Ed Fortune ([info]ed_fortune) wrote,
@ 2009-07-04 13:13:00
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Current mood: cheerful

"Poop Poop" went Toad
Help my Lazyweb, I know nothing about buying cars, and I need to replace the Fiat.

I'm looking for a vehicle that should, in theory, last me 12 months, is reasonably safe, and costs around £500.

It's going to be pootling about Manchester a fair bit, I plan to drive regularly to Bolton, Chorlton and Failsworth in it, but it shouldn't need to be a work car.

Not fussed about looking like a dork in it, never have been worried about that sort of nonsense. Decent boot space would be nice, but reliabilty and safety are the priorities.

Hints, tips, suggestions and guffaws of laughter all appreciated.


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[info]mistress_helly
2009-07-04 12:53 pm UTC (link)
Small and cheap... I'll have a think, but for now my advice is:
Do not be tempted by a 1-litre, get a 1.2 so you can go up hills with people in your car!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]angelfire_75
2009-07-04 03:22 pm UTC (link)
I agree with engine size.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]black_faery
2009-07-04 01:10 pm UTC (link)
I have a vote for a Ford Ka (or possibly Fiesta, if you find one in good condition) from Matt, who is our resident car expert in these matters.

I also had no real problems with my old Rover (214 - S reg), apart from the head gasket which went. However, if you can find one that's had it replaced recently, that's the main problem dealt with. And I had no problems with spare parts, etc.

(Matt takes over typing here...)

The main thing at this price is buying on condition first and foremost; something that starts, runs and drives well without pulling to one side, making odd noises, or showing any signs of rust. Ford Kas are good as they're both robust and pretty cheap to fix if they go wrong.

Edited at 2009-07-04 01:12 pm UTC

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]amber_missy
2009-07-04 06:21 pm UTC (link)
I'd say a nissan micra for the same reason - they're very good and reliable and again, cheap to fix if there are any problems...

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]amber_missy
2009-07-04 06:22 pm UTC (link)
AND you can get a whole bathroom suite in one (if no-one else is in the car) believe it or not - they're quite tardis-ey... :D

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[info]areteus
2009-07-04 03:17 pm UTC (link)
There were two people here in brum desperately trying to get rid of cars and at least one of them would be ideal if it is still up for grabs. One of them is a Mazda sports car with no MOT or tax at present (and will cost at least £400 to make legal) and so probably out of price range but the other may be ok.

If you like, I can check it out? It would mean a trip to the deathly hallows of the Midlands, of course...

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[info]ed_fortune
2009-07-04 03:47 pm UTC (link)
Not interested in the one with no MOT, I still have an failed MOT on the Fiat that I could fix for £700, but I susp[ect it's now just a money pit.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]putrescine
2009-07-04 04:08 pm UTC (link)
For small cars it's either a Ford, Fiat or a VW Polo.

I used to have an old-style Fiat Panda with a 0.6 litre engine which cost fuck all to run and could hold everything in the world, but if there were passengers we would hold a celebration when it got into fourth gear.

Ka's I know nothing about, but I had a 1.2 Ford Fiesta which is perfectly decent for pootling round town and the odd trip up the motorway. If you're going to be doing M-way driving with any regularity then avoid a 1 litre, it'll tear itself apart.

VW Polos are good, reliable and fun to drive. More pricey on parts for their Ford equivalent though.

(Reply to this)


[info]fredlums
2009-07-04 04:14 pm UTC (link)
Ford Fiesta - I had one for nearly 8 years and virtually no bother with it (other than the back windscreen wiper falling off on two occasions) and in February passed it on to my 17 year old niece who will get a few more years out of it.

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[info]marcushill
2009-07-05 09:19 am UTC (link)
Normally, for reliability I'd suggest buying a Japanese car. However, their reliability is such that they retain their value really well, so if one is being sold for under £500, it's probably been used in a ram-raid or something...

(Reply to this)


[info]seanreynolds
2009-07-06 12:56 am UTC (link)
for general info:

http://www.parkers.co.uk/

http://www.newcarinfo.co.uk/

for personal recommendation Vauxhall Corsa, 70 miles per gallon, 5 star safety rating, and the damn things just dont break - Mum bought hers in 2002 never had a single problem with it

(Reply to this)


[info]renniek
2009-07-06 09:29 am UTC (link)
I recommend a Skoda - reliable like Volkswagons but often v cheap 2nd hand. Consider going for something slightly larger than the very small car bracket (Micras, Fiestas, Clios, Foxes etc) - though often good lots of people buy that type 2nd hand as a first ever car, so slightly larger models often a better deal.

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