What would you buy with £5000 cash towards new car plus £2000 scrappage grant

bluenose1

Dear all,
being frugal my husband has had his trusty Mazda 626 for approx 12 years. However we are conscious it is getting to the end of it's life eg to keep the boot open he has used a broom handle for the last few years - he has no shame. Central locking etc doesn't work, smoky emissions etc etc.
It will be our 2nd car as we have a zafira as the main family car, so 95% of the time it will only be used for either my husband or I to go to work. We are looking for something which is good on the petrol, reasonable priced parts and reliable. My husband is 6ft 4" tough as long as he has enough leg room to drive and his head doesn't touch ceiling anything considered.

Anyway we have had a look on the Internet and up to now quite like

1. Fiat Punto
http://www.fiat.co.uk/Showroom/#showroom/panda/configurator
2. Hyundai
http://www.hyundai.co.uk/newCars/i10/

Any opinions or suggestions appreciated.

archiesdad

We have been out looking at cars today and looked at i10 husband is 6ft 3 and with him in driving seat as far back as it went I still had space sat in back. Have test drive booked for mon.

LandyAndy

Its a second car. The faults you mention are minor. Save your money and run it until something that matters goes wrong. The scrappage scheme is all smoke and mirrors.

JMW77

Yes i think i would do the same ,why change if its just a spare car you won't get much for it so keep it as long as possible.
Thats what i would do anyway, after years of replacing cars when the mileage is high only to see them still going many years later whats the point.

asbokid

bluenose1 wrote: »

Dear all,
being frugal my husband has had his trusty Mazda 626 for approx 12 years. However we are conscious it is getting to the end of it's life eg to keep the boot open he has used a broom handle for the last few years - he has no shame. Central locking etc doesn't work, smoky emissions etc etc.
It will be our 2nd car as we have a zafira as the main family car, so 95% of the time it will only be used for either my husband or I to go to work. We are looking for something which is good on the petrol, reasonable priced parts and reliable. My husband is 6ft 4" tough as long as he has enough leg room to drive and his head doesn't touch ceiling anything considered.

Anyway we have had a look on the Internet and up to now quite like

1. Fiat Punto
http://www.fiat.co.uk/Showroom/#showroom/panda/configurator
2. Hyundai
http://www.hyundai.co.uk/newCars/i10/

Any opinions or suggestions appreciated.

Keep the 626! What engine is it? The 2.5 litre is a gem. The boot struts are dead cheap and easy to replace.. Check to be sure, but IIRC the Pug 206 struts fit and are loads cheaper than mazda's (<£20)... as for emissions...if it ain't failing the MOT then it's essentially okay... fixing the central locking is probably a sunday afternoon job.. that will cost you nothing.. it's probably just a blown relay, fuse, or a loose connection.. nothing massive.. get yourself a multimeter (aldi currently is selling a nice one for £8), and a haynes or chiltons manual, or better still, download(!) the official mazda workshop manual.. study the wiring diagram and track down the c/l fault yourself.. total labour cost nil..

now that is frugal!

as for the cars you are considering buying...... they are bean cans compared to the mazda.. which is a very refined car for its age..

bluenose1

asbokid wrote: »

Keep the 626! What engine is it? The 2.5 litre is a gem. The boot struts are dead cheap and easy to replace.. Check to be sure, but IIRC the Pug 206 struts fit and are loads cheaper than mazda's (<£20)... as for emissions...if it ain't failing the MOT then it's essentially okay... fixing the central locking is probably a sunday afternoon job.. that will cost you nothing.. it's probably just a blown relay, fuse, or a loose connection.. nothing massive.. get yourself a multimeter (aldi currently is selling a nice one for £8), and a haynes or chiltons manual, or better still, download(!) the official mazda workshop manual.. study the wiring diagram and track down the c/l fault yourself.. total labour cost nil..

now that is frugal!

as for the cars you are considering buying...... they are bean cans compared to the mazda.. which is a very refined car for its age..

It is a 1.8 and has been a cracking car. The engine is still great.

My husband and I struggle to work the DVD and he doesn't believe in reading instructions, though thanks.

Another reason we are thinking of changing it is that it is costing more and more each year to get it through its MOT (£600 last time.) He is due to retire in 8 years and wants a basic car to see him through until then.
We are going to look today but by no means have we decided to definitely replace.

Sirbendy

I'd say repair.

BUT...I've got a Golf 1.6FSI on loan as my car was written off..Insurance group 5, seriously solid and reassuring car. MASSES of legroom, matches or beats my old car's 40mpg (it's an automatic). I'd buy one, but even a 2004plate is £6.5k for this model.

Might be worth a look?

dorry_2

i have the same to spend and i am getting the citroen, c1 in red---- it comes in at £4795 plus the scrappage scheme £2000 for our old peugot that is knackered!!!

advantages of citroen---- 72 mpg
car tax--- £35 a year
group 1 low insurance
no mots costs
I will make on the mileage from work :rolleyes:

heggied

Where are you seeing a C1 for 4795? I see them on citroen.co.uk starting at 7795 which with the scrappage would come to 5795.

I'd been looking at a bog basic Kia Picanto for just a shade over £4k as a second car to replace my 16 year old 106, but I'd much prefer a C1

mikey72

Best cars I found, apart from the Kia, was the Hyundai i10, and the Fiat Panda for around £5000. (Didn't like the Kia though)
C1 was £5795 with the scrappage.

bluenose1

dorry wrote: »

i have the same to spend and i am getting the citroen, c1 in red---- it comes in at £4795 plus the scrappage scheme £2000 for our old peugot that is knackered!!!

advantages of citroen---- 72 mpg
car tax--- £35 a year
group 1 low insurance
no mots costs
I will make on the mileage from work :rolleyes:

Thanks, have just been looking on Citroen website and they are a nice car. Have ordered brochure to see whta you get with it.