So car dead, need a "new" car, help!

ste_bla

ste_bla

ste_bla

Soldato
Joined
9 Aug 2004
Posts
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Location
Milton Keynes
A while back I started a thread (since deceased) and yet again looking for some guidence. I did have a crazy idea of getting a big loan/car finance and getting a brand new vectra/mondeo type car but loosing so much money thru depreciation would kill me and to know i was paying interest on it aswell :(

So i want a car thats extremely realiable; and good mpg would be good but we only do 11k a year so no diesels me thinks. It can be old as you like but money wise Im not sure have £2k and can get a loan upto £7k with no problems.

Was looking at estates due to our 2 boys and the massive double buggy but something with a BIG boot would be okay - it just fits in a escort boot and a vectra theres a little room around it

Looking to sell it in 2 years and so the least amount of depreciation would be best.

So really erm i have no idea what to go for, remember the budget is upto £9k but spending say £3 would be best, really i just want a reliable car with good value for money

Help?! Steve.
 
This says to me a Mk2 Mondeo :p

You can get a really really nice 2.0 Ghia X for about £2k.
 
ste_bla said:
What year range would that be?
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For £2-3k you should be looking at one of the last Mk2 Ghia X's on a V-Y plate. This will have climate control, traction control and side airbags/rear discs in addition to the full heated leather, electric seats, cruise, computer, etc.

I simply cannot think of a better all round car for between £2-3k than a Mondeo - decent performance, cheap to service, reliable cars.
 
IS there anything simular with lower insurance as its an extra 50% on the current premium to go from 1.6 16v escort > 2.0 16v mondeo
 
ste_bla said:
IS there anything simular with lower insurance as its an extra 50% on the current premium to go from 1.6 16v escort > 2.0 16v mondeo
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Thing is if you buy something like a Focus, which is about 4 groups lower, you'll pay an extra £1500 for the car assuming same age.
 
andy2k said:
I think your find its 1996 N until 2000 X
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You are both wrong - Production for the Mk2 officially started in October 1996 and ended in October 2000, so the bulk of them are on 1996P to 2000 X plates - however there was much un-sold stock around when production ceased so Mk2 Mondeos are also common on 2001 X and Y plates. After that, you've got a small number of 51 plate white ST200's which were a cancelled police order, and a handful of Ghia X's on 02 and 52 plates, they must have been lost at the back of the factory and found somewhere.

There are about N registered cars - these are very early press demonstrators and are heavily Mk1 based. They are very rare indeed and most, if not all, are 2.5 V6 Ghia X and ST24 models.
 
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[TW]Fox said:
Thing is if you buy something like a Focus, which is about 4 groups lower, you'll pay an extra £1500 for the car assuming same age.
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Well now im unsure as on auto trader just having a rough look and i dont see that much diffence in price £5-700 at the most

For example whats wrong with;

1999 FORD FOCUS 1.8 TDi LX 5dr Diesel Estate,
71,000 miles, Air conditioning, Electric windows, Remote central locking, Full service history, CD player, Years MOT, Tax, Very economicle 50+ mpg. £2,695

media


2001 FORD FOCUS 1.6 Zetec 5dr Estate,
115,000 miles, Y reg, Metallic Silver, PAS, Rear wiper, Alloy Wheels, Cassette Player, Front Fog Lights, Drivers airbag, Passenger airbag, Remote central locking, Immobiliser. 1 Company Owner, Full FORD Service History, Last service only 500 miles ago at FORD Main Dealer. 12 Months MOT. Immaculate Throughout. May P/X w.h.y?. £2,695


media


2001 51 Reg FORD Focus 1.8 TDi CL
5 Doors, Manual, Estate, Diesel, 138,000 miles, White, 2 Owners. Central locking, Driver airbag, Electric windows, Full service history, Passenger airbag, Power assisted steering, Radio/Cassette.Insurance Group:5, Full dealer facilities available, which include, finance packages to suit individual needs. Adverse credit histories overcome. 6 - 36 month warranties available. All subject to status. For further information and to view more cars visit our website by clicking on the Dealer Website button below. £2,999.

media
 
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[TW]Fox said:
You are both wrong - Production for the Mk2 officially started in October 1996 and ended in September 1996.
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Production went BACK in time... blimey, didn't realise MK2 'deo's came with flux capacitors as standard.
 
ste_bla said:
Well now im unsure as on auto trader just having a rough look and i dont see that much diffence in price £5-700 at the most
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Thats the absolute bottom of the Focus selection isn't it, some of those have 140k on it. Nothing wrong with 140k on it but a Mondeo with that on it is going to be 1500ish tops.

Plus the 1.8TDi engine is gash.
 
ste_bla said:
Okay so what engine should i look for and whats all the LC LX Zetec stuff all about?
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CL is the horrible bottom of the range 'thing' with no kit at all, do not buy. LX has the bare essentials like remote locking, electric windows and air conditioning, Ghia adds a bit more but to be honest none of the pre-facelift Focus's are very well specified - cruise control isn't available, you don't get leather, etc etc - they are very basic.

Go for an LX or a Zetec with Climate pack but you WILL pay dearly for it being a Focus. Good cars, just so much more than the same condition Mondeo that IMHO there isnt any point.

Engine wise, get a 1.8 or a 2.0 16v Zetec.
 
So this would be a reasonable buy for the money then

1999 T Reg FORD Mondeo 1.8i LX5 Doors, Manual 5 speed, Estate, Petrol, 82,000 miles, Metallic Red, MOT-04-2007, 2 Owners. Adjustable steering column/wheel, Air conditioning, Driver airbag, Electric windows, Head restraints, Folding rear seats, Immobiliser, Power assisted steering, Remote locking, Radio/CD, Service History, Cloth upholstery, Heated screen.Insurance Group:9, Taxed,..Mobile tel no..07917 xxxxxxx.. £1,795.

searchmedia


Yes? No?

Also is it me or is it VERY hard to find a estate?
 
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