What car do you buy when you don't like cars?

[byke95]

Oh. My. God. A thread about cars, heaven forbid!

I best cut to the chase;

Throughout by 'biking career' (pretty much my whole adult life) I've always bought family hand-me-downs (any old thing that I can trust). However, more recently I bought a car off a friend that turned out to be a complete money pit. I've now sold said car and need to buy another...thing is, having never bought privately off someone I don't know well, or off a trader, I've no idea where to start, or what kind of car is suitable for a 'biker' who just wants something warm and reliable?

My budget is anything between 1 and 2.5k, and requirements are simply that it's cheap to run and reliable. What kind of run a-rounds do you lot use?

Thanks!

[mad4it028]

dont buy a common rail deasel car (dci) very expensive when they go wrong
ide say a petrol fiesta or focus would meet your needs
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always looking to buy bikes crashed ,unfinished projects,none runners pm me
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[Skudd]

[Wilson123]

If you have a decent bike get a shocking car, then when people laugh at your rustbucket you can turn up on your Gixxer and show them up
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Doug97 wrote: Fuck you, what they did was awesome. You just wish you had the balls to be like them, instead of being constantly afraid that there's a rule somewhere out there you might be breaking.

[The Shaggy D.A.]

I'd get a Nissan Micra.

https://www.reliabilityindex.co.uk/tophundred.html?apc=3128339010848601
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[ms51ves3]

[Bendy]

Anything you see minicabbers use.

So that's a Nissan Bluebird then.

[Irn-Bru]

[Al]

[Bendy]

[Clanger]

Nissan Micra.

Old Fords are notorious for breakdowns. Only ever buy nearly new if you opt for a Ford.

Apparently the Honda Jazz has statistically the best record for any car on the roads at the moment. Although you won't pick one up for your budget.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Whosthedaddy]

Its a little bit of strange advice as I can't stand the car but looking beyond my own bias the Hyundai Getz is worth a look. I had 3 different ones as hires cars earlier this year and although I groaned when we collected them they did everything that was stated on the tin.

https://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs031.snc1/3205_74995116657_582986657_1845071_2356828_n.jpg

https://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs009.snc1/4182_81888501657_582986657_1944162_7410348_n.jpg

Its quite a comfy ride, pokey engine if 1.6, semi spacious and well equipped.

They also have a million year warranty too so even 2nd hand ones will still be covered.
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[J0Al1]

[J0Al1]

[J0Al1]

[arry]

Have you not got any needs from it other than warm and reliable?

Not bothered about fuel economy? Interior space? Servicing costs?

[MattHirst]

[Robby]

In that price bracket, you buy on condition now on the car type. You could buy an escort for 800 quid that will last for years, and you could buy a diesel focus for 2k that has 100 miles until the injection pump fails.

My advice is always to buy cheap and fix everything on it that needs fixing. I never spend more than 700 quid doing this - 350 or so for the car, and the same again for parts and tyres. I end up with a car with no faults, a new cambelt and four new tyres.

[Skudd]

[Clanger]

I looked at the Toyota Yaris before I got my 2nd Micra...the seat just didn't go back far enough to cater for my long legs...I would have been bashing myself on the steering wheel.

I have owned three old Fords. I have since owned two Micras. The reason I opted for the Micra this time was because of a very good record with the old one.

At the end of the day, only you can weigh up the options put to you, and get out and about, sit in a few cheap models and do a test drive. Make your decision based on YOUR experiences and opinions.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Black Knight]

Picked up a 98 Mondeo a few months back. Bit tatty but runs perfect and starts on the button, very tidy underneath, got a towbar too. 166K! Gave £200 for it.
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[Fisty]

Er indoors has been running around in a 1998 toyota carina, 1.8i. Cost £400 from ebay with 57k on the clock. She has put 20k on it without fault, it does 35mpg and is easy to service.

Bangernomics FTW
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[Flip]

If you don't like cars then buy a small van? Handy as f*ck.

[binge]

In that price range I'd be looking at Mk3 Golfs.

[Misc]

^ 2.5k would get him a nice MK4 Golf. Very very nice cars. Avoid the 1.4 tho.