First car advice

aMb

aMb

aMb

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Joined
19 Oct 2002
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492
Afternoon guys, could do with a little bit of help. In need of a car within the next month or so as I'll be starting a job placement which needs me to travel 20 miles each way.

For the last 2½ years I've been on the parents for their insurance so I havent got any no claims, so still need to be mindful of the inusrance being 20.

As for the car, got about 4k max to spend, what do people suggest? Car ideally needs to be reliable, realitvley low insurance group but still some poke to it etc ..

Been looking around locally for a Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec 3dr and they seem to be coming in around budget. Was looking at Golfs TDIs but can much be had for 4k?

Ta
 
Just grabbed the tech specs from Parkers, besides from what the figures show is there any reason to prefer one block over the other?

Code: 
                  CC         BHP   Top   0-60  MPG      IG
1.6 Zetec 3d  1596 / 4    98    115   10.6     40       5 
1.8 Zetec 3d  1796 / 4    113   123    9.9     36       7 
2.0 Zetec 3d  1989 / 4    128   125    8.9     32       9 
1.8 TDCi      1753 / 4    113   122    10.3    51       6
 
if you'll be goin on motorways and A roads, the 1.6 isnt too good for overtaking and is slow to pick up speed the other side of 60.
 
Likewise, he's been driving for almost 3 years and will have accured *some* experience. Ive been driving the same time as he has, and I've just jumped into an MR2...
(Ok, havent actually driven it yet so wait for my *i crashed my car* thread)

He certainly doesnt have to stick to anything slow, I would recommend the slightly higher powered 1.8 Zetec for a focus. Its not uber-powerful and its not slow either. As for fuel consumption, 20 miles a day is hardly going to break the bank with a difference of a few less MPG!
 
ElRazur said:
Suzuki cappucino?

Fun, fun and more fun....Oh cheap insurance too. :)

**awaits attack** :D
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Looking in that kind of market, £4k is surely MX5 money? Insurance will be kind on a 1.6 and its a nippy little car. Fairly impractical on both accounts though!
 
triggerthat said:
I'd go with the 1.8 TDci :)
Click to expand...

Any reason for going for a diesel? His mileage is going to be low at only 5k miles commuting and i'd estimate only another £5k miles for pleasure..

You seem to be paying a premium simply because its diesel at the moment and his savings on fuel will struggle to balance that..
 
You should buy a 2005 55 plate BMW 530D in black, and then go out and buy a 2006 55 plate Mercedes C200k in black for about £25k must be the january edition - AMG Engine transplant is a MUST for 2006 summer season.

Lastly persuade your employer to give you a £400 p/month company car allowance so you can buy a Porsche Cayman to run for 1 maybe 2 hours over the weekend.

If all else fails buy a Focus.
 
ci_newman said:
Any reason for going for a diesel? His mileage is going to be low at only 5k miles commuting and i'd estimate only another £5k miles for pleasure..

You seem to be paying a premium simply because its diesel at the moment and his savings on fuel will struggle to balance that..
Click to expand...

Am guessing because he is doing 20 miles each trip (9600 miles a year).
 
Evening, yeah got some experiance driving a 206 and 330d over the last few years. Learnt to drive in the 1.6 Zetec but unfortunately cant really remember how it drove, but i seem to remember once in 4th it lost power ...

However the comutting will be 10k a year I'll also be travelling from home and where ill be living every so often so the milage could be closer to 15k. Where does it become worth while having a diesel as its looks like its worth considering. Are the servicing costs much higher?

Cheers
 
Last edited:
To fuel the car for 15,000 miles:

1.6 Petrol @ 40mpg with fuel costing 96.9 p/l: £8,003
1.8 Diesel @ 51mpg with fuel costing 99.9 p/l: £6,472

That is, the diesel car will cost £1,531 per year less in fuel.

Servicing will be more expensive, as will the purchase price

2002 52 plate Focus 1.6 Zetec - £4,500
2002 52 plate Focus 1.8 TDCi Zetec (98bhp) - £5,400
2002 52 plate Focus 1.8 TDCi Zetec (113bhp) - £5,550

The diesel car will cost about £1000 more to buy

If you're doing 10,000 miles:

1.6 Petrol @ 40mpg with fuel costing 96.9 p/l: £5,336
1.8 Diesel @ 51mpg with fuel costing 99.9 p/l: £4,315

That is, the diesel car will cost £1,021 per year less in fuel.
 
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