Car for carer!!!

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Hi

I was wondering if you could advise me, I work as a care worker travelling around to people's houses, and I think I need a new car.

I'm currently driving a daewoo matiz (03 plate) nothing wrong with it, I just don't feel that safe, I think I need a bit more car.

I've only been driving for approx 18 months.

I have a budget of approximately £2000, what cars would you advise?

Oh one more thing it has to have 4 doors as I have young children.

Many thanks.

OddballJamie

I will get flamed for this - A Citroen C3, partner got one last month, good on fuel, 5 doors, airbags, isofix, feels safe. Very cheap to insure, £450 for a new driver (her).

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Unfortunatly I have no ideas of cars I've had a look at the above car it looks nice (see know nothing).

I ment to also say that I will be doing a lot of stop start driving, short distances and a small amount of dual carriage way.

OddballJamie

Either that or a Fiesta £2000 should get you 03 onwards with 5 doors.

A petrol would suit the short distances better, unless you're doing 12,000 miles plus, then look at the 1.4 diesels (no DPF to worry about).

Regarding the C3, the 1.4 petrol is the one my partner has, averaging over 40mpg mostly town driving. The 1.6 is thirsty and the 1.1 is under-powered. Look for a Desire or SX spec with ABS and aircon.

missile

If you want to feel safer you might want to consider a bigger car? I am guessing you need to take person in your charge out and about? A larger vehicle may make that easier. As fuel gets ever more expensive, luxury cars loose a substantial part of their value and an 03 plate Audi A3, BMW 3 series, Mondeo will all be within your budget.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201306297555835/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/price-to/2000/model/a3/make/audi/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/postcode/ab253bu/radius/1501/quicksearch/true/page/1?logcode=p
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201306207400152/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/price-to/2000/model/3_series/make/bmw/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/radius/1501/postcode/ab253bu/page/1?logcode=p
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201306127249312/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/price-to/2000/model/mondeo/make/ford/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/postcode/ab253bu/radius/1501/page/1?logcode=p

Be careful to buy - low mileage & in good condition as repair costs tend to be in line with original sale price.

fivetide

Won't go far wrong with something like this

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/ford/focus/ford-focus-ghia-2001/1485133

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Thank you.

As of yet I've not been asked to take anyone shopping etc yet.

I'll probably be doing about 100-150 miles a week.

What would you class as low mileage?

I know I was lucky with my current car as it only had 63000 on the clock.

I was hoping to get a higher reg as well, I'm willing to up my budget by £1000 if it means getting something newer than I already have.

OddballJamie

Yes that's low mileage, wouldn't even bother looking at diesels with those miles, any fuel savings would be wiped out by the possible damage all the short trips could do.

How large do you want to go?

fivetide

I would be less concerned by the reg year and at your price point, go on condition.

Has it been serviced/looked after etc etc?

This looks very good. Ok bigger motor and an auto but for lots of stop start driving automatics are superb. Lot less hassle for town driving. Plus, it's a Honda Civic that seems to have been well looked after

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/honda/civic/honda-civic-mk6-se-2004/1480629

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OddballJamie wrote: »

Yes that's low mileage, wouldn't even bother looking at diesels with those miles, any fuel savings would be wiped out by the possible damage all the short trips could do.

How large do you want to go?

Not much larger than my daewoo if possible, I did have Peugeot 106 (p reg) whilst learning and felt safer in that.

OddballJamie

It that case have a look at the following

VW Polo - feels solid and safe

SEAT Ibiza - Cheaper than a Polo, but more style than an Fabia.

Skoda Fabia - similar to a Polo but you get newer/more for your money

Ford Fiesta - most popular car in Britain, good all rounder.

Ford Fusion - like a Fiesta estate, taller, feels safe with high driving position, also cheaper than a Fiesta.

Citroen C3 - Cheap to run, fix and buy.