first car - what should I go for

PollyOnAMission

My OH recently bought a V reg diesel Focus for around £1k. Full service history, great condition, new tyres all round, reasonable on the insurance, easy to drive/park, very practical and it averages 55mpg. Plus there are loads about so parts etc can come cheaply!

Brallaqueen

Right, I have revised my expectations down a lot, & sod the ego.
What about this one? 12m MOT, low insurance group

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201223474439905/sort/default/usedcars/price-to/500/postcode/nn14ln/quicksearch/true/radius/20/page/1?logcode=p

s_b

Brallaqueen wrote: »

Right, I have revised my expectations down a lot, & sod the ego.
What about this one? 12m MOT, low insurance group

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201223474439905/sort/default/usedcars/price-to/500/postcode/nn14ln/quicksearch/true/radius/20/page/1?logcode=p

well they arent robbing you
not my cup of tea but if it starts and stops and sounds ok then why not

Hoof_Hearted

The focus is a good shout. Son has one and never lifts the bonnet between services. In five years, brakes and tyres only (and cam belt).

For motoring at a small cost (ins. tax, petrol) if you don't mind not having any street cred, these are terrifically reliable:

Nissan Micra

joee_91

I would just like to say it helps to shop around!
.. dont necessarily use the auto trader.

I had an audi A3 S reg after my car finance ended and i got rid of the car (stupidly).

The audi broke so i decided to buy a car off ebay with £800 i had managed to save. Found a lovely vauxhall astra with alloys cruise control the lot, got there the car was completely disgraceful. Not looked after, a mechanical let down (to say the least) - and 2 flat tyres (offered to knock 10£ off for both tyres!!!!)

I found a trade garage round the corner specialising in ex clearance cars. Managed to get an 02 Vauxhall Vectra with all bells and whistles down from 995 to 600. And im 21 AND diabetic - and my insurance is 86 a month (2£ more than the audi).

So it really pays to shop around. Try having a look online for cheap dealerships around you (some advertise on eBay and on Auto Trader).

Hope this helps.

*EDIT* AND i had it checked by a mechanic before i bought it - came with full service history, and is a lovely drive! in perfect condition - it has only failed 1 MOT and that was on an indicator being out The inside was a bit smelly and dirty (Think the previous owner was a smoker and a gardener of some sorts) but after a clean out its a really nice car!! Just something to think about whilst your shopping around.

Mr_Thrifty

I'd be inclined to get something a bit more practical, personally. Something like this one: http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201151437092467/sort/default/usedcars/price-from/500000/postcode/se30aa/radius/1500/page/3?logcode=p

Looks like it's in pretty good condition for the price, too.

LincolnshireYokel

Good job you dont live here in Lincolnshire. A lot of peoples second vehicle is a Massey Ferguson.

Except around Crowland. Round there, most peoples ONLY vehicle is a Massey Ferguson.

getmore4less

Apart from being french and potential electric issues.

The old 1.9 non turbo 306 engines seem to be bullet proof and have loads of miles in them.

There are a few tidy ones around that have been well looked after.

if the electrics work, cam belt done worth a punt if you can find one, very practical as a first car, estate has better boot.

this one is near you
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201224475287410/sort/default/usedcars/price-to/1000/model/306/make/peugeot/page/1/radius/10/postcode/nn14ln?logcode=p

Get a 4/5 door, small 3door are a pain if you ever want to do more than have 2 people in it or carry anything.

Low insurance will be the key to the purchase, as it will not be a keeper why care about street cred, go away from the norm has it's own cred.

don't rule out the bigger stuff, like the Vectra above, some good old octavias about, no one wants these bigger cars so cheap and might get a few years out of one.


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201224475433543/sort/default/usedcars/price-to/1000/make/skoda/radius/10/postcode/nn14ln/page/1?logcode=p

should be good for 50+mpg

this fabia might be worth a look group 2 ins, E tax
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201223474830940/sort/default/usedcars/price-to/1000/make/skoda/radius/10/postcode/nn14ln/page/1?logcode=p

CashStrappedPrincess

I agree with Hoof Hearted. Nissan Micra is the way to go, not exactly the most desireable car on the market but cheap on insurance and pretty much bullet proof. Last year my mum got rid of her M reg Micra that she had for the previous 3 years. To be honest I thought it was an absolute shed when she bought it for £300 quid but it passed every MOT and started every morning She has a yaris now and thats been faultless too!

sillygoose

Hoof_Hearted wrote: »

The focus is a good shout. Son has one and never lifts the bonnet between services. In five years, brakes and tyres only (and cam belt).

For motoring at a small cost (ins. tax, petrol) if you don't mind not having any street cred, these are terrifically reliable:

Nissan Micra

What a cracking little find that Micra is! another vote for that, 21k miles! the service history and MOT's should help confirm that. Geez! its only been out the garage to take a little old lady to church on Sundays! - as its probably only ever done short journeys engine would be a concern as its never warmed up but that little engine will get warm in a mile and its Japanese - go for it!