Car for 3-4k

Rewind_Bo

Hi,

I'm looking at changing my car for something a bit smaller. Anyone have any ideas of what the best car would be for 3-4k (plus part ex on current car). At the moment I have a BMW 316 (N reg) - so would like to part exchange this (anyone idea how much i can expect - car is in good condition). So i should have around 3-4k cash plus what ever i get for my current car. I would prefer a 1.4 -1.6 engine.

thanks

movilogo

For £4k-£5k, you can get a 1-1.5 yr old Hyunda Getz (or even Accent) with 1.4L engine. Hyundai cars after 2002 comes with 5 yrs warranty!

If you want other cars, you can have plenty of them but unlikely to get any warranty with them.

However, big question is, how far you want to "downgrade" from BMW.

joshm_2

Difficult to value the BMW without knowledge of service history, mileage, options etc. Maybe about £1600-1800 (possibly more on part ex)?

As for replacements, if you want to stick with the image maybe an Audi A3? Also maybe a Golf, Civic, or Focus?

OrangeProse

The value of your car on a trade in will depend entirely on the car you're looking to buy - salespeople make adjustments relating to the margin that is available in the car they're trying to sell you. So it's tough to make anything more than a very rough guess at the value.

Trade in value is also usually less than the private sale value, as a dealer will then sell it on to a trader so will be wanting to make some profit.

As a total stab in the dark, not knowing spec level, engine (316 or 316i), mileage, colour or condition, I'd imagine you're looking at a private sale value of around £1,000 - £1,300 on it.

As for your new car, £3,000 - £4,000 gives you an awful lot of options. You could get a decent Ford Focus diesel for that, or a Vauxhall Astra. Alternatively, 1.4 or 1.6 petrol versions of the same.

Are you looking to downsize in terms of physical size, or reduce fuel and insurance bills?

Rewind_Bo

Hi just downsize in physcial size. the car is black with part service history.

Ford focus is a nice car so will definately be considering this. I would rather have a nice newish car rather than an older car that was good in its day.