Advice on a car around £2,000?

walwyn1978

Not advice on a specific car per se, but at 2k I'd be looking to buy privately rather than trying to part ex my car at a dealer, simply because IMHO anything on a dealers forecourt under 3k is likely to be a car bought at (say) 1,200 and listed at 2000 to get 800 profit, rather than a car worth 2k at a private sale.

It does cause a problem if you need the value in your car to get the 2k, in which case if you can cope without a car for a few days sell yours first, if there's not that much time between selling and buying (assuming you've done research etc first) then, reluctantly, the WBAC option might be the one to pursue.

Suspect you've already thought about all of this but just in case if not thought it worth mentioning.

Shaka_Zulu

JustAnotherSaver wrote: »

I could ask on a car specific forum but they're mostly biased in my experience.

I'm out too, since OP appears biased and I was going to suggest one on his biased list :cool:

fishybusiness

If you like the VW diesels, as has been said the PD 130 is just amazing in any car.

DMF's will last, mine got to 170k before it needed changing, EGR at some point circa £100 and timing belt/ water pump at the usual intervals. Cheap motoring.

JustAnotherSaver

Shaka_Zulu wrote: »

I'm out too, since OP appears biased and I was going to suggest one on his biased list :cool:

So what are you doing then?

Just bumping your post count?

That's useful isn't it?! :T

ilikewatch

At the risk of sounding like a broken record...

Give some consideration to a Mk1 (up to 2004) Volvo S40 (or V40 if you fancy a hatchback/mini estate).

For well under your budget you should be able to find a low mileage, dealer serviced car with a good spec.

Plenty of engine choices - avoid the underpowered and thirsty 1.6 petrol, and the advanced, but temperamental petrol Mitsubishi 1.8i. Any of the Volvo petrol engines (1.8i, 2.0 turbo or 2.0 T4) have a good reputation and the Renault 1.9D which has been slightly detuned and coupled with Volvo electrics is a superbly efficient and reliable lump.

parking_question_chap

Just been browsing the net, a few decent Saabs 93 Saloons around £2,000.

DragonQ

JustAnotherSaver wrote: »

* Something economical
* Something with a bit of go (i know that's an open book. Let's say we don't think a 1.6 Golf has any 'go')
* Doesn't sting you on the tax
* Preferably something of the Golf/Astra/Focus size. Can drop down to a Corsa/Fiesta/Polo size but would rather not. Cannot move up to a Bora/Vectra/Mondingo size - too large. I know i just listed VWs, Vaux & Ford but it doesn't have to be just these three.
* RELIABILITY!!

Impossible for 2 grand. Older and thus cheaper cars are smaller, have higher car tax, and have smaller engines.

Herzlos

daveyjp wrote: »

At £2k you buy on condition and cost and ease to repair.

Start trawling the small ads.

Eactly. Ignore badge/age/milage and find something that's got a good history and has been looked by the previous owner (who's ideally had it for a while).

Definitely go down the private sales route - if you're buying from a dealer you'll be buying a £1000 with a £1000 mark up and will still end up with essentially no warranty as anything will be wear and tear.

Probably a lot cheaper to fix the Golf.

Herzlos

JustAnotherSaver wrote: »

I suppose that's what we get for wanting all these 'extras'. Auto wipers, auto lights & all that nonsense, and yes i'll stand by those statements that they are nonsense. Some of these fancy additions are great but some are ridiculous. I've never had a problem turning my wipers on. It rains, i can't see, wipers go on. I don't even need to take a break after doing it from tiring myself out thinking about it.

It's remarkably handy when you're driving in on/off rain, as you can leave it in auto and ignore. My last car had it, current one doesn't, and it's probably the feature I miss most as I didn't need to be constantly adjusting the wiper frequency to keep up with the weather.

knightstyle

Lots of Toyotas at £2k Avensis or a Yaris with less than 50k on it or Rav4 for something diferent. They will be reliable cheap motoring.