2.5K/3k to spend on a new car

kaode

Hi, after I sell my focus I should have around 2.5k maybe 3k tops to buy a new family car, although my focus has been good, I would like a new family car, preferably a diesel for mpg, The new car will be used for mainly short trips, school runs etc with maybe going 50 mile round trips every other wkend is there any makes models to avoid or go for? any advice, tips are welcome

motorguy

kaode wrote: »

Hi, after I sell my focus I should have around 2.5k maybe 3k tops to buy a new family car, although my focus has been good, I would like a new family car, preferably a diesel for mpg, The new car will be used for mainly short trips, school runs etc with maybe going 50 mile round trips every other wkend is there any makes models to avoid or go for? any advice, tips are welcome

You arent doing enough miles to justify the extra expense and risk of buying a diesel.

I'd go for another focus. Zetec Spec. You should be aiming for a 2007 model at that budget.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201304016042889/sort/default/usedcars/maximum-age/up_to_7_years_old/fuel-type/petrol/maximum-mileage/up_to_60000_miles/model/focus/make/ford/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/postcode/bt622hb/page/1/radius/1500/keywords/zetec?logcode=p

motorguy

If your urge to buy diesel is too great, avoid the following engines

Vauxhall 1.9 CDTI
Peugeot 1.6 HDI
Renault 1.9 DCI and 1.5 DCI
Ford 1.6 Diesel
Volvo 1.6 Diesel
Ford 2.0 Diesel
BMW 2.0 Diesel, found in the 320d

Ultrasonic

Is the only reason you are selling your Focus for fuel economy?

As others have said, a diesel doesn't sound like a sensible idea for your sort of driving. What is your annual mileage?

catoutthebag

motorguy wrote: »

You arent doing enough miles to justify the extra expense and risk of buying a diesel.

I'd go for another focus. Zetec Spec. You should be aiming for a 2007 model at that budget.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201304016042889/sort/default/usedcars/maximum-age/up_to_7_years_old/fuel-type/petrol/maximum-mileage/up_to_60000_miles/model/focus/make/ford/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/postcode/bt622hb/page/1/radius/1500/keywords/zetec?logcode=p

07 and that mileage is optimistic & would ring alarm bells for the pricing

Between 2500-3000 you're looking at 05 max (according to a quick 30 miles search), possibly 06 if you're lucky, and average or just under average miles done

catoutthebag

kaode wrote: »

Hi, after I sell my focus I should have around 2.5k maybe 3k tops to buy a new family car, although my focus has been good, I would like a new family car, preferably a diesel for mpg, The new car will be used for mainly short trips, school runs etc with maybe going 50 mile round trips every other wkend is there any makes models to avoid or go for? any advice, tips are welcome

Unless you're doing at least 20k miles a year, which you're not, diesel is utterly pointless and they sound horrible

bigjl

motorguy wrote: »

If your urge to buy diesel is too great, avoid the following engines

Vauxhall 1.9 CDTI
Peugeot 1.6 HDI
Renault 1.9 DCI and 1.5 DCI
Ford 1.6 Diesel
Volvo 1.6 Diesel
Ford 2.0 Diesel
BMW 2.0 Diesel, found in the 320d

What is your reasoning on avoiding the Ford 2.0.

Do you mean the 2.0 tddi, rather old school injection system and therefore noisy but otherwise dependable.

The 2.0 tdci , in 115 or 130 bhp, some have issues with the injection system and dmf, though I know many that have got right up here to 250k without problems, including me.

Or the 2.0 d fitted to Citreon, Peugeot, Ford and Volvo vehicles which was a joint venture with Ford and PSA Group and now has a belt rather than a chain?

The Renault 1.5 dci is also fitted to lots of Nissans aswell as many thousands of Renaults and Dacias.

Never had any issues with the wife's other than her filling it with petrol, which was drained and no issues since. We have done over 70k in it.

My V50 is now on more than 150k, with the 2.0d engine.

The same engine is in the Focus, Mondeo, C-Max, S-Max and Galaxy.

And is widely regarded as a very reliable lump.

These are just two engines I disagree with you on, the rest I completely agree with one caveat.

The 1.9 cdti Fiat engine as fitted to Vauxhalls, Alfas and Fiats.

