Honda Jazz, Mercedes A class, Toyota Yaris?

Guapa1

Good morning good people of MSE

I need some advice. I am looking for a new car as I was in a crash and messed up my neck and back pretty badly. For my needs it has to be high as it hurts to get down too low, and an auto as I find it hard to change gears.

I've done a search by my needs on the motability website and the jazz and the yaris came up. I know that the mercedes is high as well as I've hired one before.

I'm thinking about getting the car via motability, but I'm conscious that it won't be mine and so am looking at buying one second hand instead. I have a y reg corsa to part exchange and about 2k on my credit card I can use.

Which car would be the best value for my money? Would I be able to get any of these cars in my budget? Any reviews on any of the cars?

Thanks for reading. :beer:

Lorian

Keep in mind the new model jazzes have the vtec engine which I believe should be more economical and cheaper to maintain than older models. But I guess the budget doesn't stretch to a new one, sorry.

MX5huggy

As all 3 cars you are looking at have been around for atleast 8 years they are all within range for the older ones with higer mileages.

What car is good for reviews and finding what the Corsa might be worth.

http://www.whatcar.co.uk/used-car-summary.aspx?rt=2279
http://www.whatcar.co.uk/used-car-summary.aspx?rt=2620
http://www.whatcar.co.uk/used-car-summary.aspx?rt=2676

But if mobility is an option I would look at this I don't really know how the mobility system works.

Finaly don't buy a A class thinking you will get merc reliabilty and quality.

Hintza

Go and try a few out. I don't think you will be offered much as p/x on the Corsa but they are popular with the youngsters so it might be better selling privately.

The hassle of selling privately would normally put me off bit in this case it might be worth a go. Start canvassing friends and neighbours and see if anyone is interested. You will of course be better armed if you have a p/x offer on the table at least you will have some idea of how much to ask for.

It should be woth in the region of £1k but don't be surprised if the offer you a lot less.

I looked up Glass's Guide and here is an example:-

Vauxhall Corsa Club
1.2 Petrol 3-door Hatchback
5 Speed Manual Front Wheel Drive
Year: 2001 Y
Mileage: 60,000

Part-exchange Price:


Excellent condition:
£1200
Average condition:
£1070
Below average condition:
£935

Guapa1

Thank you for all your responses.
Hintza, I done the research and a grand is about what I'm expecting for my car. I've already told all my (18 yr old) sisters friends that my car is up for sale and it looks like one of them will take me up on it if she passes her test.

With that in mind I suppose I'm looking in the 3 grand region if I'm buying it outright.

With the motability scheme instead of me being paid my benefit, it goes straight to the dealer and insurance is included. It's a bit like HP because after three years, I'll have the choice of buying it or getting a new car.

The problem I'm having arranging test drives is I need to get to the dealers without driving so I can tell if I get any pain driving the new car, and don't have anyone to do that for me as I'm the driver of the family. The honda dealer is coming around weather permitting on Monday, and I'm waiting for the Toyota dealer to get back to me.
The A class, I've read on a good few reviews are only worth getting after 05. I haven't seen any I can afford so I suppose that is out.

Lemonade_Pockets

If motability is an option i'd go with that. Cheap as chips motoring all things considered.

Guapa1

Do you think LP?
I thought it was quite expensive, but fuss free.

AdrianHi

LP could be right, all depends on the deal.
Meaure what the car expense realy is in terms of depreciation, fuel, repairs, MOT and cost of cash tied up in car (lost interst or finance charges) and compare with the figures you get from motability for leasing.
The older car may still be cheaper, especially if you don't get repairs bills (but how do you know in advance), but you'll probably be surprised at how little difference there is.
Example:
At the time I worked out the figures some months ago, a 7 year old Skoda Fabia 1.4 over the next 12 months of it's life costs £80 a month less than the average monthly figure over 36 months (i.e. while in warranty) on a brand new £10,000 Mazda 2 1.3. The newer car is more but not by much in relation to the toal cost per month.

Lemonade_Pockets

<H1>

• A new car of your choice every three years
• Insurance and personal accident cover
• Servicing and maintenance
• Full breakdown assistance from RAC
• Free replacement tyres fitted by Kwik-Fit
• Window or windscreen replacement at no extra cost.

all this for under £200pm. If you pick the car carefully i bet you can get a £15k car for <£500 intial rental maybe even £0.

You would have to buy a pretty old and very reliable car to get anywhere near that monthly running cost. All you have to do is put fuel in it.

Seriously its the cheapest way of running a half decent car. If you are unlucky enough to be able to benefit from it then i can't see any reason not too.

The only thing i can never get my head round is that if they can do cars this cheaply, why all the other CH companies out there can't get within a country mile of their prices. I don't understand how motability does it.




</H1>

MX5huggy

Lemonade_Pockets wrote: »

The only thing i can never get my head round is that if they can do cars this cheaply, why all the other CH companies out there can't get within a country mile of their prices. I don't understand how motability does it.

Good old wikipedia tell us "The organisational structure of the scheme can be broken into two parts: Motability, which is a registered charity, and Motability Operations (formerly Motability Finance Ltd), a not for profit organisation which consist of five clearing banks. Splitting the organisation is intended to provide for checks and balances and ensure accountability for the administration of public funds."

Lemonade_Pockets

Correct, however i'm pretty sure in the last few years at least they've made money - obviously because they are not for profit this has been reinvested straight away tho. Don't no if anyone can verify that and or explain it.

Plus i thought Motability Operations didn't receive any public money. Apart from the special license to collect peoples living allowance direct from DWP.

I might of remembered it all wrong, so feel free to rip that apart :-)