Discussion
My daughter is coming up to 17. None of her cars are suitable for learning, and I can quite happily save some money on fuel in the short term by using a £2k runabout for short journeys where my car is quite thirsty.
So looking for £2 - 2.5 car, ideally a Polo or similar. Not a Fiat 500 (in case I ever show her this thread!)
The number of cars that are Cat registered, unfeasibly cheap or dodgy ads with mobile numbers in photos has surprised me.
One car that I did like the look of, where I called the seller. Looked immaculate - asked questions and he said "Yeah the photo's surprised us". OK. "It's a 10-year-old car there are some marks". "OK so are you managing my expectations or telling me I'll be really disappointed?". He laughed. So that's a 5 hour round tip I'm not making.
I can see that this is going to be hard work!
So looking for £2 - 2.5 car, ideally a Polo or similar. Not a Fiat 500 (in case I ever show her this thread!)
The number of cars that are Cat registered, unfeasibly cheap or dodgy ads with mobile numbers in photos has surprised me.
One car that I did like the look of, where I called the seller. Looked immaculate - asked questions and he said "Yeah the photo's surprised us". OK. "It's a 10-year-old car there are some marks". "OK so are you managing my expectations or telling me I'll be really disappointed?". He laughed. So that's a 5 hour round tip I'm not making.
I can see that this is going to be hard work!
Have a look at Puntos. My son has a 1.2 Punto he paid £1200 for. It isn't quite the same blue all over, but it's close enough. The inside is spotless, it's cheap to insure and run and reliable.
I think what I'm saying is there are some cheaper bargains out there. We found you could easily pay £1000 more for virtually the same car, but with lower mileage and one or two less scratches. Let's face it, a reliable first car on 70k isn't going to be any less reliable than one on 50k for more money.
I think what I'm saying is there are some cheaper bargains out there. We found you could easily pay £1000 more for virtually the same car, but with lower mileage and one or two less scratches. Let's face it, a reliable first car on 70k isn't going to be any less reliable than one on 50k for more money.
Driver101 said:
You're not going to get an immaculate condition car for £2-2.5k.
I'm not expecting one. I was trying to explore whether it was neat and tidy or a shed with scrapes, scratches, and dents. His laugh did not really help answer the question!The photos looked superb - but the price is a bit low alongside...
not bad. Bit older than I would like and a bit far...
But that is actually a contender..
This is the one I had seen. It look's superb, but the trader less than convincing on whether it looks as good in reality in real life.
I'm still tempted though.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208038...
But that is actually a contender..
This is the one I had seen. It look's superb, but the trader less than convincing on whether it looks as good in reality in real life.
I'm still tempted though.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208038...
It's a facelift version over the one I picked at random, it looks clean, and will command a bit of a premium because it's the newer model. But if you're not convinced by the vendor, walk away. Why is the spare loose in the boot as well?
The one I picked is the same as my son's, his is a 2007 three door and a bit rougher. But he paid half what you're looking to pay.
Also, think about a Mito. Great little cars, but only four seats not five. Apparently my son thought this was a major negative.
He's just sorned his as he's of to York University, I'll ask him if he wants to sell it if you like?
The one I picked is the same as my son's, his is a 2007 three door and a bit rougher. But he paid half what you're looking to pay.
Also, think about a Mito. Great little cars, but only four seats not five. Apparently my son thought this was a major negative.
He's just sorned his as he's of to York University, I'll ask him if he wants to sell it if you like?
surveyor said:
not bad. Bit older than I would like and a bit far...
But that is actually a contender..
This is the one I had seen. It look's superb, but the trader less than convincing on whether it looks as good in reality in real life.
I'm still tempted though.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208038...
I'd say that looks okay for the money. Up to you of course but I'd limit the search to within 40 miles or so rather than waste a day going to look at something which isn't as described. Depends how particular she is but there has to be plenty of that kind of car within an hours drive?But that is actually a contender..
This is the one I had seen. It look's superb, but the trader less than convincing on whether it looks as good in reality in real life.
I'm still tempted though.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208038...
KTMsm said:
That's b
ks - you just have to look and be prepared to travel
I admit when buying my daughter's first car there is a lot of dross out there but there are bargains too
It is balls, but let’s face it, finding an immaculate car at the “only just higher than shed” budget isn’t going to be easy or even regular.ks - you just have to look and be prepared to travelI admit when buying my daughter's first car there is a lot of dross out there but there are bargains too
Some of us are just better at looking after cars, or even bother to improve our lot when we pick up a nail. Case in point, the 2005 Suzuki Swift I sold earlier this year was cosmetically great, there was one blemish on the rear bumper, but that was all. The rest of the car had been polished by me, sealed and waxed. I’d treated it to a headlight restoration, new wheel trims, a full interior wet vac and clean, and it looked fantastic.
I’d picked it up for free from a friend who was returning back to Australia, so I had no need to tart it up, but I dislike dirty, unloved cars, and wouldn’t have felt comfortable selling it in the proper state it was in. I did the oily bits too, new filters, new fluids, new plugs.
But how many sellers are actually like that, somewhere between “1” and “really not many” I’d imagine. Far FAR more likely to come across a car that given its value, will have been treated like the mobile skip it is, warts and all.
paradigital said:
KTMsm said:
That's bks - you just have to look and be prepared to travel
I admit when buying my daughter's first car there is a lot of dross out there but there are bargains too
It is balls, but let’s face it, finding an immaculate car at the “only just higher than shed” budget isn’t going to be easy or even regular.ks - you just have to look and be prepared to travelI admit when buying my daughter's first car there is a lot of dross out there but there are bargains too
Some of us are just better at looking after cars, or even bother to improve our lot when we pick up a nail. Case in point, the 2005 Suzuki Swift I sold earlier this year was cosmetically great, there was one blemish on the rear bumper, but that was all. The rest of the car had been polished by me, sealed and waxed. I’d treated it to a headlight restoration, new wheel trims, a full interior wet vac and clean, and it looked fantastic.
I’d picked it up for free from a friend who was returning back to Australia, so I had no need to tart it up, but I dislike dirty, unloved cars, and wouldn’t have felt comfortable selling it in the proper state it was in. I did the oily bits too, new filters, new fluids, new plugs.
But how many sellers are actually like that, somewhere between “1” and “really not many” I’d imagine. Far FAR more likely to come across a car that given its value, will have been treated like the mobile skip it is, warts and all.
Come resale time not many actually care.
paradigital said:
KTMsm said:
That's bks - you just have to look and be prepared to travel
I admit when buying my daughter's first car there is a lot of dross out there but there are bargains too
It is balls, but let’s face it, finding an immaculate car at the “only just higher than shed” budget isn’t going to be easy or even regular.ks - you just have to look and be prepared to travelI admit when buying my daughter's first car there is a lot of dross out there but there are bargains too
Roger Irrelevant said:
Agreed - the way the used market has been the last few years £2k is really the absolute minimum you have to spend to get something that isn't clearly living on borrowed time. It used to be different - and it may go back to being like that - but for now finding a minter (or anything close), for £2k is so unlikely that it's not worth aiming for IMO. Plus I know that lots of PHers' 16-year old offspring will have already received extensive advanced driving tuition from said PHers around their estate roads, but most normal 17-year-old new drivers will be better off in something pre-scruffed up so you don't worry when it inevitably collects a few more dings, dents and scratches.
Disagree about £2k being minimum spend. Look at those two Puntos linked above. Nothing wrong with them for the money - like any car, subject to a closer inspection. Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff