Hi, I am also looking at the Hyundai. I am booked to test drive the I20 on Sunday.

I am also thinking whether to wait for that £2k scrapping scheme.. But it doesn't look like it's going to be that soon...

I am also on Autotrader as the OP, and there are the old shape Fiesta's for that money and also I found 1yr old VW Fox...Hoping to test drive that one tonight.

[Any]

Oh and by the way - Those are good cars you are looking at OP.
Not sure you can get the new shape Mazda 2 for that money though and the old one is not as pretty..:-))

[drivebyargument]

Oh and by the way - Those are good cars you are looking at OP.
Not sure you can get the new shape Mazda 2 for that money though and the old one is not as pretty..:-))

Simply, you won't.

I bought one in March [new] and couldn't recommend it highly enough. If it is a straight choice between the 3 cars listed, spend a little extra and get a 2.
Even the basic model comes well equipped.

And yes the old "2" is/was hideous.

[Hintza]

If/when the government bring in the £2k voucher, you can be sure many of the current deals will disappear. On smaller cars might still be worth waiting but I imagine the bigger you go the less likely it will be worth the wait.

But it is all speculation at the moment.

[Any]

Simply, you won't.

I bought one in March [new] and couldn't recommend it highly enough. If it is a straight choice between the 3 cars listed, spend a little extra and get a 2.
Even the basic model comes well equipped.

And yes the old "2" is/was hideous.


I think it is a bit expensive for the size of it though...
You can get the new Ford Fiesta for that money and it's bigger. I would rather the Fiesta if I am going to spend that money. More practical.

[Any]

If/when the government bring in the £2k voucher, you can be sure many of the current deals will disappear. On smaller cars might still be worth waiting but I imagine the bigger you go the less likely it will be worth the wait.

But it is all speculation at the moment.


I am not sure about that. We are still in recession and manufactures still need to survive.

But it certainly is all just a speculation at the moment, I agree.

[drivebyargument]

I think it is a bit expensive for the size of it though...
You can get the new Ford Fiesta for that money and it's bigger. I would rather the Fiesta if I am going to spend that money. More practical.

I must take issue with that.

The new Fiesta starts at over £8000 new, is missing alot of kit you'd expect [although only class 1 insurance] and I doubt there are many 2nd hand knocking around.
Have to remember that fiestas are liable to be re-designed every couple of years, whereas the Mazda 2 is simply a winner and won't be touched for a good 3/4 years IMO.

Of course it all comes down to personal preference and I must admit the fiesta looks brilliant in certain colours - the blue is stunning.

[Any]

Yes, but you can get a better deal for new from brokers on Fiesta thanks to Ford's brilliant sales support. So comparing the same 1.4 petrol engine I can get them both for £9.5k (Fiesta Style+ that is)
You might be right about the kit, but than you have kit v size...
So it is all down to preference, as you say.

I love the Sea grey. I actually like the Squeeze, but I am not that brave:-))

[iainfitzy]

I was looking at something like this?

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/MAZDA+MAZDA2/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-141-240-4294952339-4294967216/advert.action?R=200909329775403&distance=275&postcode=g40+1af&channel=CARS&make=MAZDA&model=MAZDA2&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=&vehicleYearOfManufacture=2008&vehicleRegLetter=08

[Hintza]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2008-FIAT-PANDA-ACTIVE-BLUE-WAS-MINOR-SALVAGE-DAMAGED_W0QQitemZ160322829205QQihZ006QQcategoryZ98 43QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Any]

I was looking at something like this?

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/MAZDA+MAZDA2/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-141-240-4294952339-4294967216/advert.action?R=200909329775403&distance=275&postcode=g40+1af&channel=CARS&make=MAZDA&model=MAZDA2&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=&vehicleYearOfManufacture=2008&vehicleRegLetter=08


Nice one!!