We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

3K budget for new motor. What shall I buy?

prettypennies
prettypennies Posts: 1,541 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
I am looking to get shut of my current motor. A 1.4l petrol citroen xsara. Apart from being roomy, everything else about my current car is pants.

I have had 2 cracking diesel astras in the past, a vile peugot(sp!) 406 and a couple of ok cavaliers.

Most of my journeys are short urban ones, but would like something that I can pack up with camping gear for the odd weekend away.

I generally carry me and my two boys and regularly taxi my sister and her daughter around, so am not looking for anything too dinky. Must have 4/5 doors.

It needs to be reasonable to insure, tax and repair. Any suggestions?
Twins, twice the laughs, twice the fun, twice the mess!:j:j

Comments

  • Weird_Nev
    Weird_Nev Posts: 1,383 Forumite
    I would be looking for one of these:
    Skoda Fabia 1.4 Tdi Hatchback

    A search on autotrader shows a few in your budget, around 2003-2004 vintage.
    (it won't let me paste links in as I'm a new user, sorry)

    We've had one from new for 50,000 miles and 4 years as a company car. It's been excellent, and still feels good even with a few miles under it's wheels. 65Mpg everywhere, the 1.4 Tdi is a perky little engine (AVOID the 1.9 diesel Sdi! It's a non-turbo, uttely gutless, gets worse Mpg and is dangerously slow. A colleague has one, it's horrid!) and it has very nice long distance comfort as it's not too loud, little road roar etc. It's certainly ok for carrying 3 people and 4 for the odd trip, if you regularly carry 5 people I might look for comething a bit bigger. They do an estate version if boot space is an issue but that may stretch the budget.

    Other than that, Ford Focus or even a Mondeo? Good cars, loads of choice and cheap to service by and large.
  • Strider590
    Strider590 Posts: 11,874 Forumite
    My advice is go big!

    Avoid small cars and you'll get twice the car at half the age.
    “I may not agree with you, but I will defend to the death your right to make an a** of yourself.”

    <><><><><><><><><<><><><><><><><><><><><><> Don't forget to like and subscribe \/ \/ \/
  • King_Nothing
    King_Nothing Posts: 854 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts
    I'd recommend either a Mk.1 Focus or a Mk.2 Mondeo. I wouldn't get a diesel but that would be my personal preference, and would be upto you to work out if it is viable or what you want to drive.
  • prettypennies
    prettypennies Posts: 1,541 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thanks for your replies.

    I am still totally undecided about whether to go bigger or smaller (and get a roof box for weekends!). Insurance is quite an issue in my area. Unfortunately, my postcode also covers an area that is a hotspot for uninsured drivers and premiums have rocketed over the past few years. Looking at some of the estate cars such as the focus estate, my premium is likely to be an extra £100 a year.

    There are some decent Skoda Fabias in my budget so might have to take a look at some of them.

    The Vauxhall Meriva and the Mercedes A class came out quite cheap. Anyone have any experience of them?
    Twins, twice the laughs, twice the fun, twice the mess!:j:j
  • The Ford Focus springs to mind as they drop in value like nothing and there are loads around. Certainly fits the bill on repairs and insurance. I'm looking at that car myself.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 347.2K Banking & Borrowing
  • 251.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 451.8K Spending & Discounts
  • 239.5K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 615.4K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.1K Life & Family
  • 252.8K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.