Make the missus happy with £3k

[mr tommo]

So, my gf's crappy old Ka keeps breaking down, has had parts of the suspension changed numerous times this year alone, its cost her around £600 over the last couple of months.

Now shes just out of uni and has started as a full time supply teachers so the pay really isny good until she completes hers teaching course.

Car will be paid for with a loan, and whatever she manages to get for hers? (Ford Ka '52' 70k miles)

I was thinking £3000 would be adequate to get a little, reliable runaround.

Scrappage scheme is out of the question

Any ideas? Small hatchbacks really.

 

[mr tommo]

Quite like the look of the newer shaped Fiesta and will get her to look at the yaris also

Oh and she's getting the loan herself

Should she stay away from Citroen C2's?

 

[mr tommo]

Back off!!



Any reason for going for the 1.25 Fiesta?

 

[mr tommo]

The Fiesta is a reasonable example of a small hatchback that's cheap to buy/run/insure. The Mk5 is a better buy - and the 1.25 is the best engine out of the older shape for a cheap buy (STFA from the 1.3).

Thanks for that

Just out of curiosity, whats the Ford Puma based on? Any known problems? Would prbably have to be the 1.4i version because of insurance. Which brings me on to my next question, shes a month into her new insurance policy, is it just best to switch the car over and pay the extra? Or is there another way around it?

 

[mr tommo]

at some of the comments!

Problem with the 1.7i is she has 3 fault accidents in the last 3 years So its probably going to be a bit more than her current Ka.

I'll get searching for a brass coloured Fiesta Cheaper accessories!

 

[mr tommo]

===Warning===
My blokes sense is not brought into this reply!


I suggest a 1.6 Beetle, they can be had now for ~4k, i'm assuming her car is worth 1.5k?
Reliably - no comment
MPG - 35ish?

The only real issue would be it would be as old as her current car

Very good girly suggestion! Might be right down her street actually.

She likes the Fiesta though so thats good!

 

[mr tommo]

Three faults in three years... oh dear.
Pehaps some extra driving lessons?

I've only been with her a couple of months (known her for years though) so I will sort her driving skills out

Just waiting till I can safely start to criticise her driving without getting dumped!

 

[mr tommo]

Just take her to a few random dealers, there will be a selection of cars she thinks are cute and then pick the best one out of those. Of course she's likely to go for the most ridiculously rubbish cars just because they look good and you'll have to make the best of a bad bunch.

I think this will be the way forward, going to try and find a local Fiesta at a garage so I can take her along, aswell as a Puma although they seem to be mostly Private so I'd just have to find one of those out and about.

ford puma? i think it's a girly car.. and that's all it matters for them any way..

Yeah I can see her loving the look of these, Im just worried a little about her insurance, she doesn't really want it to go up any from her current premium which had 10 months remaining. I can't see a 1.25 or 1.4 Zetec Fiesta making much of an impact.

 

[mr tommo]

Not a good choice for someone who seems to class RTA's as a hobby.

My cars not bieng used for the next month or 2 after a shoulder injury... I contemplated adding her for a week while her's was off the off the road, Then decided on a firm NO!

 

[mr tommo]

Jesus, her dad thinks she should look into getting a new car. Grrrrrr

 

[mr tommo]

I drove a C4 picasso on holiday....It was actually alright

 

[mr tommo]

http://www.citroen.co.uk/new-cars/citroen-xsara-picasso/

wow

It's 18 grand as well!!

Just to clarify, I never meant that this Picasso was alright... It was the new funky shaped one.



Anyway, the good news.

She'e decided on a Ford Fiesta (newer shape). So Im looking at the 1.25 or 1.4 Zetec's.

A quick question though, her suspesion is knocking again at the front, does this need to be fixed before handing over for a part ex?

 

[mr tommo]

Helping your girlfriend chose a car is like taking the controls of a doomed airliner.

It is going to crash - hard - but with your help, it can crash in a field not on a city.

Its actually going suprising well... her words.. "Tom, you just choose me one, you know more than me, I like black and silver though" RESULT!

Nope.

They might knock down your part-ex if they notice though.

Ok cheers, will get a price for fixing it

I've seen this... http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...age/8&anchor=advert200940342995316&logcode=p#

Now the cost of changing is going to be not a penny over £2500. She has a Ford Ka, 52 plate, with 60k miles. I guess its worth around £1200 realistically.

Ideally I'd like her to be left with a couple hundred from her £2500, is that realistic or hopeful?


I know its not ideal buying trade, but I'd honestly feel guilty selling this car to someone and taking there cash. Its not a heap by any means, but doesnt have much luck when it comes to things going wrong with it. So a private sale is a definate no.

 

[mr tommo]

You have seemed to have missed my comment in regards to the 1.4 engine.

ooops sorry, seems I did, what's the reason?

£2500 would buy a nice P reg 740i.

Perhaps worth suggesting to her?

Did I forget to mention her complete irrational hatred for anything with more than 3 doors?

 

[mr tommo]

Cheap Tax you say?!? SOLD!