Buying a Car for Commuting - What is the MSE way?

BigDonut

I require a new car for commuting to a new job, approximately 10 miles each way with some motorway or less distance if I take streets.

I am torn about what to do. The true MSE in me says take public transport but that would require a mix of buses and trains that would make a short drive in to a very long daily commute.

So I have decided to get a car.

So which car(s) should I be looking at?

I have taken a liking to the Nissan Qashqai (I like the driving position and space) but they seem to be starting around 10k for a decent used one. This is affordable as a finance option at 200 - 250 a month depending on deposit and term.

However, the saver in me looks at the price and thinks why not just get an older decent quality car for half the price of the qashqai and not have the same finance overhead and possibly not the same loss in depreciation.

I also looked in to leasing which would work too based on payment terms but then I wouldn't own the car at the end of it.

So what would you do?

Stigy

You can get a decent older car for a fraction of the cost you'd be spending on said Nissan. How much do you have at yhour disposal as far as cash goes? I'd say spending about £2,500 to £3,000 on a decent five or six year old motor would be the best route to take!

Ecconemy wise, petrol or diesel?

clever_username

Teeeensy little diesel car! A Citroen C1 or something!

Stigy

clever_username wrote: »

Teeeensy little diesel car! A Citroen C1 or something!

For the extra the diesel costs to fill up, you'd be just as well getting the petrol version of the same car as it'll cost less to buy, do nye on the same MPG and be cheaper at the pumps...Maybe.:D

clever_username

Stigy wrote: »

For the extra the diesel costs to fill up, you'd be just as well getting the petrol version of the same car as it'll cost less to buy, do nye on the same MPG and be cheaper at the pumps...Maybe.:D

Well I doubt you'd to nigh on the same MPG, these modern common-rail diesels are exceptionally frugal little units.

Could always buy a slightly older diesel variant so you're still spending the same amount on buying the car.

daveyjp

Also a C1/107/Aygo vote - early ones are cheap enough to buy, £20 tax, low insurance group, min 45 mpg. They do a diesel version, but the performance and fuel consumption aren't much different from the petrol.

BigDonut

Stigy wrote: »

You can get a decent older car for a fraction of the cost you'd be spending on said Nissan. How much do you have at yhour disposal as far as cash goes? I'd say spending about £2,500 to £3,000 on a decent five or six year old motor would be the best route to take!

Ecconemy wise, petrol or diesel?

Def can get 2k cash ok and would think I can get a bit more (1k) aswell.
Not fussed about petrol or diesel
The c1 might be ok but can't shake a feeling that buying French is false economy - bad experiences from friends

Stigy

BigDonut wrote: »

Def can get 2k cash ok and would think I can get a bit more (1k) aswell.
Not fussed about petrol or diesel
The c1 might be ok but can't shake a feeling that buying French is false economy - bad experiences from friends

You could buy a Rover, as they obviously don't hold their value too well and you can get a very late model for a great price! I've never liked Rover myself, and the K-series engined models were very weak, with headgasket trouble at as little as 10,000-miles. Waterpumps were weak, too. If you can turn a blind eye to those issues, you can probably pick up a 2005 model 75 for a couple of grand!

Keith

I loved the C1 when we looked at them earlier this year, very cheap on PCP too.

However, for 20 miles a day, there are much more interesting cars out there.

5k would buy you something nice and fun like an MX5, fast but with enough room for the family - an M3 or you could buy something cheap as chips but still quick - Xsara VTS/306 GTi6.

Spending 10k on a car just for the commute is madness.

bachgammon

This is my kind of thread. Can I tag along? I am a dedicated money-saver who wants to become a car owner for the first time in my 30s.

I feel like I don't really understand the market - unlike loads of markets which I have cracked through this community. Cars can seem like a bottomless pit for costing money.

But there are times in life - travelling to see friends for example - when I really feel I miss out. For the first time in my life, I have a couple of thousand pounds to spend.

I am interested in a Ford Fiesta to Focus size car. Reliability is massive to me. I like the idea of getting a very good warranty - or getting a car that won't let me down.

What do people think? I don't expect to be a big user and would use the car maybe twice a week on average.

Keith

There is plenty of the Focus out there, you'll find a decent one just look for a good service history rather than low miles.