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Need a cheap car! |
blerk
Joined: Jun 12, 2008
Posts: > 500
From: London, UK
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If you want a safe car you need a higher budget though. We've just bought a brand new C2 which scores 4 stars on the NCAP test and has more airbags than seats, but it comes at a price, the insurance is low, the road tax is next to nothing and it does about 60miles to the gallon. But it costs 12k. You can check the NCAP site for results of cars you'd like to buy to see how safe they are. Any Micra from 2003 or newer scores 4 stars adult safety, which is very good. But personally I don't like the bubble design much.
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hihihans
Joined: Mar 15, 2009
Posts: > 500
From: Netherlands
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Fiat is cheap if you buy new or 3years old. But stay away from them when they reach 8. I'm talking own experience, we've had many fiat's, right now a (2002) stilo. Last check-up we spent €850 on repairs!
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blerk
Joined: Jun 12, 2008
Posts: > 500
From: London, UK
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Mind you we're also new drivers, so no no-claim or anything fancy that gives discount.
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mrmilo69
Joined: Oct 03, 2006
Posts: 197
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I was looking through the NCAP tests and most of it made for grim reading, unfortunately the budget is non-negotiable so i am going to see the best i can do. Will keep looking |
jcwhite_uk
Joined: Feb 18, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Dorset, UK Phone:Xperia Z1
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I have a Corsa and would highly recomend one. A 1.2 version does about 45 to the gallon and is quite cheap on insurance. 4 star NCAP as well on 2002 models onwards which should be around £1500.
Checkout my photos at My Website"Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the world together." |
carkitter
Joined: Apr 29, 2005
Posts: > 500
From: Auckland, NZ
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The most reliable cars are Toyotas and Hondas and these also have high levels of customer satisfaction as well. It is important to take crash statistic into account but only up to a point otherwise we would all be driving bomb-proof Mercedes S600!  For safety and economy you need a car weighing about 1100-1200kg - any lighter and safety is compromised, any heavier and economy is compromised. Take into account total cost of ownership - insurance, petrol, servicing costs, replacement parts, depreciation, etc. Some cars are attractive but overly complex and that leads to high servicing costs, Italian and French cars are known for this.
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Rookwise
Joined: Mar 22, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: UK. Phone:Samsung Galaxy A54 5
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Nice cheap runaround would be a 2001 Ford Fiesta 1.25 16v Zetec. Dont even consider the other engines (Endura engine is a right oil burner) in the range as the 1.25 16v Zetec is the most reliable and also is very nippy. The Fiesta Freestyle has quite a good spec and decent models can be found for as little as £1100. Main problems with the MK4/5 are the Heater control valve which is very easy to replace (£30 max for the part. Half hour fitting) and also the boot release solenoid sticks which is again an easy fix. Insurance is group 7.
Astra G (98-2005) 1.4/1.6 8v are also good cars to buy and plenty of parts available. 8v engines are the cheaper to repair wheras the Vauxhall 16v Ecotec engines can be expensive especially if the cams go (£500 each before fitting). 1.6 16v Astra G is insurance group 4 (MUCH CHEAPNESS !!!!!)
SEAT Leon. The little known Mk1 1.4 16v Leons are great economical cars with plenty of room. Slightly lacking on power at 75bhp but cheap tax and insurance and good 1.4 engine. Parts are easily available and cost are reasonable.
VW Lupo/SEAT Arosa. Really nice and nippy cars. Cheap parts, cheap tax, cheap insurance (especially the 1.0 8v MPI's) Arosa's come with a good spec compaired to the equivelent model Lupo but the Lupo has the looks IMO. Lupo 3L is an excellent but rare Diesel if you can find one at an importers (LHD only).
Citroen C1, Toyota Aygo, Pug 107 are basically the same car. All ok cars with cheap tax and insurance.
Also have a look at the VW Fox and Pug 206, SEAT Ibiza 1.2 (Don't bother with pre 2003 models though), SEAT Cordoba, VW Polo 2000 onwards including the Saloon and 4x4 Dune.
Forget the Nissan Wankra. Poor build quality, forever problematic.
Renault have improved slightly with better wiring plugs fitted to the looms but still expensive for what they are.
FIAT's have good engines but awful electronics. The electronic power steering is a big problem on them.
Avoid Citroen's apart from the C1. Others in the range are full of electronics which control everything (even the stereo's have to be plugged into a diagnostic interface to correct problems and to update its firmware) and are costly to run and repair (if you can get a non Citroen garage to touch them).
I tried sniffing coke once but didnt like it. The bubbles kept going up my nose  |
carkitter
Joined: Apr 29, 2005
Posts: > 500
From: Auckland, NZ
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Some good advice there ^^^
Also steer clear of CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) equipped cars as this technology is not reliable in older cars 50,000 miles+. High milage conventional automatic transmissions should be approached with care and the safe option is to get a manual as changing a clutch is not usually difficult/expensive unless the car is 4WD.
Edit: Oh and BTW get a four cylinder car, this might seem obvious but Mitsubishi and Mazda made some 2.0L V6 models which are unnecessarily expensive to service as time goes by. Mitsubishi even did a 1.5L V6 which was short lived for obvious reasons.
[ This Message was edited by: carkitter on 2010-02-09 01:38 ] |
blerk
Joined: Jun 12, 2008
Posts: > 500
From: London, UK
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@Rookwise, you just made me regret buying a brand new C2. Thanks
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mrmilo69
Joined: Oct 03, 2006
Posts: 197
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I was steering towards a VW Polo 2000-2002 but i'll look at all the other recommendations to see how they are all fare. I'm glad i started this thread, a lot of good info |
mrmilo69
Joined: Oct 03, 2006
Posts: 197
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Back again, baby turned out to be far more expensive than I had anticipated (funny that) so I had to pick that on the backburner, but once again interested in a car. Hopefully the used market is good. I want it economical, preferably 5 doors and definitely this century. Budget is £1,500. 0 years no claims, 23 years old. Pass Plus completed so hopefully it should get that insurance down. |
Vein
Joined: Jun 18, 2005
Posts: > 500
From: Wilts, UK
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Peugeot 306 HDi
Cheap, economical and they now appreciate if in very good nick 
Vein Autostyling (+28 -0)
www.cliosport.net
www.e30zone.net |
mrmilo69
Joined: Oct 03, 2006
Posts: 197
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I looked on ebay briefly and all the ones i saw had 2 litre engines, won't this make the insurance price shoot up? Not a bad car from where i'm sitting but i'd have to see if the girlfriend likes it!
The girlfriend likes the 206 very much, providing its not in the signature blue, what do you think about that? Insurance up to a 1.4 206 third party is looking to cost me about £1,700 which is pretty steep so ideally i'd like to pay little more than that
[ This Message was edited by: mrmilo69 on 2010-12-08 21:52 ] |
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Posted: 2010-02-07 22:32
