Running Costs Question

woodpigeon4 · 1 May 2011 at 15:57

A colleage of mine has owned a 1997 vauxhall corsa 1.4 for many years now. To be honest, it's a terrible, terrible car - feels like you're driving a tank, and I'm pretty sure there's something pretty drastic wrong with it, as it sounds like one too. That said, it's always passed it's MOTs, and she says it doesn't cost her a lot in fuel (I don't know what her idea of "a lot " is though.
However, it was MOt'd a couple of weeks ago, and the guy at the garage basically said that there was no chance it would pass the next one. So, right now she has a car with 1 year's MOT, and is obviously wanting to sell it.
Her budget is £1200, and having looked around, cars like this would seem to fit the bill perfectly, and can be found for £1000-£1200. She's middle aged and has never had an accident, so insurance shouldn't be a problem, and as all the cars we've seen are pre-2001, tax shouldn't be either. But what about fuel economy and general running costs? Would a 316i compact (or something very similar) be a lot worse than a 1997 1.4 corsa?
If so, then what other cars would you recommend? The only cheap to run cars I can find in that price range look terrible to me.
thanks in advance

flibbage0 · 1 May 2011 at 16:11

noeeeew

Seriously £1000 on a 13 year old BMW is asking for problems.

Running costs will be much higher.

Tell her to get a focus.

Scania · 1 May 2011 at 16:11

woodpigeon4 said:
A colleage of mine has owned a 1997 vauxhall corsa 1.4 for many years now. To be honest, it's a terrible, terrible car - feels like you're driving a tank, and I'm pretty sure there's something pretty drastic wrong with it, as it sounds like one too. That said, it's always passed it's MOTs, and she says it doesn't cost her a lot in fuel (I don't know what her idea of "a lot " is though.
However, it was MOt'd a couple of weeks ago, and the guy at the garage basically said that there was no chance it would pass the next one. So, right now she has a car with 1 year's MOT, and is obviously wanting to sell it.
Her budget is £1200, and having looked around, cars like this would seem to fit the bill perfectly, and can be found for £1000-£1200. She's middle aged and has never had an accident, so insurance shouldn't be a problem, and as all the cars we've seen are pre-2001, tax shouldn't be either. But what about fuel economy and general running costs? Would a 316i compact (or something very similar) be a lot worse than a 1997 1.4 corsa?
If so, then what other cars would you recommend? The only cheap to run cars I can find in that price range look terrible to me.
thanks in advance

A 1997 316i would cost more than a 1997 Corsa to run in 1997, so why should that change now?

Assuming the Corsa is still running, She's got 12months to save for something better.

woodpigeon4 · 1 May 2011 at 16:16

flibbage0 said:
noeeeew

Seriously £1000 on a 13 year old BMW is asking for problems.

Running costs will be much higher.

Tell her to get a focus.

Any particular model I should look for?

R420LA6X2/4MNA said:
A 1997 316i would cost more than a 1997 Corsa to run in 1997, so why should that change now?

She's got 12months to save for something better.

I would have thought that a regularly serviced BMW engine would be more economical after 14 years than a totally un-maintained vauxhall one, but clearly I'm totally wrong

As for 12 months to save for something more, she relies on the car for work and doesn't want to risk it breaking down on her, so is pretty set on replacing it now.

Scania · 1 May 2011 at 16:27

woodpigeon4 said:
Any particular model I should look for?

I would have thought that a regularly serviced BMW engine would be more economical after 14 years than a totally un-maintained vauxhall one, but clearly I'm totally wrong As for 12 months to save for something more, she relies on the car for work and doesn't want to risk it breaking down on her, so is pretty set on replacing it now.

You'd be right re the engine, trouble is, at that kind of age (I have a '97 5 Series) you do end up spending on things such as suspension, bushes, leaks etc etc that start to come with age & miles.

She may well find one from that era around that price, but it'll be like Hens teeth to get a properly maintained one.

Re it failing, she's just cacking herself now assuming it will break because some spanner monkey tells her its going to die in 12 months I'd bet.

Service it (so its chances of conking are reduced) and save for something better, she does low mileage so is hardly going to pile on the miles on it is she?

She needs to double her budget at least and has the opportunity & means to do it to my mind.

Re the Focus, a small petrol engined one, she'll ,love it. Compared to the Corsa, it'll feel like a BMW anyway!

woodpigeon4 · 1 May 2011 at 16:36

R420LA6X2/4MNA said:
You'd be right re the engine, trouble is, at that kind of age (I have a '97 5 Series) you do end up spending on things such as suspension, bushes, leaks etc etc that start to come with age & miles.

