New, nearly new or older - please help me choose!?!

sh0597

Just buy a cheap car for 2k or less.

sh0597

Also don't go for low miles. It's almost always not worth it.

jimjames

lindsaygalaxy wrote: »

Thanks Paul.
I have tried to convince the OH of that but we have had 2 older cars and both have ended up costing a fair amount - it has really put him off.

I have checked the new affordability calculators and we can see get the required mortgage if we need a loan for a car.

If you are trying to save the maximum for a deposit for a house then paying out for a new car makes no sense at all.

The repairs to your current car are not expensive in the scale of things and if they keep it going then are worthwhile. Any other car could have just as many problems and things like brakes are consumable items anyway.

I bought a 12 year old Golf with 240,000 miles on it earlier in the year as a cheap runabout. It's been totally reliable and runs perfectly. Don't ignore high mileage cars, in my experience they are far better buys than low milers as long as they have been properly serviced and you normally get a far better price.

lindsaygalaxy

The astra has had 2 owners, fsh but due an mot (they will do). We are going to spend tomorrow looking around:/

It's not the brake pads putting me off getting this one fixed, it's the abs system. The garage said it would need sending away to get exact fault and will be pricey. Add that to the failing suspension, self-unlocking and central locking making a squealing noise when you do lock it it's just not worth it.

SG27

Id agree if your saving for a deposit get the cheapest most reliable car you can.

On the other hand if you do want to get a new/nearly new car then go into the dealer and haggle to see what their best prices are. You an often get a a fair amount off.

We got a new ford list price £10,500 for £7800 after the discounts and a bit of haggling.

JonathanA

Another vote for going for a cheaper car. The 06 plate Astra that you're looking at sounds very expensive, even at that mileage. Our local Vauxhall dealer has a 2007 Vectra 1.8 petrol with 80,000 miles, 12 months MOT for sale for just under £2,000. I suspect that will have lots of life in it and wouldn't mean that you had to borrow lots to find a new car.

There are options out there, but you may need to spend time looking.

vansboy

If you REALLY can't face spending a couple hundred on your current car, or buying £2000 older model, have a look in http://www.cargiant.co.uk there are plenty of Astras at sensible prices, compared to taking out a big loan.

And do remember, the deals on new or nearly new, are fine. But the car isn't new forever, you'll still have to maintain it and replace parts now and again!

VB

teabelly

What sort of driving do you and your other half do? Why not have their car and they could have the astra if they do the greater mileage?

Also take a look at the vw up! and similar as they're often about £99-£120 a month on special offers. When it comes down to it if you're continually buying cars for 2/3 grand, running them only a few years and having to buy another then it is actually cheaper to lease something that's new that is on a good offer.

Also take a look at BBA-Reman as they have reconditioned ABS pumps so repairing yours might not be as expensive as you think if it is just the ABS pump and a few wheel sensors that need replacing. If the rest of the car is fine with everything working and will get through an MOT it might be the best option until you've bought somewhere.