Cheap to run reliable car (Cheshire)

hubb

I have a Ford Focus that is not only 11 years old but also cost's too much to run as it's a 1.6 cc. Far too much money for me.

I have around £3000 and the Focus to trade off for a newer, preferably diesel. I have looked at a few possible models but can't make my mind up. I have been to various car sales establishments in my area in Cheshire but again, it's a minefield and I don't trust most places. We have been stitched up before.

I would just like any suggestions of the best type of car (petrol also) for around this amount I have to spend. There are only two of us so it's really a hatchback we want. We like the shape of the Focus as well as the comfort but not the cost of running it.

We don't want to buy private as we have no comeback. Not sure about Ebay.

Thanks.

nathan1986

Hi Hubb,

Ive been a mechanic for 10 years now so have pretty good knowledge about reliability. I have spent a few years now working on Mitsubishi Products and I swear by them. (Im not in sales and I now live in Australia, so this is ment to be completely a matter of opinion and no way sales related).

I think the Focus is a nice car, I would'nt say the most reliable but not a bad car. The biggest problem that you have in my opinion is the size of the car and the size of the engine. If your looking for a similar size car to the Focus then really most cars aimed at that target market tend to start out with a 1.6 engine with bigger engines available. You may be able to get 1.4, however, they generally tend to be a little underpowered.

If you can go for a smaller car I would recommend a VW Polo TDi, Fantastic car and great on fuel although I think you may be stretching the budget for one of these. I guess a lot of it depends on the condition and milage of your Focus which will determine the trade in value.

I had a Mitsubishi Colt 1.1 before I left the UK, 2004 model with 50,000 miles and I picked that up for about 2500 if i remember correctly. They are a hatchback and are great on fuel and quite nippy to. The sacrifice is the size of the car (this was a petrol also).

In my opinion, VW Diesel Engines are great. very reliable and economical. IF you can find one within budget or stretch the budget, then Id recommend these.

Buying a car on Ebay from a non motor dealer is much like buying a car private. You generally have no comeback. IF you buy it from a eBay motors dealer, then I think you would have the same comeback as if you bought from a showroom.

Any advice you may want about a particular car you have in mine?

Nathan

nathan1986

Ive just had a quick scan through Autotrader. I found this -

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201131408041317/sort/priceasc/usedcars/maximum-mileage/up_to_60000_miles/model/polo/make/volkswagen/keywords/tdi/radius/1500/postcode/wa42pq/page/1?logcode=p

Double check before you take my word for it, but i believe these fall in to the super low road tax catagory of around £30 per year?

This too me is a fantastic car, if you could haggle the price down a few hundred quid and maybe get them to throw a years road tax on it if its only £30 quid, Insurance group 5 which is pretty low. I imagine your Focus to be in a similar catagory. This particular one is located a little far from Cheshire but Ive used this as an example. Seems to be a buyers pick, lots for sale.

The only place this doesnt fit what you're looking for is size, but that is the compromise for the 1.4 TDi Engine

Nathan

hubb

Thanks Nathan. That's really good advice :-) I have been looking at WV's but they always seem to be higher priced. I was offered £700 from a small private trader for the Focus but another chain trade company said they would only give me what it is worth at auction. As you say, the Focus is a good car but when we bought it 2 years ago from a friend, the cam belt went. We got another engine swapped for £700 (including labour) from a decent garage but he did say it's a lottery what you get although it is supposed to be an 04 engine. I am not sure as it looks older and is now making strange idling metallic sliding noises. Our car is a T reg (98) which has always needed topping up with oil (even the old engine did) The boot also won't open anymore which will cost us over £100 to fix as we ll as the underside of the car rusting quite bad (That's Fords for you). So you see our dilemma. Insurance, oil, petrol and tax is too much.

The other cars I have been pondering are The Fiat Punto Grande, Skoda Fabia, Clio, Corsa, Honda Civic (old type)

That Polo looks a cracking car but buying so far from home could be impractical if I had to take it back for any reason.

hubb

Anyone else ?

dibuzz

Not sure where in Cheshire you've looked but avoid Arnold Clarke in Warrington.
They "sold" my son a car over the weekend, took a deposit then rang him on Monday to say it had already been sold and his deposit would be back in the bank within the week! He can't look elsewhere until he has the money back so is not very happy.

hubb

Don't worry, I have already a mindset to avoid them like the plague. Their reputation is terrible all over.

hubb

I still can't make a decision.

hubb

Anyone else please ?

Inforapennyinforapound

My advice for what its worth.Whenevr i purchase a car i research my options in Which? magazine.(can also do it online.Try it)

They issue lots of stats/reviews from owners of cars.

I would go for a 'supermini' thats a bit newer than yours.It should be less tax,less fuel,less insurance.Look at 1.4 engine.A smaller car is ok with this size engine.

Which's top superminis(used cars) are;1.Honda Jazz 2.Mazda 2 3.Mini(but these are not cheap) 4.Toyota yaris 5.VW Polo.
Any of these i reckon.I owned a Yaris a few years ago.Fantastiv reliability and economical.Look on autotrader and go to a dealer if possible.

hubb

Thanks Inforapennyinforapound.