Runabout Recommendations......
14 July 2002, 08:39 PM
#1
I'm thinking of buying a runabout motor, for all the shopping trips and general low life places I have to park my MY00.
What would you recommend?
* Budget approx £4-5,000
* Insurance Friendly Group 1-2
* Engine Size 1.0 to 1.2
POLO, CORSA, SAXO, 106, 206........etc
Thanks in advance......
What would you recommend?
* Budget approx £4-5,000
* Insurance Friendly Group 1-2
* Engine Size 1.0 to 1.2
POLO, CORSA, SAXO, 106, 206........etc
Thanks in advance......
14 July 2002, 09:09 PM
#2
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Although I cannot stand them, take a Ford Ka for a test drive.
Group 2 insurance.
1.3i engine so cheap road tax
Annual service costs around £85
40mpg
Buy a 2-3 year old Ka Collection for around £4500 and it should still be worth £4K 1-2 years later
Paul
PS Only draw back is it's a bit of a girlie car
but you could slap a K90 bodykit on it to beef it up 
Group 2 insurance.
1.3i engine so cheap road tax
Annual service costs around £85
40mpg
Buy a 2-3 year old Ka Collection for around £4500 and it should still be worth £4K 1-2 years later
Paul
PS Only draw back is it's a bit of a girlie car
but you could slap a K90 bodykit on it to beef it up
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15 July 2002, 08:36 AM
#8
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My parents are selling their 1.0l Polo, w-reg, silver, 30k, good condition, etc. I think they are wanting about 5k for it if your interested. Has a massive range on a tank of fuel 
15 July 2002, 08:54 AM
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Sounds silly but why not try a slightly larger car, they are often cheaper & are less likely to have been thrashed. I run a Citroen Xantia turbo diesel as a second car & have had it for about 4 years, no problems & high MPG, also very comfortable & with the self leveling suspension you can carry loads to the tip etc, I have even had 3/4 of a pallet of bricks in the back although only for about 2 miles (interesting braking)
These cars are dirt cheap secondhand, I know someone who has just bought an absolutely imaculate unmarked M reg with 105000 on the clock, Citroen + Purgeot diesels are good for over 200000.
The car was one owner from new with full main dealer service history & they paid just under £1500.
So if you dont spend all of your £4-5000 on the runner you can use the balance for mods to the Scoobie !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Two other tips for getting a cheap car
Firstly try ringing your local main dealers to see what trade ins they have which are going to auction. Most main dealers dont want high mileage second hand cars on the forecourt. Most used to have a mileage limit of 50-60000. You must emphasise you are willing to take the car with absolutely no guarantee & sign to that effect. I once purchased an imaculate Volvo with just over 100000 on it from our local Volvo main dealer, had the car for a year, advertised it for what I paid for it & the guy only knocked me down £50 in the end.
Secondly ring your local scrapyards for a repairable insurance write off. with the cost of modern bumpers, lights, wings etc some older cars are totalled with very light damage. Our local scrappy
had a Citroen XM estate about a year ago with a dented rear wing & broken rear bumper for £800, OK an XM aint exactly an ideal runner & they cost a fortune to run but it gives you an idea of what is around if you look
If you want to spend all of your budget have you thought of trying for an ex lease car direct from the lease company, these generally are well serviced & dont necesarily have loads of miles on as some are on an age limit on the lease as against mileage,ie changed after say 3 years, I have seen a few bargains here as well especially if you steer clear of the popular makes like Ford, Vauxhall etc
Used interleasing a few years ago, their tel no used to be 021 558 3452 althogh the code may have changed.
One other source of cheap motors is finance company reposetions although I dont know who you would need to contact, presumably initially approach the finance companies direct.
I personaly went for the older car option because a runner is only a runner & if it aint worth a lot you dont need to spend time & money looking after it & you can spend the time on the Scoobie
Stuart
These cars are dirt cheap secondhand, I know someone who has just bought an absolutely imaculate unmarked M reg with 105000 on the clock, Citroen + Purgeot diesels are good for over 200000.
The car was one owner from new with full main dealer service history & they paid just under £1500.
So if you dont spend all of your £4-5000 on the runner you can use the balance for mods to the Scoobie !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Two other tips for getting a cheap car
Firstly try ringing your local main dealers to see what trade ins they have which are going to auction. Most main dealers dont want high mileage second hand cars on the forecourt. Most used to have a mileage limit of 50-60000. You must emphasise you are willing to take the car with absolutely no guarantee & sign to that effect. I once purchased an imaculate Volvo with just over 100000 on it from our local Volvo main dealer, had the car for a year, advertised it for what I paid for it & the guy only knocked me down £50 in the end.
Secondly ring your local scrapyards for a repairable insurance write off. with the cost of modern bumpers, lights, wings etc some older cars are totalled with very light damage. Our local scrappy
had a Citroen XM estate about a year ago with a dented rear wing & broken rear bumper for £800, OK an XM aint exactly an ideal runner & they cost a fortune to run but it gives you an idea of what is around if you look
If you want to spend all of your budget have you thought of trying for an ex lease car direct from the lease company, these generally are well serviced & dont necesarily have loads of miles on as some are on an age limit on the lease as against mileage,ie changed after say 3 years, I have seen a few bargains here as well especially if you steer clear of the popular makes like Ford, Vauxhall etc
Used interleasing a few years ago, their tel no used to be 021 558 3452 althogh the code may have changed.
One other source of cheap motors is finance company reposetions although I dont know who you would need to contact, presumably initially approach the finance companies direct.
I personaly went for the older car option because a runner is only a runner & if it aint worth a lot you dont need to spend time & money looking after it & you can spend the time on the Scoobie
Stuart
18 July 2002, 08:48 AM
#13
Thanks for all your comments...
Checked out the Ford Ka at Trade Sales £5499 (NEW), for the extra £500 i have opted for a Peugeot 106 Independence. Not bad for £5995 on the road with 3years warranty and 1 year free insurance.
Just have one more decision to make.....shall I wait for Sep 1st and get the 52 plate.
Once again thx.
Checked out the Ford Ka at Trade Sales £5499 (NEW), for the extra £500 i have opted for a Peugeot 106 Independence. Not bad for £5995 on the road with 3years warranty and 1 year free insurance.
Just have one more decision to make.....shall I wait for Sep 1st and get the 52 plate.
Once again thx.
18 July 2002, 12:54 PM
#15
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Toyota Starlet. You can pick um up very cheap, it’s a 10K car new and they won't drop in price all that much now. They are super reliable and quick, certainly shows up a few boys in their vts's.
Cheers.
Ian.
Cheers.
Ian.
18 July 2002, 01:30 PM
#16
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Nissan Micra - I run one alongside my Caterham. Dirt cheap for everything (main dealer servicing is pretty cheap even!), low insurance group, great fuel economy and Jap reliability, even if they are built in Sunderland. 
Hold their value well (better than a Ford Ka I'd suggest!), you can always get rid of it to some young 17 year old girlie who has just passed their test.
Den
Hold their value well (better than a Ford Ka I'd suggest!), you can always get rid of it to some young 17 year old girlie who has just passed their test.
Den
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