What should I get? £3k

geuben

geuben

geuben

Associate
Joined
23 Mar 2006
Posts
1,739
Afternoon all,

I know there are a lot of these spec me threads and some people get annoyed by them but the requirements and budgets are different in all of them.

Ok so I'm 22 and just started my first real job since graduating in the summer. I'm already sick of getting the bus to work as their unreliable and full of sweaty smelly people. So I'm planning on getting a car sooner than I original planned.

The car would primarily be used for commuting, with the odd run up the country when going back to my parents etc.

I'm thinking of a small hatch, possibly a fiesta or clio. My dad would suggest I get a diesel as that's all he's ever had (and what I've been driving for the past 4-5 years), but I'm open to petrol if its a better option.

What I'm looking for from you guys is some more detailed recommendations such as the age of the car, mileage, extras I could get on a car within my budget of £3k +/- 10%.

So a quick summary for anyone who doesn't want to read that.

Budget: 3k
Ideal Insurance: £700 - £800, I'm 22 have been driving since 17 but no NCB.
Car Type: Hatch

If you need any more info just ask.

Cheers

Reuben
 
ajstan said:
I would say mk6 fiesta ;)
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It's things like that which are the reason I made my own thread instead of just getting ideas from other spec me threads. I have no idea which fiesta is a mk6, could you be more specific?

Gribs^ I don't fancy riding to work, can't be bothered with taking my work clothes with and having a shower at work etc. Plus it's not just commuting. The supermarket is the same distance away so the car would also be used for shopping etc.
 
geuben said:
Gribs^ I don't fancy riding to work, can't be bothered with taking my work clothes with and having a shower at work etc. Plus it's not just commuting. The supermarket is the same distance away so the car would also be used for shopping etc.
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Biking to work over a short distance isn't bad at all even if you don't ride in all week. I used to do a 10 mile each way bike commute and just leave clothes at work to change into and drive when I was feeling lazy or ran out of clothes. It'll probably be quicker to cycle in too.

Car wise you may be beter looking at Focus or Mondeo sized cars as you get a lot more for your money and they don't cost that much more to run. £3k would get you a nice spec mk3 mondeo from about 2004 which is a much nicer place to sit than an fiesta. Petrol engines are a sensible option unless you do high mileage as there's a lot less to go wrong and the fuel savings aren't that much.
 
Whats your post code? or a post code near by? will help us find cars near to you.

I'll echo the Fiesta. But the 1.25 engine is better the 1.4 is pants.
 
Gribs said:
Biking to work over a short distance isn't bad at all even if you don't ride in all week. I used to do a 10 mile each way bike commute and just leave clothes at work to change into and drive when I was feeling lazy or ran out of clothes. It'll probably be quicker to cycle in too.

Car wise you may be beter looking at Focus or Mondeo sized cars as you get a lot more for your money and they don't cost that much more to run. £3k would get you a nice spec mk3 mondeo from about 2004 which is a much nicer place to sit than an fiesta. Petrol engines are a sensible option unless you do high mileage as there's a lot less to go wrong and the fuel savings aren't that much.
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I'm not sure I want more of a car though, I think about it though.

tompry said:
Mk5 Fiesta Zetec-S

Can pick up a real mint one for 2.5-3k
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Not really a fan of that style fiesta.

Muffin` said:
Whats your post code? or a post code near by? will help us find cars near to you.

I'll echo the Fiesta. But the 1.25 engine is better the 1.4 is pants.
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GU2 7YP, or more likely FY7 as it's going to be difficult for me to go look at cars without already having a car, so might have to resort to my dad looking at them for me (my parents live at FY7).
 
I'm going to recommend the obligatory golf mk4. 1.9tdi engines, solid as a rock, bit of punch to them, great on fuel. Should be able to pick one up for about 3k and insure it for ~£600 i should think. Hunt around, the amount of extras you get will vary.
Don't need to begin to worry about mileage til you get to 200k as long as it's serviced regularly.
You'll probably be able to pick up a petrol for less, don't bother with the 1.4 it's crap, the 1.6 isn't fast but it's not underpowered (probably the best one for you if you want petrol). The 2.0GTI eats oil.
The 1.8T, V5 and V6 will probably be big bucks to insure for you but check it anyway because they're all good engines.
Oh and the 1.9SDI engine, avoid like the plague.

Custom design for your needs really.

In before "you recommend a golf to everyone"
 
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geuben said:
GU2 7YP, or more likely FY7 as it's going to be difficult for me to go look at cars without already having a car, so might have to resort to my dad looking at them for me (my parents live at FY7).
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http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...icleYearOfManufacture=1999&vehicleRegLetter=T

first result; knock him down to a grand and you've got a bargin. You want to buy on condition with cars like these. Expect dings and scratches in the paint work as it's a grand and will have seen its fair share of supermarket car parks. But it'll be a solid car that won't let you down. Maybe even try drivng 3-4 of them first so you get to know what a good one feels like. Things like suspension components and brakes often get left till they become MOT failuers on cars like these. I can't advise how much things like that cost but there's a few 1.25 owners on here who I'm sure could.
 
I get around said:
I'm going to recommend the obligatory golf mk4...snip...

In before "you recommend a golf to everyone"
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Thanks for your informative reply, just had a quick search and found an X reg one, checked insurance and it looks more like £700+ rather than £600. That's within my budget though.

Muffin` said:
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...icleYearOfManufacture=1999&vehicleRegLetter=T

first result; knock him down to a grand and you've got a bargin. You want to buy on condition with cars like these. Expect dings and scratches in the paint work as it's a grand and will have seen its fair share of supermarket car parks. But it'll be a solid car that won't let you down. Maybe even try drivng 3-4 of them first so you get to know what a good one feels like. Things like suspension components and brakes often get left till they become MOT failuers on cars like these. I can't advise how much things like that cost but there's a few 1.25 owners on here who I'm sure could.
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Tbh, as I've already said, I'm not a fan of the look of that style fiesta. Plus I would rather send a bit more if it means getting a nicer/better car. At £1k (which you suggest it could be had for) I'm a little worried I'd run into problems with it.
 
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