Second hand car

soomagoo

Hi all,

Not sure if this is the right place for this question but hoping for some advice!

I need to buy a cheap (3-4k), economical, reliable, small car for a daily 3 mile school run and am looking for ideas on what to buy? Can be 2 or 4 seater, petrol/diesel/electric (would love electric but don't know if there's a cheap enough model around) but most of all want to avoid buying a lemon!

Thanks in advance,
Sue.

Kernow666

Ford C-Max
cheap to run
cheap to tax
cheap to maintain

Nile

Hi, we move threads if we think they’ll get more help elsewhere (please read the forum rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com"]forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

I’ve moved your thread from the ‘I wanna’ board to the ‘Motoring’ board, where it is better suited.

Regards

Nile

Richard53

One thing is for sure - for your intended use (short journeys) don't even consider a diesel. Electric will be way out of your price range (I think), so the narrows it down to a petrol car.


You'd get a decent Ford Focus for that money. My wife has had two, both nice cars, comfy, nice to drive, handle well, cheap parts and servicing. The C-Max is basically the same car, but the Focus is better-looking (I always think the C-Max looks like an invalid carriage). She has a C-Max at the moment, and will go back to a Focus next time. C-Max taller and more upright, so better for elderly passengers. Neither are particularly good on fuel, but if I were in the market for a medium hatchback I would have one tomorrow.

Moto2

With the OPs requirements, I'd be looking for a late model, low miles Toyota Corolla and still have £1000 change.

FreddieFrugal

Kernow666 wrote: »

Ford C-Max
cheap to run
cheap to tax
cheap to maintain

How is a c-max a small car? Or a corolla for that matter! Would need to look at old high mileage examples to get one for under 4K. They come with thirsty engines to account for their bulk too.

From the OPs description (which I guess you didn't actually read!) of what they want it sounds like they want a city car or supermini at most, a small car which is as cheap to run as possible - only NEEDS to seat 2 people. Small to fit into tight parking spaces. A mid size petrol hatchback is obviously a lot more expensive to run than a small petrol city car.

I'm surprised no one has recommended a Ford Galaxy or Aston Martin V12 Vantage as those would be equally unsuitable suggestions.

Cars like Chevrolet spark, Citroen c1 come up for that money. But avoid any of the French makes. Unfortunately The small Toyota cars aren't available for that money at up to 3 years old but you could extend the age to see what else comes up.

You want a Hyundai i10 (best of that small bunch) or possibly Fiat Panda, Ford Ka
Hyundai would still have at least 2 years warranty left (out of 5) for a little added piece of mind. Good car can sit 4. 1.2 is best engine to go for.


http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/postcode/hu128bn/radius/1500/sort/atcustom/fuel-type/petrol/engine-size-cars/1l_to_1-3l/maximum-age/up_to_3_years_old/price-to/4000/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/fuel-consumption/low

Use this auto trader search, but put in your postcode and the distance you'd be willing to travel to go buy your car. See if there's any you'd like.

colino

For a 5 day a week , 3 mile run, the cheapest car you should be looking at is a taxi.

FreddieFrugal

colino wrote: »

For a 5 day a week , 3 mile run, the cheapest car you should be looking at is a taxi.

Bikes even better if that was all. Unless mobility issues. But I'm sure the OP will be using it for more than just the school run.

Horizon81

Any of the following, newest you can afford:

Honda Jazz
Toyota Yaris
Suzuki Swift

and as you mentioned 2 seater - Mazda MX5

DominicH

Post-2009 Peugeot 107 / Citroen C1 / Toyota Aygo (essentially the same car, made in the same factory).
Cheap to buy and run. Reported to be reliable. Pre-2009 cars less good.

dannyrst

Legs should do the trick