What car for around 3k?

[Noxious89123]

I'm currently driving a 53 plate Ford Ka, and it's in quite a state. Leaking thermostat, knackered suspension, dodgy tyre wear, awful levels of corosion etc.

I don't consider it worth i to keep it any longer than I have to, as it's going to start getting expensive to keep it road legal. As my friend said, "I don't want to do THAT much welding!". It really is rotten as hell all under the sills etc.

Anyways, I'm looking to buy something else in about August time (so my insurance ends and I gain 1yrs NCB). I was thinking of a 2 Litre Focus Ghia. Decent grunt, and a nice equipment level, and the insurance isn't too bad considering the size of the car.

Something else that I had considered after looking today, was a 1.7 Ford Puma. I think they are a bit of a womans car, but apparently they have a rather tasty engine, and if the handling is anything like the Ka, it should be quit fun to drive. The disadvantage is th insurance would be a couple hundred more, and the boot is non-existant. But then I already have that problem with the Ka.

Had also thought of an Astra as an option, but I don't know much about them.

Would be interested to know what people think would be a good option for a 3k car. Looking for a 1.6 atleast, and nothing bigger than a 2.0. So, any thoughts?
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'06 Honda CBR125RW-6 ~ '00 Honda CBR600F-Y ~ '07 Honda CBR600RR-7 ~ Bikeless
'53 Ford Ka 1.3 ~ '03 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8 ~ '52 Vauxhall Astra SRi 2.2 ~ '53 Vauxhall Astra GSi

[mad4it028]

mazda 6
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always looking to buy bikes crashed ,unfinished projects,none runners pm me
currently riding kawasaki z1000 only bike ive ever loved

[Noxious89123]

Wow, that was an unexpected suggestion. Quite a big car!

The TS2 models are pushing out 140bhp though, which is rather tasty. Interior isn't bad either. Just going to try a insurance quote, see what it comes back with...

EDIT: Comes back with exactly the same quote as a Puma! £1172.87

I will be being bummed on insurance, as I'm only soon going to turn 21, and will only have 1yrs NCB and an SP30 on my licence. But I can deal with that, its a once-a-year thing.
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'06 Honda CBR125RW-6 ~ '00 Honda CBR600F-Y ~ '07 Honda CBR600RR-7 ~ Bikeless
'53 Ford Ka 1.3 ~ '03 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8 ~ '52 Vauxhall Astra SRi 2.2 ~ '53 Vauxhall Astra GSi

[Misc]

The cars you mentioned can all be bought for around a grand so i hope you wasn't planning on spending it all on them!

I'd go for a late 90s BMW 5 series. Look great inside & out, plenty of equipment, a bit of grunt from what i've read & come in a lot of sizes.

A bit different but very classy looking & look they they'd be a nice ride.

[cagiva gezzer]

[Noxious89123]

[Misc]

[Blackwolf]

As for the Pumas, my Ex had a 1.3 version and yes it did have some poke, gripped quite will too.

strange you mention getting a car becasue im looking too at around september time.


one im looking at is an astra, 2.0 T version.

dony forget Seat's, Golfs ect..

I have also looket at the % series and the E46,

Its just the insurance, all be 1.5-2K and the mileage on the cars is usually over 100k too
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Current: Ducati Multistrada 1200s

[Robby]

My usual bit of car buying advice. A more expensive car from a dealer will always have faults that creep out of the woodwork soon after buying. I would go for a cheaper car and spend some of the difference on a super service so you know it's tip top.

[mooserx]

[Misc]

Golf's are lovely cars, very nice interior for age & for a 98 car they've aged well.

The reliability would put me off getting another, my first MK4 was faultless but my second had gearbox issues which i hear is common due to 'gearboxes made out of cheese'

Definitely go with the diesel models, the GTI are all slow especially the turbo. So avoid them unless you want to upgrade the ECU for more power.

Don't think i'll buy another VAG, damn coil packs & cambelts.

[P.addy]

How old are you Noxious?
My insurance is pretty low, just I aim for cars not associated with crashes and theft

Take my current 160HP Rover 75 1.8T...few problems with it originally but ive had nothing since the proper repair was done on it.
Been round Brands in it, handles great, only £850 fully comp!
Not bad for someone with 1yr NCB and a few claims..

But you can get a decent car and have low insurance..

take the other beast. a Noble M12... 400HP.. only £1500 fully comp...

Heaven

Also as for a decent suggestion, Seat Ibiza...newer looking ones, or a Leon..
If you have looked at Puma's...check the 2.5 V6 Cougar... can be had very cheap on eBay and insurance isnt too savage!

Better still, look for a semi decent condition Civic Type R if you want some form of fun...Jap Car...nice and reliable.

