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Old 14 Jul 2011, 16:14 (Ref:2926646)   #1
Cougar
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My First Car

Ive been driving now for nearly 13 years (oooh I should not have calculated that!!) but have never bought my own car!

During the first four years I got by with a couple of student cars.. '86 Opel Kadett and then an '83 Ford Escort... after that I moved to London and got by with renting or using the company van/car when I needed to.

Now THINKING about getting something of my own. Plan the odd trip into work and the odd trip to the shops and then a weekend or day trips out of London.

With a budget of between £2000 and £3000 where will I find best value for money... both in buying and running costs etc. At 6'7 I "fit" into most driving seats, however not always that comfy and this leaves no space for anyone behind me and not always comfortable!

Any suggestions? What to avoid etc.
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Old 14 Jul 2011, 20:12 (Ref:2926765)   #2
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SALEEN S7R should be qualifying in the top 5 on the gridSALEEN S7R should be qualifying in the top 5 on the gridSALEEN S7R should be qualifying in the top 5 on the grid
Looking at cars of the budget bracket you are mentioning the most obvious choice in my mind if you want a good balance of economy and performance as well as being relatively new I would go for something like a 2007 TDI Mondeo, can get them with around 130bhp and under 100,000 miles for around £3000 going by what I've seen on Autotrader.

Ok it isnt the most exciting car in the world, but it is reasonably quick whilst being economical, and large enough to accomidate 4 adults with relative ease.
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Old 5 Oct 2011, 15:31 (Ref:2966145)   #3
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Thanks SALEEN ... I had quite a long look at the Mondeo's but in the end prefered the Golf.

Actually the dealer near me has an 03 reg 1.9 TDI Golf Mk4 with 96KW motor for £2600 odd. Promising me that the timing belt etc will all be done and free MOTs for life?

Car has had 1 owner and full service history. It looks in pretty good condition but the catch is close on 180k mileage!?

From what I can see the engine is a good one overall? Ive been warned to be careful with the turbo with such high mileage?

What else should I be looking at?

Advice appreciated.
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Old 5 Oct 2011, 17:55 (Ref:2966205)   #4
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For reliability & economy, look at something Japanese, maybe an old shape Honda Civic. If you like VWs, have a look at Seat (the Leon is basically a Golf & the Ibiza is a Polo) which offers better value and, I think, better styling. Skoda are an ever cheaper option, if you can get past the badge. Happy hunting!
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Old 5 Oct 2011, 18:01 (Ref:2966209)   #5
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grantp should be qualifying in the top 3 on the gridgrantp should be qualifying in the top 3 on the gridgrantp should be qualifying in the top 3 on the grid
Have you looked at insurance quotes yet?

They may influence your decision - I can't be sure.
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Old 5 Oct 2011, 18:46 (Ref:2966225)   #6
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Ah its funny how you set out to buy the most value for money car you can. But then start to like something and want THAT one! Ive looked at SEATs but dont really fancy them.

At moment I have my heart set on a golf.. so...

Insurance wise... Ive had my licence for 13 years... drive company car at work but dont take it home etc so that doesnt help me much so I donty have any no claims If I look at fully comp and if I pump up the excess..Im looking at £800 odd a year from the cheapest place.

Weirldy enough Thirdparty only and fire and theft are MORE expsensive?

Anyways... would anyone touch that GOLF with that sort of mileage? If I look at service history and the timing belt has been done within the last few 1000 miles should I ask them to give me discount rather? Also they offer 3 months warranty? Is this worth it in your opinions?
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Old 5 Oct 2011, 19:53 (Ref:2966249)   #7
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SALEEN S7R should be qualifying in the top 5 on the gridSALEEN S7R should be qualifying in the top 5 on the gridSALEEN S7R should be qualifying in the top 5 on the grid
Personally I wouldnt touch a german car, unless you have the sufficent budget to buy a decent one. Yes diesels can do very high mileage, but 180,000 is a lot even for a diesel, thats why I suggested the Ford, for the same ammount of money you get a car that will likely be in better condition, in my opinion. As you probably know, in this country you always pay that little bit extra to own a german car, those little badges add a lot to the price. Good luck with whatever you decide on though.
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Old 5 Oct 2011, 20:34 (Ref:2966271)   #8
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Hmm yes comparing age and mileage now I do see you get more ford for your money.

Ah and then insurance for the "more ford" is £200 more a year.. hmmmms

Not an easy decision! argggg
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Old 6 Oct 2011, 15:48 (Ref:2966703)   #9
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terence should be qualifying in the top 10 on the gridterence should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
Even more so when you consider that by the time you have finished with a Ford it will be worth all of nothing. Residual values? go with a Golf,it'll cost less in the long run and WILL still be worth selling.
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Old 6 Oct 2011, 16:22 (Ref:2966719)   #10
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Going to throw something in:

Smart Roadster.

Economical, fun, small enough to park anywhere, ample room for a lofty bloke (I'm 6ft3 and its the most comfortable car i have ever owned).

They are dirt cheap too!
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Old 7 Oct 2011, 12:11 (Ref:2967106)   #11
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Hmmm Smart Roadster, would like the option to go 4 in the car... Although anyone trying to sit behind me is going to have problems in most cars

No one brave enough to comment on 178000 mileage golf? I SHOULD be ok if service history is pretty complete thought right? Dealer who has it says they have been servicing it themselves for the last few years. New owners have upgraded to a new Audi A6. Car has been used as a family car? So that's a lot of shopping miles?

They saying 1 year warranty now? With 3 months parts and service. Don't know full details on that. Then as I said timing belt kit and service. Asked about breaks and bushes and they said if warn more than 50% they would replace. (id like to see that) And then free MOTs. Max discount they will give is 10% and then thats with none of the extras? An 03 car for £2600 still seems a bit steep on that mileage though? Or does a good service history balance it out?
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Old 7 Oct 2011, 15:48 (Ref:2967202)   #12
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Buy exactly what you want or a close as you can get with your budget... even if maintenance or insurance is a few bucks more. Nothing worse than second guessing yourself for 5, 7, 10 years.
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Old 11 Oct 2011, 09:19 (Ref:2969141)   #13
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At 180K miles I'd be amazed if it was still on its first turbo - I don't know anyone (myself included) running a car with the 1.9 diesel that has got a turbo to last beyond 100K. My turbo blew somewhere around 80K but that's on a 130bhp engine so maybe they use a different turbo on the lower powered 1.9s?

(My previous car was a Peugeot 306 turbo diesel - I sold that at 180K miles and that didn't have anything done to it beyond routine servicing )
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Old 11 Oct 2011, 12:56 (Ref:2969285)   #14
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Hmm yeah the mileage is scaring me a little. I did ask about the turbo and he said it was OK and had not had trouble with it.

I think Ill wait for something else (not in too much of a hurry)

Thanks for everyone's input
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Old 16 Nov 2011, 13:31 (Ref:2987223)   #15
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2k could get a 10 year old 5 series bmw in sport trim circa 100k miles. Pretty reliable.
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Old 20 Nov 2011, 12:16 (Ref:2989160)   #16
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As a rule I wouldn't be scared of big mileages. Condition and service history are more important. There are VAG 1.9TDI's out there going strong with well over 250k on them, although most will have had a new turbo at some point.

You do pay a premium in the UK for a German badge, but looking a the age and budget you are it's probably a premium worth paying. There's a reason why there's so many of them still about - they actually were better built and more reliable back then. The problem is finding one that has been properly looked after at dealers and specialists - when a premium car gets older it often falls into the hands of people who can't actually afford to maintain it properly and cut corners on parts and servicing.
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