She may well find one from that era around that price, but it'll be like Hens teeth to get a properly maintained one.

Re it failing, she's just cacking herself now assuming it will break bacause some spanner monkey tells her its going to die in 12 months I'd bet.

Service it (so its chances of conking are reduced) and save for something better, she does low mileage so is hardly going to pile on the miles on it is she?

She needs to double her budget at least and has the opperunity & means to do it to my mind.

Re the Focus, a small petrol engined one, she'll ,love it. Compared to the Corsa, it'll feel like a BMW anyway!

Thanks for all that, much appreciated

I wouldn't say she does low mileage, probably about average or maybe slightly more, which is why she's worried about it. Personally, I now agree that the best thing to do would probably be to get it serviced and wait, but I'm reluctant to tell her that in case something does go wrong with it - it really does sound awful, and the garage she took it to is one I use, and believe to be trustworthy.
having said that, I'll probably just take the risk and try to convince her to wait, but in case she doesn't want to take that advice, are there any cars she could get for £1200 that would fit the bill?
her requirements are pretty simple - the only "features" she wants is power steering and airbags, both of which the corsa currently lacks.

Scania · 1 May 2011 at 16:43

Thing is, a £1200 BMW Compact - or much else at this price bracket - is going to be no more reliable, potentially, than what she has now. Which is why I say save a bit more & get out of the ropey shed end of the price range.

Does this garage you use sell used cars too? or do they just do repairs?

Sounds to me a bit like its a case of "Madam, your Corsa is going to die painfully soon (despite passing an MOT) - here, have a look at these POS part exes that we need shut of!" ? -

woodpigeon4 · 1 May 2011 at 16:49

R420LA6X2/4MNA said:
Thing is, a £1200 BMW Compact - or much else at this price bracket - is going to be no more reliable, potentially, than what she has now. Which is why I say save a bit more & get out of the ropey shed end of the price range.

Does this garage you use sell used cars too? or do they just do repairs?

Sounds to me a bit like its a case of "Madam, your Corsa is going to die painfully soon (despite passing an MOT) - here, have a look at these POS part exes that we need shut of!" ? -

So do you reckon practically every car at £1200 or under is going to be unreliable? Forgive my ignorance, but I've never gone into that price range before so have no idea what to expect.
The garage just does repairs - it's run by two brothers who I've known for a long while, so I'm confident of their legitimacy. The car does also sound absolutely awful

Scania · 1 May 2011 at 16:53

woodpigeon4 said:
So do you reckon practically every car at £1200 or under is going to be unreliable? Forgive my ignorance, but I've never gone into that price range before so have no idea what to expect.
The garage just does repairs - it's run by two brothers who I've known for a long while, so I'm confident of their legitimacy. The car does also sound absolutely awful

No, not every one by a long way, but the likelihood is a lot could be.

Fair enough re your garage - I'm just trying to get a picture of the situation - tread very carefully at this end of the market is what I'm saying, there are a lot of pitfalls at the "Car for the cost of a decent TV" end of the market, which is why she should ideally spend a little more.

Now that we've established the garage you use is decent & trustworthy, did they not have any pointers for you? Places usually have contacts.

A Focus is a better starting point than a BMW at this end, for sure.

act smiley · 1 May 2011 at 16:55

Its a case of how much maintenance is required. For example, suspension wear, rusty exhausts etc. - not always major things but small stuff that can build up costs.

In terms of alternative options, Nissan Almera? Honda Civic? Both pretty reliable cars that can come in at around £1500 for the 2001 or so models.

MagicBoy · 1 May 2011 at 16:57

Go find a well looked after Focus 1.6.

If there's one car more hateful than a Corsa B, it's the Nissan Almera. I'd rather walk. In bare feet.

woodpigeon4 · 1 May 2011 at 16:59

R420LA6X2/4MNA said:
No, not every one by a long way, but the likelihood is a lot could be.

Fair enough re your garage - I'm just trying to get a picture of the situation - tread very carefully at this end of the market is what I'm saying, there are a lot of pitfalls at the "Car for the cost of a decent TV" end of the market, which is why she should ideally spend a little more.

Now that we've established the garage you use is decent & trustworthy, did they not have any pointers for you? Places usually have contacts.

A Focus is a better starting point than a BMW at this end, for sure.

