Car dilemma - £12k available to spend

Nitrojan

Nitrojan

Nitrojan

Associate
Joined
12 Jan 2008
Posts
2,116
Evening all,

I'll cut to the chase here...

I'm looking for a new/used car as being off the road is now beginning to irritate me somewhat. Primarily looking for a combination/all of the following:-

- Cheap to run (looking at diesel @ 14k miles per year)
- Low car tax
- Stylish (vague I know, but I'm 20 so not looking for a 'family' car yet)
- As many 'perks' or 'added extras' as possible (DAB, BT etc.)
- Relatively good resale value/low depreciation.

I was looking at a 3dr 1.6 Fiesta Zetec S (95ps) with DPF in vision blue - saw one for £11,980 online and I know these average around 65mpg with 70mpg+ on good runs. However, after viewing a few tonight, my first impression was that they were way too 'plasticy' for my liking.

Now, I appreciate that £12k isn't an awful lot of money in terms of cars but I must admit I expected more from the Fiesta. It's important for me to break down the £12k now - £10k of this is in the form of a loan, with the remaining £2k being funded on a 0% credit card if buying the car outright, or alternatively, (my plan was... if purchasing the fiesta) to finance the remaining £2k.

I guess what I am asking here is, what would you do in this position? I have £10k sat in my bank account at the minute for a car and a car only, and the real reason I applied for the loan was to buy the Zetec S, although this is not the case any more.

Do I pay back the loan and get something cheaper before the 14-day cool off period? Or can you suggest any other cars?

I am looking to keep the car for around 4 years, so that was mainly the reason for me looking to buy one 'as new as possible'.

Please help?
 
Why would you want to borrow 100% of the cost of a car if 'cheap running costs' are important to you? Your biggest cost is going to be depreciation on a car that new. There is simply no need to spend £12,000 of somebody elses money if you just want something like a Fiesta. Buy a 2009 Fiesta - it's the same model - for half this.
 
[TW]Fox;23656350 said:
Why would you want to borrow 100% of the cost of a car if 'cheap running costs' are important to you? Your biggest cost is going to be depreciation on a car that new. There is simply no need to spend £12,000 of somebody elses money if you just want something like a Fiesta. Buy a 2009 Fiesta - it's the same model - for half this.
Click to expand...

A good point - the only real reason was because the APR was a lot lower than if I had financed. I did initially want a fiesta, but my feelings have changed now I have actually been to see it. I'm still within the cool-off period for the loan so paying it back is not an issue whatsoever.

I'm just looking for recommendations at the minute. I think you're right in saying look for an older car - I'm not sure what went through my head when thinking about buying brand new. Bad idea.
 
Sup guys, I want something stylish and 100% on finance, im looking at Fiestas and diesels because I would like it to be cheap.

This is a completely serious post please do not troll.
 
Did you even test drive the Fiesta 1.6 ti-vct petrol engine? I do 15k a year and its pretty economical - well over 40mpg weekly average. Don't understand why people buy the diesel, if I did any more miles I'd want something bigger/more refined. 09 plates must be around 8k now, can't depreciate too much. Fair enough if you still think its too plasticy but it probably fits most of the criteria above. I'm 23 btw.

Alternatively get a mk2 focus 1.6 petrol for around 5k. Can't really go much cheaper running cost wise.
 
Did you pick this budget randomly? It makes no sense to spend that much, especially if this is a cost saving exercise.
 
hurfdurf said:
Sup guys, I want something stylish and 100% on finance, im looking at Fiestas and diesels because I would like it to be cheap.

This is a completely serious post please do not troll.
Click to expand...

Fair enough - you're entitled to your opinion, so troll away if you feel the need.

A large majority of people nowadays finance cars - there's no issue with that whatsoever. I have the ability to keep up with my payments, and provided I go without a vehicle for the next year or two I could save up the money myself from my main job, my additional job and my work on the side. I work hard, I just don't have cash sat idle at the minute, but less of my financial situation, it's not exactly relevant.

All I wanted was advice, but thank you either way.
 
People are saying you could save a bucket load buy buying a few years old for the same car.

£12k is not a lot of money for cars but it is a lot of money for a Fiesta.
 
AndyH_Lufc said:
Did you even test drive the Fiesta 1.6 ti-vct petrol engine? I do 15k a year and its pretty economical - well over 40mpg weekly average. Don't understand why people buy the diesel, if I did any more miles I'd want something bigger/more refined. 09 plates must be around 8k now, can't depreciate too much. Fair enough if you still think its too plasticy but it probably fits most of the criteria above. I'm 23 btw.

Alternatively get a mk2 focus 1.6 petrol for around 5k. Can't really go much cheaper running cost wise.
Click to expand...

I haven't had a chance to test drive it yet as I was only passing the dealership this evening. I've booked Friday off work to go and take a good look around and test drive any I'm interested in.

Your point about petrol/diesel is interesting though!
 
Nitrojan said:
Fair enough - you're entitled to your opinion, so troll away if you feel the need.

A large majority of people nowadays finance cars - there's no issue with that whatsoever. I have the ability to keep up with my payments, and provided I go without a vehicle for the next year or two I could save up the money myself from my main job, my additional job and my work on the side. I work hard, I just don't have cash sat idle at the minute, but less of my financial situation, it's not exactly relevant.

All I wanted was advice, but thank you either way.
Click to expand...

People do indeed finance cars, the idea of you financing a Fiesta at £12k is ridiculous.

Also you asked for something stylish, then said Fiesta, that too is ridiculous.

If you didn't want comments on either of those things, do not include them in your OP, just say "I would like a cheap to run car for £12k to do x amount of miles, what do you think of the Fiesta?"
 
hurfdurf said:
People do indeed finance cars, the idea of you financing a Fiesta at £12k is ridiculous.

Also you asked for something stylish, then said Fiesta, that too is ridiculous.

If you didn't want comments on either of those things, do not include them in your OP, just say "I would like a cheap to run car for £12k to do x amount of miles, what do you think of the Fiesta?"
Click to expand...

Fair enough. I think the Fiesta Zetec S looks quite nice personally externally anyway - not so much internally.

I didn't expect to get slated for it just because I mentioned the word fiesta, but never mind.

Yes, I realised £12k on a fiesta was ridiculous as soon as I saw it in person. Which leads me to this thread, I realise it's not value for money at all, so I was asking for some advice. I'm contemplating just repaying the whole loan amount back, or the majority and just spending a small amount on a much cheaper car.

I was asking for recommendations from those with more experience. I appreciate it was a silly decision :)

LiE said:
Something like this I will do nicely.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif....2_type/radius/100/postcode/ws111bg?logcode=p
Click to expand...

Thanks LiE, I'll have a closer look :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom