Finally giving over...need a car.

[Blunet600]

I want a car for the really bad days where biking becomes a mission and loses its enjoyment.
Im after a decent car but cheap on insurance. Im looking at honda civics hatch backs, the older models, but cant seem to find a decent one with low mileage.
Anybody got suggestions for a good car that will last and is cheap on insurance. ( I will probably have this car for a long time as it is only to keep me dry and warm and go places the bike cant)
Cheers.
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Honda - Power of Dreams - NSR 125R - Hornet 600

[Cigaro]

I've got a Polo. Get a decent one and it will last.

Nissan Micras are nice and reliable but I heard something about the camchain needing to be replaced after so many miles, which is an engine out job.

[JAMSXR]

Ford Focus, not had mine long but seems like a great car for the money.


https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=184150
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Honda SFX50 > Aprilia SR125 > Aprilia RS125 > Honda RFV400 > K4 GSXR600 > KTM Duke > C1H 636 > K3 GSXR1000 > Aprilia RSV-R > Triumph Street Triple R > Ducati 899 Panigale > Aprilia Tuono 1100 > Triumph Daytona 675R > KTM SuperDuke 1290 2.0

[pa_broon74]

I've also got a Polo although it's off the road right now. totally solid little car, used to be red but now an interesting shade of tree-sap green.

Never ever ever ever ever ever ever, ever ever get a Nissan Micra. You will never live it down. They are only for OAP's with an affection for pork pie shoes, trilbies, doillies, celebratory limited edition cushions (normally found on the back shelf) commemorative plates, wild hand gestures while driving and with an abhorance of speed, other peoples time constraints, corners, bends, slight cambers in the road and generally making progress from one point to another with any haste.

If you do buy a Micra, you will also need one of those small fluffy boxes old folk like to put tissues in. Which always seemed redundant to me as tissues usually come in a perfectly adequate box in the first place.

I'm going to get a car too, I'm old and my joints can no longer hack the cold mornings.


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Didn't catch anything.

[Cigaro]

Yeah, but as long as it runs and it's reliable and good on fuel, who cares what people think of you?

I've always thought: flash car, little cock.

[_Will_]

You can find <10 yr old suzuki altos with low mileage dirt cheap.
[img]https://pictures2.autotrader.co.uk/imgser-uk/servlet/media?id=988028187

[/img]
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Past -Honda qr50 | 2004 Peugeot Tkr s 50| | 1996 Yamaha XJ600s Diversion|

[JAMSXR]

[pa_broon74]

[Robby]

I've got a 1984 Honda accord for sale, and I'm only 10 or 15 miles from you. 75k and reliable, selling for £500.

[Blunet600]

Robby - What engine size is it? and do you have any pictures?
Honda Accords are lovely cars, but the ones i looked at were to big (engine size) meaning insurance was a tad high.

Im going to browse around, i will look up the suggested cars see what insurance i get for them.
cheers.
Any more suggestions welcome...
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Honda - Power of Dreams - NSR 125R - Hornet 600

[Robby]

You have PM.

[st3v3]

[pa_broon74]

Currently I have two cars and two bikes, all are off the road.

It's a bit frustrating to be honest. The Polo needs an MOT for which it'll need the brakes gone over. (Also needs an electric window motor.) I also have a volvo (my dads old car.) It's twelve years old but a nice car. 2.5 24v etc etc fully loaded 960. Cylidner head went. Got the bits for it but haven't got round to doing the work.

I'll get the Polo fixed up first, it should be the easiest to do. It's in good nick, (minus the green tree-sap stuff...)

I want to fix and sell them both then get a 7 seater. Looking at Mitsubishi Delicas, because they look like moon buggies and have captains chairs.


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Didn't catch anything.

[Blunet600]

I found a Honda civic that i like but im not sure whether its slightly over priced for its age.
Its a 1.5i LS Honda Civic Hatchback 3dr 1996 model, its done 59,000 miles.
They want £1,650 ONO for it.
Can anyone tell me what the estimated value is for this car, and what people think of them?
Cheers.
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Honda - Power of Dreams - NSR 125R - Hornet 600

[andyscooter]

just got a skoda fabia

alsoknow of a 55 plate 1.2 for 4 grand with 27000 on the clock
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gilera runner vxr200 (chavped)
if its spelt wrong its my fat fingers and daft auto correct on my tablet

[andyscooter]

just got a skoda fabia

alsoknow of a 55 plate 1.2 for 4 grand with 27000 on the clock
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gilera runner vxr200 (chavped)
if its spelt wrong its my fat fingers and daft auto correct on my tablet

[Harold_Shand]

[Flip]

[Darth]

[ButcherofBiel...]

The civics are a bit silly on the insurance really , i have a 1994 Civic 1.5 lsi hatch and its the best car i've had by a mile having said that, but group 12 insurance is ridiculous.

Can get a 1.3 version if you look that normally are looked after as they aren't taken by too many idiots .

For me its reliable, great fuel economy and can be a real devil if driven right.

Some of the 96 onwards ones will do you fine like what you looked at , for me its a tad over priced (13-14 i'd go up to for that) but with Civics you will always pay more but they hold their value and you know its reliable .

In 2008 i paid £2k for a 1997 Civic 1.4 with 90k on it as a rough guide, , i got my Lsi private sale for £600 in Jan and in the family since have had my brothers 06 Mondeo with 30k on it in the garage 5 times with gearbox and clutch gone , mums KA scrapped, Elantra fuel issue and Peugeot 306 which has had issues for 2 years so 2 weeks ago mine was the only one left running at one point.

VW Lupo would be a great shout for fuel and insurance , some of the 2000 onwards fiesta's are ok and you can really take your pick these days, friend recently got an 01 plate zetec with good trim level for 1800 and insurance not too crazy.

If the insurance wasn't too mad i'd try and get a Focus though i think it'd tick all the boxes and can again take your pick and get them for modest money.

Maybe any money you get knocked off or below your budget you can put into the pot for the insurance if it means you get a decent car.

[Blunet600]

I will look up all the suggested cars. I cannot go over £2,000! That would be my MAX and the car would have to be amazing.
Im looking at less than £1500 to spend as insurance will be fairly high regardless of the car.
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Honda - Power of Dreams - NSR 125R - Hornet 600

[Bendy]

[The View Askew]

If you want to keep the money down, try and find a car that is between 40k-80k and has just had a cam belt, and doesn't burn or leak too much oil.


Do not buy a rover at this mileage, they are nice and cheap, but only to buy, not to shell out on the problems if the head gasket fails.


Vauxhall astras will burn a good amount of oil as they age (Mk3 16v, not had the 8v) but they are VERY cheap and do still keep on running.


Civics are a gamble, most for that price will have either been hammered and high mileage, or just very high mileage, very good little cars though if you get a high mileage example checked over and it has been looked after.


A Polo is a fine suggestion, as is the Seat equivalent, good little cars, available for a bit less than you have on offer and in good nick, good VAG reliability and cheap to run.


I would also consider a Pugeot 306 d turbo (not the HDI), they are poorly built cars, but the engines are japanese, and go on for ever, also they are cheap to buy and run and when the diesel prices are silly you can put quite a lot of vegetable oil in them.


Also, a mk2/3 golf, not a GTI, C, CL, or GL model, you can find these VERY cheaply and despite the age, as long as you dont mind no power steering (mk2), they drive very well, and are very reliable AND easy on insurance, again with all these cars recent cam belt is a must unless you save money for this after buying.


Can't suggest any more as I haven't owned them.
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"Do what you always did, get what you always got"

[Dom_]

[Blunet600]

Yeh my friends have mentioned about the cam belts as well as the clutch....
The civic im going to look at when the guy is back from his 'business' trip, has done 58,000 miles, and he has it up for 1,650. I havent asked about the cam belt but when he is back i will do. I think its between the civic, polo and possibly an astra, im not keen on the idea of no power steering.
What ever car i get will be the car I have for a long time as i will not need to change it (hopefully).
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Honda - Power of Dreams - NSR 125R - Hornet 600