Topic: 2nd hand car - suggestions, advice ?

[cambourne7]

Hi All,

I have now sold my car and i need a replacement. Just a run around to go to the shops and perhaps job interviews. Not sure what i want to be fair still quite numb about getting rid of my dream car. I know it needs to be safe, reasonably fast as i will be using motorways and needs to have 5 doors aka i need to be able to get to the back seats.

I have a budget of no more than £4k although nearer to £500 mark is better for me :)

Tempted by a toyota prius as i like the fuel economy but not a fan of automatics going to look at a skoda octavia and a honda civic at the weekend.

Just wondered if anyone else had any suggestions?

Cam

[Kea]

The older style Honda civic...which is what i have. Very reliable, has 5 doors 1.6 so fairly fast my only criticism is that it feels a little van like when you have the back seat folded folded down. However has the advantage of being able to carry quite a lot. Good head room for tall people my 7ft plus son fits in the back..which is why I chose it over a Toyota corolla (though it's better made and finished off that the TC  as well).

We've got a Honda accord 5 door as well, which we need to replace...very reluctantly but it's getting on, it has been exceptionally reliable pretty much only costs servicing, tyres, mot and road tax, and we've had it 11 years. Difficult to replace as Honda dosen't make a 5 door anymore otherwise the decision would be simple.

[manicscousers]

We have a kia ceed, best car we've had  ;D

[pigeonseed]

We keep getting 2nd hand Nissan Micras, they have a reputation for being reliable for a cheap car and that's what we've found too. They're not very powerful but quite fast enough as far as I'm concerned!

[Melbourne12]

We don't really have a brand loyalty to cars, but in recent times we've sought out those that weren't really a great success when they were new.  Perhaps a bit unfashionable, or overshadowed by other makes.  That's where the bargains are to be found.  Remember that very very few modern cars are anything other than excellent.

Fiats and Citroens are both marques worth a look.  We've currently got a Fiat Idea, which is a smashing little mini-MPV, and a Fiat Doblo, which is superb for carrying allotment stuff, albeit not my choice for long distance motorway work.  Both have been reliable and economical.  You might find a Fiat Chroma at a bargain price, too.

[ACE]

We keep getting 2nd hand Nissan Micras, they have a reputation for being reliable for a cheap car and that's what we've foorm to drive it fund too. They're not very powerful but quite fast enough as far as

Cam did state it had to go on the motorway, Micra's (spit) will not reach the minimum speed needed for motorway driving. She might just as well sh!t in her best hat than buy one of those. Get a diesel Jag Estate. You will be surprised at the economy, the build, the comfort and the prices ain't bad second hand.

[cambourne7]

We have a kia ceed, best car we've had  ;D

They do seam to hold there value found one to show husband which is in same area as a honda civic (hybrid) i want to look at although i think the honda might be 2 big.

[cambourne7]

We keep getting 2nd hand Nissan Micras, they have a reputation for being reliable for a cheap car and that's what we've foorm to drive it fund too. They're not very powerful but quite fast enough as far as

Cam did state it had to go on the motorway, Micra's (spit) will not reach the minimum speed needed for motorway driving. She might just as well sh!t in her best hat than buy one of those. Get a diesel Jag Estate. You will be surprised at the economy, the build, the comfort and the prices ain't bad second hand.

Actually before my last car husband had to talk me out of a nissan figaro (looks so cute) but its just a micra with a different body :)

[ACE]

 I thought they gave those away with McD's happy meals,I bet it is cheap to run, but the pedals must wear you out on a long run.

[cambourne7]

hehe yep it was the lack of air con which did it :)

[pg]

Just wondering how often you'll do a motorway run? Would most of your journeys be local i.e less than 10miles?

Plus are you in a high insurance zone where you live? Just thinking if you're in an inner city area &/or keep cars on the street this might limit your choice (particularly if think it might get the wheels nicked regularly).

You say you don't like autos but there are plenty of semi-autos about now that allow you to choose to change gear youreslf or leave in drive.

What kind of size you looking for? You say 5 door - but would this be a small hatchback or an estate?

If safe is your priority then older cars German cars over 10yrs old are a dream for safety, comfort and power for the dosh. Drawback is the low fuel economy, but if you don't do many miles they can work out good value as you don't pay road tax & the insurance group can be low.

