Car for my sister

Psymonkee

Psymonkee

Psymonkee

Soldato
Joined
24 Feb 2004
Posts
14,399
Location
St.Andrews
Hey,

Had lunch with my sister earlier today and she expressed interest in getting a new or nearly new car as her existing Focus is unreliable.

Looking at superminis/city cars or whatever they are called these days and she can probably spare ~£150pm for loan/finance repayments.

Any ideas where to start/what to look at?

The car will be mainly used for commuting to work (20 - 30 mins) mixed A/B roads and taking a baby shopping/visiting parents etc. Power isn't a major concern but saftey/reliability is!

Any recommendations?

:)
 
How old is the Focus? It's probably only unreliable because like 99.9% of women she probably doesn't put oil in it or service it and thinks she needs to change her car because it's old :D that's most women I know lol.
Lots of good new little cars can be had like the new Fiesta, Polo, Up, Aygo etc all for her budget it's all down to what she likes the look of and how it drives. But IMO the Focus is better than any of them
 
Dav4 said:
How old is the Focus? It's probably only unreliable because like 99.9% of women she probably doesn't put oil in it or service it and thinks she needs to change her car because it's old :D that's most women I know lol.
Lots of good new little cars can be had like the new Fiesta, Polo, Up, Aygo etc all for her budget it's all down to what she likes the look of and how it drives. But IMO the Focus is better than any of them
Click to expand...

It's a 54 plate 1.8tdci with >140k miles on the clock. As a commuting vehicle and baby carrier it's gotta go. It's been well looked after just getting long in the tooth :(
 
Psymonkee said:
It's a 54 plate 1.8tdci with >140k miles on the clock. As a commuting vehicle and baby carrier it's gotta go. It's been well looked after just getting long in the tooth :(
Click to expand...
Yes sounds like it's time for a change then with that mileage. I would look at the new Fiesta first they are nearly as big as the mk1 Focus and they are great cars and I have seen them for as little as £99 p/m on lease.
 
Would you suggest lease over purchase for that budget? My initial research is showing that 150pm isn't going to get much above a Korean 1.0 litre car (probably be ok but no idea what they are like....)
 
Psymonkee said:
Would you suggest lease over purchase for that budget? My initial research is showing that 150pm isn't going to get much above a Korean 1.0 litre car (probably be ok but no idea what they are like....)
Click to expand...

I can't comment on the best option as I only buy cars I can pay for with cash but if she has £150 p/m then that Would easily get her a Fiesta which is the best small car in that category. Go down to your local Ford dealers to see there offers or just google cheap fiesta lease deals.
 
She should take stock and decide if she really needs a car. £150 a month is £1800 a year. Plus servicing, VED, fuel, and insurance - say a total of £3,000 per year. Would public transport plus the odd taxi be cheaper?
 
Yeah looking into the course of year old car idea too.

Car is essential not only for the baby but also nightshift work with no public transport optics.
 
We have a 5 door fiesta and a newborn (well a month old)
IIt's fine, if a little bit tight in the boot for the pram.

Can't say I'd pick one over a Focus sized car though, the difference between it and my 3 door (which brings its own annoyances) civic is noticeable, particularly if you want to carry more than one passenger.

Wouldn't a bank loan and a Focus or Kia Ceed (etc) be better?

£150pm over about 4 years should get you £7k to spend, plus whatever the old car is worth. Should be plenty got something decent
 
Last edited:
I'll bear that in mind whilst I have a run through Autotrader. I'm not sure of the reasoning behind a supermini other than 'no tax!' - the ultimate facepalm argument ensued! :(

I know the plan is to get something bigger in the spring for towing a caravan.
 
Managed to get her looking at Fiestas via Ford Direct which seem to hit her budget nicely. Also talked her out of diesesel since she is likely doing <10k pa. She was after the MPGzzzzzz and low tax route :/
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom