Associate
- Joined
- 6 Feb 2008
- Posts
- 1,246
Hello,
The time has come to get a new car. However, I have very little knowledge about cars, especially used high mileage ones. The last two days I have found myself scrolling through various sites but not really knowing what to look for.
I don't want this post to seem that I can't be bothered to do the work. Just need some direction and advice on what to look for, what brand of car to avoid and what questions to ask when I view it.
Below are my requirements and the sort of driving it will be used for
- Work is around 5-15 miles away on the M1 or dual carriage ways
- Fair amount of commuting at the weekends due to climbing. Need a car that is comfortable for drives up to Wales, Scotland and possibly the odd rare trip to Europe
- I was set on an Estate due to its space and it would give me the option to put the seats down and sleep in the back. May sound strange but it is good for those weekend climbing trips where you get there for 1am and are up at 7am. I am happy to sacrifice this option but reasonable boot space is needed.
- Reliability is important
- I am 23, 5 years driving (3years own policy on a Clio). Not sure if this will make a massive difference on the cost of insurance on certain cars.
- Don't care at all about 'street Cred' or speed, more about comfort.
My funds...
This is where I am having some troubles and would like some advice off more experienced individuals. I have a maximum of £3000 to spend on a car but the less I spend the more can be spent on holidays and trips away.
My plan originally was to get a car really cheap < £1000, 150,000+ miles Volvo, Peugeot, Toyota etc. At the same time I don't want something that is just a heap of junk and a waste of time and money. Is it better to spend £2500 on a car that is of better quality, less miles, newer and then sell it later on for say £1500?
I had a brief look at leasing after seeing that SKODA deal but just felt that I was throwing money away...
Thanks
The time has come to get a new car. However, I have very little knowledge about cars, especially used high mileage ones. The last two days I have found myself scrolling through various sites but not really knowing what to look for.
I don't want this post to seem that I can't be bothered to do the work. Just need some direction and advice on what to look for, what brand of car to avoid and what questions to ask when I view it.
Below are my requirements and the sort of driving it will be used for
- Work is around 5-15 miles away on the M1 or dual carriage ways
- Fair amount of commuting at the weekends due to climbing. Need a car that is comfortable for drives up to Wales, Scotland and possibly the odd rare trip to Europe
- I was set on an Estate due to its space and it would give me the option to put the seats down and sleep in the back. May sound strange but it is good for those weekend climbing trips where you get there for 1am and are up at 7am. I am happy to sacrifice this option but reasonable boot space is needed.
- Reliability is important
- I am 23, 5 years driving (3years own policy on a Clio). Not sure if this will make a massive difference on the cost of insurance on certain cars.
- Don't care at all about 'street Cred' or speed, more about comfort.
My funds...
This is where I am having some troubles and would like some advice off more experienced individuals. I have a maximum of £3000 to spend on a car but the less I spend the more can be spent on holidays and trips away.
My plan originally was to get a car really cheap < £1000, 150,000+ miles Volvo, Peugeot, Toyota etc. At the same time I don't want something that is just a heap of junk and a waste of time and money. Is it better to spend £2500 on a car that is of better quality, less miles, newer and then sell it later on for say £1500?
I had a brief look at leasing after seeing that SKODA deal but just felt that I was throwing money away...
Thanks
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