My other half is a motoring writer and you might find his road tests useful, all new cars but you'll get a feel for what's out there:

http://www.andrewnoakes.com/roadtests

[cambourne7]

I live in the middle of no where most of the roads i drive in are country lanes and A roads i am looking for work and in some cases it would mean me driving up to 2 hours to get to work there and back so whilst motorways are not high on agenda at moment will be and frequency to be determined so it needs to be capable.

But most of trips will be about the 20 mile mark and a few will be 2-3 miles :)

I think we have narrowed the list down now to

alpha Romeo 147 and 159 (husbands idea i am not keen)
Citron c4
Fiat grande punto (5 door)
Ford focus
honda civic
Hyundai i30
kia c'eed
mazda 3
nissan note
Peugeot 207 & 308
renault megane
Seat león and altera
skoda fabia
vauxhall astra (again husbands idea i am not keen)

[ACE]

Go for the Astra, but make sure you get the twin top model, My wife got one a couple of months ago, just before it started raining.

[cambourne7]

Go for the Astra, but make sure you get the twin top model, My wife got one a couple of months ago, just before it started raining.

Would love to but need 5 doors to get little one in back i have just sold my VW Eos (same red :( ) for that reason

[Kea]

As you're
 in Cambridgeshire you'll need something that survives all the pothole s  :)

[gp.girl]

We keep getting 2nd hand Nissan Micras, they have a reputation for being reliable for a cheap car and that's what we've foorm to drive it fund too. They're not very powerful but quite fast enough as far as

Cam did state it had to go on the motorway, Micra's (spit) will not reach the minimum speed needed for motorway driving. She might just as well sh!t in her best hat than buy one of those. Get a diesel Jag Estate. You will be surprised at the economy, the build, the comfort and the prices ain't bad second hand.

Ha Ha you should have seen the Jag drivers face when he got passed my OH in a 1.0 Micra (G reg) thrashed to 100+ on the clock  ::) :-[ :-X

It did 1000+ mile in one weeks touring round Cornwall. Not at 100 mph most of the time though.

Smart for4? Ours is great and a bargain as a second hand buy. Not the biggest car I will admit so might be a bit tight with children...

Convertables are just so impractical  :'( :'( :'( although compared to a GTM coupe kit car everything is practical!

[goodlife]

I would cross Renault out of that list straight away..they have something wrong with them all the time...unless you like going to carage for repaires.
All Japanese cars are very good and reliable..Toyota's, 'cough' Micra's..etc.,even the 1 litre engines will cope on motorways!!!..and still stay attached to the body of the car.. ;D ;D..but 1.3 litre is that bit better. I've had both in Micras and cannot fault them.
So Toyotat, Madza, Nissan, Kia, Hyundai and Honda would be cars from your list that I would be looking at.
I had 3 Micras in a row but just changed into Mitsubishi (only because price was right)..OH has Vauxhall Corsa.. ::)..what a utter rubbish that car is..another one that is 'attention seeker'.. ::)

[pg]

Cambourne7: Your countryside living matches mine almost exactly! I too live a 20mile round trip to the nearest town.

Perhaps like me your choice will depend on your likely winter conditions - being between hills it can, and is, sometimes impossible to get out of the village in the winter for a week or two. We do have a LandRover as a back up but if this is to be your main car then perhaps it needs to be a 4-wheel drive?

For bullet-proof you can't beat the Skoda & Hyundai.

Perhaps another consideration is who will mend it? Does your favourite garage specialise in particular models? Perhaps it might be worth asking them for advice & perhaps asking them to look out for one for you?

[saddad]

OH has Vauxhall Corsa.. ..what a utter rubbish that car is..another one that is 'attention seeker'..

OH has driven a Corsa or two for over twenty years. Once they got over the problem, with the Nova, of running the clutch cable over the exhaust with no heat sheathing we have had no trouble. Now I just have to stop her running them into the barriers on the A50...  ::)

[manicscousers]

Kia...nice, wide doors to get little ones in and out. Large boot for all the accessories, quiet and comfortable. Combined with hyundai but a bit cheaper, reasonable petrol consumption although we're going for deisel next time. 7 yr warranty  ;D