Ré Working Car
Another option in the price range is a Mitsubishi Grandis; available in petrol or diesel models.
Mine is 11 years old (2.4 petrol Classic), is currently worth under £1,000 according to HJ, yet has only cost me £9.65 in repair bills.
(and never failed an MOT on anything but a bad bulb).
Built like a tank, drives like the Lancer it shares a lot of parts with; and seats 6 1/2 (that centre middle seat is pretty narrow).
Seating position is reasonably high with tonnes of headroom (I am 198cm tall).
Go read HJ's own reviews.
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Honest John will keep on with the dreadful advice of left foot braking in an automatic - why? certainly doesn't save even a thousanth of a second even as your right foot is right next to the brake
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Re :Assault on battery?
"We have owned a new Fiesta ST-Line Turbo Auto (998cc, petrol)" While I appreciate it impresses the neighbours, don't nearly all Fiestas have a "turbo" these days? And that is not what Ford call it!
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Re :Assault on battery?
"We have owned a new Fiesta ST-Line Turbo Auto (998cc, petrol)" While I appreciate it impresses the neighbours, don't nearly all Fiestas have a "turbo" these days? And that is not what Ford call it!
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Re Drive shafted
Didn't you notice when you had a test drive?
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Re Working car
This question is one that HJ seems to get regularly, but it strikes me that someone who feels they need to ask the question is taking a risk trying to assess a vehicle at that price point. Obviously, the fact they are writing in suggests they are aware of the perils involved, yet lack the knowledge to tell a decent buy from a complete basket case tarted-up by an unscrupulous seller.
I can't speak for the whole country, but around here (Essex) anything in the under £5K bracket is basically a private sale, with little protection for the buyer or auctions, which as HJ rightly says are a bit of a lottery at the lower prices quoted.
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What about getting an AA inspection+report thing?
Even watch for the seller's response when you suggest having one done.
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Re the Audi S5 brake problems
I had an identical experience with a Mercedes C250 Estate car. After having problems with sat nav failing, engine management warning light coming on due to bad electrical connections, excessive engine noise when accelerating and the bizarre choice of gear change points by the auto box, I gave up and changed it for a Mondeo Vignale. The good old Mondie has far better suspension, is much quieter and has a better quality interior. Also a space saver spare wheel! So far only a door sensor has needed replacing. I just don't agree with HJ about these brake problems - spend £35g on a car and the brakes should be up to normal driving. None of my other cars has ever had this fault. I blame poor technology and quality control. HJ seems to like the C Class. He also liked the Nissan X Trail that I bought on his recommendation in 2004. Well that car was also a heap of trouble too with duff turbos/intercoolers.
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