23 replies to this topic

[Kate G]

My Corsa (2003) has packed in (head gasket) and I don't think it's worth paying for the repair since a few things had been going wrong with the car previous to it popping its clogs.

So, I'm in the market for another car, but am not really sure where to start. I guess budget would be the first port of call - I'm going to have to get a loan, and rates are better the more you borrow (obv). I don't want to borrow for the sake of it BUT am willing to pay more for a car that lasts longer - I can't be arsed to get on the 'banger' cycle.

I guess what I'm after is some sort of guideline to the balance point between value for money/reliability and cost.

What sort of mileage for a car from say, 2005 onwards is 'acceptable'? At what sort of mileage/age do things start going wrong?

Am not particularly fussed about style; I'm used to driving small cars so would probably go for one again. Cars I like: Corsas, Golfs, Polos, C2s etc.

[Chest Rockwell]

2003 and it's packed in?? fook.

get a VW Golf. my 1997's going fine after 7 years of owning). before that I had a 1984 one and that went fine for 7 years (till 2001 when I sold it)

[Garth Marenghi]

It's definitely worth thinking about a Ford Focus. I've had 2 in the past and they can't be beaten for price, reliability and cheap parts if something does go wrong.

[hail of bullets]

Kate G, on 30 August 2011 - 11:31 AM, said:

My Corsa (2003) has packed in (head gasket) and I don't think it's worth paying for the repair since a few things had been going wrong with the car previous to it popping its clogs.

So, I'm in the market for another car, but am not really sure where to start. I guess budget would be the first port of call - I'm going to have to get a loan, and rates are better the more you borrow (obv). I don't want to borrow for the sake of it BUT am willing to pay more for a car that lasts longer - I can't be arsed to get on the 'banger' cycle.

I guess what I'm after is some sort of guideline to the balance point between value for money/reliability and cost.

What sort of mileage for a car from say, 2005 onwards is 'acceptable'? At what sort of mileage/age do things start going wrong?
Am not particularly fussed about style; I'm used to driving small cars so would probably go for one again. Cars I like: Corsas, Golfs, Polos, C2s etc.

It's really not that simple. When I bought my Astra there were already 130,000 miles on the clock, and I've put a further 80k on there myself in the last 6 years, and it's still going fine.

On the other hand, a friend of mine had a younger Lupo with 60k on the clock that just kerploded and is now in a scrap yard somewhere.

It's pot luck, but you can lower the risk by doing what Rockwell says and get a Golf which are renowned for being reliable.

[chi]

http://www.ebay.co.u...4#ht_500wt_1156

[Andi]

You may pay a little more for a Golf than you would another car of equivalent size, age, mileage etc, but they also tend to hold their value better than other cars.

[Kate G]

chi, on 30 August 2011 - 11:50 AM, said:

http://www.ebay.co.u...4#ht_500wt_1156

Well, at least I'd win this thread:

http://www.southwale...showtopic=78906

[Hywel]

hail of bullets, on 30 August 2011 - 11:48 AM, said:

It's really not that simple. When I bought my Astra there were already 130,000 miles on the clock, and I've put a further 80k on there myself in the last 6 years, and it's still going fine.

On the other hand, a friend of mine had a younger Lupo with 60k on the clock that just kerploded and is now in a scrap yard somewhere.

It's pot luck, but you can lower the risk by doing what Rockwell says and get a Golf which are renowned for being reliable.

Yup, I'd rather buy a 10 year old car with 130,000 miles with a stack of service + mot history than a 30,000 mile car with no history, very worn tyres and stinky air filter etc. The car itself and the state of it's consumables will give you clues about how it's been treated, and how likely it is to be in good mechanical condish.

[hail of bullets]

Hywel, on 30 August 2011 - 12:41 PM, said:

Yup, I'd rather buy a 10 year old car with 130,000 miles with a stack of service + mot history than a 30,000 mile car with no history, very worn tyres and stinky air filter etc. The car itself and the state of it's consumables will give you clues about how it's been treated, and how likely it is to be in good mechanical condish.

And obviously miles can be deceptive. The vast vast majority of the 130,000 mine accumilated in its first 3 years of existence were motorway miles and essentially counted for fuck all, whereas the Lupo my friend had that died had spent 3 years driving exclusively around a city which is far more demanding on the parts of the car.

Mileage isn't the be all and end all is the point, Miss Gatt.

[Kate G]

Thanks, guys. I'll probably rope my brother in to look at potential cars since he has a fair amount of mechanical experience.

I am very interested in a Golf but I need to decide on my budget I think.

[Kate G]

hail of bullets, on 30 August 2011 - 12:58 PM, said:

And obviously miles can be deceptive. The vast vast majority of the 130,000 mine accumilated in its first 3 years of existence were motorway miles and essentially counted for fuck all, whereas the Lupo my friend had that died had spent 3 years driving exclusively around a city which is far more demanding on the parts of the car.

Mileage isn't the be all and end all is the point, Miss Gatt.

Ok. I knew it wasn't as simple that, that's why I started the thread

[UITA]

If you fancy a day out get down to the auctions in Newport (seized cars), many a bargain to be had. Yes buying blind but just as much of a guarantee as buying from anyone else....I would imagine.

http://www.newportau...ck.aspx?aType=3

Edited by UITA, 30 August 2011 - 01:07 PM.

[NUMBER WANG]

Hi Kate. Lots of vagueness here so I'll cut straight to the chase.

You need a 2005 Ford Fiesta with under 30,000 miles on the clock, with a FSH and a new MOT. In black obviously because black Fords are always win. You will have the choice of diesel or petrol. Diesel is more economical but sounds like shit so fuck that shit. Also you need 3 doors because you are not a "soccer mom" and the car is for you and not for you to chauffeur friends about.

Here's one. As you can see, IZ NIIIZE.

[Kate G]

Edited for idiocy.

Edited by Kate G, 01 September 2011 - 03:22 PM.

[Ally Needy]

Rae passed her test today, first time with 4 minors - seems pretty good to me! Anyway, we're going to go halves on a car, most likely a KA as they seem efficient and cheap? And I can't drive so I don't care about the "it's a girls car" thing. Looking at a grand, I'll throw in more if necessary - what's a reasonable mileage to be looking at? I have no idea about these things. I just know I got a lift to the beer shop and skate park now.

[*Lucy]

Don't get a KA, they're fucking awful. They fall apart and go rusty so quickly, and you'll find the value drops through the floor as soon as you touch it. Also, enterprising students will find it quite easy to pick up and move to hilarious places.


EDIT: Congrats to Rae!

Edited by *Lucy, 01 September 2011 - 03:01 PM.

[Ally Needy]

Interesting - could I get a list of other suggestions from folks?

[Cardiff Gentleman]

My KA has never given me any problems.

[chi]

get a van. everyone needs a van

[rae]

Cardiff Gentleman, on 01 September 2011 - 03:11 PM, said:

My KA has never given me any problems.

My auntie and friend in work has never had any problems with theirs. My aunties did get properly squashed in the end though. Complete write off. I have read that they are prone to rusting, but isn't that the same for a few others? Not wanting to hijack the thread but when buying a car what sort of things should I look out for? I don't want to get scammed. Others I was thinking of is maybe a Fiesta or Corsa (which I learnt in).