Fiat Stilos.....

jd82

£500 buys you a 17 year old Corsa with wind up windows and no airbags these days.

For £500 here you are getting a modern 4 star NCAP design with airbags etc. Even if something electric dosn't work for the money I don't think it is a problem. See what the MOT says and do all the basic engine checks and you should get a few years out of it.

Also test the steering as they sometimes pack up on Stilos.

The Stilo is normaly a FIAT I would avoid but for £500 it is a hell of a lot of money, try getting a 12 year old Focus for that.

sleepystar1975

jd82 wrote: »

The Stilo is normaly a FIAT I would avoid but for £500 it is a hell of a lot of money, try getting a 12 year old Focus for that.

He can't get comfortable in a Focus, he's sat in three different models (they were different years too), and all of them cripple his back, even after a short journey. He is usually a fan of Fords, but just not a Focus:)

sleepystar1975

meeps wrote: »

I had a stilo and the one thing it didn't like was infrequent use, but if unlike me you are competent at basic maintenance then that wouldn't be a problem- out of all the cars I have had it felt the sturdiest and safest.

Thankfully, he is very good at the basic maintenance, my maintainces skills involve making a cup of tea for anyone willing to fix it:)

sleepystar1975

andygb wrote: »

I would never buy a car with just 1 month's MOT, not even from a friend. If someone wants to sell a car, then the best way to do it, is with a long "ticket".

They are goinbg "halfs" on a cut price MOT before he decides. That way if there are any howling problems, he's only £14 out of pocket, if it's just the tyres, then it's going to be ok for 12 months, as we have the right size wheels with 3 month old tyres sitting in our shed (long story)

sleepystar1975

janninew wrote: »

£500 for a 8 year old car with low mileage isn't that bad a price! What is the condition, service history etc?

Almost full service history (1 missing he thinks), not all main dealer services.
The condition looks good to him, all paintwork in good order (small trolley scratch in one door - but looks like it'll T-cut out), interior is good, only had tow owners, neither had children, so the back is still like new. Recent exhaust change. All electrics seem ok, but he will check closer if he decides it's a goer after the MOT.