Buying A Car - my first time :(

[silky666]

ok .. so Mrs. Silky has finally killed the Scenic (she ruins cars).
So its time to buy a new (2nd hand) car.
But, I have never really bought one .. the past cars have all sort of landed in my lap (Scenic was a neighbour selling .. car before that was my father in laws.. and one before that was my cousins.. car before that I was given ... etc etc ).

So: Need advice ? ... Go private ? .. worth going dealer ? .. any recommendations in surrey/sussex area ?
What cars are reliable and able to withstand the missus driving it ?
Budget is as low as possible .. anything above 3k will eat into my biking plans budget (I am sure you understand).
No really little cars (like fiat pandas) ... and cheap to run (I am guessing diesel).

Thanks in advance + Karma
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There's nothing that shouts "Poor Workmanship" more than wrinkles in the Gaffa tape.

Gaffa tape is like "the force" - it has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.

[garth]

I'm staying out of this. I needed a practical car for the rain.

I bought a 2 seater. That leaks.
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You ain't a has been if you never was

[bikertomm]

From what I've seen dealers seem to be very over-priced!

Ideally find the car make and model that you like and then just have a wonder around Ebay motors - any private sale will most probably go cheaper than at a dealers, do you have anyone mechanically knowledged you know because if what you think is a decent car comes up you could go and have a look at it

As for diesel I'd probably get an old 306 1.9 turbo, just over a grand for one in relatively good condition and should last forever!


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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[Kickstart]

Hi

How are the cars destroyed? Driven into things, blown up or the electrics fried by going through the car was with the sunroof open?

How big a car is needed?

[silky666]

[Harold_Shand]

Hello Silky, have you had a look at the Nissan Note? Might be worth a look, probably just a shade over your 3k. Happy hunting
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BCF's 6th favourite poster 2009-2010

Harold_Shand's theory might be the best explanation.

[Kickstart]

[carvell]

Remember to add int he cost of VED (road tax) as Keith says.

Sometimes this swings it back into the favour of diesel - petrols tend to be a fair bit more expensive.
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Yamaha TDM 850

[clancy]

diesal ford mondeo will take a beating from what i know, and as for road tax i have a clio and my friend has the diesal version. is tax is about half mine
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KLX 300r

[msgander]

OH got me mondeo estate, petrol, I too ruin cars, but this one to date has survived with no problems and it is pretty good on the unleaded too. I quite rate the Mondeo!!
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Always believe that your guardian angel flies a bit faster than you...............

[silky666]

I have finally managed to release my vice like grip on the money I have earned (Mrs. Silky does f*ck all and so I constantly remind her its my money).

And bought her a 2nd hand Saab

I will take some pics ... but it basically looks like this but with shi*tier wheels.

https://www.valmet-automotive.com/automotive/images.nsf/files/3c876674d23aeb7dc2257138002cf9a6/$file/saab9-3_w500.jpg
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There's nothing that shouts "Poor Workmanship" more than wrinkles in the Gaffa tape.

Gaffa tape is like "the force" - it has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together.

[.....]

And a pipe?

[silky666]

[SlimRick]

[silky666]

[D O G]

I think that this should be your first and last foray into the world of car buying.

How much did you pay for that....that....thing?

[blurredman]

[Nope.]

[fzr_400]

Silky mate i can see the problem with the cars you have had, they are all french, probs gonna get slated but i dont care, i had same problems with french cars over the past years and none of them agree with me, my first was a citreon ax gt, now im a mechanic so know a fair bit about what to look for, checked the car out completely, had it for about 7 months driving down the road and all of a sudden my drivers floor fell out and it was a real flintstone moment!!!! needless to say i scrapped that biatch, second was a peugeot 306 d turbo, bought it and the bloke obviously knew it had a cold start problem hence meeting me at my house (although he was swapping for my crosser so couldnt ride that on the road!!!) so next morning struggles to start, thought ok test the glow plugs and 2 not working, bought some but never got round to doing it, finally got round to doing it, changed them all went fine started awsomely, went to fill up with diesel, brimmed it costing me 50 quid, drove home, picked up my brother, started it up and bang the valves hit the pistons bye bye engine and 50 quids worth of diesel!!!, never bought french again, i even had a high mileage impreza turbo and never a fault, have a vw bora 1.9 tdi and its a wonderful car, returns 53mpg round town and 63mpg on a run, never had to replace anything in 18 months ownership apart from oil/filter and some front brakes but this is general maintaince, my advice, buy german small tdi like mine, good reliable cars and parts aint too bad on price
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[Polarbear]

|I had a 3 lire Saab 95. Lovely car, only cause it was an auto and the wife couldn't kill the clutch. Other than that

You twat, might as well buy an Alfa Romeo, at least the stereo is good to listen to for when you are waiting for the RAC.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[silky666]

[Polarbear]

Very nice, but I doubt if economy is going to be much to write home about

For 2 grand I'd buy that though.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition