Best way to buy a used car?

TrickyTrickyTricky

Hi, I’m looking for advice on how best to purchase a used car without any savings.

My 2007 Saab is determined to die and I need a car that can do 8hrs of motorway driving three times a month. I can’t cut down on the driving - my kids live 2hrs drive away when with the other parent and I have to do the journeys. My partner earns more than me but wants to get the current car fixed - I’ve been told by experienced Saab mechanics that it’s time to get rid! Our finances are separate but he helps me out a lot - but doesn’t agree with any kind of debt.

My credit score isn’t great - I don’t have any current debt but I haven’t had any credit cards yet to bump it up - wondering if that might be a good idea anyway. I had a look at getting a loan from my bank (Nationwide) and i’ve got a fair chance of getting a £3,000 loan. I’m not sure if that amount would get me a reliable car that won’t give up in the time it’s taking me to pay it off (I know it’s a gamble anyway).

My yearly earnings are 20,000 approx. I obviously spend a fair bit on fuel and maintenance already so would try to limit any payments towards a loan/credit card to £100/month. Less than that if possible, as I’m terrified I’m going to then end up with a car that needs further repairs, and very aware this could happen!

Any ideas/advice/experience appreciated as I really don’t want to mess this up! Thank you.

forgotmyname

Your new car WILL need money spending on it 10001% guaranteed..

So you have no savings now, how will that change whilst paying off a loan?

How will you pay for a decent service whilst paying the loan? Not repairs but just basic servicing.

GunJack

Look at the Bangernomics thread on here...lots of decent cars out there for under £1k, often for just a few hundred ££

TrickyTrickyTricky

Forgotmyname, yes that’s what worries me, and I’m trying to find some sort of happyish medium. Obviously I’m trying to factor in the likelihood of repairs being needed as and when. That’s what I’ve been having to do anyway. I’m having to get a different car out of necessity and trying to work out what the best way of doing it is.
GunJack that thread looks like good reading, thank you.

fred246

I was having a chat with one of my relatives. He was an investment banker and is a multi millionaire with an international property portfolio. We were talking about fixing cars. He is into bangernomics. We can both service and maintain our own cars. I think most bangernomics people can. Not sure how good bangernomics is if you have to keep taking your car to a garage.

TrickyTrickyTricky

Well - my partner can do some repairs, and I know a couple of places that are cheap enough for basic stuff. It’s usual for my partner to source his own parts and we always shop around. It’s the mileage my car needs to do that concerns me. But it’s looking like a loan for a few grand would do more harm than good anyway.

hareng

Bargains are hard to come by.


Look at it this way why is a car for sale?
One mans trouble is another mans trouble.


All depends on what driving your doing, stop/start, country lanes. motorways etc and mileage.

Modern cars the last 15 years or more are hard to repair being electronic, do your home work on the same models of cars interested in.
To give you an idea a steerig angle sensor in a Golf was £22 4 years ago for mine, straight swap out and re align with a proggy job done. 5 series BMW E60 onwards same sensor from an independant £75 diagnostic + £480 + £100 fit + £75 programme. Gearbox £2380 both linked to VIN and cannot be exchanged by any other used part. 1 and 3 series ok that period and newer.

Richard53

Look at it another way - ask your 'experienced mechanics' what exactly is wrong. The car is only 11 years old, and SAAB tended not to be throwaway cars. It might be better to invest any money you have or can get in repairing and improving the one you have, rather than buying another. No costs of exchange, and you will have a decent car which you know and which will have as good a chance as any to be reliable over the next few years. Not all cars are good at the motorway miles that you have to do*. In good condition, the SAAB should be ideal.


Get a definite answer about its current condition and problems before you commit to getting rid. "The cheapest car is almost always the one you have." (MSE forum, many many times.)


*I was doing 700 mile round trips every 2 weeks to see my kids at one stage. In an old and leaky Renault 18. It didn't let me down, but every journey was a gamble.

wgl2014

OP - if you want some specific Saab advice regarding any repairs I would suggest joining the UKSaab forum. Lots of knowledge on there.
Saab's will generally do high mileage without major issues but do need regular maintenance (as do other cars), if you can do your own basic servicing and easier repairs and just use the garage for more difficult jobs you can save a significant amount.

foxy-stoat

Unless your current car has rusted away, there is nothing that cannot be sorted for a couple of thousand on it that will give you thousands of trouble free motoring, unless your engine, turbo, gearbox are all about to explode.

I am about to down value my current car to £3000 and do 15K a year - my money will be spent on either 1.3 cdti corsa or 2.2d Gen 8 Civic - depends on what comes up first.

You just need to buy smartly, look for a private sale where the last owner who has owned it for years and years and kept it serviced well - if you spend £3000 with a motor trader your buying a £2,000 or £2,500 car for £3,000 - they need to make a profit.

Noree

Keep it basic and get a Fiesta. Simples.

Look for one with a couple owners, a full (or near full) service history and a good MOT history (if the reg is shown in the advert). The MOT history can be checked online.