Which car to buy?

macman

OP, what's your predicted annual mileage?
5 door hatchback, estate, SUV? Give us some clues...
Remember that, if you are going to be driving inside the expanded ULEZ from October 2021, then you need your vehicle to be Euro6 compliant if diesel or Euro4 compliant if petrol.

Car_54

illusionek wrote: »

I appreciate that in my budget I will not get anything exciting or in perfect condition. I had a look at the MOT history but not sure how to read it.

So between Cruze and Auris (as they appear to be best choices) which one is a better option?

Chevrolets are no longer sold in the UK, and indeed the parent company GM have pulled out of Europe altogether. Long-term support may be a concern.

alan_d

I'd suggest starting with insurance quotes for any perspective car and working back from there. Some are eye-wateringly expensive just because statically newly-qualified drivers have more claims in them.
Sometimes insurance is unexpectedly cheap for an odd-ball that is statistically low-risk, regardless of what insurance group it's in. I was driving a 4.2L Jaguar XJ6 at 19 for that reason, insurance was less than a typical hatchback!

sheslookinhot

What about an Avensis. Very reliable

jimbo6977

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201905308490259?body-type=Hatchback&model=LIANA&make=SUZUKI&advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=ig74aa&radius=1500&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&sort=distance&page=1


Reasonably priced car?

illusionek

I got insurance quote and Yaris would cost me £1244 and Auris £1314 a year so no big difference in cost either insurance or to buy. I think I will be doing about 7k miles a year if I decide to drive to work otherwise significantly less as it would be just weekend use.

Auris looks like a reasonable choice to me unless I am missing something obvious? I have never owned a car so may not be aware of something ...

forgotmyname

Auris depends on the servicing, parts are fairly expensive, was it serviced properly? Who MOTd it? Brakes had plenty of life in them or the owner liked to eek every last miles from everything? Brakes are OK until you get metal on metal squeal?

£200 (ish) a year tax, Lucky to get more than 30mpg around London? High insurance and parts prices.

I stuck every car listed on auto trader that was within budget and within a sensible distance and got quotes on them all. OK they banned me but a quick call to explain sorted that

Seem rather pricey to me, 3 years ago daughter bought a 62 plate KA for £4k. Last year i paid £3k for a Late 2013 Mondeo with all the toys.

illusionek

I have just come across Seat Ibiza for £3.5k. Would that be a better option?

foxy-stoat

illusionek wrote: »

I have just come across Seat Ibiza for £3.5k. Would that be a better option?

They are about the same size as a Corsa....I think Corsa D & E are bigger inside though.

mattyprice4004

kmb500 wrote: »

retake your test and do it in a manual.

Do you take pride in being such a prized helmet?

There's many reasons someone may want to take their test in an automatic, including health issues.
Plus, sitting in London traffic isn't much fun in a manual!