My Fiesta has got to go (probably!) but what next?

pandora205

About 18 months ago I bought a 3 year old Fiesta 1.4 Zetec, which looked very good and was smooth when I test drived it. When I asked I was told it had just one owner so I decided to buy. I asked to see the registration documents beforehand but they were 'at head office' and would be sent off for taxing the vehicle. I considered getting an AA full vehicle inspection but as I was in a hurry to buy (my last car had died and I had some long journeys to make the following week) didn't. Anyway, to cut a long story short the car turned out to have been owned by a car rental company in central London..... so I wasn't pleased but it wasn't actually a lie. At that late stage I went on to get a full inspection.

Fortunately there appeared to be nothing major wrong, although there had been some bodywork done (minor stuff) and the air con needed regasing (not covered by garage's 3 months cover, which I had done.

I've not had the air con on for a while and found it not working again (and I know I'm supposed to have run it occasionally over the winter and haven't done it that much). So I found a company that specialised in air con and the guy came to check it today. Anway, it looks like my problem is serious - the evaporator, which means dashboard etc would need to come out. And the pollen filter was missing. The guy who checked thought it looked like there had been previous probs.... I'm taking in to the garage for a full check as there is an outside chance it could just be the condenser. If it's not its a very expensive job (likely to be £500+ as it is several hours work). If this is the case I will probably part exchange the car...

So what next?

I was quite happy with the Fiesta though not with the garage (who incidentally just happened to phone today to ask if I'd like a £250 voucher to spend at their showroom! It gave me just the opportunity I needed to have a moan.... too late of course but I certainly wouldn't buy there again!)

Thoughts please?

My requirements are something small and economical with split rear seats and enough boot space to take all the junk I carry. Four door - I have 3 teenagers, though apart from hols and local chauffeuring, we don't do much family stuff now, so its mainly for me. I like something with a bit of power but could be persuaded! Budget... probably px + £4k if I can get something reasonable.

jimbo_the_jetset

So many to choose from, have a look on http://www.parkers.co.uk/ and http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/, reviews/pros and cons/and things that commonly go wrong with certain cars.

Off the top of my head, VW are well built but expensive so SEAT or Skoda which are the same under the skin may be a good buy. Diesel may be more economical (not sure if you are mainly doing short trips) and will give you more power for good ecomony (shame about the price per litre at the moment). I quite like Peugeots because I have one (nice 13 old, none of this fancy air con or electric gubbins to go wrong!) and the Focus TDCi my partner has is alot more comfortable due to that extra bit of space ~50-55mpg too (long trips). I've heard bad things about Renault electrics, so there's a warning.

Best to read up on Parkers and Honest John and see what suits your needs, then go and look at as many as you can and try and get the top spec model which will hold value better

pandora205

Thank you - that gives me a starting point. This time round I'll get a full vehicle inspection before I buy too!

I quite like the idea of a Golf but know they are expensive... though don't dislike the Fiesta. I had a Peugeot last too, a 306 (old M reg... I had it for years) and a 205 GTi when I had a lease car in the distant past. But they are expensive again (newish ones).

I'm not sure about some of the Japanese cars - I know you get a lot of extras for the money but there's more to go wrong!

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Live a little and buy a Mazda MX5.

pandora205

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

Live a little and buy a Mazda MX5.

Wow! Now wouldn't that be a nice midlife crisis car?

Not quite big enough though..... so back to the drawing board!

JonathanA

VW Beetle Convertible???? That's what my wife bought when she wanted a fun car!!

Seriously though, what about another Fiesta if you like the one you've got? The key is to find a good garage that you feel you can depend on, there are some out there, it is just a case of finding one. When you buy, ask them about after sales, service, customer care etc. Can any of your friends recommend a garage they've had good experience of?

It is very much down to personal taste and what you like / dislike, but the Focus / Astra are very good, as is most of the Skoda range.

Japanese cars (Honda / Toyota /Nissan) are also pretty good and reliable. Have a look around and see what takes your fancy, drive them and take it from there!!

Happy hunting

pandora205

Thanks. I've started looking at the Honest Johns and Parkers websites which are very useful...

though as soon as I start looking at cars I get a bit carried away (You know, Peugeot 307 convertible... cars that would blow my 'pay the mortgage off' plans very quickly!)

Conor_3

pandora205 wrote: »

I was quite happy with the Fiesta though not with the garage (who incidentally just happened to phone today to ask if I'd like a £250 voucher to spend at their showroom! It gave me just the opportunity I needed to have a moan.... too late of course but I certainly wouldn't buy there again!)

Thoughts please?

You're mental getting rid of a reliable car just because the aircon doesn't work. Just use the fresh air vents instead.

pandora205

I haven't decided completely yet, though I do want the air con to work. I may even go for another Fiesta as I like this car though the trim is tacky (very cheap looking seat covers and 'heavy' dashboard). I'm also starting to think about diesel as a cheaper alternative.

I was just listening to radio discussions about the range of car tax bands to come in in 2010 so I think I'd better read up on that too.

Johnny_Cogs

pandora205 wrote: »

About 18 months ago I bought a 3 year old Fiesta 1.4 Zetec, which looked very good and was smooth when I test drived it. When I asked I was told it had just one owner so I decided to buy. I asked to see the registration documents beforehand but they were 'at head office' and would be sent off for taxing the vehicle. I considered getting an AA full vehicle inspection but as I was in a hurry to buy (my last car had died and I had some long journeys to make the following week) didn't. Anyway, to cut a long story short the car turned out to have been owned by a car rental company in central London..... so I wasn't pleased but it wasn't actually a lie. At that late stage I went on to get a full inspection.

Fortunately there appeared to be nothing major wrong, although there had been some bodywork done (minor stuff) and the air con needed regasing (not covered by garage's 3 months cover, which I had done.

I've not had the air con on for a while and found it not working again (and I know I'm supposed to have run it occasionally over the winter and haven't done it that much). So I found a company that specialised in air con and the guy came to check it today. Anway, it looks like my problem is serious - the evaporator, which means dashboard etc would need to come out. And the pollen filter was missing. The guy who checked thought it looked like there had been previous probs.... I'm taking in to the garage for a full check as there is an outside chance it could just be the condenser. If it's not its a very expensive job (likely to be £500+ as it is several hours work). If this is the case I will probably part exchange the car...

So what next?

I was quite happy with the Fiesta though not with the garage (who incidentally just happened to phone today to ask if I'd like a £250 voucher to spend at their showroom! It gave me just the opportunity I needed to have a moan.... too late of course but I certainly wouldn't buy there again!)

Thoughts please?

My requirements are something small and economical with split rear seats and enough boot space to take all the junk I carry. Four door - I have 3 teenagers, though apart from hols and local chauffeuring, we don't do much family stuff now, so its mainly for me. I like something with a bit of power but could be persuaded! Budget... probably px + £4k if I can get something reasonable.

without a second thought!!!!! you need a vw polo!!!! if you can stretch to a polo blue motion you will not need to pay road tax for many years to come!!!!

Conor_3

Pre 1973 Mk1 Ford Capri 3 litre V6. ZERO rated tax. Should do 30MPG on a run. Plenty of power and it'll only increase in value.