secondhand car... vauhall

slummymummyof3

Just don't buy a vauxhall vectra!

sarah_elton

I love my Astra (bought in May). 52 plate 1.6 Club. Had full service history and the cam belt had been changed six months earlier - that was good enough for me.

sarah_elton

slummymummyof3 wrote: »

Just don't buy a vauxhall vectra!

Or a Cavalier.

exup

with any vauxhall keep a regular check on the oil level-
old astras used to have a cam wear problem. I thought this had been sorted with modern vauxhalls, but apparently our fleet Zafira's have cam wear problems too: if the oil gets a bit low. Don't let it get anywhere near the minimum level when you check it.

goonlord

I have an 03 Corsa SXi and while it has never let me down and is nice to drive (and I do a lot of miles) it has cost me £1500 in the past year in services and other bits and bobs. Sore point actually - it's in the garage now and going to set me back £380 for a new wiper motor and replacing a bulb in the dashboard. (I know this probably isn't the cheapest garage however).

Thinking about replacing it...Anyone got any recommendations for cars that are cheap to maintain?? Been considering a diesel Skoda.
Thanks.

Road_Hog

goonlord wrote: »

I have an 03 Corsa SXi and while it has never let me down and is nice to drive (and I do a lot of miles) it has cost me £1500 in the past year in services and other bits and bobs. Sore point actually - it's in the garage now and going to set me back £380 for a new wiper motor and replacing a bulb in the dashboard. (I know this probably isn't the cheapest garage however).

Thinking about replacing it...Anyone got any recommendations for cars that are cheap to maintain?? Been considering a diesel Skoda.
Thanks.

There are some inconsistencies in your statement.

"I have an 03 Corsa SXi and while it has never let me down"

"it has cost me £1500 in the past year in services"

"it's in the garage now and going to set me back £380 for a new wiper motor"

I would hate to see you have a car that HAS let you down.

ArsenalFC

Goonlord - if you do a lot miles then the diesel skoda gets many recommendations on here. £380 for wiper motor and dash light, can you not get a quote from few garage?

ArsenalFC

In over 12 years of driving I have never spent more than £600 to repair/service a car in any one year, although I do low mileage annually. That was spend on a bmw 323 ci coupe last year on changing a clutch, all four brake pads, rear discs and a wheel bearing after I bought the car. It seems to me you have could have lower your cost by asking for quotes from a few garages instead just going to your usual one.

exup

goonlord wrote: »

I have an 03 Corsa SXi and while it has never let me down and is nice to drive (and I do a lot of miles) it has cost me £1500 in the past year in services and other bits and bobs. Sore point actually - it's in the garage now and going to set me back £380 for a new wiper motor and replacing a bulb in the dashboard. (I know this probably isn't the cheapest garage however).

Thinking about replacing it...Anyone got any recommendations for cars that are cheap to maintain?? Been considering a diesel Skoda.
Thanks.

I have a 99 Fiat Seicento and if it cost me £1500 a year then I would be getting a new car. Service and oil change costs about £200 . and various bits and bobs cost about £200 through the year if that.

I dont do that high mileage in it (due to having motorbike aswell) but that would only really affect the tyres and brakes. I have to keep a check on it when it doesnt get used for a few days to make sure the brakes dont seize up on it though (it is a Fiat after all).

ArsenalFC

A 1999 Fiat Seicento has a lower value to an 03 corsa, so u would get shot of it if has high repair cost. But nevertheless, maintain the corsa for the money spent is way too much. Just spending a little more time phoning around and taking the car to a few garages could save 10-20% perhaps.