I have £2000 to spend on a car, which model would you recommend and why?
So I need a car to tide me over. Given the mileage it'll do fuel economy and reliability are my main concerns.
All and any advice gratefully received!
Answers:
ford fiesta 1100cc. cheap insurance, does around 50mpg and will run forever.
DONT buy a J or K reg as theyre all rustbuckets. the Mk2 was a solid car, the mk3, well avoid them like the plague.
ford escort. dont buy a xr3i, xr2i, or a 1400 petrol..alll junkers or theyve been thrashed by the boy racers.
personally, buy a volvo, or a merc. itll be economical, (the 220d merc does around 50mpg) the volvo 940/850 diesels are bulletproof and go forever on fumes.
i own such a volvo.2.4 tdi. and its 19 years old, i paid 300 quid 4 years ago for it.. the last two mots cost me around 2 quid extra, a bulb and wiper blade.. oh and even at 19 years old, its never been welded, and teh paintwork in good, showing no beefburgers of rust. and i'd rather own a 19 year old volvo or merc than a 10 year old ford.
look for a ford, cheap n reliable, also usually cheap on insurance.
I'd say look for a 1.2 Clio, it'll easily do 40+ mpg, is dirt cheap to insure and bits for it are cheap.
If you want massive economy look for an old Citreon AX diesel, they can turn out 60-70mpg with ease, where you'd get a decent one for 2 grand though is hard to say.
Here is my considered recommendation..
The ubiquitous Series 5 Ford Fiesta is a good choice. Smallish outside dimensions for city use, but comfortable enough for long trips - aircon if you get an LX version - cheap to run and service - very reliable - enough space for large items (drop the rear seat backs ) - dateless design - extremely rewarding to drive (good brakes/handling/ride) - excellent security (good locks and an effective immobiliser, therefore not easy to steal) - incredible economy from the Yamaha developed engine, and they always sell on easily since they are ideal for the new driver, and make a good 'second' family cars. Best of all you can get an excellent car for relatively little money. At the price you have given, you will have to search carefully, but they are available - especially privately. Look for one with a long MOT, and a good service record - and take a knowledgeable friend with you to give it a check over. If you can't find/afford an LX with the 1.25 engine, a few Series 5 Fiesta Encore models were made with the 1.25 engine and, apart from lack of power steering, these are real bargains.
Note - Fiestas actually feel like a bigger car to drive and are therefore very comfortable for long trips.
PS I'm not a Ford dealer! But I have regular access to one of these excellent cars and enjoy driving it very much, even though I own a Mercedes myself.
Ford fiesta will do for you
Having had two Nissan's a Micra and now a Note as well as various other makes/models, I would thoroughly recommend Nissan as thoroughly reliable and economical.
1) You might just about be able to pick-up an early model Ford Focus for that.. supposed to be reliable. even Jeremy Clarkson recommends it (and that's got to be the toughest test for any car. if he says a car is good, it's good. if he says it's bad, he'll verbally tear the manufacturer to shreds).
2) A Late model Vauxhall Cavalier (1995?). as that's what they were built for (doing lots of miles), the Vectra that replaced it is so cr*p even the mechanics at the local garage selling them said so.. you'll get more car for your money, they can go pretty fast. have more power than Fords of a similar age. and assuming your budget also covers insuring the damn thing, they're cheap enough to leave you with enough spare change to insure it.
3) A series 1 or 2 Subaru Impreza. might even be able to stretch to an early Turbo model, but it's likely to have had the nuts thrashed off it, but one of the non-Turbo models should be easily in reach judging by a quick search on Ebay + the Impreza is one of the most reliable cars you can get.
4) The Subaru Legacy.. the Impreza's big brother.. kinda of overshadowed by the Impreza Turbo since they switched to using that for Rallying instead.. should be just as reliable too, but less noticed.
To my knowledge, cars smaller than these I've suggested (e.g. Renault Clio, Ford Fiesta, Nissan Micra, etc) tend to wear you out when regularly doing alot of miles in them.
If you want a reliable car, then buy a Japanese one. If you don't care about reliability, then buy something else. If you really love unreliability, but a French or Italian car.
BUY ONE FOR £500 & SAVE £1500. A SMALL PETROL CAR LIKE A CLIO OR FIESTA WITH 12 MONTHS MOT ARE EASY TO FIND.
ford fiesta r reg onwards cheep to buy/run/repair/insure1.25zetec. engine best make sure you have full service history keep a regerler check on oil had mine 7 years never had a problem cost me nothing only wear and tear ie exhaust brakes ect
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