Which runabout to buy?

babaUK

interstellaflyer wrote: »

As above go on condition and service history, especially look at how recent the timing belts have been changed, they are all at the age if not mileage where they would be due and you are generally talking £300-£400 if they need doing, it varies a bit between manufacturers but 90,000 or 5 years is ball park.

Appears Suzuki and Nissan Note have the timing chain. No belt. Does that mean they are ‘bullet proof’?

mcjordi

Note gets my vote
pug in 2nd

babaUK

spira9 wrote: »

These are the cars OP is looking at:

Suzuki Swift:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201606295375432

Peugeot 207
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201608086612950

Nissan Note
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201607185965930

Spira9 your other name should be James Bond! You are spot on, those are the cars I am looking at.

BeenThroughItAll

babaUK wrote: »

Appears Suzuki and Nissan Note have the timing chain. No belt. Does that mean they are ‘bullet proof’?

No, but it makes them immune to cam belt failure.

Doesn't make them immune to chain stretch or chain breakage, unfortunately.

I'd avoid the 207, and go for the Note or the Swift. The Note isn't very exciting, but is practical, and if the evidence of my colleague is anything to go by, pretty reliable. He's had his for about four years now and isn't the most fastidious about maintenance...

bigjl

I like the Note

But with a choice between a Note and Swift I would chose the Swift.

babaUK

Looks like its going to be the Nissan Note. Is there anything in particular that I need to watch out for the Note?

bigjl

Just double check what kind of Autobox is in it.

As it could very likely be an Autobox from Renault which are no as robust as you might hope, does have lower miles though

Have look on Nissan Note and Suzuki Swift owners forums to see if there are any common faults to watch for

spira9

The Nissan Note has high road tax (£205) and low MPG, which can be annoying when you're only going to be using it as a runaround. But it probably is the best car out of those choices purely due to the parking sensors which would be helpful for busy supermarkets etc.

Did you haggle down the price as it's listed for £1750?

Rolandtheroadie

The OH got a Note at the start of January, 07 plate 1.4 petrol. It's a manual one (just noticed you're looking for autos).

I like the fact there's plenty headroom in the back seats due to the shape. The Swift looks similar, Peugeot not so much.

Note rear seat is adjustable too, so even with a tall driver, the rear seat could go back for more room, although sacrificing some of the boot space. Boot has a lower level, then a couple of hard boards to allow you to store stuff underneath as well as using the boot.
Passenger seat lifts forward for a little bit extra storage too.
The glove box is some sort of cooler.

I don't like the 3000rpm at 60 mph though, and that it's gutless, but it's good enough for what she needs.

babaUK

spira9 wrote: »

The Nissan Note has high road tax (£205) and low MPG, which can be annoying when you're only going to be using it as a runaround. But it probably is the best car out of those choices purely due to the parking sensors which would be helpful for busy supermarkets etc.

Did you haggle down the price as it's listed for £1750?

I had to haggle, it’s been on Autotrader for some time