Or do a 27cows, Honda Jazz, no poke, looks horrendous...but you keep it despite the fantastic choice around you

[arry]

https://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1597839.htm

Primera.

Touch over budget, but should be able to get one within budget. It's a newish car with low mileage which rides well and has reasonable reliability, economy, cheap to insure etc.

[_Will_]

I'm toying with the idea of selling my passat, is got 80k on the clocks
1.8 alloys air con esp etc, pretty damn good nick for a v plate.
Me wants 1700 squids and it cost me 390 tpft.

Would reccomend the passat, I love it but we're selling the accord n the missus will be sharing with me, she doesnt like the 'image' of mah vdub, but I do so the argument will continue.
Bah I wanna nuther 'bird, bloody women n kids
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Past -Honda qr50 | 2004 Peugeot Tkr s 50| | 1996 Yamaha XJ600s Diversion|

[neatbik]

I would reccomend the Focus.
We have had one for 3 years now (an '03 1.8 tdci) and its great.
Lots of room, handles really well, comfy, reliable and parts are cheap.

We are looking for something slightly bigger as our 3 boys are filling the back seats a bit much now, but i'm struggling to find something i like as much - the only thing i'm interested in is a Focus Cmax...

[JonB]

[Clanger]

Japanese.
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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

[neatbik]

[plugger147]

[mad4it028]

what ever you do dont DONT!! buy any ford tdci just do a google search on tdci wont start or flashing glow plug light the injectors go wrong £1200 to replace and reprogram the duel mass clutch it £1000 to replace moden common rail ford engines are terible and very expencive when they go wrong and they do go wrong .
having said that do you wanna buy my 54 plate mondeo tdci?...lol
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always looking to buy bikes crashed ,unfinished projects,none runners pm me
currently riding kawasaki z1000 only bike ive ever loved

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

I had the Focus you suggest.

They are pretty decent cars to be honest. The motor's ok. Not that fast(I think I had an indiciated 130ish out of my old one), but you can get decent economy out of it with the correct driving style. They handle pretty well too due to the fancy (control blade) rear suspension on them.

Interior's nice, Air con, decent stereo as standard, T/C is standard on the Ghias, it has an off setting, but it's never really off which is very annoying. T/C is also completely flummoxed by snow like most cars.

The 12(?) spoke alloys are a pig to clean.

Engine's pretty solid, check for a coolant leak from the thermostat housing(not really a big deal, but you have to keep topping up the coolant), and a heavily corroded exhaust back box(MOT failure when it rots through, there are two layors. If it's gone through the first layor you'll have about year or two before you need a new one) before you buy.

Seats 5 easily. Had 8 in mine at one point although performance was slightly affected. Big boot, space saver rear tyre.

My old one was sold with 70k on the clocks for £1500 with one gap in the otherwise full history.

2k'll probably get your a 50ker with a full history in pretty good nick.

The one I had was a mark I (97-2000) I think the Mark II had a backbox that doesn't rot and intergrated front indis).

HTH.

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[neatbik]

Mines a Ghia, and no traction control -

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[Noxious89123]

Bleurgh, Traction control Where's the fun if I can't use all that torque to do phat wheel spinz?

And lol, Primera. Wouldn't want one of those, thy're fugly. Can't afford a Noble Seat's arn't great for reliability. Guy at work has one and it eats ignition coils. The 2.5 Cougar is too big, would be too hefty on tax and fuel. Civic type-R is horendous on fuel, and they're not cheap cars either.

Not keen on a golf either, they're too chunky imo. I've decided against a Mazda6 as well, it's way too big, I'd never be able to park it anywhere.

Thanks for all the comments guys, it has certainly given me another perspective on what's good and what's no.

I'm still leaning towards a Focus at this time though. Pretty good equipment level, plenty of poke, cheap, and loads of them around.

And Ham, 130 from a car is plenty enough for me The Ka will do a ton down country roads and sticks to the road well, don't really need anything more than that. It's just the extra grunt and overtaking power that I'm after

Oh, and I must also add; Lol diesel. Don't think so. If i wanted somerthing agricultural, I'd buy a tractor

Paddy, I'm 21 in 2 weeks
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'06 Honda CBR125RW-6 ~ '00 Honda CBR600F-Y ~ '07 Honda CBR600RR-7 ~ Bikeless
'53 Ford Ka 1.3 ~ '03 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8 ~ '52 Vauxhall Astra SRi 2.2 ~ '53 Vauxhall Astra GSi

[JonB]

My Focus has about 75k on the clocks and since I bought it, I have done about 5 - 6,000 miles and the only issue i've had so far is a dud battery. My idle belt is squeaking a bit when cold aswell.
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Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.