Soldato
- Joined
- 14 Apr 2004
- Posts
- 11,889
- Location
- UK
I'll just briefly give you guys a low down on my reality. I passed my driving test in August and I got my first car insuranced at the start of November, it was a 2000 (V) plate corsa 1.0 (yes, the fugly shaped one), as a first car it's been ok, decent MPG, ridiculously slow, had electrical problems but it got me around . . commuting to work, uni and going out. I've only done about 4,000 miles since November, so I mainly drive around Sheffield along with the odd motorway journey.
My dad recently retired as his health deteriorated rapidly and he gave up his car. Now I'm buying the car for the both of us, so I'll be on his policy. He has 7 years no claim and for my renewal both of us together it works out an additional £28 (or thereabouts) a month Fully Comp (for me) which is good enough to warrant an upgrade, this quote was based on on the 3.5 months remaining on my policy for the 2003 focus as listed below.
Budget is around £3k, can stretch a little if the car warrants it.
Now I've looked at quite a few cars and here's a few that met the criteria:
Toyota Corolla T3 VVTI (52 plate) 1.6 - This is the most expensive car out of the bunch at arounds £4.5k, but it seems like a very nice car
Seat Leon 1.6 - A better value for money golf alternative, not too fond on the standard styling though
VW Golf 1.6 - Fond of this car, meets all criteria but it's a little overpriced and my sister owns one
Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec - This seems like a winner, looks nice, parts are widely available and decent. Also fairly well priced.
VW Bora 1.6 - Seems like a nice car but looks rather bulky and haven't seen any decent examples around.
Astra SXI 1.6 - Looks okay, pretty nippy, common as hell but hey it's an option!
Most of these cars are around insurance group(s) 5/6.
Now I'm going to Leeds tomorrow to view a couple of Focus's, my father is coming with me of course, I trust him in his judgement as he's fairly knowledgeable but I'd like to hear some advice from the experts on here regarding what I should keep my eye out for.
I just got off the phone to the owner of this car: http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.jsp?searchform=&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&photo=1&state=block&sort=3&hassearched=Y&make=FORD&min_pr=75&source=0&model=FOCUS&max_pr=4000&miles=40&agerange=2&mileage=&postcode=s9+1rq&variant=1.6+zetec&bodyid=0&trim=&fuelid=0&colour=&transmissionid=0&keywords=&ukcarsearch_full.x=47&ukcarsearch_full.y=6&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH&start=2&distance=31&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200728291519204
He said the car is in superb condition and has minor domestic marks. He's a doctor hence the mileage. He seemed like a fairly nice chap. My dad told me not to worry about the mileage, especially if it has been looked after well, which should be obvious he said. It's only had 1 previous owner from new. I think he would accept £3k cash. I really like this car, it's the facelift model and it's black
Whilst we're at Leeds if the previous car falls through, we may aswell kill 2 birds with one stone. We're viewing a second focus: http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.jsp?searchform=&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&photo=1&state=block&sort=3&hassearched=Y&make=FORD&min_pr=75&source=0&model=FOCUS&max_pr=4000&miles=40&agerange=3&mileage=&postcode=s9+1rq&variant=1.6+zetec&bodyid=0&trim=&fuelid=0&colour=&transmissionid=0&keywords=&ukcarsearch_full.x=49&ukcarsearch_full.y=4&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH&start=9&distance=28&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200725290089843
I called the garage and he said they have two, an X reg and a 52 plate, £2700 and £3700 respectively. Both have done about 68k miles.
Please don't derail my thread as I've seen many threads turn into bickering some how. I just want some advice on the cars listed and I'd appreciate any further recommendations and ultimately, I'd appreciate any advice.
Thank you for your time
My dad recently retired as his health deteriorated rapidly and he gave up his car. Now I'm buying the car for the both of us, so I'll be on his policy. He has 7 years no claim and for my renewal both of us together it works out an additional £28 (or thereabouts) a month Fully Comp (for me) which is good enough to warrant an upgrade, this quote was based on on the 3.5 months remaining on my policy for the 2003 focus as listed below.
Budget is around £3k, can stretch a little if the car warrants it.
Now I've looked at quite a few cars and here's a few that met the criteria:
Toyota Corolla T3 VVTI (52 plate) 1.6 - This is the most expensive car out of the bunch at arounds £4.5k, but it seems like a very nice car
Seat Leon 1.6 - A better value for money golf alternative, not too fond on the standard styling though
VW Golf 1.6 - Fond of this car, meets all criteria but it's a little overpriced and my sister owns one
Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec - This seems like a winner, looks nice, parts are widely available and decent. Also fairly well priced.
VW Bora 1.6 - Seems like a nice car but looks rather bulky and haven't seen any decent examples around.
Astra SXI 1.6 - Looks okay, pretty nippy, common as hell but hey it's an option!
Most of these cars are around insurance group(s) 5/6.
Now I'm going to Leeds tomorrow to view a couple of Focus's, my father is coming with me of course, I trust him in his judgement as he's fairly knowledgeable but I'd like to hear some advice from the experts on here regarding what I should keep my eye out for.
I just got off the phone to the owner of this car: http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.jsp?searchform=&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&photo=1&state=block&sort=3&hassearched=Y&make=FORD&min_pr=75&source=0&model=FOCUS&max_pr=4000&miles=40&agerange=2&mileage=&postcode=s9+1rq&variant=1.6+zetec&bodyid=0&trim=&fuelid=0&colour=&transmissionid=0&keywords=&ukcarsearch_full.x=47&ukcarsearch_full.y=6&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH&start=2&distance=31&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200728291519204
He said the car is in superb condition and has minor domestic marks. He's a doctor hence the mileage. He seemed like a fairly nice chap. My dad told me not to worry about the mileage, especially if it has been looked after well, which should be obvious he said. It's only had 1 previous owner from new. I think he would accept £3k cash. I really like this car, it's the facelift model and it's black
Whilst we're at Leeds if the previous car falls through, we may aswell kill 2 birds with one stone. We're viewing a second focus: http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.jsp?searchform=&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&photo=1&state=block&sort=3&hassearched=Y&make=FORD&min_pr=75&source=0&model=FOCUS&max_pr=4000&miles=40&agerange=3&mileage=&postcode=s9+1rq&variant=1.6+zetec&bodyid=0&trim=&fuelid=0&colour=&transmissionid=0&keywords=&ukcarsearch_full.x=49&ukcarsearch_full.y=4&ukcarsearch_full=SEARCH&start=9&distance=28&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200725290089843
I called the garage and he said they have two, an X reg and a 52 plate, £2700 and £3700 respectively. Both have done about 68k miles.
Please don't derail my thread as I've seen many threads turn into bickering some how. I just want some advice on the cars listed and I'd appreciate any further recommendations and ultimately, I'd appreciate any advice.
Thank you for your time
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
