New car time?

Snookums · 28 Oct 2015 at 14:41

My current car is a 1999 ford fiesta at 125k. It's been in my family its entire life so i know most of the work thats been done to it. and since i've had the car, 2 years now, I've spent a good 1.5/2k keeping it on road. Which I'm not complaining about as it was a hand me down. Any way next year I'm looking at an 80 mile a day commute. I'll likely keep the fiesta, add the partner to the insurance and use it as a short distance runner as after spending so much money on it, it seems a waste to sell for what would likely be pennies.

Anyway my question is what would you recommend? I'm 19, (20 by the time i get it), will have 2 years NCB (hopefully). I am a student so I need to keep this as cheap as possible and being so young a massive engine is not needed/not worth it. I'm thinking of looking for some kind a 10 year old diesel at around 120/130k. Also want something with decent MPG. Sorry for no budget just not sure what is realistic to set.

Won't be leasing due to such high mileage. around 20k mpa.

.:SAmSuNG:. · 28 Oct 2015 at 15:38

Why has it cost so much keeping it on the road?

Steedie · 28 Oct 2015 at 15:58

Is a Mondeo still the OcUK favourite for this sort of thread? As that's what came to mind. Or a Focus

rodenal · 28 Oct 2015 at 15:59

You really do need a budget as this will heavily impact the type of cars that could be worth buying - particularly if you want diesel

Ryan-3 · 28 Oct 2015 at 16:01

Steedie said:
Is a Mondeo still the OcUK favourite for this sort of thread? As that's what came to mind. Or a Focus

Or Fiesta!

Snookums · 28 Oct 2015 at 16:12

Just repairs and things for its age. The last owner was my brother and he moved to Australia so the car sat on our drive (covered) for two years. Yeah I was looking at maybe a 1.4 fiesta noticed there is a quite a few Zyrtec models about for cheap. Or even a grande punto? Any idea about those. A Mondeo is too big for my liking/insurance will be quite high.

ShivP · 28 Oct 2015 at 17:07

Mk4 Golf with the PD?

xs2man · 28 Oct 2015 at 17:43

Shivy011 said:
Mk4 Golf with the PD?

This would be my recommendation if the Passat will be too big.

paradigm · 28 Oct 2015 at 17:52

Or even a Bora, tend to be cheaper than the equivalent Golf.

iaind · 28 Oct 2015 at 19:11

paradigm said:
Or even a Bora, tend to be cheaper than the equivalent Golf.

Going further down that track, Toledo also works

nimchimpsky82 · 28 Oct 2015 at 20:59

rodenal said:
You really do need a budget as this will heavily impact the type of cars that could be worth buying - particularly if you want diesel

Exactly. The forum's love of Fords notwithstanding, don't dismiss Japanese cars. Assuming your budget could stretch to 2.5-3K you could look at, say, a 2007 Toyota Auris diesel. I drive a 1999 petrol Avensis and the 2K you mention is all I've spent on repairs in 10 years' ownership and 100K miles. Just sayin'.

3dcandy · 28 Oct 2015 at 22:37

Older Fords need some looking after - My Puma needs a fair bit often. I'd steer away from Punto's they feel very light and unsubstantial after a Fezz. Fiesta/Focus all good but you might want a change away from Ford. VW's might be too expensive you'll have to see what's about but I'd be in for a decent Golf TDI going forward

Snookums · 28 Oct 2015 at 23:28

I'd quite happily stick with ford. They are quite user friendly (as in easy for small fixes yourself). I'd like a golf but they do seem to be a bit too expensive for me. Any owned an Astra? Seeing quite a few of those for cheapish.

LiGhTfasT · 28 Oct 2015 at 23:37

I've got a 3 door 2006 1.4 sxi Astra on 95k now and in the 3 years I've had it it's only needed a new rear Spring, lambda sensor and an abs sensor. It's been really cheap to run and very easy to work on with my limited knowledge that I've got from watching wheeler dealers

3dcandy · 29 Oct 2015 at 00:04

Not a Vauxhall fan I'm afraid - Vauxhall depreciate very quickly thus the low price (and that's official figures before someone jumps down my throat) but my problem is I can't get a nice comfortable seating position unlike other cars

Lightfast - old out yer and!

m4rkw7 · 29 Oct 2015 at 01:06

Snookums said:
Or even a grande punto?

I love my little 1.2 Grande, it's a 2007 had it about 2 and a half years had some suspension parts replaced last MOT (wear and tear) but been OK apart from that. Not the fastest in the world as you'd imagine though..

GinG · 29 Oct 2015 at 08:51

How accurate is the repair bills? Seems a little high for what is a cheap runabout.

Do you include services, MOT, Tyres, Brakes etc within that bill?

Are you accepting that by jumping up a level the bills will likely increase? If you are on a tight budget better the devil you know...I would just keep the Fiesta and wait until you can afford something a bit newer?

Nasher · 29 Oct 2015 at 09:21

paradigm said:
Or even a Bora, tend to be cheaper than the equivalent Golf.

Yea and you can convert it in to a Borat

https://s3-eu5.ixquick.com/cgi-bin/...borat.jpg&sp=7cde59fb057863caf5cc03c54e51087e

Snookums · 31 Oct 2015 at 13:50

Was speaking to a friend and he recommended a 3 series. I really do like the 3 series range and didn't think there would be any for that cheap. Would you recommend going for a 3 series instead for around 2500-3000?

xs2man · 31 Oct 2015 at 14:14

3 series is a decent shout too. But I'd still be sticking with a 1.9 TDI Golf or Passat for your needs. You don't need to spend a lot on a car like this. You will get an equivalent Golf / Passat for around £1k less than a 3 series / A4.

New car time?

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