Used car buying (£2k budget) - Help please!

Henno

Well heres my story.

My first and only car is a Fiat Punto X reg. Its done me well over the years but despite only doing 46k miles, the last year everything has started to go wrong. I was planning to get rid in April once the MOT had ran out but to finish it off the other day the clutch went whilst driving home. As there is so much wrong with it now i am looking to scrap it but this means i need a new car, and pretty quickly.

I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to cars. All i can say is my budget is about £2k, id prefer a smallish car again similar in size to the Punto but not essential if i can get better for my money. It is for driving to work / girlfriends with the occasional motorway drive for days out. Should i be looking for petrol or diesel? Is it better to by from a garage or private?

Any car suggestions and general used car buying help would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance.

forgotmyname

Ford Fiesta or Focus.

Or maybe spend £2000 on the Punto and have a nearly new car.

Petrol or diesel will depend on the car you buy and your actual journey type.

Garage or private. You can get ripped off by either if you dont do your homework.

£2000 may get you a very good car. Or it may get you something that costs triple in repairs over what your Punto is costing.

jimjames

You could pick up a decent VW Golf for that money. I'd choose the diesel as they seem more reliable.

Personally I'd also try to buy privately, often I find I can judge as much about the car from the person selling it and you get to see/find out the history directly. You also will be avoiding the dealer's markup but not getting any form of warranty.

Any car could need repairs doing so it is obviously a risk whatever you buy.

Tilt

If the clutch is the main thing wrong with it, why not spend a few hundred quid and get it fixed? If it's only done 46k miles, it should'nt be sent to the knackers yard just yet!

I have a W reg HGT with 71k on it (still the original clutch) and I certainly think it's got loads of life left in it. It drives as if it's half it's age; no rattles, knocks or squeaks.

Henno

Thanks for the replies. It isnt just the clutch though that has gone. The power steering is failing again and after only replacing this with a second hand part around a year ago, I'd be worried to do the same again. I was quoted over £400 for that this time last year. The drivers airbag light is also red on the dashboard, plus the exhaust is blowing. That is without the cost of the MOT and anything else they find. Id got to the point where I thought it was more worthwhile to get rid.

forgotmyname

But £2000 is more than enough to replace them with decent refurbished or even new parts.

And with plenty spare for future repairs that a new(er) car may need very soon after buying anyway.

TeamPlum

Henno wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. It isnt just the clutch though that has gone. The power steering is failing again and after only replacing this with a second hand part around a year ago, I'd be worried to do the same again. I was quoted over £400 for that this time last year. The drivers airbag light is also red on the dashboard, plus the exhaust is blowing. That is without the cost of the MOT and anything else they find. Id got to the point where I thought it was more worthwhile to get rid.

I have fixed these problems on a fiat very cheaply, just by the by.

avantra

Plenty of good models at this price range, get a well looked after Corrola or Civic and you should be ok.

If you want something newer the petrol Ford Fusion is an excellent value and relaible

Fiat Pandas also comes to mind if you don't mind the tiny boot.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201403022190594/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/radius/1500/make/fiat/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/postcode/gl116hx/maximum-age/up_to_7_years_old/page/1/price-to/2000/price-from/1500/model/panda?logcode=p

sammynick1234

Personally I'd stay away from Fiat's if you're looking at a 2k budget, the 2000-2005 models are absolutely riddled with problems.


If you're after reliability go for something like a decent Golf mk4, you should be able to get a decent one and have some change. You could probably get a decent Mini Cooper or Honda Civic Type S too if you want something a bit sportier. Make sure you get full service history and lowish mileage too. Although if you're going for a diesel try not to get one with stupidly low mileage, doesn't do the injectors any good.


Don't scrap the Punto though, somebody will buy it to do up for £300 or so if you stick it on ebay!


If you're going to go to a garage make sure you get a decent warranty chucked in and a free service or some little extras, you'll be paying a premium so might as well get your money's worth.

tight_scotsman

Have a look at the Honda Jazz very reliable car you would pick up a 2004 model with average miles for around 2K most are owned by the over 60s and most will have a full service history.

Well worth a look if you ask me

citykid5

My recommendation would be a seat arosa 1.4 tdi 2k should get you a good one. £30 road tax bullit proof mechanics, 55mpg town driving 70+ on a run