First family car?

sammyw

Where do you start when buying a car? Is it best to go to auctions, look at national dealers, local dealers or private sellers? How can you tell the difference between honest private sellers and rip off traders?
We're looking to buy our first car but have no idea where to start, needs to be big enough for 4 people and have 5 doors, but don't want anything too big.
Torn between buying cheap and paying out for something that will 'last'. Any ideas?

wallbash

Ford Focus .

Hammyman

Second for the Focus. As to auctions, they're no longer the bargain they were but are still not the place for the mechanically inept to be buying.

cyclonebri1

Make sure you get something that is big enough tho' for a family car. 4 plus baggage gets tight in a Astra/Focus sized car.

Matbe something Modeo or Mazda 6 size (essentially the same car), would be better suited. Don't rule out the Skoda Octavia as value for money.

But regardless of choice, do not buy at auction or privately unless you know what you are doing, or can enlist someone who can. Yes you can use the AA or such to do an inspection but they can drag on and the car be sold before you have the report.

Lastly, beware, the rippoff merchants are all lined up and hungry, :eek:, take care. ;)

gonzo127

well what i would do first before looking at where to buy is work out what to buy,
a car for 4 people can be a supermini sized car as these will fit 4 people in (i used to fit 4 students in a old style mini with all our weekly shopping), however might not be the best for long journeys, also the boots wont be good if they are young and you need to carry a buggy or 2, so a few things to think about

whats your budget?

will you be going for many long journeys or just a holiday once a year?

4 people - 2 adults and 2 children in car or booster seats? 4 adults? 2 adults and 2 teenagers? - these will dictate the size of the car you will need

are you doing lots of miles or likely to be towing - petrol or diesel?

how long have you been driving? - insurance costs can be SHOCKING - so have a look at insurance groups and get some price comparisons done on the models you are looking at

anyways once you have had a thought about these things as well as asking on here check out whatcar and parkers guide online they both have reviews of the cars and basic facts and figures, once you have narrowed it down a little bit then you should start looking at where to buy from

oldtoolie

If you are completely new to car buying, auto supermarkets are probably the best. Fixed prices, big selection. But usually not good for test rides.

Main dealers are good for test rides especially during the week. They don't mind taking you out -- that is how they sell the car but you are under no obligation.

And add the Honda Jazz to your list.

sammyw

Thanks everyone

whats your budget? Under £3k

will you be going for many long journeys or just a holiday once a year? Mainly local trips and occasional longer journeys.

4 people - 2 adults and 2 children in car or booster seats? 4 adults? 2 adults and 2 teenagers? 2 adults and 14 & 12 yr old

are you doing lots of miles or likely to be towing - petrol or diesel? Not towing anything, and been advised to get petrol due to the shorter journeys.

how long have you been driving? Had a licence for 17 years - but not owned a car or been insured before. Not sure how this will affect insurance quotes.

Hubby likes the Honda Jazz, but still not sure best way to go about buying.

cheghead

sammyw wrote: »

Thanks everyone

whats your budget? Under £3k

will you be going for many long journeys or just a holiday once a year? Mainly local trips and occasional longer journeys.

4 people - 2 adults and 2 children in car or booster seats? 4 adults? 2 adults and 2 teenagers? 2 adults and 14 & 12 yr old

are you doing lots of miles or likely to be towing - petrol or diesel? Not towing anything, and been advised to get petrol due to the shorter journeys.

how long have you been driving? Had a licence for 17 years - but not owned a car or been insured before. Not sure how this will affect insurance quotes.

Hubby likes the Honda Jazz, but still not sure best way to go about buying.

Personally I only buy japanese. In recent what car survey they appeared in top 10 for reliabilty. Just bought a Mitsubishi Colt 5 door. 05 plate. 51k miles for £3000. Car is fantastic (luckily got an Elegance model which is top of range). If you like the Jazz then definately check them out. :jDo a search on Autotrader and be prepared to travel. Check out www.parkers.co.uk and www.whatcar.co.uk for prices and reviews.

Dave_Z

Not sure if you would consider a Volvo V40 to be too big. It's about the size of a Focus estate. My Dad had one and it's well equipped, spacious enough to swallow 4 adults and all their luggage and should be economical to run. I'm on my second Volvo V50 (V40 replacement) now and wouldn't swap it for the world.

sammyw

Thanks again, any more suggestions?

gonzo127

well i think the focus should be pretty high on yoru list, there's plenty of them about so should be able to find a good one at the right price, spares are relitivly easy tocome by and should be cheap once again because there are so many of them, and the reason they sold so well is because they are a good car, quick look on auto trader shows quite a few focus's at around £3k with between 60-70k miles some have much less others of course have much more