Clueless new car buyer - suggestions welcome

LondonDiva

I've spent the last five years saving hard and have approx £10,000 to spend on a car.

I was looking at something within the last 3 or so years and possibly predelivery mileage. I spotted a great deal on a Vauxhall Corsa for £6995 and also on a Honda, but lots of pursed lips from blokes at work. I'm being pointed towards Asian cars as they apparently have loads of specs for the money :huh:

Must haves:

A five door car
Bigger than a Skoda Fabia / Peugot 206, but not MPV massive
Mainly used for in town driving and to/from work (about 20 miles daily). Motorways about 10 times a year.

After years of driving old bangers and developing a far too intimate a relationship with the AA man, reliability is top of the must haves as I'm not a car person and don't have access to anyone who could have a quick look for me if anything goes wrong.

I really, really don't know anything about cars and wanted some pointers (or suggested websites for buying apart from Car Giant).

Thanks:)

forgotmyname

Spend £3000 or £4000 on a Ford Focus.

OK it wont be less than 3 years old. But it wond lose £7000 in depreciation over the next 3 - 5 years. Your less than 3 year old £10,000 car is likely to.

[Deleted User]

How much of that £2000 a year have you saved by running an older car :money:

As above buy an older car with someone else paying the depreciation.:D

Hoof_Hearted

If you really want something more reliable, there are fantastic cars around for £3-4,000 with FSH. You just need to keep looking and cover traders and private.

jaydeeuk1

Buy an older car. Just don't buy a car I've previously owned, I thrash the hell out of mine knowing that the engine, gearbox and clutch wear will be someone else's problem.

If I'm paying for the depreciation, they can pay for all the wear n tear and all the fun I've had driving it.

Just watch for bogies stuck under the drivers seat. Mine looks like Poole's cavern down there.

loskie

Toyota Auris
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/toyota/auris/postcode/sg166bl/radius/1500/price-to/7000/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/maximum-mileage/up_to_25000_miles/sort/default/price-from/4000/page/2

Malmo

LondonDiva wrote: »

I've spent the last five years saving hard and have approx £10,000 to spend on a car.

I was looking at something within the last 3 or so years and possibly predelivery mileage. I spotted a great deal on a Vauxhall Corsa for £6995 and also on a Honda, but lots of pursed lips from blokes at work. I'm being pointed towards Asian cars as they apparently have loads of specs for the money :huh:

Must haves:

A five door car
Bigger than a Skoda Fabia / Peugot 206, but not MPV massive
Mainly used for in town driving and to/from work (about 20 miles daily). Motorways about 10 times a year.

After years of driving old bangers and developing a far too intimate a relationship with the AA man, reliability is top of the must haves as I'm not a car person and don't have access to anyone who could have a quick look for me if anything goes wrong.

I really, really don't know anything about cars and wanted some pointers (or suggested websites for buying apart from Car Giant).

Thanks:)

Avoid buying a car on the false premise / rule of thumb that the age or mileage of the car are good indicators of reliability & longevity.

If you have £10,000, do not waste all that cash on a new or new-ish car. You can buy excellent, reliable cars for far less than £10,000 as some of the other members have highlighted.

A Ford Focus is a good example, as is a Honda Civic or a Skoda Octavia.
The Auto Trader examples I've given in the links are based on some assumed search criteria, but should demonstrate how much car you can get for a lot less than £10,000.

Hoof_Hearted

loskie wrote: »

Toyota Auris
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/toyota/auris/postcode/sg166bl/radius/1500/price-to/7000/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/maximum-mileage/up_to_25000_miles/sort/default/price-from/4000/page/2

Strange you should put this up. I go for A to B transport, but it must be reliable and reasonably roomy. The Auris is, let's face it, a pretty boring car and no head turner. However, after my car was written off I bought one of these and I'm delighted with it. Much cheaper than an equivalent Focus and very well put together. The high gear stick may not suit everybody but otherwise I'm very happy with it.

loskie

Yes boring and un trendy means good value second hand unlike over priced, over hyped cars like a VW Golf that lives off past reputations.

Ectophile

Here's my recommendation:

1. Look around at what's out there and draw up a list of interesting-looking cars that match your general criteria.
2. Check the on-line review sites to eliminate those that are complete turkeys.
3. Finally, buy the car you like the most.

If you buy anything else, it will either be a compromise, or you'll have just bought it because somebody else recommended it. If you buy the car you like the most, then you will always be driving around in the car you actually wanted.

EdGasket

LondonDiva wrote: »

I really, really don't know anything about cars and wanted some pointers (or suggested websites for buying apart from Car Giant).

Thanks:)

Use public transport; it's a lot cheaper and less hassle.