If you blank off the egr and remove the Dpf it is actually a very nice engine.

But with the egr system and Dpf in situ they are a large bill waiting to arrive.

We had Zafiras fitted with that engine and an autobox and they are a decent enough vehicle the engine was quiet and fairly responsive just not fast enough for what we used them for.

Though with reduced oil change intervals the number of engines going bng has been much reduced.

And the oldest are on a 55 plate nd the newest an 08 plate, so mileages are anywhere from 80k to 200k.

Being used round London in harsh conditions 24/7 perhaps showed up the shortfalls more than private use possibly?

motorguy

catoutthebag wrote: »

07 and that mileage is optimistic & would ring alarm bells for the pricing

Between 2500-3000 you're looking at 05 max (according to a quick 30 miles search), possibly 06 if you're lucky, and average or just under average miles done

Yeah that one does seem to be the exception.

bigjl

catoutthebag wrote: »

Unless you're doing at least 20k miles a year, which you're not, diesel is utterly pointless and they sound horrible

Not really true.

You don't need to be doing more than 20k a year to need a diesel.

The Clio dci will give 60mpg with local running around and actually a little less on a run if you stick to 70mph, you need to stick to 60mph to get economy, this is what I have found out with a Clio dci over 3 1/2 years with 18k a year mileage.

Fuel costs have dropped by half over the petrol Accent the wife had before.

With a diesel you will save money on your fuel bill, that is a fact.

Wether the saving on fuel can be justified by the extra initial cost that is the important point.

As a diesel vehicle with reasonable mileage will be worth more when you sell it.

If you buy correctly at the start you will save money.

If you need to buy from a dealer you will save less, but the extra cost will apply to a petrol car also.

Considerations are, lots of local use, make sure it has not got a Dpf, use good quality diesel, consider cleaning the intake and egr valve every year or so and you will get good value for money.

A car that does stand out in your price range is the 1.8 petrol mk3 Mondeo, easily available in your budget and they will give reasonable fuel economy.

Diesel mk3 Mondeos are also a good vehicle, but the number of nice ones around is dwindling.

I sold mine for £1500 with over 200k on it, mate traded it in for £1000 a year later, that was an 05, I sold it 2 yrs ago in July.

Though a Clio is likely too small for you and I would have a larger Renault myself no problem, but due to the risks if it breaks I would not recommend one, I am prepared to pay the reduced prices knowing it is due to the perceived lack of reliability however.

I suspect you really need to be looking at the last generation of Korean vehicles.

None of the look that nice but they are dependable enough.

If you aren't going to able to do the extra maintenance to ensure diesel vehicle reliability then it may be better to stick with a simpler petrol engine.

Though there are some "orphans" that are often ignored, Fabia estate with either the SDi or TDi engine (the TDi being a PD).

They are ignored by most estate buyers but are actually a lot more practical than many realise.

Use that to your advantage, as they do appear a little cheaper than they should be.

motorguy

bigjl wrote: »

The 2.0 tdci , in 115 or 130 bhp, some have issues with the injection system and dmf, though I know many that have got right up here to 250k without problems, including me.

Thats the one. The DMF and injection system being the main issues.

bigjl wrote: »

The Renault 1.5 dci is also fitted to lots of Nissans aswell as many thousands of Renaults and Dacias.

Turbo issues are the main problem and when they go wrong, they go horribly wrong. They make the motor trade very jumpy once they get a few miles on.

RE: the 1.9 CDTI, the DMF tends to go at 80k ish - you would have missed that with the auto. So the DMF, DPF and EGR issues combined would make it a no no for me.

plane_boy2000

Quite a big risk taking on a diesel at that price point. I woulds estimate that age / price point is just about where the big bills could start to come in.

I guess is depends on your attitude to risk and ability to pay a large bill, and no offence to the OP but if you are looking to spend 2.5K then I don't imagine a large repair bill is not going to bother you.

I would go petrol as you will likely get something more reliable and newer within your budget.
From what you have described it sounds like your mileage will be around 5K a year?
5K @ 30 MPG petrol would be around £1,000 in fuel
5K @ 45 MPG Diesel would be around £700 in fuel so maybe £25 a month cheaper at best, although I think you may be hard pushed to get 45mpg if you are doing stop start school runs