advice on most economical second hand car

slscarborough

Right first I should say that at present I have a 1.1l saxo as only past my test last month but have had this car since september and Oh has a 2l vectra which he has had since oct.

At the time we decided to go for a car each as I was planning to become a SAHM and OH had an approx 10 mile each mile motorway drive to work 6 days a week. However things have changed and i am now planning to go back to work and OH become a SAHD.

I only work a few minutes up the road so it seems silly to have two cars and the vectra would not be a good round the town car for the school run. So we are planning on selling both the cars and getting one car which will be used mainly for round the town journeys only during the week.

We have a budget of approx 5-6K and would like something suitable for the whole family which consists of two in car seats and a teen which would have to fit in the middle. Something not to high to tax and ensure and not too expensive on fuel.

Any help would be great. Oh at present has his heart set on a golf.

Flearoy

Hi there. At the risk of giving the default MSE suggestion, have you considered a Ford Focus, petrol 1.6 being the best choice IMO? 5-6 k would get you a really nice car. I personally think Golfs are very overpriced, and imagine that for your budget, you'd get a much newer Focus.

I'm not sure your teen would be impressed with the amount of space in anything smaller! The Focus might be bigger than a proper town car, but it will be more versatile and fitting for a family.

slscarborough

Are they roomy enough in the back for my teen? He wont be on many journeys with us but need to know he would fit if need be. What are the boots like as need room for a buggy and shopping? Are these cheap to run?

Would definately be worth considering. Think Oh would only consider a sports option on any car though.

Flearoy

Best thing to do is go and have a look at a Ford dealer. There are plenty of engines and trim levels to choose from, all the way up to to the fairly mental RS version. Not sure what you'd get for your budget though.

In my experience, Fords are fairly reliable, and parts are quite reasonably priced. Like any car though, they need to be looked after.

As for boot space, not sure - I have a Mondeo estate so can pretty much move anything!

kolin_2

Yeah i'd consider a second hand focus. I got (a year and half ago) a 2003 1.8 TDDi (with 97,000) on it for £1995, in excellent condition. It's not had much done in terms of repairs to it, and 50Litres of Diesel got me 646 miles last month. Tax is only ~£130-40ish

kolin_2

boot space? very big i think. my seats can be taken out, and laid flat. can get 16 Sacks of 25Kg coal in the back with all back seats down, plenty of space.

cyclonebri1

Get him one of the last sri Vectras then, good family car in 2.2, don't think he'll suffer a diesel;) :money:

slscarborough

he already has a vectra sri 2l and reakons it will cost too much to run to just do the school run. also i have never driven more than a 1.4 at present.

slscarborough

would a diesel be more econimical round the town as I was under the impression if you did very few miles it wasnt. (sorry I know very little about cars)

kolin_2

slscarborough wrote: »

would a diesel be more econimical round the town as I was under the impression if you did very few miles it wasnt. (sorry I know very little about cars)

you're quite right, a diesel is really only economical if driving long, consistent miles. My post was just demonstrating car/price/possible economy/tax. a focus 1.6 Zetec should be a good purchase.

http://www.whatcar.com/car-reviews/used/ford/focus-hatchback/full-review/25391-5#tabsection2

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/used-prices/Valuation.aspx?deriv=29244&plate=82

a 56 zetec (the one recommended by the former link), at 40K miles should cost around 6K.

slscarborough

will speak to OH tonight and see where we stand.

are parts cheap as OH would be able to do most repairs himself?

is zetec the model to go for or are there higher specs?