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or vw
First car - Budget £4,000- £4,500
- Thread starter Raymond Lin
- Start date
Soldato
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- 18 Oct 2002
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I'd say Focus too. Your budget is right on the borderline of Mk1/Mk2 money though.
If you can stretch to £5k you should be able to pick up a Mk2 relatively easily - you really want a Zetec Climate or Titanium model, ideally with the 1.6 Ti-VCT engine with 115BHP or a 2.0 petrol. The standard 1.6 is a bit flat - the VCT has variable valve timing so it has a bit more top end power and is more economical to boot. You might find a Mk2 with a few miles on for your budget though.
If you can't stretch then I'd be inclined to drop the budget to £3-£3.5k and buy the best Mk1 facelift you can find.
If you're not doing many miles consider a 2.0 petrol - the economy is far from disasterous and they tend to be a bit unloved because everyone wants the small petrols or diesels. You may be able to pick up one cheaper than a lower powered one.
If you can stretch to £5k you should be able to pick up a Mk2 relatively easily - you really want a Zetec Climate or Titanium model, ideally with the 1.6 Ti-VCT engine with 115BHP or a 2.0 petrol. The standard 1.6 is a bit flat - the VCT has variable valve timing so it has a bit more top end power and is more economical to boot. You might find a Mk2 with a few miles on for your budget though.
If you can't stretch then I'd be inclined to drop the budget to £3-£3.5k and buy the best Mk1 facelift you can find.
If you're not doing many miles consider a 2.0 petrol - the economy is far from disasterous and they tend to be a bit unloved because everyone wants the small petrols or diesels. You may be able to pick up one cheaper than a lower powered one.
I'm guessing from this you don't like driving. A Toyota Corolla would fit the bill perfectly.
Soldato
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Nissan Sunny.
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- Wish i was in a Ramen Shop Counter
I don't know if i like driving or not, as i have never own a car. It's just i have moved around a lot, went to uni where the campus are all in city center. Worked 15mins walk from home for a couple of years, and then my last work place is 1 min walk from the train station.
There was no logical reason to get a car except I want one, and as much as that is a valid reason for a lot of material things, car isn't one of them, not when they depreciate like stones in a lake. Money also has been tighter in the past as well, so there were financial reasons not to get one, but now i actually has valid reasons for one.
Did you enjoy driving when you were learning? Most people tend to know straight away if they like it and get a car as soon as they can. I've had times in my life were I've not actually needed a car and it was a perfect excuse to get something fast and impractical.
my advice would be to visit one of the car supermarkets.
They will try and ram overly expensive poor value cars down your throat on finance, but it gives you the oppertunity to sit in loads of cars. Get a feel for the interior and the seating position, and generally get a feel for the car. Then walk out without buying anything. this part is the important part
You might say "i dont want a bigger car" but then go and find something you love. Make a shortlist of everything you liked, then go and trail the used car adverts and see if you can actually find one locally that you like and can afford.
Then its just a matter of doing your research on running costs and known problems (www.honestjohn.co.uk is very good for this) to make sure you arent buying a lemon.
You certainly wont go far wrong with a focus, but not everybody is the same and there might be something you like more.
They will try and ram overly expensive poor value cars down your throat on finance, but it gives you the oppertunity to sit in loads of cars. Get a feel for the interior and the seating position, and generally get a feel for the car. Then walk out without buying anything. this part is the important part
You might say "i dont want a bigger car" but then go and find something you love. Make a shortlist of everything you liked, then go and trail the used car adverts and see if you can actually find one locally that you like and can afford.
Then its just a matter of doing your research on running costs and known problems (www.honestjohn.co.uk is very good for this) to make sure you arent buying a lemon.
You certainly wont go far wrong with a focus, but not everybody is the same and there might be something you like more.
I'd say that a Focus would fit the bill, Raymond. Either a nice mint Mk1.5 or a slightly less mint Mk2.
They drive brilliantly and are as much at home on the backroads as they are around town or on the motorway, have a relatively pleasant interior and very comfortable seats (Zetec models especially) and fit four adults with ease whilst affording them a fair degree of comfort.
They're also extremely easy to drive, very reliable and have a large enough boot to fit all your photography gear in without crushing anything whilst also keeping it away from prying eyes. And given that your OP would suggest you might have zero NCB, insurance won't be a nightmare.
I'm about the same age as you are, Raymond, and a while back I was in exactly the same boat as you. I went for a Mk1.5 on the strength of various recommendations from people on here and I'm really glad I did. If nothing else a Focus would be a good place to start looking and a decent yardstick to compare other choices against.
They drive brilliantly and are as much at home on the backroads as they are around town or on the motorway, have a relatively pleasant interior and very comfortable seats (Zetec models especially) and fit four adults with ease whilst affording them a fair degree of comfort.
They're also extremely easy to drive, very reliable and have a large enough boot to fit all your photography gear in without crushing anything whilst also keeping it away from prying eyes. And given that your OP would suggest you might have zero NCB, insurance won't be a nightmare.
I'm about the same age as you are, Raymond, and a while back I was in exactly the same boat as you. I went for a Mk1.5 on the strength of various recommendations from people on here and I'm really glad I did. If nothing else a Focus would be a good place to start looking and a decent yardstick to compare other choices against.
Soldato
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Fox???? he hasn't posted ?
For some reason I just looked at a post from Fox, linked it with the first reply and said his name.
Duke I meant
Been a busy day, sorry
I think MrLOL has given the best advice.
1.) Find a few cars you like the look of in budget
2.) Have a test drive
3.) Do some research on them/get insurance quotes
Don't be put off by larger more powerful cars, you may find they are more comfortable to drive and cheaper to buy/insure.
1.) Find a few cars you like the look of in budget
2.) Have a test drive
3.) Do some research on them/get insurance quotes
Don't be put off by larger more powerful cars, you may find they are more comfortable to drive and cheaper to buy/insure.