An economical, reliable second car ?

born_again

paul_c123 said:

born_again said:

Parkhall said:

paul_c123 said:

Where do you live where there's no public transport or hire cars available? It might influence where you could physically buy (and later sell) a car from.....

I live out in the country and there is very little public transport. The nearest bus stop is a long walk away and there are only a few buses per day. The nearest car hire is more than 20 miles away. It really is the kind of place where you just have to have a car.

Guessing you have your own driveway then. What about a EV, far cheaper to run.

Not if the mileage is really low.

Low or high miles, the base cost per Ltr fuel or kWh for electric is the same. 
Old HEV 11p a mile
EV 2p a mile.

Herzlos

It's still cheaper to run, but it may not offset the purchase price. 

BrilliantButScary

Rather than buy a second car, have you thought about moving house, so you can access public transport and services more easily.

Parkhall

BrilliantButScary said:

Rather than buy a second car, have you thought about moving house, so you can access public transport and services more easily.

Location, location, location. Mine is too good to move.

Rosa_Damascena

Parkhall said:

I would be doing less than half that mileage per year because I'm retired. 

I'll be lucky if I get to retire in another 20 years time but something I have found with age is that I like to travel in comfort. My car needn't be flashy but it must be of a certain spec, admittedly having a car at all is a big luxury for me because of how little I use it.

Mine was pinched off my driveway about a year ago and I lasted exactly eight week without it - and that was with open access to my parents' vehicles. I'm quite happy to walk locally but this was not always practical if I needed more than I could carry. It became a particular problem when it came to picking plants from the nursery and even now I miss my estate.

Savvy_Sue

I appreciate that you may be too far for a hire company to deliver and collect, but I would still check that. They advertise the service - check it out! Also if there are companies near the garage you use ... 

Also cost a few taxi journeys. It's all good research for any emergencies. 

I know my concern would be that if we bought a second car, we'd use it even when we didn't actually need to - maybe not much, but we'd definitely be less green. 

BrilliantButScary

IParkhall said:

BrilliantButScary said:

Rather than buy a second car, have you thought about moving house, so you can access public transport and services more easily.

Location, location, location. Mine is too good to move.

I'm playing Devil's Advocate, but what happens in the future if you are unable to drive anymore. 

Future proofing in retirement is important, not just from the financial perspective, but also to ensure independence, comfort and support.

From personal experience, an Hyundai i10 would be my recommendation for an economical, reliable second car. 

twopenny

I had to buy a car quickly and a Hyundai Classic i10 was £20 tax and good mpg.
While the appearance is like a box on wheels the interior design is excellent. It turns in a tight circle which is great on country roads.
Ditto it's high off the ground for stoney passing places.

Being in a very hilly moorland area the only thing I found was the grip wasn't as good on slippery roads in winter and I have to concentrate more but I've been spoiled by multiple old style Fiestas which were brilliant for the country.

Vitor

Turo, the peer-to-peer car-sharing service, could be an alternative to rental via Avis etc.

If you're buying, a 2013/14 registered 

Suzuki Alto / Nissan Pixo - same car, Japanese reliability
Hyundai i10 1.2 petrol, reasonably well equiped for the money
Toyota Aygo / Peugeot 107 / Citroën C1 1.0 petrol - mechanicaly the same car, builtd in Czech Republic; focus on the service history rather than the badge. 

Parkhall

Suzuki Alto / Nissan Pixo - same car, Japanese reliability

Hyundai i10 1.2 petrol, reasonably well equiped for the money
Toyota Aygo / Peugeot 107 / Citroën C1 1.0 petrol - mechanicaly the same car, builtd in Czech Republic; focus on the service history rather than the badge. 

The i10 and the Aygo seem to be highly recommended by various sources.