That time of the month...First car, £2000 budget.

DanTheMan · 26 Jul 2007 at 21:48

Well, I did have my heart set on a 1.6 Focus as my first car but due to deciding to leave work and go back to college, that's simply out of the question.

I've got a budget of £2000, that's just for the car. Pretty much set on a 1.25 Fiesta Freestyle but is there any decent alternatives that I've missed?

Any ideas?

[TW]Fox · 26 Jul 2007 at 22:00

How about a Focus 1.6?

89,000 miles MAROON 1999 Full Description: T reg. 89000 Miles, maroon, 5-door, hatchback, 12 months MoT, air con, remote central locking, twin airbags, CD player, alloys, 6 months tax, e/w. £1,895

DanTheMan · 26 Jul 2007 at 22:03

[TW]Fox said:
How about a Focus 1.6?

89,000 miles MAROON 1999 Full Description: T reg. 89000 Miles, maroon, 5-door, hatchback, 12 months MoT, air con, remote central locking, twin airbags, CD player, alloys, 6 months tax, e/w. £1,895

I would but I don't like the colour at all and those wheels just don't suit the car whatsoever. Plus I'm thinking I'd get a much better example of a Fiesta for £2k than a Focus...as that picture proves

.

Andybtsn · 26 Jul 2007 at 22:05

What insurance group does it have to be under?

DanTheMan · 26 Jul 2007 at 22:06

No matter what car I get I'm pretty much being bent over with insurance due to postcode.

Anything under group 7 I'd say, no more than a 1.6.

bigchez · 26 Jul 2007 at 22:09

Have you considered a TDDI focus? Engine is a bit agricultural from cold, but is ok when warm. Not as cool as petrol for first car, but if you're at college and money is to be tightish, the economy would prob be good for you.

Nimzicki · 26 Jul 2007 at 22:11

Ill be controversial given clarkey's recent thread bbuttt....

1.6 Mitsubishi colt mirage.

Gaygle · 26 Jul 2007 at 22:12

bigchez said:
Have you considered a TDDI focus? Engine is a bit agricultural from cold, but is ok when warm. Not as cool as petrol for first car, but if you're at college and money is to be tightish, the economy would prob be good for you.

A half decent one for under £2K? hmmm.

DannyW · 26 Jul 2007 at 22:15

You can get better focus's for £2000 than the one fox found

this is mine i sold , let it go for 2k just to get if off the drive

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/207463.htm

Tesla · 26 Jul 2007 at 22:15

DanTheMan said:
I would but I don't like the colour at all and those wheels just don't suit the car whatsoever. Plus I'm thinking I'd get a much better example of a Fiesta for £2k than a Focus...as that picture proves .

Find one with stock alloys and in a colour you like (which colours do you like?) then.

DanTheMan · 26 Jul 2007 at 22:16

I actually like the Colt quite a lot. Not the best looker but then again neither is the Fiesta at the end of the day.

What sort of age/condition/spec am I looking at for £2k?

Nimzicki · 26 Jul 2007 at 22:18

I bought my last one which was the 1998 1.6 colt (not a mirage so didn't have the sideskirts or front splitter) on 36k for 2k a couple of years ago. As for looks, meh best looking hatchback of that time imo, the girls liked my old silver rather more than I thought it deserved too so I was happy

My current one, which is the one pictured cost me 1800 on 55k, so around that really. If you can find 'em 2k buys you very nice examples on below average mileage

[TW]Fox · 26 Jul 2007 at 22:22

One of the problems with the Colt is that it offers an insight in what todays cars will look like in 10 years time - it has no side rubbing strips.

As a result, your average 10 year old Colt is peppered with irritating dents and marks from 10 years of parking beside idiots in supermarket carparks with little to protect the door.

Nimzicki · 26 Jul 2007 at 22:26

Side strips were an option so some do have them. Looks gash though.

bigchez · 26 Jul 2007 at 22:44

Nimzicki said:
Side strips were an option so some do have them. Looks gash though.

Seriously?! Did it come with a rudder and sail as standard and a steering wheel and engine as an option?!

Amazing what manufacturers have to do to try to sell a really, really, really terrible car. :eek:

Nimzicki · 26 Jul 2007 at 22:46

We talking about the same car here?

bigchez · 26 Jul 2007 at 22:50

Mitsi colt, right?

Nimzicki · 26 Jul 2007 at 22:51

Yes, have you driven one? Its a very capable, reliable and fun car to drive. For the money and size, I can't see anything that would be better, nothing like the boat you have described?

Duke · 26 Jul 2007 at 22:54

Another vote for the Focus. With more space and a larger engine (1.25l 75bhp vs 1.6l 100bhp), it will be a better buy. There are loads around, so no problems finding the right spec.

Lopéz · 26 Jul 2007 at 23:10

Nimzicki said:
Yes, have you driven one? Its a very capable, reliable and fun car to drive. For the money and size, I can't see anything that would be better, nothing like the boat you have described?

I've heard some tosh in my time, but really, since when was a Ford Focus a "boat"

:confused:

EDIT

Ahh, re-read your post, I was lost there for a bit!

Anyway, my thoughts.

The Mitsubishi Colt is an interesting alternative to a K plate Civic, sure, but it is nowhere near as capable as a Ford Focus. They don't ride very well, handle too sharply, or wear particularly well. The interiors are pretty horrid early-90's Jap grey plastic affairs and the body and paint are both lacking in general durability.

Great buy for £400, but not for 2 grand, you can do much better.