Buying A Car

[nightcrawler13]

I'm spending a silly amount of money on hire cars, so going to take the plunge and buy my first vehicle....

I've been approved for a £5k loan, going to use it to cover the car and two years worth of insurance (I'm 28 and live in Manchester, so insurance is pretty high)

I know NOTHING about cars, but what I want is something like a Skoda Octavia (LOTS of room in the back when you fold down the seats)

the advice I've had so far;

- get something with less than 60,000 miles

- avoid Renault

- spend more than £1000

- ignore the less than 60,000 advice if it's a VW

any other advice would be wonderful thank you

[eFestivals]

The Renault's I've had have been wonderful - they've never gone wrong on me, tho I'm aware that parts can be eye-wateringly expensive if they go wrong (tho that can be the case with many cars anyway).

Avoid Fords (tho they do have cheap parts, but it's the labour which costs big).

I'd say as a general rule you get the worst value for your buy between £1k and £3k as this is the sort of money everyone is looking for a bargain for. What you get will very quickly be worth £500, and you could buy something very similar (tho perhaps a bit more tatty) for less than a grand.

VW's are almost always a sound buy, but you do pay a premium because of that.

Don't buy the first car (or at the first garage, if you buy from a garage) you go to look at no matter how tempted you are. From seeing a number of cars you'll get a much better handle on what you think is good/bad value, and end up with something better as a result.

Edited May 27, 2015 by eFestivals

[pehaw]

Last three cars I've had have been Mondeos between 6 and 8 years old. Each bought for between 1.5 and 4k. All petrol. (If going diesel on a mondeo then check if injectors have been replaced if mileage high) Very cheap parts in general. Labour average.

If its ex-fleet then they will be well serviced and tend to be motorway miles. 100K mainly motorway is far better than 50k mainly city miles on a similarly aged car in my experience.

Shop around. Be choosy. Don't rush.

honestjohn.co.uk is useful.

[Celery]

I've had 4 cars. Best one by far is my current Ford Focus. It was an ex-disability motor so only had about 5,000miles on the clock after 3yrs yet cost half the price of a brand new one. Only had to change the tax to make it road-worthy. Got mine from Car Giant in London but probably similar places up north.
Focus also has huge boot space. Perfect for Glasto

edit: and i've never found labour to be pricey. But then i've not been fussed about going to official dealers

Edited May 27, 2015 by Celery

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Best one by far is my current Ford Focus. It was an ex-disability motor so only had about 5,000miles on the clock after 3yrs yet cost half the price of a brand new one. Only had to change the tax to make it road-worthy. Got mine from Car Giant in London but probably similar places up north.

Focus also has huge boot space. Perfect for Glasto

edit: and i've never found labour to be pricey. But then i've not been fussed about going to official dealers

Sounds exactly like my last car which was also a Ford Focus that had been used by an OAP just to go to the local shops in and then back to his home. Then he had to have two knee operations and had to get rid of it and did so for a song given it's low mileage and full service history. Then I lent it to my son in law who wrote it off half an hour after I'd insured him on it. I doubt I'll ever get a deal like that again.

[kaosmark2]

As others have indicated, stable mileage and type of use matters more than the raw number.

I'd agree with Neil that the worst deals are the 1-3k bracket. Maybe shift it 500 or so but I bought my car for £950 and it's lasted 3 years so far and looking good for a 4th.

Have you got any friends that know about cars that can go looking at them with you? It'll probably be a big help.

[Spindles]

Octavia is a really nice vehicle if you can pick one up, bodywork is galvanised so it won't rust as quick as other vehicles, engine and other aspects are basically VW rebadged I'm told. My brother in law has had one from new which is still immaculate and has passed every MOT without a concern (he's had it since the late 90s).

[eFestivals]

Labour average.

I wasn't trying to suggest that labour costs for Fords is anything out of the ordinary, I was making the point that the largest costs of any work is almost always the labour - so the costs of the parts (whether cheap or expensive) plays a minor part in things.

