Need advice on choosing car

homer_simpson

Hi, was all sorted n settled to buy a little 1litre engine runabout as I stay in the country and bike and bus arent always that convenient. Ive seen quite a few with good mileage and good mot times, even suiting my tiny budget of up to £700 max, in lots of different sites and local papers. Problem is ex husband then feeds my usual idecisive, unknowlegeable brain by pointing out that lots of car dealers like Arnold Clark (purely example) are offering wee cars at v. small monthly prices and in return get garanteed ins, warranty, tax and often insurance for 'years' so literally the amount I hand over per month is all I pay, no further worries n unseen problems unlike the risk of still forking out for 2nd hand. I could prob scrape it together per month BUT Im a student , and only really doing 24 hrs a week average min wage up to 34 depending (several jobs, not single employer), SO...
How do I find a site that shows all the current offers from all dealers/manufacturers and what Id pay a week/month, without trawling for hours over battered old laptop AND what is my better option 'old car - one payment ,cash 2nd hand' or newer finance type thing thru dealer etc? I feel drawn to old banger as I have no debt now but not really any savings either...

oliverr

Depends on what old car you buy. You could be incredibly lucky or buy sensibly if you know what you're looking for but on the flip side it could cost you an arm and a leg, break down within days and spend more time in the garage than on the road so its hard to say really.

The new car is going to be more reliable than the old banger, but again it depends on the car, for a new car a little C1 or 107 will be around the £100 a month mark.

I'm sure some people on here will be able to reccommend you some older reliable cars but often the case is not the car but how well its been looked after and maintained.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Go with your gut feelings, one payment car is yours no debt, and keep it that way for a nice life.

As for older cars worth buying, try and find a mature lady owned Toyota Starlet or similar would be my advice, Matiz isn't a bad little motor either but make sure it doesn't need front discs.

Don't necessarily get hung up on makes or models, condition and previous ownership and previous care are what you should be looking for.

The most important thing you will need is a sensible honest and competent mechanic to keep it in good order for you, good maintenance is cost effective.

forgotmyname

How much money do you save every month. If half of that covers the cost of leasing a car then think about it.

If you dont save a regular amount every month then but a cheapy and be happy its yours. And if you cannot afford it you sell it.

Lease a car for 3 years and 6 months in you cannot afford it them its tough. Pay up or we send the debt collectors around.

Checkout the debt boards.

Been there done that. New or newish cars sap the money from your pockets.

Since buying something older i have actually managed to save a fair sum.