Second hand car question

crispy_chris

Hi there,

I know there are a few similar topics but I didn't want to muscle in on one of them so thought I would post my own. I just wondered if I could trouble you for some opinions.
I'm looking to purchase a second hand car as I feel it's probably about time.
I currently run a T-reg Peugeot 206, very nice car and has never given me particularly expensive repair bills but she's now getting on for 12 years old so I think it's time for a change.

I am looking to spend between £3000 and £4000 (including part ex on the 206) on a replacement and was wondering what the opinions of the forum are on what is a nice reliable car, thinking probably 6 or 7 years old.

The things I'm interested in (in order of importance) are:

• Reliability
• Looks (no point driving something I'd feel like a muppet in )
• Fuel consumption
• Insurance

I've been looking at the reliability charts for 2010 and surprisingly companies like VW (who I thought were very reliable) do very poorly while other manufacturers I had previously thought were poor (Citroen) in fact score very highly.

I only drive around 6000 miles a year (only use it to travel to my girlfriends house really) so I don't think Diesel would provide me with any savings given the extra cost of purchase/repair.

I feel like I ought to add, I'm 26 and my insurance is ~ £200 a year on my 206. I have got a quote for a 2006 focus/C4/Corsa and they all come out at around £275, so insurance isn't a problem. Luckily I live in a cheap insurance area

Cars I'm looking at include Seat Ibiza, Focus, Citroen C4 and cars of that type. Just thought I would garner some opinions.

Many thanks,

Hammyman

Focus is a nice car but so is the C4. I'd have either.

crispy_chris

You seem to be getting an awful lot of car for your money with a C4, so the pessimist in my thinks that means some underlying problem. Also I hear C4 tyres are alarmingly expensive (circa £150 each) which isn't wonderful, but it is a definite possibility because I love the look of it

Gordon_Hose

I just don't like the "plasticyness" of the interiors of all Citroens.

mrred66

how about a toyota auris diesel?

crispy_chris

mrred66 wrote: »

how about a toyota auris diesel?

would be good, if it wasnt a couple of thousand pounds over my budget :P

Inactive

Honda Civic or a Toyota Corolla will be reliable.

jase1

Yeah the previous model Civic is probably the best-engineered car available at a reasonable price in this size. Very good petrol engines as well -- much better than just about anything else available.

Civic, Focus, Mazda 3, Corolla, Leon, Almera (1.8 -- leave the 1.5s alone) are all safe bets. The Golf is a good car but the resale values are just too strong to be a realistic option at this price range -- you don't want to end up with a car only a couple of years newer than what you have already.

If you have a look at the car supermarkets, one or two highish mileage Kia Cee'ds have been appearing for around the £4500 mark of late, which will still have a chunk of warranty left. Absolutely nothing wrong with them.

Finally, as a leftfield option, and there aren't too many of these about, the previous-model Mitsubishi Lancer saloon can be acquired cheaply these days. You'll be talking about a 4 or 5 year old for the money you're talking about, these particular cars are Japanese-built and the build quality and reliability is superb (they *feel* a wee bit plasticky inside but they are thoroughly engineered and won't fall apart). Looks are in the eye of the beholder and I won't pretend that the Lancer is a pretty car but it's not ugly as such and has hints of the Evo that was based on it in places, so it's not all disastrous. Reason I mention it is that they are severely underrated cars -- just as good as any other Japanese product, good to drive and last well, but they just don't have the market presence due to poor marketing by Mitsubishi UK. I've had a few Mitsubishis and they have all been excellent cars.

Kilty_2

What would you feel a muppet in and do you need power on tap?

If the answer to this is "not much" and "no" I've just bought a Kia Picanto for £75 a month on PCP over 3 years.....

Spanking new for used car money providing you're not fussed about basically renting the car.

Can probably use the 206 as sufficient deposit and put your other few grand in an ISA to really minimise the effect of the finance.

mrred66

the used car market is very quiet at the moment and a lot of cars are getting scrapped (v reg 2L petrol vectras etc)

you should be able to haggle a lot and if you were to buy private you will be able to buy a lot better than you thought you would.
make sure the used car has full s/history and look at any old receipts etc, i reckon you can get a 5 year old auris for 4k now.

(last week i bought a 2006 'exclusive' picasso diesel 77k fsh for £2k)

NeverAgain_2

How about a Kia Magentis?

Nice way to get about provided you're not bothered about sports car handling.

Your budget would stretch to a 2006/07 car from a dealer, and you might even get leather.

Probably be a 2.0 petrol, but fuel consumption is irrelevant to you on 6,000miles a year.

By that I mean a few mpg either side of 40 will make very little difference to your fuel costs.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/kia/magentis/postcode/nn168lq/radius/1501/price-from/3000/sort/priceasc/price-to/4000