Budget of £1700 - what to get?!

PJMardy

Hello lovely MSErs...

So, I've finally decided (I think!) to buy a car rather than leasing. This is for many reasons, but mainly because it's so much nicer to know you own it and don't have to pay every month for something!

Now, the plan is (to avoid what happened last time I bought a car) to take a mechanic with me to look, but I'd love your advice on the best car to get for that kind of money which is going to be reasonably economical to run and insure.

I do an approx 50-mile commute every day, mainly on hilly A roads.

I've only got two years' NCB because I've not always had a car over the last few years and had a couple of accidents. They'll come off this time when I quote for insurance - hurrah! I'm over 30 and got no points on my licence or anything.

Any advice would be massively helpful - I know absolutely nothing about cars!

Ta
PJ

MX5huggy

Is that 50 miles each way (so 24000 per year) or 50 miles in total (so 12000)?

PJMardy

50 miles total - 12,000 a year, plus the odd long trip... we usually use my partner's car for those, but occasionally I break free on my own!

Wh05apk

With that sort of budget, you should be looking purely on condition, rather than looking for a particular model/colour.

As that budget is popular with FTB's you may find smaller FTB cars tend to be more expensive, and so may fins something life a Focus or Astra could be better value, as they are less popular, also if you are doing 25 miles each way, something like a 1.4/1.6 petrol should give you close to 40mpg, a diesel ~50mpg, but actual cost savings won't be too significant - a good petrol will be far less trouble and cost than a hard used diesel.

PJMardy

Ah that's good advice - hadn't thought of FTB cars being more expensive for that reason. Thank you! Yeah, Focus or Astra would suit... 1.4 is where I'm looking really, or potentially a diesel - though as you say, the cost-saving may not be that great ... I currently fill my tank every 260 miles and it costs approx £46 to fill up.

PJ

PollyOnAMission

I was going to suggest something like a well-maintaned diesel Focus. A friend of mine bought a V reg 1.9 turbo diesel, FSH etc, great condition for around £1k, and it averages 55 mpg with mixed driving. There are a lot to choose from so you should be able to find a good example.

PJMardy

Diesel Focus sounds a good option - I know my partner used to have one that he absolutely loved...

Thank you - and fab name! (My name is Polly too )

System

Honda jazz maybe - seems to be a few about and appear to be pretty bullet-proof if uninspiring!

PJMardy

the_r_sole wrote: »

Honda jazz maybe - seems to be a few about and appear to be pretty bullet-proof if uninspiring!

My friend used to have an A reg Jazz which was amazing. The newer ones just don't have the same personality do they?!

Uninspiring is fine - I just need reliable, and not costing the earth really!

ilikewatch

I would suggest looking at a well maintained 2003/2004 Volvo S40. Plenty of well equipped vehicles within your price range. The Renault diesel engines are bulletproof if looked after properly, and fairly economical - I get about 45MPG combined and 50+ on long runs.
Maintenance costs are minimal if you use a local independent garage for servicing - I just paid £75 for new Mintex front discs and pads fitted, previously paid about £70 for the rears.
Beware of missing keys/fobs (extremely expensive main dealer only replacement), vehicles that have been used for heavy towing and cars that are due a timing belt.

fivetide

At the price you are paying and the journeys you'll be doing I'd be more inclined to look for a petrol motor.

You'll pay more for a diesel and a lot more for the fuel even if the mpg is better. The cost/benefit line is about 12,000 miles a year so you are right on it and you may find you can get a better petrol car than a diesel.

As said though, buy on condition more than anything.