My own (and those I know) experience of Fords is that they spend more time at the garage than other cars. I'm not saying they're dreadful even then - cos reliability has improved hugely over the last 30-ish years for all cars - but Fords do seem to be at the arse end of the spectrum.

Also, tap any Ford with your knuckle, and then do the same on almost any other car, and hear the big difference! They're made of tin-foil!

[TheGayTent]

Unless you're looking at buying a car that's 20 years old, I wouldn't listen to a word Neil is saying...

[MrZigster]

I'm in the same boat. My current transport will not get through its next MOT (due September). I've been driving for close to thirty years but this will be the first time I am purchasing solely off my own back (guy our family used to use has been retired for at least five years now).

I really know close to fuck all about cars apart from how to drive them (which I love btw) and that they need petrol every other week or so. Full Service History is a good thing, right?

Barring a horribly bright turquoise Allegro in the '70s, my family have always had Fords. Current and previous cars were Fiestas with Zetec engines. Never ever had any issues engine wise. My mate reckons most Zetecs will clock (i.e. 100,000 miles) "no bother". Current one is P reg with about 70k on it. I'm the third owner and have had it since '02.

It's the rust that gets them, every time. And then the electrics start to go.

Colleague told me his mate that runs a garage told him to get a Toyota as he rarely sees them brought in.

One of the main criteria I'm looking for is can I get my Glastonbury trolley in it?

I guess I'm looking for a similar dependable work horse.

Biggest issue right now is how to finance it. Most people at work I've discussed this with seem to have some kind of tick going on when it comes to their cars. I really find it a minefield and any advice in this area will be much appreciated.

[eFestivals]

Unless you're looking at buying a car that's 20 years old, I wouldn't listen to a word Neil is saying...

yeah, I've never bought a car for 20 years, or had Fords break down on me in the last 20 years. ;lol:

FFS. Moron.

My experiences are no less relevant as your own. They're all anecdotal.

[TheGayTent]

yeah, I've never bought a car for 20 years, or had Fords break down on me in the last 20 years. ;lol:

FFS. Moron.

My experiences are no less relevant as your own. They're all anecdotal.

The moron is the one handing out advice without caveat based on a minute amount of anecdotal evidence.

My advice would be to research research research. Have a look at manufacturer reliability ratings, labour costs, time off road scores etc. Look at whatcar, Parker, or similar website to see reviews on the best second hand cars that meet your requirements.

From the sounds of your requirements though, you're looking at a Focus or Mondeo in terms of size. These both score highly compared to most of their competitors in the 2nd hand market. Dependent on age and price of course. I.e. Neil is talking out of his arse as usual....

[eFestivals]

The moron is the one handing out advice without caveat based on a minute amount of anecdotal evidence.

if you call "minute" 30 years of car ownership and repairs, a brother who is a mechanic, and having been used by many friends to help them buy cas, then yes, I'm a novice.

Meanwhile, what's your own huge experience to knock mine down?

My advice would be to research research research. Have a look at manufacturer reliability ratings, labour costs, time off road scores etc. Look at whatcar, Parker, or similar website to see reviews on the best second hand cars that meet your requirements.

there's no decent research for vehicles as old as nightcrawler is considering buying, because the resaerch tends not to focvus on oilder cars, and too much of any older car's state is to do with how it's been cared for over it's long previous life.

The premium brands come out top in research like that - but as much for the money the owners have to spend on maintanence as for initial build quality.

From the sounds of your requirements though, you're looking at a Focus or Mondeo in terms of size. These both score highly compared to most of their competitors in the 2nd hand market. Dependent on age and price of course. I.e. Neil is talking out of his arse as usual....

And yet you'll see (proportionally, against the numbers sold new) few of them that are 10+ years old compared to other makes. There's a reason why.

Nightcrawler is wanting a car that might not be 10 years old when he buys it, but is likely to be 10 years old during his ownership. If he wants to not be throwing it away (and what he paid for it) too soon, he needs to keep this in mind.

[TheGayTent]

if you call "minute" 30 years of car ownership and repairs, a brother who is a mechanic, and having been used by many friends to help them buy cas, then yes, I'm a novice.

I'm glad you agree that all of your knowledge is anecdotal...

