This seemed to get lost in the thread on the Favorit (unless of course no-one has any advice!)
The consensus seems to be that the Favorit, no matter how good, can be bettered for the money. Does anyone have any other suggestions for where to look? Should we avoid private at this price point? And what sort of model? Toad's thread seems to be aiming for the larger cars - unless there is a good reason to go for one of these, I think a smaller car would be a better idea - she's used to small cars and the insurance will be less of a burden.
Her total budget is about £2k, but as insurance looks like being about £700 (this is what I was quoted on the Favorit, but should come down a bit with shopping around) and she might have stuff like tax to add, so we can look at up to £1.5k. However, I'm wondering if it's worth paying this much - she only really needs something to last a year for now, and can review the situation once she knows if her contract will be extended after the year is up.
I've been told to avoid stuff like Fiestas as they are so easily nicked at this age. (Ditto Escorts - I had a friend who's was always getting broken in to and / or stolen) Are Micras of this age a good bet, or are the problems starting to show through? Are we likely to see something like a Starlet in this price range, and should we avoid it if we do anyway? Anything else?
Thanks for replies so far, and TIA!
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Well, I'm actually planning on selling up my sport car and buying a cheap car and a motorbike. I am planning on buying a 3.0 V6 Omega for around the 2,000 pound mark. For that price you can get a good high mileage one that will go on forever. Having said that if you need to save on insurance then go for the 2.0 instead as its only group 13.
Personally I think for the price a second hand Omega is a great car (I used to have one) that lasts forever and is like a limo to drive.
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I don't think an Omega would be all that appropriate! I'd hate to think how much insurance would be (the £650 was for a group 5 car!) and it's also much bigger than she is used to. I was looking for something more Escort / Fiesta sized.
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I like my R19 but the insurance is high.
To be honest I'd just go to an auction and see what turns up. The budget should stretch to a 96 new shape Fiesta at auction, which would be a great buy even without PAS.
They don't rust, they're great to drive and any fool can work on them. But I agree, don't get an Omega unless you have a secret agenda, top banger though they definitely are.
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Not sure she'd be to happy going to an auction - would prefer a dealer or private sale. While Fiestas are cheap to run I've heard they are easily stolen and are popular with thieves. She lives close to Hattersley - an area known for dodgy types, and as she would have to leave the car in the lane overnight, something not to attractive to thieves would be preferred.
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Have you considerd the newer shape Rover 200s or the Pug 106 or 306 td, or even a citroen ZX 1.9td?
The Rovers never held their value well, so finding a cheapish one at auction may not be that difficult. Aviod the metro or Rover 100!
The Pugs/citroens on the other hand are pretty good. My sister had the ZX 1.9td and it was surprisingly nippy. The Citroens are another car that held their value.
The other tack you could take is to keep your eyes open for a much cheaper car that has been garaged and well looked after and has low mileage - eg an older shape rover 200, or even the honda equivilent. A relative just got £700 for a K reg in very good condition with reasonable milage. Trick here is to think which cars are not popular with boy racers.
Suggest for insurance you try Prudential or Peter Goord in Plymouth on 01752 361888. I'm with the latter - cheapest premium for top quality cover, and he throws in free ULRS cover, useful if you're tpft, as I found out!
Also, try Esure on the net!
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