Cheap HP/Loan commuter car
Cheap HP/Loan commuter car
Author
Discussion

Clappedoutvolvo

Original Poster:

417 posts

129 months

Tuesday 1st December 2020
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Trying to go through options with a mate who's finances are in a bit of a mess after a breakup.

His current shed has given up and he's currently borrowing one of mine. He doesn't have the funds unfortunately to go and buy another shed unless it's on a credit card... Which of course isn't ideal, but he needs a car to get to work and keep the money coming in. Also has to be reliable with no unexpected big costs while he sorts his mess out. His work is looking very secure fortunately and does have a reasonable enough wage coming in. I think a fixed cost per month would be useful here even if it did work out more than shedding overall.

My first suggestion was to finance a new Sandero for around 100 quid a month PXing his knackered shed, but as you can imagine it's not everyone's cup of tea.

My second thoughts were to borrow the money for a shed and choose wisely, hope it doesn't throw up any big bills.

Another thing I thought about was a 3 year old Aygo from the likes of Cazoo with 20k miles, £80 per month to finance. Buttons for reliable transport, but he does around 55 miles per day for work so perhaps not ideal.

Then there's the cheap loan or HP on an older but more suitable car, but there is still the risk of it going pop and there goes the fixed costs out the window.

Something like a diesel mondeo or Pug 508 should be reliable enough until its paid off and be cheap to run I wouldve thought?

Being a car guy, I was hoping to give some good advice but given the situation I'm not actually sure what I'd do.

The preferences are, in order of importance;

Reliable
Good on fuel
Cheap to maintain and repair at least until any finance or debt for the car is repaid
Not low down as need a bit of ground clearance due to where he lives
Automatic and comfortable on long runs a bonus
Looks fairly o.k. But this is secondary to everything else

Any opinions would be great as I'd like to help as best I can but don't want to give duff advice.

Jamescrs

6,322 posts

93 months

Tuesday 1st December 2020
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I think you are on the right lines, it may not be the fashionable choice but if he needs reliability and a fairly fixed cost then a Dacia is probably a good way to go, I was thinking Aygo type vehicle but with the commute i'd probably go for a Dacia being slightly bigger and more refined.

I would avoid an older used car in this circumstance simply because if things are as tight as you say a fixed monthly payment is probably preferable

Raymond Reddington

3,025 posts

138 months

Tuesday 1st December 2020
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Loan for 5k, buy 4k Mondeo, keep the rest for repairs

Luke-36

68 posts

132 months

Tuesday 1st December 2020
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Sandero Essential SCe75 available for 1k deposit and £99 a month. Also named most reliable car by thisismoney (750k people surveyed). No brainer....

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-8...

98elise

32,433 posts

189 months

Tuesday 1st December 2020
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Jamescrs said:
I think you are on the right lines, it may not be the fashionable choice but if he needs reliability and a fairly fixed cost then a Dacia is probably a good way to go, I was thinking Aygo type vehicle but with the commute i'd probably go for a Dacia being slightly bigger and more refined.

I would avoid an older used car in this circumstance simply because if things are as tight as you say a fixed monthly payment is probably preferable
This. I got an Aygo as an loaner after an accident. Great car around town, but not long journeys.

Challo

12,600 posts

183 months

Tuesday 1st December 2020
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Jamescrs said:
I think you are on the right lines, it may not be the fashionable choice but if he needs reliability and a fairly fixed cost then a Dacia is probably a good way to go, I was thinking Aygo type vehicle but with the commute i'd probably go for a Dacia being slightly bigger and more refined.

I would avoid an older used car in this circumstance simply because if things are as tight as you say a fixed monthly payment is probably preferable
Next door neighbour did something similar. Need some white good transport, and picked up a brand new Sandero in the most basic spec possible (white with black bumpers) and he loves it.

No issues at all, and perfect for running the kids around town.

alfabeat

1,472 posts

140 months

Tuesday 1st December 2020
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On the Dacia.co.uk web site. £1,000 deposit, 4 years, £102pcm. Final payment £2,800.

Raymond Reddington

3,025 posts

138 months

Tuesday 1st December 2020
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alfabeat said:
On the Dacia.co.uk web site. £1,000 deposit, 4 years, £102pcm. Final payment £2,800.
That's actually pretty decent. Just had a look and you can have the 0.9 turbo one for a couple of quid more.

If the current PX is worth £1000, they'll give you £250 scrappage as well..

£110 pcm!

Good for fixed costs but I'd still rather get a loan and spend some money on a good used focus or mondeo and keep some back for repairs.

Raymond Reddington

3,025 posts

138 months

Tuesday 1st December 2020
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As good value as they seem to be, I don't think I could personally do it, for that reason alone... I'm not overly a badge snob but I think that's one step too far!

Justin Case

2,195 posts

162 months

Tuesday 1st December 2020
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The usual answer to questions like this is Toyota Corolla.

98elise

32,433 posts

189 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2020
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Raymond Reddington said:
As good value as they seem to be, I don't think I could personally do it, for that reason alone... I'm not overly a badge snob but I think that's one step too far!
Personally I have a soft spot for cheap basic cars. I really like the stepway model and will probably buy one as a station car when they get to shed money.


Edited by 98elise on Wednesday 2nd December 18:45

ZX10R NIN

30,496 posts

153 months

Wednesday 2nd December 2020
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I would tell your friend to look for a Vectra they're reliable & won't throw up massive bills the N/A engines don't give any trouble.

The first one is a Cat S but for your friend this might be a good shout all are literally 1k & all will see your friend for a good few years while he gets sorted.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011236...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202010064...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011035...

Raymond Reddington

3,025 posts

138 months

Friday 4th December 2020
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Guy at work has just got a 4k old 5 series on HP... Just shat it's oil out in the car park... Don't be that guy