The secret "bangernomics" guide?
Discussion
So to all you seasoned bangernomics types!
What are your top simple tips to picking out that perfect banger that hopefully, will last a while without needing much repair.
Is it just a case of "If it looks ok and drives ok, nab it" or do you pay more attention than just let luck decide?
Very interested
What are your top simple tips to picking out that perfect banger that hopefully, will last a while without needing much repair.
Is it just a case of "If it looks ok and drives ok, nab it" or do you pay more attention than just let luck decide?
Very interested
I always look at tyres. Won't ever buy a car with 4 WanTaboNako Roundels on as I tend to think if they scrimp to that level that anything else that's on it's way out will definately have been bodged. I think the secret is to look for something which is cheap because it's from a private seller/old/high mileage/unpopular, not because it's abused/knackered.
Also I tend to completely ignore service history as I tend to trust what I can see, smell and touch a lot more than a stamp in a book from a garage i've never heard of.
Also I tend to completely ignore service history as I tend to trust what I can see, smell and touch a lot more than a stamp in a book from a garage i've never heard of.
Why it's being sold is always a good start. I buy at auction and the dealer group px stuff is often a winner. Low owners and general good upkeep are things to look for.
Tyres give clues but don't discount cars on unknown brands; a lot of careful owners don't see them as vital and so go with what quick fit tell them. Mismatching brands on each axel though aren't great.
Otherwise it's a case of buying the cars that no one wants but are actually superb. The LS400 and older S classes for example
Tyres give clues but don't discount cars on unknown brands; a lot of careful owners don't see them as vital and so go with what quick fit tell them. Mismatching brands on each axel though aren't great.
Otherwise it's a case of buying the cars that no one wants but are actually superb. The LS400 and older S classes for example
The higher milage thing has always interested me. With the much older cars (15-20 years ago), high mileage (120k plus) was known to be a problem due to heads cracking, needed re boring, piston rings going and things just failing. I have been told however that, engines made in the past 5 years or so just have a habit of keeping running due to better quality of materials and manufacturing techniques - how much truth is there to this as a general rule?
(Obviously excluding cars like Rover, or any other car with a known inherent engine design fault...)
(Obviously excluding cars like Rover, or any other car with a known inherent engine design fault...)
if you are talking true bangernomics.... ( ie not spending a few grand ! more like £500 )
then the most important things are;
full 12 months mot
general overall condition
tax remaining
full tank of petrol is a bonus..
anything else, eg service history, is irrelevant. If its a banger you wont be selling it on to anyone other than the scrap man...
bangernomics is easy, as long as you arent proud, there are loads of decent mid 90s japanese cars out there that will last years, and cost you peanuts.
then the most important things are;
full 12 months mot
general overall condition
tax remaining
full tank of petrol is a bonus..
anything else, eg service history, is irrelevant. If its a banger you wont be selling it on to anyone other than the scrap man...
bangernomics is easy, as long as you arent proud, there are loads of decent mid 90s japanese cars out there that will last years, and cost you peanuts.
Nimbus said:
if you are talking true bangernomics.... ( ie not spending a few grand ! more like £500 )
then the most important things are;
full 12 months mot
general overall condition
tax remaining
full tank of petrol is a bonus..
anything else, eg service history, is irrelevant. If its a banger you wont be selling it on to anyone other than the scrap man...
bangernomics is easy, as long as you arent proud, there are loads of decent mid 90s japanese cars out there that will last years, and cost you peanuts.
I'm with Nimbus, mine was £470 4 years ago.then the most important things are;
full 12 months mot
general overall condition
tax remaining
full tank of petrol is a bonus..
anything else, eg service history, is irrelevant. If its a banger you wont be selling it on to anyone other than the scrap man...
bangernomics is easy, as long as you arent proud, there are loads of decent mid 90s japanese cars out there that will last years, and cost you peanuts.
Keep a close eye out for low mileage retirement cars. I've had great success with a couple like that.
Carrot said:
(Obviously excluding cars like Rover, or any other car with a known inherent engine design fault...)
Like the 40 year old 150,000 mile V8 in my P5 I suppose!Rover have made loads of different engines, the only one with any inherent defect was the head gasket failing k series.
Bought for £560, unseen from eBay. When I arrived it looked straight. I find you get a feeling about a car just from looking at it....does it look a good 'un?!
Done 1000 miles so far ion terrible conditions, and it's been fabulous.
Few niggles, which will be fixed, but you'd expect that.
Done 1000 miles so far ion terrible conditions, and it's been fabulous.
