What car to buy?

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Mon 11 Aug 2014 21:05
What car to buy? - mazz9305
Hi, I was just looking for some advice about which used car is best to buy?
I'm only 21 and not got a huge budget (1500 is probably top end). I realise that I'll be looking at an old car but I'm at a loss as to which ones would still be considered reliable? I'll be going abroad next year with my degree so it really only has to see me out for a year, but I would be doing regular trips to York and Blackpool ( I live in Newcastle) so needs to be okay with long journeys!
Any help is appreciated as I do t have a clue!
Thanks
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Mon 11 Aug 2014 21:26
What car to buy? - gordonbennet

I'd look at cars not in fashion (ever), older Hyundai Accent Kia Rio Daewoo Lacetti etc, bought preferably from one older owner, usually looked after well.

But check insurance before taking the plunge on any car, which i suspect will cost more than the car will...you might find that slightly larger engined unfashionable cars shunned by the hip youngsters might be better insurance wise because said young hipsters don't stuff them into trees, ditches, bridges, other cars or walls on minute by minute basis.

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Mon 11 Aug 2014 23:44
What car to buy? - double_tap_that

As a first cheap reliable car, you cant go wrong with this..

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peugeot-205-auto-3-door-no-sunr...6

And you wont lose no money when you come to sell it, and as its such a basic car, what can go wrong??

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Tue 12 Aug 2014 10:47
What car to buy? - skidpan

As a first cheap reliable car, you cant go wrong with this..

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peugeot-205-auto-3-door-no-sunr...6

And you wont lose no money when you come to sell it, and as its such a basic car, what can go wrong??

So its 21 years old and stood for 11 years on bricks.

Maybe one for a sad collector but not one for an everyday driver.

The seller clearly knows nothing, selling it with no insurance.

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Tue 12 Aug 2014 11:38
What car to buy? - double_tap_that

For a few hundred quid, And for a first car for an inexperianced driver who is clearly on a budget, you would rather him go out and get credit on a newer car thats more likely to either be pranged or breakdown due to electrical faults?

To me it makes sence and i dont knock the classic cars, you know, its not all about how old the car is, its being living within your means.

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Tue 12 Aug 2014 12:10
What car to buy? - skidpan

You need to be realistic and a 21 year old car thahas stood half its life on bricks is unlikely to be reliable.

In truth for a few hundred quid its a lottery and you are more likely to get a nail than a gem.

When I was much younger I ran bangers and when I eventually realised how much I was spending each month on repairs and how many days work I was missing it was far cheaper to get a loan and a newer car.

Bangernomics can work but it did not work for me. But in fairness the bangers of today are probably better than the bangers of my youth but they also are more difficult to repair. All I needed was a socket set, a few screwdrivers and pliers.

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Tue 12 Aug 2014 12:29
What car to buy? - madf

Lots here:

Cheap to buy and insure.

tinyurl.com/qztc8fu

(£1k limit)

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Wed 13 Aug 2014 01:26
What car to buy? - Avant

As we always say, at this end of the market condition (and ideally at least some service history) is more important than make or model. As GB says, so is the cost of insurance.

If you want a steer, though, if I were you I'd be looking at Toyotas and Fords. Toyotas because nothing soldiers on quite like an old Toyota; and Fords because there are lots to choose from and therefore more chance of getting a good one.

That also applies to Vauxhalls, but Fords are better to drive, and there have been problems with the engines in Corsas (which a lot of young people go for as their first car).

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Wed 13 Aug 2014 08:35
What car to buy? - bazza

Plenty of unbelievably good value Corollasaround for less than a grand. Find one with a good service history and minimal number of owners and it will do fine. They are far better built than anything else on the market and because they are perceived as boring, they are fantastic value. Yaris also good but a fair bit more expensive by comparison.

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Fri 22 Aug 2014 19:42
What car to buy? - confusedbuyer

Focus 2002 1.6 LX (alloys and a/c) with 80k miles should do it - just check the cambelt has been done. One of these served me well for 3 years and I put another 40k miles on it trouble-free. Seats and suspension better than Zetec in my opinion for comfort.

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Fri 22 Aug 2014 20:15
What car to buy? - corax

Focus 2002 1.6 LX (alloys and a/c) with 80k miles should do it - just check the cambelt has been done. One of these served me well for 3 years and I put another 40k miles on it trouble-free. Seats and suspension better than Zetec in my opinion for comfort.

I'll second that. I drove a Focus Mk1 1.6 for the first time last week and couldn't believe how good it was to drive. 105k and it felt tight and solid. Sweet engine. Really good chassis with a nigh on perfect ride/handling setup - no roll around corners. Good brakes too. The cars are lasting well. You could pick up a good one for £1500, and they are cheap to maintain.

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If you cover no more than 100 miles per day and have easy access to a charging point at home or work, then an EV is ideal for you.

Is an electric car right for me?