Best car for about £2000-£3000?

helpimcrap · 18 Dec 2017 at 22:02

Hi all,
If my 2001 Ford Focus 1.4 gives up the ghost next year i'll need a new car sharpish so figured get aheads up on the best to look at now.

Basically 300 miles a week on the motorway plus other trips (about 50 miles 5/6miles up to 11/12miles).

Ideally best reliability, service cost (can do own servicing if required), MPG, tax etc.

Volvo is perking my interest because I have a mate who has had a few so was thinking V40/S40 things?

Recommendations?

helpimcrap · 19 Dec 2017 at 11:44

Dav4 said:
You have been doing 300 miles per week in a 1.4 Focus what makes u think it needs replacing?
Anyway 3k will get a 2008 Mondeo Zetec with about 70k on. Massive upgrade to an old Focus and great for the motorway.

Haha I never expected it as I bought a motorbike for it but with weather it's been the car.

It's a cat C and a cat D, it's had bugger all money spent on it bar oil changes and basics like clutch/cambelt etc.

I think it will be ok but when it does go it will fail on a lot lol.

Never considered a Mondeo. After mpg ideally because of mileage.

helpimcrap · 19 Dec 2017 at 11:48

cheesyboy said:
Me too.

I do 200 miles a week in a polo. It's fine. That's just a commute, and I'm not in the car longer than around 45 minutes at a time: OP might spend even less time in it if there's less town driving.

That's just it. 30 mins through main roads/dual carriageways then 30-60 mins on motorway. Max 1.5hrs each way because of traffic.

helpimcrap · 19 Dec 2017 at 11:51

Cheers for the heads up on a Honda. Are they still any good? Or has reliability suffered on certain models?

helpimcrap · 19 Dec 2017 at 16:44

Nasher said:
Yes but how much oil does it get through? If it's like most VWs your always having to put new oil in anyway

This is more like it. 1 litre of oil and full tank of fuel please.

helpimcrap · 19 Dec 2017 at 16:53

Scania said:
Golf 1.6tdi Bluemotion.

2012, 1 owner from new, full history.

259k miles but at that age you can guarantee it’s covered most of them on a motorway, your basically doing more of the same to it.

Despite the miles I’d still expect it’ll be reliable (especially compared to some of the suggestions here) and it’ll be a world away from what you have now.

A curveball suggestion, sure, but it’s the sort of thing I’d consider personally for your requirements. Under budget too!

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201711171342294

That is a good call. as said most will be on motorway so no stresses apart from clutch riding in traffic.

I'm considering all things and the only thing that puts me off about that is how long it will last after I bought it?

helpimcrap · 19 Dec 2017 at 17:00

One brand of car I am against on principle is BMW though unfortunately.

lol

Mercedes - has to be a V8 or a V12.

I was looking on autotrader but looks like eBay is better for cars now.

helpimcrap · 19 Dec 2017 at 20:15

Scania said:
snip.

I understand what you are saying. I bought my Focus 10 years ago with 37k miles as a cat C repaired.

Aside from having tank drilled (theft on drive), me smashing a headlight hitting a car and someone running into back of me (became a cat D as well) it's been faultless - couple of sets of plugs, air filters, couple of wheel bearings and then changed oil and filter every year. Cambelt and clutch at about 75k-80k miles.

Now on 105k I think.

I'm aiming to keep it but it's using oil and I'm pretty sure it will need a lot more when it has its next MOT like catalytic converter or suspension etc.

helpimcrap · 24 Dec 2017 at 08:32

Scania said:
I’d get it MOT’d and see what it needs, you might be surprised and given it’s an old Focus, parts & labour won’t break the bank.

It’s often better the devil you know, especially with cars!

Yesterday grating noise from rear so brake shoes have worn through. Perfect timing as no garages open and I don't have the time or the space to do them.

Got the shoes and the fitting kit....

I'll be gentle on the brakes as it's about 70/30 and use engine braking where I can. Slowly does it... Hopefully not wreck the drums but £45 from eBay or £60 from ECP worst case....

helpimcrap · 25 Dec 2017 at 17:18

Generally I want a reliable car with decent mpg and low tax.

My 2001 Focus does 40+mpg and costs about £180 a year to tax.

Worst case I'll keep the car. It owes me nothing.

helpimcrap · 27 Dec 2017 at 17:52

Delayed the purchase as had new rear shoes fitted. Apparently nail in rear tyre so new tyre. There's my maintenance bill this year. Lol.

helpimcrap · 27 Dec 2017 at 19:53

PapaLazaru said:
Solid car, reliable and nice to drive, though I do think it is little thirsty....

It's on a par with mine. For a 1.8l 51mpg on the motorway isn't bad. A 1.8l petrol Mondeo gives similar but half the price. My 1.4l Focus is a thirsty car as it is similar to a 1.8l.

If I want mega economy it has to be an older diesel circa 2006 for cheap tax etc.