cheap cars

anewman

rjh090384 wrote: »

u will probably find it difficult to get much driveable at that price.

I disagree. This is most likely the attitude of a snobby person who'd never buy at this price range.

The only thing to watch out for really is that you have enough money aside for any unexpected repairs.

Skoda's make a good buy at this price range. Cheap because noone wants them (but they are good cars) - they're generally reliable and parts are cheap. Cars to look at for this price range include the Favorit and the Felicia may also fall into this price range (the Felicia is based on the Favorit). In the Favorits, there are two engine options, both 1.3 high and low compression. The high compression has more power and is indicated by the letter e at the end of the trim spec. I think all the e models came with an aftermarket immobiliser installed as standard so the insurance group is lower.

If getting a Favorit try get as late a one as possible, but anything 93 onwards should be ok, (I think the latest ones were around early 95). Parts for these cars can be had from ebay, www.jorily.com or are usually fairly priced at Skoda dealers. The Favorit shares many parts with the Felicia.

Things to watch out for on these cars... Leaky sunroof, rusted coil spring cups (on shock absorbers, top and bottom - needs new shock absorber), leaky windscreen (feel soundproofing material under the dash and look in fusebox (passenger footwell) for evidence of water ingress), and also rusty rear arches - check around the front of the rear arch - (if it's only starting to rust or slightly in hole it's nothing a wire brush and hammerite cannot sort out). On the 1.3 models check for evidence of headgasket failure (some people seem to think they're prone to failure but not experienced it myself). This is in addition to all the usual things to check on cars.

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/SKODA+FAVORIT/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-240-4294951300-4294966834/advert.action?R=200831315754842&distance=181&postcode=ls29+6aq&channel=CARS&make=SKODA&model=FAVORIT&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage= would make a great buy if in good condition. Has new suspension so no need to worry about the rusted spring cup issue.

anewman

booklover wrote: »

What about freecycle, worth trying anyway. I have sometimes seen cars there...

I would not bother with freecycle.

Why?

There will be loads of people on there eager to take cars - for one reason - to sell as scrap metal - £250 (or more) cannot be sniffed at for going around to someones house and taking their car off them for £0.

Also you have to compete against all the smooth talking freecyclers who'll woo the offerer with stories of how their daughter just had their new car stolen and their house burgled and now needs a car (or insert other lame fake excuse) who'll just scrap the car for their own wallet.

Sorry but I hate freecycle as it attracts so many greedy people.

rjh090384

anewman thanks for the judgement but i am certaintly not snobby! i dont have much money but there is such a thing as false economy. i am speaking from experience. most cars under 500 in case ur very lucky need a good amount of work. was trying to help the original poster as if she buys something at 400 and it needs 300 quid of work she is screwed!! you might be better saving for a wee bit longer and budgeting around the 600 or 700 mark, you could get a better car that might last u longer and need less work.

the best cars to look at are toyotas and nissans in my humble opinion. i have a micra at the minute which runs like a dream (had to put a decent amount of work into it though). very good on petrol too. currently on my 330th mile out of £30 and still a bit left! selling it soon for a five door but they are dream cars. you can pick them up from about £6-700 if you lucky.

abc

In the past I've got a couple of decent cheap cars at auction.

There are probably others, but these are the ones in Northern Ireland that I know about:-

Carryduff Auctions
http://www.carryduffauctions.co.uk/

Wilsons Auctions
http://www.wilsonsauctions.com

Sootzer

Try Gumtree's online car ads section..or Ballyclare car auction Wednesday evening around 7pm.

iluvfreebies

got sorted managed to get a 2008 astra for £500 - so there is some bargains out there thanks for all the help x

Pretani

iluvfreebies wrote: »

got sorted managed to get a 2008 astra for £500 - so there is some bargains out there thanks for all the help x

I'll buy it off ya for £1000:beer:

ballyblack

08 Astra for a 'hand', must be stolen

anewman

That's the price an 08 Astra *SHOULD* be lol, and I still wouldn't buy one :rotfl:

I suspect there was a number error somewhere.

julie97au

I just sold a peugot 406 with 2 months tax and years mot for £425 - if only I had known about you. Local paper in MOurne the Mourne Observor has always got cheap cars for sale. Also, did you try Belfast Telegraph?