Buying a new banger
Discussion
Welp, it's time for my 1997 Astra GLS 1.6 to bite the dust, since it's... you know... crap. I've spent ages trawling round autotrader etc for motors (high mileage Alfa Romeo GTV is on my list!) but wondered if any of the fine NE PH'ers could comment on the best/most reputable places for me to put away my £2500, or anywhere I should avoid like the plague.
Preferably around Smogbrough but I will travel if it's worth it! Thanks in advance
Preferably around Smogbrough but I will travel if it's worth it! Thanks in advance
I got my Lotus Excel for around £2.5K (an '89 SA)
Some good examples around and don't present much difficulty in obtaining parts.
Bills, at least off engine' aren't horrodous either.
Typicals;
£550ish, custom S/S exhaust at JPS
£350ish, CAM belt, tensioner, oil and transmission fluids when I first got her.
Anything from £60 to £130 per tyre depending on what you want.
Generally a nice car to own and use.
And better than a banger....
Some good examples around and don't present much difficulty in obtaining parts.
Bills, at least off engine' aren't horrodous either.
Typicals;
£550ish, custom S/S exhaust at JPS
£350ish, CAM belt, tensioner, oil and transmission fluids when I first got her.
Anything from £60 to £130 per tyre depending on what you want.
Generally a nice car to own and use.
And better than a banger....
Edited by dpr59 on Saturday 18th August 18:48
Edited by dpr59 on Sunday 19th August 09:13
Stu R said:
not sure but I'm sure my wallet just flinched on the mention of "high milage" and "alfa" in the same sentence.
It's either that or an MX-5 in terms of 2 seat coupe/conv fun as far as I can see, and I don't fancy turning up at work in a boggo MX-5... maybe if I saved a couple of quid and bought a supercharger...CommanderJameson said:
PeteG said:
I've heard good things about Chris Myers in Nunthorpe. Think that's his name, I''m a little the worse for wear right now...
Gone, and has been for about a year. The plot is being turned into Granny Towers or something.Personally for 2.5k I'd be looking for a private seller who's loved and cherished a car for years with decent service history. I'd feel more reassured that way than a dealer wanting to make a few quid. Also you could take out a private warranty yourself to give you the same peace of mind you'd get from a dealer.
2.5k hmmm no idea what cars you're into but if you want bang-for-buck I'd personally be looking unmodded saxo VTS's or something along those lines. Fiat Coupe 20vT also very fast but maintenance costs might be a bit steep.
2.5k hmmm no idea what cars you're into but if you want bang-for-buck I'd personally be looking unmodded saxo VTS's or something along those lines. Fiat Coupe 20vT also very fast but maintenance costs might be a bit steep.
Graebob said:
Stu R said:
not sure but I'm sure my wallet just flinched on the mention of "high milage" and "alfa" in the same sentence.
It's either that or an MX-5 in terms of 2 seat coupe/conv fun as far as I can see, and I don't fancy turning up at work in a boggo MX-5... maybe if I saved a couple of quid and bought a supercharger...E30 beemer cabrios can be good fun
The alfa I'd be cautious of, they're great cars but I've seen a few go wrong engine wise, rebuilt a GTV engine a couple of years back that had manage to destroy all but 4 of it's valves and holed a piston, and a mates brothers (yeah I know, dog walkers aunties mates etc
) car had some pretty terminal engine failure. My point being I wouldn't get hung up on finding one locally, if it's an alfa you're after be prepared to travel for the right one Edited by Stu R on Tuesday 21st August 20:40
If i was looking for a nice convertible for my significant other, i'd be looking at something like this:- http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/215962.htm
Presentable, reliable, and isn't going to loose too much more value.
Paul
Presentable, reliable, and isn't going to loose too much more value.
Paul
Thanks for the advice gentlemen, I've switched from looking at main dealers to private, and you definitely get a better deal. Looking mainly at E36 3's, they seem to offer a good bang to buck ratio.
I'm also popping down the local auctions on a monday and wednesday, shows you just how much some dealers can markup a vehicle. Saw a N plate 328 coupe go for £1200 at auction, it's now on Auto Trader at £2100
I'm also popping down the local auctions on a monday and wednesday, shows you just how much some dealers can markup a vehicle. Saw a N plate 328 coupe go for £1200 at auction, it's now on Auto Trader at £2100
Edited by Graebob on Thursday 23 August 19:35
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