Okay, I understand

I'll go down to the garage on tuesday and ask if they know anywhere, although I suspect the kind of places they would recommend would be well out of her price range. If I see any cars, I'll be sure to ask first here though, I reckon I've already doubled my knowledge of cheap used cars in one thread

ghop · 1 May 2011 at 17:00

I'd recommend her a Mk1 1.6 Focus. For 1200 you should be able to get a very good 2000 model or a slightly rougher, up to 2002 model. I've had mine for about a year and there's really nothing that I can complain about. The fuel economy is great, it's not particularly slow, parts are readily available repairs are cheap, and finally, it will probably feel a LOT better in terms of handling, performance and response than her Corsa (I've only driven 1 Corsa B, and it was abysmal).

Scania · 1 May 2011 at 17:02

woodpigeon4 said:
I've already doubled my knowledge of cheap used cars in one thread

Thats before the rest of the forum pop up to say ignore me, I'm a BMW fanboy trucker who knows ****.

woodpigeon4 · 1 May 2011 at 17:05

act smiley said:
Its a case of how much maintenance is required. For example, suspension wear, rusty exhausts etc. - not always major things but small stuff that can build up costs.

In terms of alternative options, Nissan Almera? Honda Civic? Both pretty reliable cars that can come in at around £1500 for the 2001 or so models.

Thanks

Small stuff can indeed build up costs *remembers peugeot 309 gti*

MagicBoy said:
Go find a well looked after Focus 1.6.

If there's one car more hateful than a Corsa B, it's the Nissan Almera. I'd rather walk. In bare feet.

Haha, okay thanks.

ghop said:
I'd recommend her a Mk1 1.6 Focus. For 1200 you should be able to get a very good 2000 model or a slightly rougher, up to 2002 model. I've had mine for about a year and there's really nothing that I can complain about. The fuel economy is great, it's not particularly slow, parts are readily available repairs are cheap, and finally, it will probably feel a LOT better in terms of handling, performance and response than her Corsa (I've only driven 1 Corsa B, and it was abysmal).

Sounds like that's definitely the car of choice in this price range - I'll get looking!

woodpigeon4 · 1 May 2011 at 17:06

R420LA6X2/4MNA said:
Thats before the rest of the forum pop up to say ignore me, I'm a BMW fanboy trucker who knows ****.

Well, if a BMW fanboy isn't recommending a BMW then I'd say you're fairly impartial

Equally, I'm sure a truck driver has a lot more experience with cars than me.

Joshy · 1 May 2011 at 17:38

flibbage0 said:
Seriously £1000 on a 13 year old BMW is asking for problems.

Running costs will be much higher.

Hmm... I think I'm going to go against the grain of the forum and suggest that perhaps it isn't quite as bad an idea and you'd first think.

The 316i/318i unit is fairly reliable and economical, the E36 design has been around for donkeys years so there probably not a single arches mechanic out there who hasn't touched one, parts are plentiful and pretty cheap, etc.

It's all good to 'play it safe' but at this sort of budget it doesn't really matter. You've got to keep your eyes wide open with absolutely anything you buy. And Remember that stuff like a Focus does carry a premium, so you may very well end up paying more money for less car.

Pinkribbonscars · 1 May 2011 at 17:47

Would a woman even want a 14 year old BMW? That one in the OP looks even older than it is and is chuffing ugly. I'm sure a much newer 'cute' car made by Ford or Toyota etc would be much more appropriate.

Joshy · 1 May 2011 at 17:49

But she hasn't really got the money to be obsessing over looks.

woodpigeon4 · 1 May 2011 at 17:51

Joshy said:
Hmm... I think I'm going to go against the grain of the forum and suggest that perhaps it isn't quite as bad an idea and you'd first think.

The 316i/318i unit is fairly reliable and economical, the E36 design has been around for donkeys years so there probably not a single arches mechanic out there who hasn't touched one, parts are plentiful and pretty cheap, etc.

It's all good to 'play it safe' but at this sort of budget it doesn't really matter. You've got to keep your eyes wide open with absolutely anything you buy. And Remember that stuff like a Focus does carry a premium, so you may very well end up paying more money for less car.

That was exactly what I was thinking at first, but it seems like a huge risk when she relies on a car so much. She wouldn't be able to drive any of my cars so I wouldn't be able to lend one to her either, so she'd be totally screwed if it went wrong. That said, if I found a nice BMW 316 or 318 with full service records and low mileage, being sold by a decent person, I'd still be fairly tempted.

Pinkribbonscars said:
Would a woman even want a 14 year old BMW? That one in the OP looks even older than it is and is chuffing ugly. I'm sure a much newer 'cute' car made by Ford or Toyota etc would be much more appropriate.

Hard to believe, I know, but she genuinely couldn't care less what the car looks like. For her, it's just a box that carries her and her kids around, and of course her kids like the idea of being driven around in a BMW, however old/ugly it may be (personally I don't think it's any worse looking than a Mk1 focus)