Recommend me a used car, please!

Frith

My ancient Scenic is about to be retired (electric handbrake has broken) and I wondered what people would recommend as my next used car?

I’ve got up to £1200 to spend.

I’m very interested in the £20 or £30 per year tax cars, but can’t seem to find a list.

Must be manual, petrol, small (2 leaner drivers named on my insurance...). Small engine. It really needs 5 doors as my sons are 6 foot 1 and 6 foot 2 so are going to end up too big to concertina themselves into a 3 door car. 

I like the look of the Toyota Yaris. Aygo or possibly a Suzuki Swift? 

onlyfoolsandparking

My OH has a Swift, would never have thought of that model BUT it came up at double cheap money so I talked her into it, luckily for me she loves it, I don't drive it much but the odd time I have drove it I have to say It's a great car, feels solid, mechanically sound (up to now of course) and my mechanic pal rates them.

williamgriffin

Frith said:

My ancient Scenic is about to be retired (electric handbrake has broken) and I wondered what people would recommend as my next used car?

I’ve got up to £1200 to spend.

I’m very interested in the £20 or £30 per year tax cars, but can’t seem to find a list.

Must be manual, petrol, small (2 leaner drivers named on my insurance...). Small engine. It really needs 5 doors as my sons are 6 foot 1 and 6 foot 2 so are going to end up too big to concertina themselves into a 3 door car. 

I like the look of the Toyota Yaris. Aygo or possibly a Suzuki Swift? 

Being over 6 foot I wouldn't fancy sitting in the back of any of your choices.

forgotmyname

Spend £1200 on the scenic.

noclaf

forgotmyname said:

Spend £1200 on the scenic.

This is not a bad idea as there is no guarantee that any car in the £1200 range will be any better than your scenic...your budget is firmly in shed territory.
You may also struggle to find a £20/£30 RFL car in that price range, maybe a knackered diesel but unless you do the miles to justify a diesel then not a good idea.
My standard recommendation would be Jap, manual petrol with no turbos, the less to go wrong the better.
Yaris, MK1/2 Ford Focus, Mazda 3, Suzuki Swift

Frith

The Scenic also has a front left wheel that permanently has something wrong with it. It’s had 2 new coil springs, brackets, wishbone, needs a pivot arm etc and has never really gone in a straight line... it makes a delightful crunching noise on that corner if it goes over so much as a pebble. 

Both driver’s side windows have not worked for 3 years, neither has the air conditioning, heater switch and now no handbrake. 

It also needs 3 tyres for its MOT as well as another fixing of the front left wheel, plus wipers, bulbs (they keep fading paler than orange!) etc. It was hit by a truck whilst parked so the back left corner is crumpled - I replaced the big lighting thing. 

It stinks of petrol and I have to put £10 in nearly every time I take it out. 

[Deleted User]

Apart from that, it’s a good motor!

Catplan

That kinda of budget I’d be searching locally for a private sale; eBay, gumtree and auto trader see what a search throw’s up, you might find a well maintained make /model you’d not considered. I’d be looking at the focus / Astra types mainly cause you’ll probably have more choice; I doubt you’ll get in the tax bracket you are looking for; but should tick the other boxes:

foxy-stoat

Frith said:

The Scenic also has a front left wheel that permanently has something wrong with it. It’s had 2 new coil springs, brackets, wishbone, needs a pivot arm etc and has never really gone in a straight line... it makes a delightful crunching noise on that corner if it goes over so much as a pebble. 

Both driver’s side windows have not worked for 3 years, neither has the air conditioning, heater switch and now no handbrake. 

It also needs 3 tyres for its MOT as well as another fixing of the front left wheel, plus wipers, bulbs (they keep fading paler than orange!) etc. It was hit by a truck whilst parked so the back left corner is crumpled - I replaced the big lighting thing. 

It stinks of petrol and I have to put £10 in nearly every time I take it out. 

So you haven't really kept upto date with servicing and normal running costs and you want to buy another cheap car in the hope that it has been looked after.....I think its a good idea.  

Buy something that has full service history and low owners, 1 or 2.  

I wouldnt get fixated on the £20 or £30 VED costs as in normal motoring you will spend a lot more on the upkeep and servicing, although not in this case.

Good lucks

treeroy

Ford Focus mk2 would be a good shout, the 1.6 diesel meets all your requirements. Able to use for learner, 5 doors, can fit 6ft adults in back, £30 road tax, will be able to get a reasonable one under £1,200 easy.

Like this https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/201912195480628

MinuteNoodles

Fix the Scenic. At £1200 you're likely to buy a bag of trouble that either immediately needs doing or will show up in the near future. Sis in law bought a car recently for £1200 then had to fork out for front and rear brake pads and two front tyres because although they had plenty of tread the sidewalls were cracked.