2nd Hand Car Advice

Generali

I am looking to get a 2nd hand car. I need something fairly large to drive a family of 4 around, often with an additional adult passenger. I am after something fairly cheap to run so have been thinking about a diesel. I've got about £3k to spend - any suggestions as to a particular car that stands out as particularly good or bad value?

Transactionumber

Hello you could go for a Toyota Avensis or carina or a Nissan primera both makes are extremely reliable and easy to work on if you carry out your own services.And very good value for money IMO.All the best in your car hunting hope you find a good un!!!

saintjanet

I would also suggest something japanese ,from a reliability point of view,the only thing is parts can be a bit more expensive.Bear in mind if you are looking at a diesel ,that some models hold their value better than petrol versions.For this reason you may pay a little more,so you need to work out if you would be better off overall.

Just make sure you buy with a warranty if you can and have someone who knows what they are doing check it over for you.

iluvmylexus

an avensis is reliable but boring
for something more dynamic try a mondeo, they are great value for money in my opinion a new model will be on the roads soon

balsingh

Japanese cars can be pricey to buy, service and insure ... my choice would be a Focus. Quite cheap to buy, insure and service. Reliability is good and it can carry 4 passengers with ease.

joshtbh

my advice is to go with anything Japanese. Preferably a Toyota, for example a Carina-E or an Avensis.

Nissans are also good, Primera, Almera etc are very reliable good cars.

pianeet

if you go for an avensis do not get a d4d diesel they have problems with the dual mass clutch and the gearbox bearings,the petrol is nearly as economical and does not have the gearbox problems.

Quinny_2

Peugeot 406 HDi.

Large saloon,seats 5.

I've got one,V reg,bought at auction for £2200,had it 16 months,put nearly 17k miles on it,all private,and it's never let me down.

And it returns about 45mpg.

Or you could buy the poor man's Audi,a VW Passat.(Same car,different badge.)

My neighbour has one on an R reg,with 190,000 miles on the clock,and it never misses a beat.

Ken.

Generali

Thanks for all the advice. I had thought that a Japanese car would probably be the best but it's pretty tough to find one that's done less than about 1,000,000 miles or 10 years old.

I've found a Renault Scenic 1.9 Dci from 2001 with 90k on it. The reviews seem good - they reckon that electrics can be a problem but not a lot else. Does that sounds any good? What sort of money should I pay? Parker's says £3,300-£4,000 for a 2001 is right but with 50k mileage but I don't know what I should knock off for the higher mileage.

Help!

Ted_Hutchinson

AA Tell me how much my car is worth will work it out for you.
Depending on the condition of the car looks like that extra 40,000 should reduce the price by between £700-£900
but you want to be somewhere between Part Exchange and Private Poor less the allowance for extra mileage. I'd only consider Private Good if the mileage was below average, fsh, immaculate condition etc and an impeccable history. Remember the cheaper you buy for the less depreciation you will suffer. If you keep it more than three years it won't be worth much anyway so you need to drive a hard bargain.

piggeh

Depends how many miles you're doing.

I saw a Peugeot 406 2.0 HDI Executive go for £3100 the other day. Full Leather interior, air con, 110BHP, etc, which is good value for a diesel (on ebay).

I would look at the Skoda Octavia as it's pretty roomy and basically a VW. Supposedly one of the most reliable cars you can get, and enough room for adults in the back.