My dads been doing 100 miles a week in my Fiesta since he well enough to drive again after a bad DIY accident 7 months ago.
My Fiesta was never supposed to be a reliable business car which is what my dad is using it for and with the dodgy camshaft etc its not a good long term prospect.
My dad has owned an Escort 1.6 Zetec LX last shape for the past 5 years. He's done 60k in it and the car now has just under 100k on the clock. The engine is sound but there are few problems with sensors etc. The car is SWORN and currently has no MOT so this will need sorting.
I am thinkign he would be best just to replace the car as we spent more than £500 on the car last year. However we would have a strict budget as I will have to pay for the car as a gift, I am thinking £600-£700 max. So what medium sized car could you get for that? I am thinking a newer Escort like a W reg or maybe a bland japmobile. Idealy we would need to spend less than £200 a year on fixing it and the car will need to last 2 years minumum.
Insurance is not a problem.
It should be able to 35mpg+ and petrol would be much better suited.
Or would it just be best to spend £350 or so getting the Escort through the MOT?
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Primera?
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Good suggestion :) He dosn't seem to like big cars though, like the Escort always seemed to find a little big. However rep mobiles offer a lot more value for money than smaller cars.
My dad only knows Morris/Lada/Fiat and Ford so it will take a lot of convincing for him to go jap. Oh parts and labour must also be very cheap. He would rather spend £50 every two months on repairs rather than £150 every six if that makes sense.
Oh and please no Corrolla's that will really depress him :D
The car does need to have some style to it. In essense its got to look a lot more expensive that it actually is as he is using it for business.
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At that price condition is more important than make of car. If it's only £350 to get the Escort through the MOT that seems like the best bargain - but you need to be sure that's all the repairs it needs.
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My uncle reckons he knows what it needs so I will chat to him tomorrow. Basicaly all I know at the moment is the engine is fine but its a none starter, the battery needs replacing but he said thats why its not starting.
It needs some cosmetic work due to a minor bump to the rear but its past two MOTs since.
Its just a matter of finding out how much damage been sat in a damp garage for 7 months has done. 2 weeks before it was sworned it had a new coil pack, new plugs, new thermostat, new HT leads and idle control valve. I suspect the bushes need doing at the rear as there is a sqeek when going over bumps, the rear pads are always warn. The emissions are a problem but that is just an ECU sensor issue I can fix myself known about it for ages just never got round to fixing it.
The front suspension was renewened a year ago, tyres have plenty of life in them but its on the original clutch and at 100k this may soon start to slip. The engine purs like new, no warn camshafts (16v) here and it only ever needs the oil topping up every 6 months :). So the engine itself is in brilliant condition, its just the rest of the car.
Other bad bits:- Drivers electric window and central locking dosn't work and the body work is tatty although not much rust. Any signs of rust have been repaired by me before they have become structurial and the car has been serviced by the book.
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"In essense its got to look a lot more expensive that it actually is as he is using it for business"
If he was happy in the old Escort, then image not that important for business? Cheaper to fix the old car but lots of cars including reliable Japanese vehicles available for a good price.
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"I am thinking £600-£700 max. So what medium sized car could you get for that? I am thinking a newer Escort like a W reg or maybe a bland japmobile. Idealy we would need to spend less than £200 a year on fixing it and the car will need to last 2 years minumum."
Rather than trying to choose a make of car, I would try to spend less than that on anything that has 12 months mot, 4 good tyres and is structurally sound. Then, if at any time in the future you dont think it will pass its next MOT without a high cost, move it on with about 4 months left on the ticket.
I suspect your Fiesta fell into the latter category when you bought it.
Look around used car lots for something uncool and in an odd colour, get the dealer to put a full ticket on it before you buy, get someone to come with you so you dont get caught out with "Burning oil when hot" and "rust on suspension turrets" again. safer IMHO than you trying to buy private, if you can buy a Fiesta in that condition it seems someone could really take you in.
IMHO your whole expectations for running costs are extremely marginal to keep a car on the road, given that you paid £90 for someone to service your Fiesta. You basically have to do it all yourself to keep the costs down within the limits you set.
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