GB - that's a brilliant reply, and exactly what I was hoping for

My sister has had the Jazz for five or six years and just fancies a new car (-ish, she's getting a year old Yaris) - was going to trade the car in.

The 09 Jazz is a much nicer car - but 8x nicer than the £650, I cannot hand on heart say it is

Yes, I don't want to spend my money on the car (so "cheap" money is the temptation. Get in the sea. Nail/head

As for the Fabia, you've articulated my worry- might have been unlucky with the engine light but they would have known about the bodged door.

I owe you a pint, I think you've straightened out my head, really very much appreciated.

One car there with a known history, and its the cheapest by a long chalk.

If you got a year or two from it, and then rinsed and repeated with other known cars you would have motoring costs that would make others green with envy.

I assume you don't have the funds available for any of the others, hence going for 0% finance deals where you are paying over the odds for the car in the first place to offset the lack of interest payments, no guarantee any of those options will be running or worth a can of beans in 4 years time let alone 5 but you will still be paying.

Option 1 for me every time, and that would still be the same answer if you had a bank balance boasting 6 figures, you can't beat known cars like this, 2 years down the line it presents you with a £500 bill? not a problem stick it in the spares or repairs listings, go and buy another car, its cost you £350 per year less the £150 you get back on it, all the others will cost you up to £1000 a year in depreciation alone.

The only question i have is why is sister selling.

2, high price , but a genuine Honda Approved Used warranty could make this worth considering, it would have to be very good underneath with 4 newish quality tyres on unmarked wheels with good condition brakes/discs all round, perfect condition on top and interior, and a perfect service history.

3, 3 months warranty on a 4 year old car, he can get in the sea.

4, poor body repair and an engine light on, that's one uncared for car and the dealer has about as much interest in preparation as i have in football.

Brilliant! I don't think HJ could've put it better himself.

Thanks, yes - I could run the £650 Jazz until either the wheels fall off of it, or I see a better deal somewhere else that I know in my heart is the right one. And I'd forgotten about the trade in aspect. Clutch isn't brilliant I think, but does work OK - she's not binning it because of the clutch though and we have a cousin who looks after the car (a proper mechanic) - when she bought it (getting rid of a C3) - he said "Well, if you've got a Jazz, I'll never see you now"

Thanks BBD- I'll have a look for rust - I know the Honda perforation warranty is now 12 years, but not sure what would apply here. It is in pretty good shape from what I can see without shining a torch underneath - it's a late Mk1 Jazz

I really liked the Note, and the engine I've had in a couple of Capturs - lots of torque and some kind of magic in how little fuel they use. It was/is a nice car

Need to check the insurance, online it wouldn't give me an alteration quote on the older Jazz,

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

2. Honda Jazz EX 1.4 iVTEC 60k miles 2009 £4200 main dealer

4200 for a nearly 10-year-old car? Is it gold-plated?

There's one near me, same year with 75k, not at main dealer for £3995.

They hold their value Andrew, these. Also depends where in the country OP is. Here in East Anglia, prices are always higher than in the Midlands or South East.

Repair cost, not performance, plays a big part in setting insurance premiums