New Car, Small Budget, HELP

chris.courtnage

Hi MSE…ers,
I have to buy a car for work, Ive known about this for a few months and have managed to scrape together about £1300 for it.

Only problem is, I don't know too much about buying cars, or the best way to get a cheap one that won't break down on me in a few weeks. I need it for at least 9 months (as I'm a teacher and will need it until I become fully qualified and can afford a more expensive car).

So any ideas welcome, maybe cheap finance ideas for a slightly more reliable car for more £ then my budget, or perhaps.

Im planning on buying my insurance on a 0% credit card and paying it off that way (thanks MSE for that idea).

Thanks in advance for your help guys!

Chris

Lube

Have you taken into account that your insurance will take a lot of money depending on age, where you are, risk etc.

You wont get much for 1.3k. I have had several used cars of various prices last one being a ford focus (Cam belt)and all have had some issue soon after getting it. I been lucky after though once had issue fixed

cootuk

For that sort of money you are looking at bangeronics..an old Volvo estate or suchlike

chris.courtnage

Ive looked at different insurance options for different models, it looks like it will cost me about £600 for the year, that should be ok.
Do you think it will be safer getting a car from a dealer and getting a little less car of my money, or getting one from private, or perhaps a car auction?
Thanks for your help btw!

BargainGalore

You can get cars checked over by rac/AA I think at a cost, its always a risk getting a car though. We all want 2nd hand cars one careful owner like a vicar etc. Even when you cars get checked and my daughter had hers done with a mechanic and took it for along spoin it still had issues a few weeks later its always a risk and always worth having a few hundred quid at least put by

If you get a car by a trader you may have some protection but general costs more sometime have a warranty 3 months or more, private sale next to no come back unless they miss describe the car and dont tell you later

chris.courtnage

yea thanks, what do you think is the best place to buy it from? would having £2000 make much more difference to the quality of the car or no?

BargainGalore

I have had hit n miss with cars over the years, I would stay clear of auctions myself. I got stung once by them and you really need to get them cars checked out as often they are a way of people/dealers getting rid of trouble some cars ones that may costs a bit to get fixed like a clutch/cam belt etc.. Last two cars I got I went with dealer but my budget was 3k for last car and 8 for last one. With 3k car I got 3 months warranty.

Hoof_Hearted

Good and bad examples of all makes. Just take somebody with you who has some idea. Less popular makes, like Nissan, often offer better value that popular ones, like Honda.

chris.courtnage

thanks guys, any idea where i should actually buy the car from?

123davo

IMHO if you arent 'proud' aim to get an early to mid 90's 'common' car ie vauxhall / rover ( Be aware of trouble with head gaskets on 1.4 & Non-Honda 1.6 ) / Ford / sub 2000cc cars with LOW MILEAGE & 1 or 2 'careful' owners from new!!! They will be relatively reliable, circa £6-800 with MOT & good service history, cheap to fix if they do go wrong & reasonably economical if driven sensibly!!
Also, if you buy such an oldie from a trader you will be paying c.£500 more than the above, which is his profit, and with such an old car Trading Standards are not going to help if he sells you a bit of a lemon ... only if it's misdescribed or dangerous!!!
Been there, got the tshirt!
Beware of auctions unless you are VERY confident at the age-old game of spot The Lemon!!
good luck!

buscape

Have a look at these:

Vauxhall Corsa
Fiat Punto
Ford Fiesta
Nissan Micra
Peugeot 206
Renault Clio
Skoda Fabia

All under £1300, cheap to run, cheap to insure and not bangers either.