Spec me a banger.

Messiah Khan

Messiah Khan

Messiah Khan

Soldato
Joined
1 Sep 2005
Posts
10,000
Location
Scottish Highlands
Hello all ye motor folk. I don't venture these ways often. Could you kind people do me a favour and suggest what sort of cars I should be looking at. Both me and my GF have passed our driving tests, but neither of us are particulary delirious about the idea of driving tbh. But we are both starting to realise that a car between us would be somewhat usefull to get us out to interesting places (We both like walking and photography). My GF recently got her hands on a dirt cheap banger (Ford Ka) but it really did turn out to be a banger as it went pop before she even got to take it for adventures. So were now considering going halves on another banger to keep us going.

Ideally I would like a Diesel (Learnt in a Diesel Mini), because I think im right in saying Diesels tend to have more torque, so as easier to drive in slow traffic as they pull forwards with the clutch up and foot off the accelerator? Id (And the GF) would also like it to be as small as possible, but at the same time have decent space in the back to throw rucksacks etc. Does anything like a 2 seater hatchback with a large boot exist?

And Id obviously like it to be as reliable as possible, and were looking probably at under £500. So any suggestions? Please feel free to flame me btw as I really don't know what im talking about when it comes to cars.

:)
 
Messiah Khan said:
they pull forwards with the clutch up and foot off the accelerator
Click to expand...
Petrol's do that too so long as you know how to use the clutch without being ham-fisted (or should that be ham-footed?).

Diesel will command a premium over petrol and at this end of the market, getting the best condition [car type here] is more important tha specifying a type of engine.

Also, given that neither of you are "into" driving, and I assume cope without a car on a day-to-day basis, you will get none of the benefits of the increased fuel economy of a diesel.

IMO, get a petrol.
 
CS||nuTs said:
Well he did say "Banger"
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Yes, but I like MK and don't want him to stop his photography due to car issues...or stop project android ;) :p

As for an actual car. To be honest I think your best bet would be to go to somewhere like autotrader and find something that seems suitable and at a suitable price, then ask here what to check out for on it really. :) Most cars in the sub £500 bracket aren't exactly the best of vehicles (I know :D).

InvG
 
Wahey, I can recommend a 205 :D

If you're dead set on a diesel then you can't go wrong with a 205 1.8D. The engines go on for miles and miles and they're cheap to repair.

However, it'll be rattly, bits might fall off,but hey, its a £500 car.
 
If (And it sounds like it) you're not that bothered about driving don't be scared of a non turbo diesel. These are cheaper than turbos and have massive fuel economy - especially on a run - though they are slow to accelerate (top speed is not a problem, it just takes a long time to get there!). I have a Citroen ZX (Identical to a 306 though not as pretty) that falls into that catergory and you can get nice ones for about £500 - great workhorse, there are loads of them about, the parts are cheap and the engine is really simple to work on. If you really want a diesel that's the way to go on your budget.

However: getting a diesel to hide poor clutch control is not a good idea! You'll soon get used to a petrol car, when i drive my mums 106 (Which will creep on the clutch only btw) i'm dreadful for the first few minuites and either over rev or nearly stall because i'm used to my diesel. Whatever you buy you will adapt to it quite quickly, and there will be more choice in the petrol catergory.

I like the diesel, i do a lot of towing and i think the 1.9 diesel does it better than a 1.4 petrol would (certainly more economically, the boat has zero effect!), but unless a diesel suits what you plan to use your car for there is no point in limiting your choice. At that money a good car os a good car, buy it!
 
I cant' recommend you a banger but I can highly recommend a Nissan Micra K11 (bubble shape approx 94-03), decent sized boot and great car. Maybe you could find one under £500 if you look hard enough. I must stress though, not a banger, but a very decent, reliable, fast, cheap car.
 
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I think I misread this one.
 
Messiah Khan said:
Hello all ye motor folk. I don't venture these ways often. Could you kind people do me a favour and suggest what sort of cars I should be looking at. Both me and my GF have passed our driving tests, but neither of us are particulary delirious about the idea of driving tbh. But we are both starting to realise that a car between us would be somewhat usefull to get us out to interesting places (We both like walking and photography). My GF recently got her hands on a dirt cheap banger (Ford Ka) but it really did turn out to be a banger as it went pop before she even got to take it for adventures. So were now considering going halves on another banger to keep us going.

Ideally I would like a Diesel (Learnt in a Diesel Mini), because I think im right in saying Diesels tend to have more torque, so as easier to drive in slow traffic as they pull forwards with the clutch up and foot off the accelerator? Id (And the GF) would also like it to be as small as possible, but at the same time have decent space in the back to throw rucksacks etc. Does anything like a 2 seater hatchback with a large boot exist?

And Id obviously like it to be as reliable as possible, and were looking probably at under £500. So any suggestions? Please feel free to flame me btw as I really don't know what im talking about when it comes to cars.

:)
Click to expand...

Tip - Bangers tend to go "Bang" (as did the Ka) - Spend a bit more and get a non-banger. ;)

As for diesel & torque yes, they do that to a degree, that said, you can easily drive in traffic in a like manner with a 1.0ltr petrol if you really wanted to.

Aim to spend a bit more than £500 tbh.
 
Get an auto, for that budget either a volvo or a ricemobile. Some will be 3 speeds so not the smoothest but pretty reliable
 
Thanks guys. I might look at both petraol and diesel than. So the list to look at so far is;

Turbo diesel 306
205 1.8D
Nissan Micra K11

Sone said:
Get an auto, for that budget either a volvo or a ricemobile. Some will be 3 speeds so not the smoothest but pretty reliable
Click to expand...

What sort of Volvos should I be looking at? I hate the look of the old completely square ones though. Although I realise spending a bit more will get me a better car, for the maount its going to be used im not sure we can justify it. its mainly only going to be used on the weekend to get us where public transport won't. All the cars so far look fairly small (Can they all have the back seats removed or flipped down?) Are there any suggestions for something a bit bigger, ie an estate of some description? Ive also spotted a 1996 HONDA CIVIC VTEC E 1.5i. Is this any good or should I stay clear? Thanks for all the help :)
 
I'd say Pug 205 diesel, I had one for ages and couldn't fault it, reliable and better looking than a micra, very reliable diesel engines to.
The bootspace is also pretty decent, and everything folds down pretty easily.
 
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