The most vague spec me ever...

Caporegime
Joined
8 Mar 2007
Posts
37,146
Location
Surrey
I'm looking for 'a car'...

OK, not quite that open. Basically I have a Clio 172 that has morphed into a track car over the last couple of years as I get the train to work. However, I start a new job next month that comes with a car allowance, so they expect me to have one, and I will be driving to customers. This means I can't really use the Clio as if I break it at a track day (which happens a lot) I'm without a car.

So basically I'm thinking about buying 'a car' for work, which will leave the Clio as a track toy I can go to town on, or maybe even ditch it and buy something else. I've no idea what to get though.

It needs to do a 30 mile round trip to the office plus any longer drives to customers, which could be anywhere. I'd like it to be comfortable, cheap to run, and reliable. Absolutely no requirement for it to be fast or sporty. Put simply, I want somewhere nice to sit to get to and from work simply.

Do I buy a £1k shed? Spend a bit more on something half decent that lasts? Do I finance or loan a nearly new car that will last for years?

Genuinely no idea what I should get really. Any and all suggestions welcome.
 
If there's no age requirements (some companies insist on a car no older than X years) - then I'd just buy the best condition Mk3 Mondeo 2.0 petrol you can find.
 
Just pick up something sensible, 5 door with an engine that won't be likely to cost you money to fix.

A couple of grand would get you one of the last of the mk3 petrol mondeos - I can think of worse places to be
 
I'm noticing a trend. :)

Is there anything specific to look out for or avoid with the Mk3? I know the diesel is a minefield and best avoided.
 
I'm noticing a trend. :)

Is there anything specific to look out for or avoid with the Mk3? I know the diesel is a minefield and best avoided.

The Ghia X has lots of toys.
The first facelift was ~2003.
The estate has a flat loading bay, which is immensely useful for shovelling *stuff* into.
 
Not quite, you're forgetting the obligatory 'stupid suggestion' where someone will recommend something like a highly modified 600bhp Nissan Skyline because it's saloon shaped.
 
I'm surprised nobody has told me to get a V8 Merc yet...

The Mondeo Ghia X looks to be a bit of a commuter shed bargain. Quite a few facelift ones about for under £2k.
 
At that price I would get a Nissan Primera for the sheer bullet proof reliability. Lots of decent p11's around for 1k, a few low mileage one owner examples.

But the Mk3 Mondeo will be better equipped and more comfortable.
 
I'm surprised nobody has told me to get a V8 Merc yet...

The Mondeo Ghia X looks to be a bit of a commuter shed bargain. Quite a few facelift ones about for under £2k.

Get as late a car as possible, I bought a 2006 1.8 for not much more than £1500 last year. There are plenty out there with a £3-4k asking price they're never going to achieve that.
 
Get as late a car as possible, I bought a 2006 1.8 for not much more than £1500 last year. There are plenty out there with a £3-4k asking price they're never going to achieve that.

At this price point I'd personally sacrifice age for condition and specification, i.e. an excellent condition 2002 2.0 Ghia X over a 2005 1.8 Zetec.
 
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