Second car advice

Lolly88

I'm looking to buy a second hand car for my new job which is quite a distance and after doing lots of research I think the best car would be a toyota yaris diesel. I've seen a toyota for £5,500 from a toyota dealership. It's 07 reg, has 35,000 miles, its the most basic in the range and doesn't offer much else. There is an offer at the moment of a choice between 2 years free servicing and 2 year warrenty

My friend thinks for the price i should be able to get a car that has more to offer such as inbuilt sat nav etc. However I just want a car that's diesel, economical and reliable and toyota has a good reputation for reliability. I've looked everywhere and haven't seen anything else that seems that good, the most I can afford is £6000. Do you think this is a good offer or should I keep looking. Also is it better to get 2 years free servicing or 2 year free warrenty?

jd82

These days there isn't really much in it, a Toyota Yaris will probably be no more reliable than a Fiesta or a Fiat 500.

There is no way I would pay £5500 for a three year old supermini. You will get much better value looking at bigger cars at this price range.

Lolly88

Thanks for your advice. I hate bigger cars though, I'm only looking at superminis.

jd82

OK well also have a look at other makes, I am sure you have seen how much Toyota have been in the news lately and its not been for good reasons!.

You will get much more for your money if you look at slightly unusual models too. Also if you're looking at superminis I doubt you will find any in your budget with build in sat nav as they won't be any new enough to have this feature as standard.

Lolly88

Do you have any recommendations? I don't want built in sat nav as i have a tomtom, I just want a reliable, economical diesel car.

Inactive

Lolly88 wrote: »

Do you have any recommendations? I don't want built in sat nav as i have a tomtom, I just want a reliable, economical diesel car.

Ignore the advice given above, buy the Toyota, you will not regret it.

Despite the bad publicity mainly from the USA, they are still amongst the most reliable cars on the road.;)

dannymccann

You definetly only want a super mini size car? Because the level of comfort and toys you could get from say a Vectra for your cash would be a far better deal. Whatever you get, if its for motorway driving make sure it has 6 gears and a diesel engine

newbie007_2

From your post, it sounds like its the base T2 model, I would not buy that as it has no air con. Minimum to go for is the T3 spec or T spirit where the latter includes keyless entry and engine start at a push of a button. An 06 T3/T spirit can be found at approx £5k privately; use the AA/RAC for a vehicle inspection if you wish for peace of mind.

jd82

Its a Toyota just like any other car. Don't pay a premium for one. Its like people that paid a premium for Golf MK4s when they actually had a bad reliability record but people thought because it is a VW they would be good.

Inactive

jd82 wrote: »

Its a Toyota just like any other car. Don't pay a premium for one. Its like people that paid a premium for Golf MK4s when they actually had a bad reliability record but people thought because it is a VW they would be good.

But Toyota do not have a bad reliability problem, they are amongst the most reliable cars made.

Nut97

Inactive wrote: »

But Toyota do not have a bad reliability problem, they are amongst the most reliable cars made.

Well apart from the 6-8 million cars/trucks recalled in late 2009-2010. I do like cars from the VAG group, I have never had any problems with my 2002 VW Golf TDi which I've had for 4 years now and only really had basic wear and tear work to be done.