Thoughts on these cars?

N3WLIFE

I would like to try and get a different car asap, as I have just bought a piece of junk.

Would like to look at one of these today, does anyone know about these models reliability? etc.?

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/cars_popup.jsp?did=119682&pageid=1&originalid=&gid=nogroup&tid=2&start=6&distance=0&adcategory=cars&channel=DEALERPAGE&id=201248493973427

http://www.simply-motors.com/Detail.aspx?ItemId=2468

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201211234356209/sort/default/usedcars/price-to/2000/model/3_series/make/bmw/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/quicksearch/true/radius/10/page/5/postcode/sw21ez?logcode=p

Any common faults I should look out for?

LandyAndy

Well the 307 is a repaired CAT C write off so I'd leave that alone

N3WLIFE

Yeah just noticed thanks, plus tax and MOT runs out imminently. What about the peugeot? is the mileage too low?

Im so stuck!

EdGasket

Don't buy French cars; they are all awful !
The BMW is only 3 doors which I find a pain so I always get 5 doors.
Consider a Hyundai Accent/Getz, Honda Civic/Accord/Corolla, skoda Fabia for value/reliability.
Also I prefer to buy privately and find eBay better than Auto-trader for value. GL

harveybobbles

The 206 looks chavvy and will probably been driven hard.

307 is CAT C..

and whats with the panel gap on the BMW's drivers side front wing/bonnet..?

So as a whole: a rubbish selection of cars.

If thats the sort of budget you have, I'd think about stuff like Fords and Vauxhalls.

learningaboutinsurance

The 206 although low mileage which would make people happy - i would be concerned espiceally as the description doesn't say much anout how much history or services or work has been done. Too risky for me.

307 - CAT C as others said would be left alone.

BMW 316 - i am sure i have seen a thread about this and the out come was not good.

With your budget is POT LUCK, i know you got a bad draw with the focus but not all focus's are like that and with your budget i would def look at focus's or astra's

as stated in you previous thread, i bought my focus back in 2011 and apart from a fuel pump change and 2 services all is running perfect and i bought it privately. so with the budget you got i would first learn everything i need to check in a car and the paper work before buying and then once you confident enough with the car leave the rest to hand of the gods

Strider590

French is a very bad idea

Can't see the links, but if your thinking "golfs are always reliable" then visit the owners forums and prepare to be shocked.

fivetide

What do you need the car to do?

These are pretty bombproof. Don't know if the size or power is necessary though
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/volvo/850/volvo-850-850-cd-t5-1996/935403

N3WLIFE

Thanks everyone.....I think I am becoming obsessed with buying a car, the impending winter weather is driving me!

I have a 6yr old son and I miss how easy it is having a car going from a-b with him.

Hmmmm ok there is a dealer down the road from me, I know its a bit pricey, but it does come with 3 months warranty.....

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201244490493784/sort/default/usedcars/price-to/2000/model/punto/make/fiat/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/postcode/sw21ez/page/2/radius/10?logcode=p

N3WLIFE

My godmother is actually a mechanic lol, but I haven't spoken to her in a few years, I would feel bad calling her out of the blue and asking her to check a car out for me.

Which is why I just went ahead and bought the focus :-( I thought I did a good job "checking it out" clearly not lol.

The focus I had before that, i bought on ebay without seeing it in person, and that lasted just under 2 and a half years. So it is luck I suppose...

Tobster86

Agree with fivetide's suggestion, however if you stretched your budget by another grand you may be able to get a much newer ex-police/ambulance T5 which will have monumental miles but be well serviced and (generally) well driven.