Advice on what car to get for 3k

[smr]

Hi all,

If you had 3k to spend on a used car what would you get? It's got to look quite smart because it will be advertising my pc repairs business - I don't want something like a Subaru Impreza - even though 3k prolly wouldnt get one anyway... something semi professional looking like a focus I guess...

speaking of which i've been on a certain car review website that says the focus is the best used small family car of last year, but the mondeo is the best used family car.. and tbh i'm wondering if it's worth going for one of these or for something else...

5 doors is a must ( kids ) , anything above 1.6 engine and a nice solid, economic ride, with looking good as well!

I dont know much about cars at all but even though ive heard newer cars can do more miles and still be reliable than older cars isnt there a limit on what not to get, like anything below 80k?

 

[Sonea Fifer]

May I be the first to say welcome to the forums - and claimed?

Most folks here will probably point you in the Focus / Mondeo direction dude

 

[Saytan]

the mondeo represents much better value than the focus, and the boot on them is EPIC which sounds ideal for the line of business you're going into.

 

[smr]

thanks.. any particular model of mondeo to go for etc. and any idea on insurance?

 

[Adz]

Mondeo - don't worry about spec/trim as they're all pretty well equipped, just find the one in the best condition with the longest T&T for your budget. They're so cheap and plentiful you can afford to be picky.

 

[smr]

ok, well there's one issue i have with the mondeo, which shouldn't really matter but it is kinda bothering me ...

i'll be getting magnetic signs on the car (my company logo)... my dad's got them on his focus estate and they look ok - i did design his logo tho hehe! (just a rectangular shape large enough to cover the rear passenger doors - upper half bit...

as my girlfriend says logos on a mondeo might make it look a bit like a taxi where i could imagine them suiting a focus more... obviously this wouldn't deter me from gettin a mondeo if i wanted to... really i just wanted to know what you'd think if u saw company logo on a mondeo... would u think it looked like a taxi as well, cos i really dont want that look!

 

[DannyW]

Mondeo - don't worry about spec/trim as they're all pretty well equipped, just find the one in the best condition with the longest T&T for your budget. They're so cheap and plentiful you can afford to be picky.

what he said, i wasn't too picky just wanted a cheapy tbh, ended up with a nice one though, just don't buy an abused car from an estate with no history ect

 

[smr]

Mondeo - don't worry about spec/trim as they're all pretty well equipped, just find the one in the best condition with the longest T&T for your budget. They're so cheap and plentiful you can afford to be picky.

newb question , what does t and t mean?

 

[DannyW]

tax and tested

 

[Richdog]

i just wanted to know what you'd think if u saw company logo on a mondeo... would u think it looked like a taxi as well, cos i really dont want that look!

I think company large and mildly cheesy logos will look gash no matter what the car, when you're spending 3k or under on one.

 

[skiba]

tax and test (mot) amigo.

 

[DannyW]

I think company large and mildly cheesy logos will look gash no matter what the car, when you're spending 3k or under on one.

i think a company logo would look ok on a mondeo, after all its deffo the right car for the job

 

[Sonea Fifer]

Am not too sure how flexible your budget is but your going to be looking at something along the lines of this

Full ford service history, 5 doors, and t&t

Edited - as per your OP 3K (ish) will get you a Scooby but you'll get exactly what you pay for at that price imo - myself, I'd stick with the Ford

 

[Richdog]

i think a company logo would look ok on a mondeo, after all its deffo the right car for the job

Yeah agreed, it will look "ok", I just hope the OP doesn't expect people to stop and gape in open-mouthed awe. He may be a tad dissappointed.

 

[Scania]

Mondeo estate's look more like a business vehicle with graphics, saloons look like minicabs.

I know a cabbie who runs his own PC repair business....... He's had me build a few machines for him in the past when he's been out in his cab!

Friends!

 

[233]

mondeo estate or a octavia

both roomy reliable beasties (mondeos can be had for silly money too)

 

[smr]

i do like the look of both mondeo and focus but i will mainly be driving short distances.. i'm serving the local area (sorta 15 mile radius) and not commuting or going up and down motorways everyother day etc. with that in mind i'm probably more inclined to go for the smaller focus aren't i?

 

[greengiant]

smr, how much kit will you need to take? The focus boot is quite small. With a mondeo hatch / estate you'll get a fair amount of kit in the boot with the parcel shelf in place.

 

[smr]

smr, how much kit will you need to take? The focus boot is quite small. With a mondeo hatch / estate you'll get a fair amount of kit in the boot with the parcel shelf in place.

well i won't be taking too much kit so i don't think the boot space will be a big issue really...

i'll be taking a laptop, briefcase of tools (cables and screwdrivers etc.) but nothing too heavy like masses of cat5 cables etc. and heavy server side equipment.

 

[paradigm]

I'd get a mondeo estate, and rather than use magnetic signs, use vinyl on the side rear windows.

Doesn't look like a taxi, and won't get pulled off by scrotes.