Further to my recent messages concerning a search for a decent Estate Diesel for £3000, it seems in fact that there are plenty of bargains at 1K to 2K. 405s are at bargain level today, as are Passats it seems. The depreciation is just too great on a 3 grand car, and the garage bills seem astornomical the posher one goes.
What is the general consensous on buying a reliable diesel estate, is there any point in laying down big bucks on what you can have perhaps for £1500 with some determination and planning? What about auctions, i hear both nightmare and amazing deal stories?
|
Martin
I think it largely depends on how long you intend to run it, and how many miles it will do. An XUD (Citroen/Pug) is good for 200K miles if the basic servicing is looked after - particularly cam belt and coolant.
The important thing, in my view, is how much will the vehicle be worth when I sell it? If you are buying a £1500 banger to run for a couple of years, then it will likely end up in the £500 to £1000 bracket - depending on what it is. Depreciation is going to be between £250 and £500 per year, and that's not bad.
If you're going to buy dearer and run for 2 years then your depreciation will be greater and, as the car will be sold on for a higher price then service history (and hence the likelihood of hefty garage bills) will be more important.
Any major mechanical repair is going to have a significant effect on the economics - and that's the risk we all take with vehicles. My second vehicle is a 8 year old Citroen diesel van that is probably worth £800 tops. It's in reasonable condition and provided repairs don't exceed £500 per year (home servicing on this sort of vehicle costs next to nothing) things are fine.
I don't expect a vehicle to cost nothing to maintain (but I'm delighted if it doesn't). I think if you're buying in the price range you quote then the simpler the car (electronics etc) the better.
Ian
|
Martin,
You need a dose of valium and time to think what you are really after. I'm sure you'll admit you ideas are racing all over faster than we can keep up with.
But think of one thing.
Look at the HJ auction report 25/01. Note the '96 Vectra Diesel for £850 and (nearer you mark perhaps) the '98 Seat Toledo for £1900??
It might make you realise £4000, £2500, £1500......these are all the same cars, it just depends where you buy them and how much profit someone else is taking out of the deal.
David
|
|
|
|
Martin,
I can't recall the correct site address, but there is an excellent site that covers this kind of situation and what to watch for.
I think it's www.bangernomics.tripod.com
Running a mature car pushes the owner/technician up a very useful, albeit occasionally steep learning curve.
The stuff you learn is never forgotten. Like patience, persistence, lateral thinking. Oh yes, and how to change a heater matrix and all that stuff.
Most of the rest of the developing world runs on the bangernomics principle. The average Nigerian mechanic, if let loose in a British scrapyard, would drive most of the cars away after around a week. You may find that he has fitted a Nissan engine in a Vauxhall body, but still the cars would be driven away...
rg
|
|
in the north of england (yes i am going on about this again) estate cars are quite cheap, 1994 L citroen xantia TD estates are about £1500 - £2000 for a good one, and old estate BX diesels are under £500 territory, some even have FSH.
|
Oh why am I bothering Ladas, that isn't cheap at all. Early Xantias are going for under £1000 at auction and BXs are being given away. Note the Xantia Estate wasn't introduced until late 1995.
David
|
|
go to autotrader.co.uk and put a search for citroen xantia estate in the newcastle area (just put NE in the postcode box) and it will bring up two 1994 estates.
|
|
i have found a 1998 (R), citroen xantia estate 1.9TD LX, in silver metallic, 1 owner, PAS, remote locking, airbag, keypad immobiliser, FSH, mot, tax, high miles hence £1895 ono. just telephone newcastle 07990 852403.
|
|
|
|
...sounds like that's my Xantia, then Mr W...
(I am 40 mls south of Newcastle..)
rg
|
|
this is 7 miles east of newcastle.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ditto mechanics in Cuba and India because of dire necessity.
|
|
|
|
I think one improtant factor in this is your own ability/willingness to do your own repairs. Old cheap cars can be bargins for people who do their own repairs etc.
making the right decision for you is a case of judgeing whether the car is god enough for what you want to justify your anticipated cost. Look through the car by car for info on common fualts so you can anticipate costs. If you dont like getting dirty a good independant local garage who specialise in one particular brand may even influence your decision.
Amazing deals at auctions are rare. Everyone there wants a cheap car. So get it, many dont. If you fancy buying from auction, dont even consider it on your first visit. Cheap cars are undesireable cars. You just have work out why they are undesireable at auction.
Ben.
|
|
if you want a cheap car thats perfect for DIYers, go for a 1.8 ford sierra estate, as these are dirt cheap (starting from £100 with tax and test)
|
|
|
"Amazing deals at auctions are rare. Everyone there wants a cheap car. So get it, many dont. If you fancy buying from auction, dont even consider it on your first visit. Cheap cars are undesireable cars"
BC. : Your statement is so very true !!
|
It is true that the real cheapies at auction will be an endless money pit.
The only winner will be someone like myself (where Citroen BXs are concerned for example) who can repair things others fear to touch, and when we have a few spare cars in the yard to source the parts.
Ladas is right about the Sierra Estate. If you get one without the dreaded rust above the rear suspension it could go a good few years on DIY maintenance. Later ones are quite well equipped.
David
|
|
|
|
|
Right, in the Philippines you can buy a replica of a Willys Jeep body in galvanised iron (like what they used to make trashbins out of). Get yourself a Toyota or a Lancer engine and running gear, some fancy seats from the wreckers, a couple of handy pals and over a weekend you've got yourself a usable vehicle for about 1000 quid equivalent.
Incidentally in my area is an immaculate Armstrong Siddeley of 1940's vintage. Under the hood is an Isuzu diesel! My brother-in-law also introduced me to an undertaker friend of his who runs a big white Cadillac hearse. He took out the V-8 and replaced it with a diesel from a Fuso truck. The V-8 went into a homemade tricycle covered in chrome which regularly wins at local shows.
In the developing world nothing gets thrown away and automotive repair ingenuity and skills are legion.
|
|
|
