I need a shed / (Toyota Carina E 1.8)

Kilty_2

You can make such a broad generalisation about differences in costs based on fuel economy alone can you?

Fine if you're older but at 20 having held a licence for just under 3 years there is a massive difference in insurance premium between a small car and a bigger one.

Hammyman

Kilty wrote: »

You can make such a broad generalisation about differences in costs based on fuel economy alone can you?

Fine if you're older but at 20 having held a licence for just under 3 years there is a massive difference in insurance premium between a small car and a bigger one.

Not necessarily. I know someone in their early 20's who insured a 2.8i Capri for less than they could a 1.2L Corsa.

Kilty_2

Hammyman wrote: »

Not necessarily. I know someone in their early 20's who insured a 2.8i Capri for less than they could a 1.2L Corsa.

Yeah, doesn't work for me I'm afraid. 2 fault claims in 3 years

(valid point though, when I had a cleaner history I could insure better stuff for less than some small cars)

bigjl

I reckon my Mondeo was a better buy than I initiallt thought.

I did some sub contract work on Norfolk early last year, put 4000 miles on my Mondeo in 6 weeks.

Did it without blinking.

All I have ever done is do basic servicing and a couple of handbrake cables at the last MOT, with rear discs and pads at the same time.

In fact the front pads and discs are the same as when I bought it, that is over 65k they have lasted, almost certainly because I don't brake harshly in my own cars and the fact that loads of the miles have been on A roads and dual carriagways earlier in my ownership, these days I just do the school run etc.


As such I think my option of buying a relatively high mileage three year old family sized diesel has worked out very well.

Cars like mine are still in Autotrader and on eBay at more than my car cost back in Nov 2008, definately MSE.

Kilty_2

Did you buy it from auction? I know someone who did with an ex-fleet Vectra and like you, could sell it for what he paid for it because he's now adding less than "average" mileage to it.

On that note - buying an old snotter from auction - bad idea?

Kilty_2

Hammyman wrote: »

And thats the thing. He seems to think that 500 miles a week is quite high suggesting that his usual mileage is the average of 10k a year. He says about the PCP hit but it'll be a lot less than the £500 its actually going to cost him for the £300 car

As for the claims about the luggage, thats just laughable and if you think your car isn't up to carrying a few suitcases, you should get shut of it unless its a MR2 or 2 seater sports car in which case, thats the point.

Noticed the edit after I replied - "the PCP hit" is 15p/mile so £150 per 1000 miles - I'm in the first year of ownership so that could add up to a lot of money over 3 years.

My usual mileage is closer to 8k a year - I expected to be getting a company car but due to budget constraints I am not.

I didn't buy a city car for it's luggage carrying capacity - bearing in mind I'm moving away from home for work it's not a case of carrying a suitcase for a holiday! I'd manage with the load space it has, practicality is not the major reason for seeking out a snotter.

bigjl

I would be fine with buying an old snotter at Auction, but I would make sure it is a main dealer trade-in, you may also need to look out for WBAC.com selling off turds, somebody mentioned the name they sell them under at BCA, but I can't remember what it was.

I bought the wifes last four cars from the same Auction, Chelmsford. And funnily enough they all came from the same dealer px section, for the life of me I can't remember the name of it.

But if you stick to basic cars with little or no electrical rubbish you should be dandy.

A good indicator of good previous owner maintenance is the tyres, I very rarely buy a car fitted with a set of mismatched budgets for example, as if the owner was cheap on safety items what is the chance that they spent properly on maintenance.

Some may thing it makes no difference but it works for me.


Things like 7 or 8 yr old petrol Avensis are cheap, as are old shape Primeras.

Anything with a diesel engine or automatic gearbox goes for big money anywhere near London. I think this is due to the price of fuel and the fact that a lot probably drive with red diesel, and the simple fact that a lot of people moving into London don't seem to be able to drive properly, I suspect that a lot of them don't have full driving licences, actually after talking about this with more than one copper I think it is totally true. They simple apply for an international permit or get somebody to sit the test for them, there have been several gangs in London caught doing this recently.

Anyway i digress, but that is why autos are at a premium.

Kilty_2

WBAC sell under the name "UK Car Group" I think.

Am I going to get something for just a couple of hundred quid at auction though?

(also, buyers fees on cheap stuff?)

gilbert_and_sullivan

Oh yes, Carina, Corolla and their competitors of the time..Bluebird and early Primera's probably the most reliable and durable cars ever made.

Maintained reasonably they would give 200k+ without a murmur, as said most became mini cabs and with good reason.

bigjl

Thhere are always bargains at local auctions.

There is always something unfashionable going for peanuts.

The Carin E and then the first Avensis always held a premium at auction due mainky to the fact that a lot.of minicab druvers bought them.

Now that minicab drivers are more interested in MPV's or much newer Avensis then the older stuff gets ignored hy its main market.

I saw a V reg Avensis go through Chelmsford last year for £450, so about another £80 on fees and there you go.

The advantage being you will easily get your £530 back a few months later, if not actually make a couple of hundred profit.

I am going to Chelmsford the week after next so will have a sniff, maybe too late for.you Kilty but I need to see what costs what.