My retired father-in-law is thinking about getting another car which will last him a good few years. New or up to two years old, three or five door, manual box, reliable, cheap to run, and corrosion-resistant (he lives by the sea). Image is of no concern nor is performance as long as it is comfortable. Lowish annual mileage so petrol rather than diesel. Mainly local pottering with a very occasional longer run. Budget of up to £6k but less is better. He's sick of pouring money into an old Laguna so French or Italian is out. I've suggested Japanese or other Asian which he's happy with, but I have little experience of driving this class of car so any suggestions will be greatfully received. Did I mention it has to be reliable?
Thanks in advance.
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Second hand Corolla?
Failing that he could get a very young Almera with that sort of money that would be comfortable, should be reliable, is very corrosion resistant (built with pride on Wearside :) and should have all of the equipment that he could want.
Zero image so unlikely ever to attract too much of the wrong attention.
Blue
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Almera seconded. Loads for all budgets.
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I think he's leaning towards a Micra-sized car as the Laguna is now too big so Corolla/Almera is probably out. MPG matters to him so a 1.0 or 1.2 would probably do.
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er...Micra ? Wessex Cars in Hereford and Bristol are flogging off 2005 models dirt cheap with 3 year warranties.
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If he wants Jap reliability then I would go with the Toyota's unless he buys a new or very nearly new Honda.
I think they have only just gone to galvanised bodies in the last year or 2.
Having said that you do not see too many rusty Hondas
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Funnily enough saw a very rusty H plated Civic yesterday, noticed is 'cos its the exception rather than the rule, lived on a seafront which probably explains it.
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Funnily enough saw a very rusty H plated Civic yesterday noticed is 'cos its the exception rather than the rule lived on a seafront which probably explains it.
A 16-year old rustbucket, who'd have believed it.
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I'd suggest he has a look at a Yaris, Jazz or Fabia secondhand - if he wants a small car he could get a new Ford Ka for £6k. The Ka and the Jazz are tall so quite easy to get into, if this is an issue.
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>>Funnily enough saw a very rusty H plated Civic yesterday<<
Just my luck that.
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Age IS a factor...
So he needs something that is EASY to enter and exit.
Yaris is great : BIG doors and high seating...
(it's me arthritis doctor...)
In all seriousness, anything slowslung/cramped/requiring agility is a no-go once you are over 60 ... imo..(or even over 55!:-)
madf
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I find later model far eastern/hungarian products might be good on the skin but tend to be abysmall on the floorpans and suspension components when it comes to corrosion.
Any car living near the sea has a hard life and are best avoided when it comes to buying s/h.
I would therefore suggest he keeps the car he chooses for a maximum 3 years and trades on.
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Honda Jazz ticks all the boxes (excuse the cliche) but he needs to test drive. The ride is firm and the steering slightly heavy. Very roomy for a small car, very economical (two spark plugs per cylinder) and very reliable especially compared to French and Italian er tin boxes.
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Renault Modus or Nissan Note - much better than the Jazz in my opinion.
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I've done 500 miles in our Aygo (the Pug 107 and Citroen C1 are same car and cheaper second hand - all built in Czech Republic. Dealer experience may influence which one you prefer) in the last two weeks and I highly recommend it. A new 107 or C1 can just about be had for the budget. £35 a year tax, 50 mpg, Group 1 insurance, raised seats so easy to get in and out of, comfortable, in urban traffic it's a doddle to drive and manouver, very tight turning circle, does motorway speeds easily and it will seat four adults.
I'd liken it a 21st century version of the orginal Mini, except its far more reliable, has more toys and a slightly larger boot!
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He'll be keeping the car for a good few years so rust resistance is important. The CBCG puts me off a Jazz somewhat, expensive servicing and special plugs are the opposite of what is needed. There's a good local garage so it would be nice not to be tied to a main dealer. The Ka seems to have too many quality and reliability issues to be a contender, even the Micra doesn't seem problem free. The Yaris looks front runner so far. Incidentally, the local garage man used to be a Vauxhall mechanic and reckoned an Astra would be a cheap car to run. Not my favourite car but what are they like? I think I'd prefer Asian build quality.
Of the cars mentioned, does anyone know which if any are galvanised or do you not get that at the cheap end of the market?
Thanks for the input so far, lots of food for thought. A brand new car has it's attractions, what would the service costs be like on a C1 or 107? I know it's possible to get servicing done anywhere as long as the OEM parts are used, but I'm suspicious that there would be problems if there was a warranty claim. It's not the best way to get a good relationship with a main dealer!
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I am amazed that the thread has got this far without the Suzuki Swift being mentioned, if you are looking for Japanese build quality. In addition, it is an attractive looking car with lots of headroom in the front and the rear. The handling is very good too.
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Other Aygo owners report service costs of about £130 for a minor, £200 for a major. Yearly or every 10,000 miles. Citroen/Pug dealers may be cheaper. Tyres are a very common size, so lots of choice and cheap enough, only one front wiper - another saving!
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Just read a post on the Aygo owners website and one owner has been quoted £94 for a first service.
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The deal is done! July 06 Yaris T3 with aircon, 7300 miles, £7k from a supermarket. Not a bad deal I think, he's happy so that's the main thing.
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If he drives like my FiL hide his packet of Worthers Original so he can't go out. Harsh but true. Which reminds me of the story of the Chinaman.
JH
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I was hoping you would.
Chinaman lives with his son's family. They are very poor and it is a strain to feed all of the family. After many years he becomes weak and bed ridden. One night his son comes to him with a sack and lifts him quietly into the sack. The old man, expecting this, does not protest. The son sets off walking and, after about 20 minutes, puts down the sack on the parapet of a bridge over a river. At this point the old man speaks for the first time, "Take the sack home with you son". "Why?" says the son. "Because your son will need it one day".
Told to me by my father in the pc incorrect 20th century and with apologies to anyone of an Oriental disposition.
JH
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