Few niggles, which will be fixed, but you'd expect that.
Edited by SamPet on Friday 24th December 11:07
SamPet said:
Bought for £560, unseen from eBay. When I arrived it looked straight. I find you get a feeling about a car just from looking at it....does it look a good 'un?!
Done 1000 miles so far ion terrible conditions, and it's been fabulous.
Few niggles, which will be fixed, but you'd expect that.
yepp, looks nice Done 1000 miles so far ion terrible conditions, and it's been fabulous.
Few niggles, which will be fixed, but you'd expect that.
SamPet said:
Bought for £560, unseen from eBay. When I arrived it looked straight. I find you get a feeling about a car just from looking at it....does it look a good 'un?!
Done 1000 miles so far ion terrible conditions, and it's been fabulous.
On the basis that it is very hard to do 1000 miles on the train for £560, even taking in account the fuel, you can probably count yourself already ahead!Done 1000 miles so far ion terrible conditions, and it's been fabulous.
Rob_F said:
I always look at tyres. Won't ever buy a car with 4 WanTaboNako Roundels on as I tend to think if they scrimp to that level that anything else that's on it's way out will definately have been bodged.
I think tyres can tell a story when looking at prestige/performance cars, but a little aspirational in the bargain banger end of the market. In fact the owners of many "ideal" cars will be those who wouldn't notice the difference between a yokohama and a nakang.Obvious "family" cars are a good bet, they tend not to get spanked.
Picked up an E34 520i last weekend for £400. Important things for me were tax, tyres and heaters (no MOT over here ). Obviously i made sure it ran and drove ok and wasn't full of rust. So far so good, i'm loving it.
92,000 miles, service history stops at 75,000 but the seller assured me he looked after it himself, not that i'm too bothered, i'll give it a service in the new year and hopefully get 12 months out of it.
dave
). Obviously i made sure it ran and drove ok and wasn't full of rust. So far so good, i'm loving it.92,000 miles, service history stops at 75,000 but the seller assured me he looked after it himself, not that i'm too bothered, i'll give it a service in the new year and hopefully get 12 months out of it.
dave
SamPet said:
Bought for £560, unseen from eBay. When I arrived it looked straight. I find you get a feeling about a car just from looking at it....does it look a good 'un?!
Done 1000 miles so far ion terrible conditions, and it's been fabulous.
Few niggles, which will be fixed, but you'd expect that.
Excellent bargeing sir. Good find.Done 1000 miles so far ion terrible conditions, and it's been fabulous.
Few niggles, which will be fixed, but you'd expect that.
SamPet said:
Bought for £560, unseen from eBay. When I arrived it looked straight. I find you get a feeling about a car just from looking at it....does it look a good 'un?!
Done 1000 miles so far ion terrible conditions, and it's been fabulous.
Few niggles, which will be fixed, but you'd expect that.
Lovely machine - well done!Done 1000 miles so far ion terrible conditions, and it's been fabulous.
Few niggles, which will be fixed, but you'd expect that.
Edited by SamPet on Friday 24th December 11:07
IOM Q said:
Picked up an E34 520i last weekend for £400. Important things for me were tax, tyres and heaters (no MOT over here ). Obviously i made sure it ran and drove ok and wasn't full of rust. So far so good, i'm loving it.
92,000 miles, service history stops at 75,000 but the seller assured me he looked after it himself, not that i'm too bothered, i'll give it a service in the new year and hopefully get 12 months out of it.
dave
where from? bangernomics is very much about trusting the source ). Obviously i made sure it ran and drove ok and wasn't full of rust. So far so good, i'm loving it.92,000 miles, service history stops at 75,000 but the seller assured me he looked after it himself, not that i'm too bothered, i'll give it a service in the new year and hopefully get 12 months out of it.
dave
The real Apache said:
IOM Q said:
Picked up an E34 520i last weekend for £400. Important things for me were tax, tyres and heaters (no MOT over here ). Obviously i made sure it ran and drove ok and wasn't full of rust. So far so good, i'm loving it.
92,000 miles, service history stops at 75,000 but the seller assured me he looked after it himself, not that i'm too bothered, i'll give it a service in the new year and hopefully get 12 months out of it.
dave
where from? bangernomics is very much about trusting the source ). Obviously i made sure it ran and drove ok and wasn't full of rust. So far so good, i'm loving it.92,000 miles, service history stops at 75,000 but the seller assured me he looked after it himself, not that i'm too bothered, i'll give it a service in the new year and hopefully get 12 months out of it.
dave
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