Which second hand motor would you recommend

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Johnny
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Now this thread may be a bit premature seeing as I haven't even applied for my provisional licence yet, but after travelling to work for the last four years on at least two buses & two trains every morning & two trains every night I have decided to learn to drive.

Living as close as I do to Central London (I live 15 minutes away, by rail, from London Liverpool Street) I never really saw the need for a car.

However after a steep decline on the GER services under (n)one railway I have decided enough is enough.

Anyway onto the whole point of this thread, I was wondering if anybody could advise me which cars to keep away from when purchasing my first second hand car once I have passed.

I know on the wages I earn the only manufacturers I can afford are Ford, Vauxhall or Nissans but can anyone give me any tips on any "trouble signs" to look out for on particular cars, and what reg should I limit myself to.

What I mean by this is how old is too old for a car to buy second hand. I know a G-reg or M-reg are risky buy's but how long is it before a car gets knackered, five years old, ten years, older?

Apologies if this doesn't make much sense, I've had a few too many Beck's tonight and it's a bit difficult to type at the mo :lol:

Any help though is greatly appreciated :D
Johnny

Harry Hill : "What is it about people that repair shoes that makes them so good at cutting keys? Try going in there with a shoe shaped like a key and see how confused they get."
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Jamez
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You can pick up a 2000 (X or Y reg) Audi A4 for about £2000-3000 now. Bargain.

Insurance is a bit steep if you're under 22, though.
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Nick Harvey
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What are parts costs like for Volkswagons and Audis now? That used to be the killer because they were so steep if anything went wrong.

To continue an old joke, I suppose you could always fit Skoda parts to them nowadays.

Hate to be boring, but I still think it's difficult to beat Fords for all-round economy to run.
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Jamez
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Nick Harvey wrote:
Hate to be boring, but I still think it's difficult to beat Fords for all-round economy to run.
I had a Mondeo a while ago. I had no end of trouble. I ended up selling it for £50 just to get it out of my street.

I also hear that Ford's don't work too well in petrol station car washes! ;)
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marksi
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Buy a motorbike.
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Jamez
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marksi wrote:Buy a motorbike.
I thought about that, but then the BBC News website started reporting lots of motorbike fatalities and I think it was a not-so-subliminal message.

I'll stick to the car. Or the bus. Or a hot-air balloon flying over castles and lakes.
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Johnny
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Nah I'd be useless on a motorbike due to my girth :lol:

I'm glad some people understood what I wrote above :D

I have thought about what cars I could realistically own. I probably would go for a Ford, Vauxhall or Nissan as they are quite reasonably priced unfortunately an Aston Martin isn't

I also like the Volkswagen Polo/Golf but they are very expensive to maintain.

I do know what I don't want to get though: Daihatsu's, Hyundai's, Vauxhall Vectra (dull as dishwater), Lada's and Yugo's. Thankfulyl the last two are no longer sold in the UK.

From what people have told me at work I should aim for a mid sized car (Astra, Focus/Escort), nothing over 1100cc and only get third party fire & theft insurance as for what I would use a car I would only need to get a little run around.
Johnny

Harry Hill : "What is it about people that repair shoes that makes them so good at cutting keys? Try going in there with a shoe shaped like a key and see how confused they get."
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Lorns
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Johnny wrote:Nah I'd be useless on a motorbike due to my girth :lol:
You bragging?
Mental anxiety, Mental breakdowns, Menstrual cramps, Menopause... Did you ever notice how all our problems begin with Men?
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Johnny
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miss hellfire wrote:
Johnny wrote:Nah I'd be useless on a motorbike due to my girth :lol:
You bragging?
No big gut rather than penis :lol:
Johnny

Harry Hill : "What is it about people that repair shoes that makes them so good at cutting keys? Try going in there with a shoe shaped like a key and see how confused they get."
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Alarsne53
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Johnny wrote:
From what people have told me at work I should aim for a mid sized car (Astra, Focus/Escort), nothing over 1100cc and only get third party fire & theft insurance
With respect then the people you work with are fuckwits. You cannot get a 1.1 focus/astra sized car.

I would easily recommend something along the lines of a focus 1.6, you would be looking at spending 4k for a decent low mileage 52 reg 1.6 LX model, cheap to run, insure and look after, but comfortable as well.

On the insurance side, you will probably find there is not a lot of difference in cost between fully comp and 3rd party, plus if you have an accident you are covered.
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Johnny
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Alarsne53 wrote:
Johnny wrote:
From what people have told me at work I should aim for a mid sized car (Astra, Focus/Escort), nothing over 1100cc and only get third party fire & theft insurance
With respect then the people you work with are fuckwits. You cannot get a 1.1 focus/astra sized car.

I would easily recommend something along the lines of a focus 1.6, you would be looking at spending 4k for a decent low mileage 52 reg 1.6 LX model, cheap to run, insure and look after, but comfortable as well.

On the insurance side, you will probably find there is not a lot of difference in cost between fully comp and 3rd party, plus if you have an accident you are covered.
The fuckwit is me actually, they mentioned Fiesta's, Corsa's, Clio's, Micra's, etc. I was the one that put Focus & Astra on the list :oops:

You did used to be able to get a 1100cc Astra though didn't you? Although I think it was a MarkI/II and not the current MarkV
Johnny

Harry Hill : "What is it about people that repair shoes that makes them so good at cutting keys? Try going in there with a shoe shaped like a key and see how confused they get."
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