Your Bangernomics successes

newgirly

Hi I’m after some help looking for information on what sort of car to look for please 🙂 currently we have a 3.0L 09 reg BMW X3 which as of august is sadly too expensive due to the new ULEZ zone, it seems to be worth around 2k ish so that’s what I’d like to spend more or less on a replacement car. 

Ideally I’d love something as cheap as possible to run - ie. a tiny first car type with less tax and fuel costs, it needs to last around 3 years at least as we are hoping to clear mortgage debt by then which things hopefully get a bit easier. 

What makes and models might work best? I do around 5k miles a year probably, many thanks in advance 😊

chelseablue

newgirly said:

Hi I’m after some help looking for information on what sort of car to look for please 🙂 currently we have a 3.0L 09 reg BMW X3 which as of august is sadly too expensive due to the new ULEZ zone, it seems to be worth around 2k ish so that’s what I’d like to spend more or less on a replacement car. 

Ideally I’d love something as cheap as possible to run - ie. a tiny first car type with less tax and fuel costs, it needs to last around 3 years at least as we are hoping to clear mortgage debt by then which things hopefully get a bit easier. 

What makes and models might work best? I do around 5k miles a year probably, many thanks in advance 😊

I’ve had a Toyota Yaris in the past, that was a good little car. 

Currently have a 2006 Nissan Note which is fab 

tommyedinburgh

I’d second a Toyota Yaris. 

fatbelly

For 2k, you need to ne looking at condition. You can't be too fussy on the model. The more open mined you are the better chance of finding a gem.

Grumpy_chap

newgirly said:

currently we have a 3.0L 09 reg BMW X3 which as of august is sadly too expensive due to the new ULEZ zone

Just to verify, the BMW is diesel?
If it was petrol it should be ULEZ-compliant newgirly said:

it seems to be worth around 2k ish 

Where did you get that valuation from?
Looking on Autotrader, they all seem to be double that.
Could be the delta between trade and retail, but might be worth trying different methods of sale (even if you prefer to have the simplicity of the trade sale, there are alternative options).

newgirly

Hi thanks for the replies, the valuation was from selling prices on eBay, it has done 130k miles I wonder if that makes a difference? I’ll have a look on auto trader though thank you 🙂 

I’m trying to find something with as much service history and as low a mileage as possible but even really old cars are so much more expensive than they used to be 😱 will start looking for a Toyota Yaris and see what’s out there , many thanks🙂

GunJack

fatbelly said:

For 2k, you need to ne looking at condition. You can't be too fussy on the model. The more open mined you are the better chance of finding a gem.

this is the key point to remember for Bangernomics, with the caveat of THE CAR MUST DO WHAT YOU REQUIRE OF IT...

for instance, I've passed over some pretty decent cars as they wouldn't have satisfied one of my main criteria of a higher body for ease of getting in/out for Mrs G-J and her duff back, despite meeting most of the others (£30 or less tax, diesel, 50+mpg).  

mr_harris

Hi

Just wondering about peoples thoughts on a basic run around banger in 2023 what the starting  price should be.

GunJack

mr_harris said:

Hi

Just wondering about peoples thoughts on a basic run around banger in 2023 what the starting  price should be.

just searched autotrader, 20-odd cars from £695 within 30 miles of me, around 2000 nationally from £300 spares/repairs ... also check out local faceslap cars for sale groups, gumtree, and don't write off the side-of-the-road parked with for sale signs

Grumpy_chap

mr_harris said:

Hi

Just wondering about peoples thoughts on a basic run around banger in 2023 what the starting  price should be.

In the starting post of this thread, the "qualifying" amount for bangernomics is indicated at £1k, that was 2012.
Today, Autotrader lists 506 cars at £1k or less, so I reckon that £1k is still a fair threshold.  I know inflation, but also "cost of living crisis" so no-one wants to throw money away.
If you find something that works with a decent amount of MOT, you should be OK. 
You might even find something that allows you a little bit of fun, like this beauty with MOT until December 2023:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211181798968
Needs a new set of tyres, though.
HMMM - I'm tempted...