Car for £2.5k

londonbairn · 4 Sep 2013 at 14:06

A car is not a necessity for me but I would like to have access to one. Not looking for anything crazy or unique just something fairly reliable and comfortable enough for the odd mooch around. Although I could afford more I don't want to as it will only ever be a tool to take me somewhere.

I am thinking at this price point a Ford Focus 1.6 or something. Is this what you would recommend?

Thanks

Steve2000 · 4 Sep 2013 at 14:10

londonbairn said:
Ford Focus 1.6

You've got it in one.

rodenal · 4 Sep 2013 at 14:10

Focus is absolutely fine, could look at something Japanese too.

londonbairn · 4 Sep 2013 at 14:12

Thanks

What year and mileage would I expect for that range?

Insurance comes out at £500 with 3 years ncb, 29 and 1 accident in 2009

GravyMonster · 4 Sep 2013 at 14:21

Something like this (2006 1.6 Zetec)

Janesy B · 4 Sep 2013 at 14:40

That looks a bit too cheap.

londonbairn · 4 Sep 2013 at 16:25

What about something like http://www.bowcarsales.co.uk/used-c...ec-5dr-climate-pack-stratford-201334529475251?

londonbairn · 4 Sep 2013 at 16:31

Actually forget that one, it's not HPI clear, was wondering why it had a low price!

BD10NNF · 4 Sep 2013 at 16:47

Get a Honda or Toyota. The most reliable cars in the world. That's why they are taxi cars in the UK.

GravyMonster · 4 Sep 2013 at 17:26

Janesy B said:
That looks a bit too cheap.

There was quite a few of them around that price on AT. Obviously can't tell condition, but it seems the going rate.

rodenal · 4 Sep 2013 at 17:52

BD10NNF said:
Get a Honda or Toyota. The most reliable cars in the world. That's why they are taxi cars in the UK.

....along with thousands of fords and Skoda's

londonbairn · 4 Sep 2013 at 18:16

Going to view this one on the weekend

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...new/radius/40/page/1/postcode/w51rs?logcode=p

Looks clean, owner sounds pleasant and clear on checks so far.

Anything I should be aware of specific to the Focus?

Insurance is £440 which seems reasonable.

Thanks!

Janesy B · 4 Sep 2013 at 18:36

Owner might be a plank because the ad says climate control when it doesn't have it

londonbairn · 4 Sep 2013 at 18:39

Are you sure? On the HPI Check it comes up as Ford Focus Climate 1.6

Steve2000 · 4 Sep 2013 at 19:14

The Climate pack means it has manual aircon and heated windscreen.

G-Man · 4 Sep 2013 at 19:21

Average punter gets confused by the climate pack and thinks its climate control instead of just the heated windscreen/mirrors/washers. Never seen a Focus with full on climate control, even my Ghia only has normal air con.

Only thing really to check on a 1.6 Focus is the spark plugs as water can leak past the washer jets straight into the spark plug channel on the engine. Revised jets with a better seal were made available by Ford but there was never an offical recall so it might have the originals and become a bit of a pain come spark plug changing time.

OpenToSuggestions · 4 Sep 2013 at 19:23

£2500 on a MK2 Focus seems too cheap to me.
Either get a 1.6 Focus, or get a newer yet cheaper 2.0 Mondeo with all the extras for the same price.
As others have said, Jap cars are a good call here. The Golf is good, but you will always get a Focus that is a fair bit newer for the same price.

It sounds to me like the OP is not interested in cars, nor will he travel very far each year. In this case get a petrol.

A very quick look on Pistonheads finds this:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...us/ford-----------focus-1-6-edge-3dr/1535185#

Remember that even though your budget is not huge, never settle for a tatty or broken one. The Focus is a very common car and it won't take long to find a good one.

londonbairn · 4 Sep 2013 at 20:04

Thanks.

I know about cars and as much as I would like to go crazy and buy an Audi or something I only need a reliable run around for now. When I start a family I shall get a nice car bit as I live in London and cycle a lot its mainly for the odd jaunt. It makes no economic sense for me to go further on budget for a car that will be used at Max 5000 miles.

I will test the one I linked and see. Apparently has full dealer history too.

I also want a petrol yes.

As for climate control its not a deal breaker.

glenimp617 · 4 Sep 2013 at 20:17

£2.5k will get you a low mileage 2008 focus

My local ford dealer offered me £2k for my 2007 focus 1.8 zetec climate with 39,000 on the clock. You have another £500 so should be able to get something pretty decent

OpenToSuggestions · 4 Sep 2013 at 21:18

glen8 said:
£2.5k will get you a low mileage 2008 focus

I really would not be looking to spend that on a five year old Focus.
It will either on very high miles or a tatty peasant spec model.

As an absolute minimum £3500 is required, which is outside the budget of £2500.

£2500 is really not enough for a good spec, good nick MK2 Focus. It is scraping the barrel at the bottom end of the market, which is almost always a disaster.