Grumble grumble...cheap car

iaind

iaind

iaind

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I know this will turn into "LOL you bought the wrong car" but let me explain.

I'm might need to get hold of a few grand (5 or 6k) in the next month or so - the joys of being a homeowner. I'd rather not spend 10%+ on a loan or borrow against my mortgage when I've got a fairly valuable car sitting outside.

So, I might choose to sell the Saab and use whatever is left (call it a grand) to get a cheap car which can last for a year or so before going back to something more interesting.

As I'm just releasing a chunk of cash, running costs arent so much of an issue although I wouldnt want something that's going to break regularly and cost a fortune to service. Lets just say no more expensive and no less reliable than my Saab..

Question is - what is there for circa £1000 that might be a bit more interesting than the usual suspects? Am drawn to the likes of an E34 5 series or an old Merc 190E - but would a grand on one of these be a guaranteed money pit? Should I just find a tidy Mk2 Mondeo and be done with it?

I'm hoping it wont come to this but I like to be prepared...
 
Howard said:
THose cars will be moneypits. Get something simple ish, and japanese.
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Yeh I dont mind relatively expensive, but dont want a money pit or it could quickly end up costing me more than I'm saving!

What would you suggest? I just dont really fancy a run of the mill hatchback...
 
Howard said:
MX5?

I take it your home has suddenly required some expenditure? :(
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Indeed, signs of subsistence which could cost £20~£25k to put right (split between 4 flats) - waiting to see if the insurance will pay out for it. Unfortunately, thats part of home ownership! I could either burden my outgoings by a few hundred quid a month for a few years by financing it or cut my losses and cope with a crapper car for a bit

I'd like something like an MX5 as it ticks a fun box, but I dont know if it might be a bit raw/small after coming from big Mondeos and leather clad Saabs :)

sigma said:
*Awaits the ITYS folk.* :p
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Without a doubt, although those people might want to get a job predicting lottery numbers :p
 
Howard said:
MX5?

I take it your home has suddenly required some expenditure? :(
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If you want reliable and cheap to run I think it's best not to buy something which has it's value pushed up by being fun and a soft top. I think the 190E suggestion was a good one. Just make sure it's an auto, the manual box is horrible.

edit:
To expand on that a bit the 190E is the last Merc built like a tank so other than normal maintainence costs there shouoldn't be any big surprises. Plus it's nice an comfy and if you get a good one can look smart.
 
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I paid £1250 for a high miles (170k) E39 528se on the S plate. Has been fine for the 4 months I've run it, total of £nil spent. In the ***** Prestige market, condition is key, not what the car is. A 1k Mondeo can be more of a money pit than a £1250 E39 - depends on what's wrong with it and how well it's been maintained, and literally down to tyres and exhaust
 
The thing with "***** prestige" is it's a huge gamble. You might get a good one, or you might get one that breaks, requiring another 1-2k spending on fixing it, and you're back to square one.

MX5s are raw and not very plush, yes. They're dirt cheap to buy and run though, and they're rather fun. It's approaching the right time of year too :D You'll get a reasonably tidy mk1 for a grand
 
Howard said:
The thing with "***** prestige" is it's a huge gamble. You might get a good one, or you might get one that breaks, requiring another 1-2k spending on fixing it, and you're back to square one.

MX5s are raw and not very plush, yes. They're dirt cheap to buy and run though, and they're rather fun. It's approaching the right time of year too :D You'll get a reasonably tidy mk1 for a grand
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Agree but a dog of an MX5 will be a money pit, as will a dog of any other car, and I've owned several '5s and am a big fanboy. As I say, buy on condition and history.
 
It won't though, that's the thing. Certainly not in comparison with an old 5 series. If the engine's in good nick, which it normally is, and you can tell before buying, there isn't much expensive that goes wrong on MX5s. They don't have a reputation for being extremely reliable for no reason.
 
MX5's rot for fun on the arches. If the tyres require replacing there is £200 straight off, add in brakes, issues with the CAS etc. Throw a hood in there and it's gettig quite expensive. The E39 will be much more expensive if it goes wrong, but spend the time and and pick a good 'un. Getting close to the summer and MX5 prices will start to rise.

Edit/ As MX5 owners, we are quite good at putting up with rattles, squeaks and general quirks. Maybe as a Saab owner it won't be enough
 
Gotta be a new OcUK record surely. You've had it what, 5 weeks? You couldnt write this stuff :p If there was large risk to you of a big (And wow, £5-6k is big, whats happened, did the whole roof come off and you forgot to buy home insurance or something?) then buying the Saab was a bit daft :p

Anyway, get an old but tidy Mk2 Mondeo or something - cheap to run, cheap to fix, cheap to buy.
 
E34 isnt a good buy unless you can do the work yourself, there is massive potential for ridiculous bills...
 
[TW]Fox;16506699 said:
Gotta be a new OcUK record surely. You've had it what, 5 weeks? You couldnt write this stuff :p If there was large risk to you of a big (And wow, £5-6k is big, whats happened, did the whole roof come off and you forgot to buy home insurance or something?) then buying the Saab was a bit daft :p

Anyway, get an old but tidy Mk2 Mondeo or something - cheap to run, cheap to fix, cheap to buy.
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I have had it 5 weeks and dont regret it in the slightest. I suggest you re-read the thread where I explained everything quite clearly. Maybe when you buy your own place you might be able to understand these things a bit better...

stoke1863 said:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1622926.htm


Miles are a bit scarey though!
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Yeh I saw that one - I used to have a Toledo just like it (albeit a 1.9TDI) and it was a good car. Think a grand is a bit cheap for those though

PeterNem said:
Mk2 Mondeo with roll of duct tape for the bumpers!!
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That would be the sensible but boring option, I did have a Mk1 with duct taped up bumpers though :D

ST24 might be interesting enough though
 
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