What will £2k buy me?

Spendless

I'm about to come into an unexpected windfall of £2,000.

My current car is a 12 yo 4 door Escort. It cost me £1,000 nearly 4 yearsa go. The engine is fine, done around 70,000, the rest is very creaky. It is due to be MOT'd in April and if it fails and it's not worth paying for repairs I'll be looking for another car.

My escort hasn't got power steering and I find it very heavy, so power steering is a must. I have 2 children, but the youngest will be in full-time school in September so don't need the boot space for a push-chair any more.

My car is used as a 2nd car, mainly for trips during day, shopping, college, running kids to activities after school. I prefer to keep it a low engine size to get the cheaper car tax.

I don't even know what to look for or where to start with my budget.

peterg1965

Ford Ka and Nissan Micra, may be worth a look. You might get a few hundred for your Escort in part exchange. Take a look at local paper to see what is around, or autotrader.co.uk.

Quinny_2

You would be better off looking for a 4/5 door car if you intend to keep it as long as your last one.

My wife has a 97 Micra SR 3 door,and as our kids are now older,she is now in the market for something with 4/5 doors,as it's a bind for the kids to get in and out of the back.

What about something like a 1.4 Astra,5 door hatch?

Plenty of them about,fairly good mpg,spares are cheap enough,low tax,and the insurance shouldn't be too dear as well. (Providing you get it through Quidco!!!!) You should be able to get a 1999 onwards one with power steering and air con,if you look in your local Auto Trader at the private sales.

Ken.

Nenen

I would go to your local library and look at the latest 'Which' magazine used car reports. This will give you an unbiased idea of a reliable car with all pros and cons, running costs etc. with the kind of price you should expect to pay. I know it is extremely unpatriotic but I have found Japanese cars (especially Nissan) particularly reliable... My current 12 year old Nissan Sunny has done over 130,000 miles and is still going strong!
HTH
:beer:

ArsenalFC

I would suggest japanese cars and do get a 4/5 doors as you have kids. honda, mazda, nissan, toyota etc. Try to find the best spec car possible with power steering, electric windows and central a priority. Most decent cars in your budget will have an airbag aswell.

mr_accountant

Also go on www.autotrader.co.uk then on the search page fill in the relevant details, leave the car make and manufacturer blank. Type in max price £2000.

You will the get a list of the type of cars in your price range, this should help narrow your search based on your preferences.

Spendless

I may be looking earlier than planned :rolleyes: . Over the weekend someone has tried to break in the car, nothing taken but caused quite a bit of damage. :mad: Car has now been towed away, waiting to hear from insurance company about it.

jonuk7

buy mine if you like, 03 plate Astra SXI, 1.6 16v, sapphire black, 5 door, only so cheap as it needs a new bumper and fog lights etc on the front end, car itself is worth £4000 and it needs recovering from the storage compound lol that is currently £217 then £12 a day lol

Sultan3

Top range flat screen HD telly.

wazza

mr_accountant wrote:

Also go on www.autotrader.co.uk then on the search page fill in the relevant details, leave the car make and manufacturer blank. Type in max price £2000.

You will the get a list of the type of cars in your price range, this should help narrow your search based on your preferences.

i will rather put £3000 as the max and look at cars up to say £2200. Remember most sellers over inflate the price to allow some haggling. You may get £200 knocked off and get a £2000 car etc

Johnocyprus

Whatever you buy make sure it's japanese if you're on a budget. They simply are the best made cars available, my wife and I have both had Japanese cars for the last 5 years ( Nissan Micra, Toyata Yaris and two Mazda MX5s ) and have had 100 percent reliability. I have a friend who is a self employed car mechanic and he tells me that when one of his established customers moves from a European car to a Japanese car that source of income dries up....