[eFestivals]

I'm glad you agree that all of your knowledge is anecdotal...

I've never claimed any differently.

Meanwhile, show us the research - relevant research - which will cover the age of car Nightcrawler will buy, both for the time he buys it and for the years he'll have it. There is none that's not fatally flawed.

Edited May 28, 2015 by eFestivals

[TheGayTent]

If he's spending between 1 and 5 grand on a car plus 2 years insurance, that has done less than 60,000 miles he isn't very likely buying a 10 year old car. Or even an 8 year old car.

Unless he's being ripped off, hasn't done his research, or is listening to morons giving inaccurate anecdotal evidence.

[TheGayTent]

I've never claimed any differently.

I didn't claim you had claimed differently.

What I did was point out is that's all you were offering.

[eFestivals]

If he's spending between 1 and 5 grand on a car plus 2 years insurance, that has done less than 60,000 miles he isn't very likely buying a 10 year old car. Or even an 8 year old car.

Unless he's being ripped off, hasn't done his research, or is listening to morons giving inaccurate anecdotal evidence.

it depends if he's buying the £1k car or the £5k car.

If he's spending less than £3k then the car will defo be over ten years old during his ownership (unless he buys a wreck that's newer).

The fact that a certain model might have an excellent rep for its first five years says naff all about how it'll be at 10 years.

Thanks for calling yourself out as talking crap on the research bit, btw.

Edited May 28, 2015 by eFestivals

[t8yman]

I would contract hire, you can get a damn good car for £150 per month or so, fuel economy would be fantastic, the vehicle would be under warranty and you dont even pay the road tax. get one that is a low insurance class and you are laughing. plus a £4k car will be worth possibly £1.5k in 3 years. you will have a new car, and all of the positives that go with that, and none of the expense of owning someone elses problem.

http://www.nationwidevehiclecontracts.co.uk/Vauxhall_Astra_5_Door-14i_16V_Design-51594.htm

[Katster]

We bought a six year old golf plus for £2800. It's a beautiful (and spacious) car. It's got about 60,000 on the clock. I hope to have many happy years with it.

[man next door]

I would say, and it's only based on my experience and the general experience of friends / relatives, is that you're better off buying a 'better' make (VW, Audi, BMW) etc and taking a hit on the age / mileage, than buying a newer plastic ford or renault, for example.

Yes, the parts are older, but they are coming from a significantly better starting point.

I'm not claiming to be Jeremy Clarkson, that's just my opinion.

[nightcrawler13]

Skoda Fabia

Skoda Octavia

Opel Astra

Toyota Avensis

Mazda 6

Ford Mondeo

VW Passat

I can get affordable insurance on all of these and can find all of them for less than £3000, under 10 years old, with less than 10,000 miles (averaged per year) on the clock

Am I being ripped off? There are lots of them in this bracket?

Edited May 29, 2015 by nightcrawler13

[kaosmark2]

Skoda Fabia

Skoda Octavia

Opel Astra

Toyota Avensis

Mazda 6

Ford Mondeo

I can get affordable insurance on all of these and can find all of them for less than £3000, under 10 years old, with less than 10,000 miles (averaged per year) on the clock

Am I being ripped off? There are lots of them in this bracket?

Doesn't sound ridiculous or outrageous.

[nightcrawler13]

After reading some owner reviews complaining about known faults, I've narrowed it down to

Skoda Fabia

Skoda Octavia

Ford Mondeo

VW Passat

Got the loan approved today, so will buy one after Glastonbury

[MrZigster]

I test drove a second hand motor from a long established dealer yesterday.

 

They then couldn't produce a V5C form for the vehicle (plus the service history looked a bit fudged) so I got the jitters and left it.

 

The AA suggest that a dealer should have said form:

 

http://www.vcars.co.uk/news/motoring-advice/documentation-7633.html

 

but plenty of other sites suggest that this goes on a lot and isn't that big a deal.

 

I wanted to see it to prove the "one previous owner" claim.

 

I get that in a private sale said form should generally be present, but why wouldn't a dealer have one?

 

I'm confused.