Hi all
So - £2k is my budget - I can stretch to £3k but £2k is my ideal.
My car was scraped by a lorry when parked and subsequently written off.
(http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=24019131)
I'm after something nice to drive, nice to be in, not too expensive to insure and not too expensive.
Some info:
- 5 Door preferably
- Big enough to sit 5 (occasionally)
- Relatively low insurance group (<10)
- Reliable/low maintenance
- Good to drive
- Not used often - I'd say 2-3k miles a year
I've test driven two cars already.
1. Honda Civic 2005 - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201211457304731
It has been on sale since August last year and was advertised at £4k. I'm not too sure why it hasn't sold yet. The engine seemed fine and I took it for a test drive and clutch & transmission was all good. No funny noises!
2. Mazda 3 2004 - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201303015563339
It had a good amount of scuffs and marks on the exterior which I can use to negotiate the price down. The interior looked good. Took it for a test drive and it was nice to drive and felt quite quick. (I'm used to a 1.6 Seat Leon!).
There is another Mazda 3 in North London that I'm thinking of viewing:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201303215869414
Thoughts? Should I be going for an older lower mileage car?
Out of the two I've seen the Civic which is local (less than a mile) and I reckon I can get it for £2100-2200. The space inside is immense and the 1.6 pulled really well. The Mazda 3 I saw wasn't in great condition and the guy wasn't going to budge on price. The interior was better and the spec of the sport is more attractive to me (more things to go wrong? Bose sound system, xenon lamps, 17" wheels, auto lights & wipers).
Focus or Mondeo?
So - £2k is my budget - I can stretch to £3k but £2k is my ideal.
My car was scraped by a lorry when parked and subsequently written off.
(http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=24019131)
I'm after something nice to drive, nice to be in, not too expensive to insure and not too expensive.
Some info:
- 5 Door preferably
- Big enough to sit 5 (occasionally)
- Relatively low insurance group (<10)
- Reliable/low maintenance
- Good to drive
- Not used often - I'd say 2-3k miles a year
I've test driven two cars already.
1. Honda Civic 2005 - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201211457304731
It has been on sale since August last year and was advertised at £4k. I'm not too sure why it hasn't sold yet. The engine seemed fine and I took it for a test drive and clutch & transmission was all good. No funny noises!
2. Mazda 3 2004 - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201303015563339
It had a good amount of scuffs and marks on the exterior which I can use to negotiate the price down. The interior looked good. Took it for a test drive and it was nice to drive and felt quite quick. (I'm used to a 1.6 Seat Leon!).
There is another Mazda 3 in North London that I'm thinking of viewing:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201303215869414
Thoughts? Should I be going for an older lower mileage car?
Out of the two I've seen the Civic which is local (less than a mile) and I reckon I can get it for £2100-2200. The space inside is immense and the 1.6 pulled really well. The Mazda 3 I saw wasn't in great condition and the guy wasn't going to budge on price. The interior was better and the spec of the sport is more attractive to me (more things to go wrong? Bose sound system, xenon lamps, 17" wheels, auto lights & wipers).
Focus or Mondeo?