Used car - budget £2K

redcard

I'm looking to get a cheap runaround, hopefully at less than £2K,
Any recommendations?

Looking for something economical and reliable. Not so fussed about looks, but a small Peugeot would be ideal.

citykid5

If you want trouble free and cheap motoring. I would recomend any of the vag group cars that uses the 3 cylinder 1.4 tdi engines I.e polo fabia seat arosa/lupo. The whole family have run these cars for the last few years and they are reliable economical bullit proof cars. £30 road tax and upto 70 mpg

bigjl

Cheap runabout?

Look no further than the last generation Fiesta.

Diesel are likely to be more hastle than they are worth.

So stick with a small capacity petrol engine.

For the budget the choice of Fiestas will be large.

I also have a soft spot for the last shape Clio.

£2k would get you a nice petrol engined one or a leggy diesel.

The 1.5dci is reliable in low tune 68bhp though unsure about the higher power versions.

Wifes 1.5dci is a 68bhp and though not quick it is fast enough, handles well and crucially has no dpf. I don't think the 68bhp ever had a dpf. Ours is a 2006. Have had it since 3yrs and just under 30k.

Had a blown fuse and the airbag light on due to a loose plug under the seat.

Apart from brakes, tyres, servicing and a cambelt change it has cost nothing.

With the current Dunlop Blue Response Eco tyres it is giving an average of 57mpg which these dsys is 95% round town.

I think it has done around 100k now. I have done all the work apart from the cambelt and brakes.

jimjames

Vw golf mk4, get a decent example with FSH and you should have some good motoring ahead.

redcard

Thanks for the recommendations - very helpful

If I see two similar cars at similar prices, car 1 is a couple of years younger, car 2 has 30K less mileage, which one, generally, is it recommended to go for?

dori2o

redcard wrote: »

Thanks for the recommendations - very helpful

If I see two similar cars at similar prices, car 1 is a couple of years younger, car 2 has 30K less mileage, which one, generally, is it recommended to go for?

I'd check the service history and go for the one that has the most extensive/latest service history. This should also give you the ability to check the mileage is genuine as the service logs will record it.

If there is no dealer/garage service history then look/ask if the cars have MOT history included and check any receipts for repairs etc

redcard

So a car with a full service history and MOT history will most likely be a pretty safe bet?

lazer

how many miles are you doing - Diesel may be worth it if high miles

I also recommend a volkswagen

BeenThroughItAll

redcard wrote: »

Thanks for the recommendations - very helpful

If I see two similar cars at similar prices, car 1 is a couple of years younger, car 2 has 30K less mileage, which one, generally, is it recommended to go for?

Buy on condition. End of discussion. Age and mileage are not the most important considerations at all. I've posted about this recently:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=65817240&postcount=29

BeenThroughItAll

redcard wrote: »

So a car with a full service history and MOT history will most likely be a pretty safe bet?

Maybe. Or maybe not. If it's one of the many thousands of small cars which are driven very low mileages by people who care so little about their means of transport that it receives no care other than a service once a year and an MOT, then it could well be a complete and utter sh1tbox.

Herzlos

Always buy on condition. Age and mileage aren't that critical if it's been looked after properly.

What sort of driving you do (town/motorway long/short trips, etc) and what annual mileage do you expect to do?