Wanna buy small economical car (used)

Tania_2

My car is on last legs and would like to buy a second-hand car - can go up to £3K - It's to do mainly short journeys (less than 8 miles) and round the town. Is diesel best? What makes any one recommend or avoid. Advices please?

MarkyMarkD

It's quite a hard question to answer.

Whilst diesel is definitely more economical to run, especially on shorter, city-bound, stop-start journeys, smaller diesels are rarer than larger ones and tend to have an excessive price premium. They can also be a bit troublesome in their old age (as things like injectors or worse, diesel pumps can need replacing).

So, if you are doing a low overall mileage, the saving on fuel might not outweigh the higher purchase cost and the risk of higher maintenance costs.

My wife's car is an AX diesel we bought with 87,000 on the clock (and now with 107,000) and whilst it's done 54 mpg in those 20,000 miles, it's also had some expensive repair bills. Absolute total running costs (including insurance, road tax, etc.) for us have been around £5k or 25p/mile, of which fuel is under 6.5p/mile. That includes the cost of buying it (£825) and assumes it's worthless now (which isn't far off the truth).

I'm sure that you could be a lot luckier than us, with an old diesel. And equally well you could have a petrol car which costs a few pence a mile more in fuel, but less in maintenance. Like I say, it's a hard choice.

Malestrom

I can recommend the Toyota Yaris. We have one and its a fantastic little car. A friend of mine was so impressed with it that he went out and bought one too. Autotrader.co.uk has them starting from around £2500. They only have a 1.0L petrol engine so are cheap to insure (group2), cheap to tax and have excellent MPG so cheap to run. Even though its a small engine, they are surprisingly nippy. 40,000 mile service at the dealer was £130 although I only had it done there to keep the remaining warranty active. Local garage would be cheaper or DIY.

Of course it depends on whether you like them or not, whether you want 3 or 5 door (5 is more expensive), etc.

vansboy

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk for all things motoring clik on The Backroom & then clik on Discussion ask in there...



Guess you mean 8 miles a day??

Certainly NOT worth the higher upfront cost of diesels.

Plenty of OK Fiestas around - but beware of a diesel, 'cos it's a 1.8 engine & will put your tax & maybe insurance costs up, too.

As well as this, some maintainence costs are higher on diesels.

Don't be to over fussy on a VERY low mileage example of city/mini cars, they might not have been far, but the engine & gearbox will have worn more than a higher mileage one. All the stop start & short runs does a car no good!!

& if you're anywhere near me (Herts/Beds) I'll gladly let you know whats available!!

VB

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Hi Tania,

If it's not too small for your needs, I'd recommend the Ford Ka.

I've had mine for five years and I love it!..........It's very economical (driving is part of my job, mostly around town but also some longer journeys). It's comparatively inexpensive for servicing and repairs (apart from servicing, the only maintenance that I’ve had have been new tyres and replacing the exhaust), easy on insurance (group 2, I think) and very, very easy to park........ unlike my husband's larger car that those of you who read the N I board will know all about!

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Tania_2

Thanks all for replies. I'll keep in mind when buying new car. The Ford Ka - Are they really good? I heard they're a bit pants. Not my view, as I'm totally green and haven't got a clue.
I'll let you know what I purchase. Thanks v. much.

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Tania wrote:

The Ford Ka - Are they really good? I heard they're a bit pants.

Mine is brilliant.........as I said before, I've had it for five years and absolutely no problems with it. My husband didn't like it at first (he said it wasn't a mans car), but now he takes it out quite a lot because 'it's a nifty little number' apparently.

The Ka gets a big thumbs up from me, but do let us know what you choose.

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