Buying a new car, opinions wanted

[gl0ckage]

Mazda if your 100% on selling or keep your car.

Mazda have spares everywhere.
I bought a project suzuki swift gti and there's no parts anywhere but I drive suzuki bikes.

You need to be looking at what's easily maintained and easy to source parts. My top 2 points when buying any car.

 

[fbsf]

Another vote for Japanese. Generally bullet proof and last for ages.

Watch out for the 02-07 Ford TDCI engines (earlier TDDIs not so bad) as they have a dual-mass flywheel that disintegrates for a hobby, filling the starter motor with crap causing it to fail. I know three people personally that have had this.

To replace it you have to take the clutch off, which means most people get the clutch and water pump done at the same time to save labour costs later on. You're looking at the thick end of £1200. It's not a case of if, but rather when it will need doing. Saying that, if a car you are looking at has recent reciepts for this work, then it'll probably be a good purchase...

 

[stevie1556]

Cheers for the replies guys!

Unfortunately, keeping my car isn't an option. I've worked out that at the moment, I'll be better off getting rid of it and getting an older car.

Thanks for all the advice, at the moment I'm looking at either a Mondeo, Leon or Mazda 6. For my milage to and from work (best part of 20k a year) and sinking what seems like an endless stream of money into my business and wedding, it seems like the best option. I do also like the Megane, but I'm worried about the electrics on it as I've read a lot of reviews saying that they aren't great.

 

[Dave1970]

I have a Saab 9-5, but I have a mate who has a 9-3.
In terms of driving, performance and comfort I'd say the Saabs score highly, for a bloody great big estate car mine was cheap to buy and is fast, handles well and is comfortable. My mate went from a sporty Mazda MX-5 to a 9-3 as a practical option and even after the MX-5 he enjoys the 9-3's drive. Bear in mind that mine's a 2.3 petrol and my mates is a petrol too.

BUT I wouldn't say they're particularly reliable. Despite me doing a pretty low mileage. mine does have things go wrong and they're not that cheap to fix. If correctly serviced they will cover huge mileages, my independent Saab specialist reckons to service every 12000 miles and change oil and filter every 6000. I tend to manage the services but I don't manage the 6k oil & filter changes.

The interior on mine isn't great quality, the GM takeover of Saab shows up more here than under the bonnet, it won't be up the standard of your Honda or of some of the others you're considering.

On the plus side it is a chance to own a Saab while you still can!

My Mrs has had a Mazda 323 and then a 3, they've both been good cars. Mr's Dave is crap at getting her car serviced and the Mazda's have lived with this abuse well.

 

[marksa222]

I drive a Y-reg Focus. I bought it in 2008 for £2200 and haven't had any problems with it in 5 years. The only money I've spent was for mot's and a routine cambelt change and a couple of tyres. I was going to get a new car (mainly because I realise it's 12 years old and in 2001 I wasn't even old enough to drive) but decided to keep hold of it and run it into the ground, however long away that might be. Also have a friend who drives a focus and he too hasn't had any problems, but he's only had it 2 years. I'd actually probably get another one, as boring as that sounds lol

 

[stevie1556]

Sorry for the slow reply.

Just a little update, but it looks like I'm going to be keeping my baby! Managed to knock the finance right down! Couldn't be happier! I was a bit shocked a couole of weeks ago, I drove home feom work going the back way through some villages, the speed limit is between 30-50mph, and I managed to get 78.3mpg! Not bad for a 2.2 diesel!

It's now given me the motivation to detail the car, probably next month. Will take around 6-7 hours to do, but the results arw amazing!

 

[BarnsleyBrewer]

A good reconditioned Morris Marina..

BB

 

[Aleman]

Honda , Mazda or Toyota.

If I was having a company car then I would consider anything (Well not French or Vauxhall), if I'm spending my own money then it has to be Japanese.

Toyota 2.2 (AD Series) Diesels from 06-09 have a known issue with oil consumption that Toyota have acknowledged and as a good will warranty will replace the engine within 7 years of first registration or 112K miles, they are going to be out of your price range anyway, and the 2.0 Diesel was a solid reliable lump (apart from DMF failures, which can be expensive to replace). You should be able to find a good Corolla or Corolla Verso for the 1500 . . . Toyota Boring as sh!te, but solid reliable cars (generally)