which 2nd hand car should I buy...???

optimus_primera

jdd1 wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I have around a 2000-3000 pound budget for a used car, im looking into manheim auctions and classifieds ads, but im not sure which is the best car for my needs;

im only 24, so insurance is definitly an issue as well...

my needs are;

- economy- ideally it will have a factory fitted LPG conversion as that's cheapest fuel.../ or maybe just a diesel

-cheap insurance- must be small-ish engine size, 1.8 max i reckon...

-spacious, enough for a few friends to fit in as well- i'm thinking about a Ford Focus size...but would be happy with a bit smaller...3dr or 5dr...

i basically need something that is really reliable, really good to drive, easy to fix/cheap parts and looks good too...

ive been thinking about;

focus, astra, fiesta, golf, polo, punto, yaris, a3, civic....

im looking to buy from manheim auctions at the moment- anyone got any tips for doing this?

can people please make suggestions and if possible which specific model they think is best....at the moment, the focus seems like a good option as its just meant to be a great all rounder...

thanks so much everyone for your help..,

JD

I think you will have to decide which criteiria is most important to you.
Then get some insurance quotes .......

Inactive

bigjl wrote: »

Nice to see your knowledge coming through to help a poster.

Indeed, good sound advice, for somebody like the OP who, without sounding disrespectful, clearly isn't experienced at buying used vehicles.

Round_The_Bend

I was recently researching cars in your price range and eventually managed to buy a late 2003, Honda Civic 1.7 Diesel for £2,500, with 100,000 miles on the clock. They come with a good reputation, are quite low insurance and others, who know far more about cars than me, suggested that even at that mileage, it should keep going for another 200,000+ miles, if looked after.

I also seriously considered the Yaris, the Mistsubishi Colt and the Fiat Panda. All are highly rated and with the Colt and particularly the Panda, your budget should get you a 2005/6 model with low mileage. Both the Colt and the Panda are also in very low insurance groups; not sure about the Yaris but I imagine that it would be similar.

All of the above are well reputed and fit pretty well all of your criterion, aside from the request for LPG. From recollection, official mpg figures for all of these are 60+, so your petrol costs would be relatively low. I am sure that there are other great cars out there too but this was my final shortlist.

Round_The_Bend

Just to add, if you manage to do a shortlist, it might be worthwhile to contact the relevant main dealers for the models that you are considering and ask them if they have anything or know of anything coming in. If they don't, ask them which garages they use to pass on the used vehicles that they choose not to sell and check with them; the main dealer may even call for you, if you're lucky. Buying this way may provide you with additional consumer protection and often a fuller awareness of the service history and how the car has been cared for. This is how I got my recent car.