£5k - 3rd car for dad duties

viper_2003 · 2 Aug 2022 at 06:30

Hi all I’m facing a nice conundrum and would appreciate some opinions.

Having owned my MK3 Focus RS for almost 6 years from new I am getting the itch to move on to something new. I have a big draw to something a bit daft whilst the opportunity is there and the short list has been whittled down from a Lotus Exige V6 to a Lotus Exige V6.

I do though need something with 4 seats to run me to the station, a 15 mile round trip once a week and occasional short trips to collect my boys from childcare. It will do all of about 1000 miles a year with an incoming iPace picking up family duties.

I have in my mind a budget of about £5k but cheaper the better. Not really bothered what it is provided it’s not going to bankrupt me.

This caught my eye and its local to me:

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

[TW]Fox · 2 Aug 2022 at 08:53

How is that £6k?! :eek:

Perhaps because of the incredibly low mileage. Seems pointless for you to pay a premium for that as the age of it makes the mileage irrelevant?

coupe69 · 2 Aug 2022 at 08:55

Seems steep for a 15-year-old car, even if it has only done low miles. I also wouldn't be looking at diesels for the sort of mileage you're planning on doing.

Bug One · 2 Aug 2022 at 09:36

Sounds like an ideal case for a years worth of banger-nomics. Anything nearby for around a grand that's not about to explode with a long MOT.

Something like...

Facebook

www.facebook.com

viper_2003 · 2 Aug 2022 at 12:10

That Passat just caught my eye, a bit of a unicorn car but not worth what they are asking for it.

So what sort of things should I be considering? Can you still get a usable car for £2k or has the market changed beyond recognition?

It’s been a while since I have bought at this end of the market!

viper_2003 · 2 Aug 2022 at 20:34

Now we are talking, this sort of thing looks like it could be a deeply unfashionable but sensible buy:

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

coupe69 · 2 Aug 2022 at 22:26

viper_2003 said:
Now we are talking, this sort of thing looks like it could be a deeply unfashionable but sensible buy:

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

Sensible? Sluggish to drive for what it is, not particularly spacious (boot space is dreadful), really, really bad quality interior, expensive to tax, and horrendous fuel economy. Should be reasonably reliable though I guess.

teenwolf · 2 Aug 2022 at 22:46

6k for 2007 lol

radderfire · 2 Aug 2022 at 23:15

Skoda Octavia
Ford Mondeo
Ford Focus
Toyota Corolla
VW Golf
Seat Leon
Honda Civic
Mazda 3

viper_2003 · 3 Aug 2022 at 05:58

coupe69 said:
Sensible? Sluggish to drive for what it is, not particularly spacious (boot space is dreadful), really, really bad quality interior, expensive to tax, and horrendous fuel economy. Should be reasonably reliable though I guess.

That’s the point though, all those factors make it cheap to buy for a car that will cover about 1000 miles a year.

Bug One · 3 Aug 2022 at 08:57

And, rally car.

radderfire · 3 Aug 2022 at 09:00

Subaru Impreza Hatchback review:

Used Subaru Impreza Hatchback (2007 - 2012) Review

Subaru Impreza Hatchback (2007 - 2012) in-depth review. Read our experts' views on the engine, practicality, running costs, overall performance and more.

www.parkers.co.uk

As it's Japanese, maybe the reliability is good, but perhaps the 4x4 will mean higher servicing costs?

NVP · 3 Aug 2022 at 11:10

How about this....?

viper_2003 · 3 Aug 2022 at 17:48

Le Clandestin Brun said:
How about this....?

If the engine bay is anything to go by that is a well loved car.

It’s that sort of thing part of me would quite like, mpg isn’t really an issue when you are doing so few miles.

To be fair it’s not even that far from me - scrap that it’s not very far from me whilst I’m on a train coming back from London!

radderfire · 3 Aug 2022 at 19:23

If the DSG goes wrong on that Audi, I think it's expensive to fix, so it's a higher risk option, and doesn't seem like a potentially "cheap" car.

NVP · 3 Aug 2022 at 21:39

Lol, just a random road to stroll down for ideas, the 3.2 quattro was always at least 100bhp short.

But there are some very well spec'd examples of older, fun, rares cars where you'll get enjoyment without much depreciation and potential appreciation. Although, your budget could do with a little increase to help...

[TW]Fox · 3 Aug 2022 at 21:41

Le Clandestin Brun said:
the 3.2 quattro was always at least 100bhp short.

It was years and years before things like the A45 though, it had loads of power for its time

radderfire · 3 Aug 2022 at 21:56

The Audi is probably also relatively expensive on insurance.

NVP · 3 Aug 2022 at 22:07

Ooooo: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206287253061?atmobcid=soc3

Terminal_Boy · 3 Aug 2022 at 22:46

radderfire said:
Skoda Octavia
Ford Mondeo
Ford Focus
Toyota Corolla
VW Golf
Seat Leon
Honda Civic
Mazda 3

Exactly this. A Dad Car needs to be reliable and have a huge boot for when your little darling informs you that you’re the designated taxi for the Scout/Guide pack this weekend.

Keep a sharp hatchet in the boot in case you have to go Full Uncle Buck.