New car - what should I get?

[ctid]

I sold my Bravo today and need a new car. I've got about 1800 to spend, and want something the same size or a bit bigger. I want something thats going to be reliable and not have too many miles on (under 80k).

What should I get?

Cheers

[Howard]

Ford Mondeo, Honda Accord. Don't worry about the mileage, condition is more important

[Konan555]

Can you get a MK3 mondeo for £1800 now?

[Howard]

With high mileage, yes. Would still be infinitely better than a Bravo

[ctid]

I'll have a look. Was thinking of a Focus 1.8 Zetec or a Volvo S40 1.6/1.8

I can get a T reg S40 with 70k on the clock for 1700.

Or there's a decent V reg Saxo VTR with 70k for 1200 :]

[Howard]

I can get a T reg S40 with 70k on the clock for 1700.

AKA Mitsubishi Carisma. Mondeo > that

[joshwa]

Ford Focus / Skoda Fabia / Octavia?

Volvo's seem overpriced for the age of car you're getting. Astra's are cheap as well - and generally reliable. Some people like them, some people hate them.

I'd see how new a car you can get for as little money as possible

[kalniel]

I'd have thought the focus is still a bit too trendy to be had at that price. Astra shouldn't be a problem. Mondeo is probably best bet though in terms of condition for the money.

[Guy]

You could get a Mk 3, 2 litre Mondeo for that sort of money, and they wouldnt be rocket ship millage either 75/80ish k.

[ctid]

Hmm. What sort of mileage should I be looking for with a Mondeo, Focus, Astra etc? My Bravo fell apart at 95k, which is why I got rid of it, so I'm wary of cars getting to around that mileage.

Also, I'm only 19, so insurance is a consideration, but I seem to be getting decent quotes for most things, although a 2l might be too much.

[Howard]

It's a Fiat. Falling apart is in the design specification

Most cars, properly maintained, will be fine at that mileage, although I'd not want one that's just done short town trips all it's life

[Salazaar]

It's a Fiat. Falling apart is in the design specification

FIAT = Fix It Again Tony

[Shad]

Volvos make smart buys at this price bracket IMO. My 850 has now done 184k miles and feels significantly more solid and put together than brand new Mondeos, Vectras, Accords, etc. - and the 850 is 11 years old now.

They are also incredibly reliable. I've done just basic servicing on the car over the last 2 years and it's not missed a beat.

Volvo


The only down side is that now I'm looking to replace the car with something newer and more economical, I am going to have to spend more than I'd like to keep the build quality and kit level

[Barakka]

Another vote for the Volvo...
as Howard said, condition is more important than mileage, my Fiat Bravo was still running fine at 130k because it was always maintained properly - I bought it new. I only got rid as I got a company car which was a 2 year old Mk5 Golf that was falling apart at 35k as it'd been passed around so much (six "owners" in just over 2 years) it was almost a pool car.
The Golf also had more electrical faults in the 8 months I had it than me and my wife have had with 4 fiats over 12 years and 250k+ miles.

[eshrules]

Being a VAG fan, I have to reccomend something from their stable.

given your budget, i'd recommend an Octavia or perhaps a Seat Toledo/Leon, both of which benefit from an Audi interior and all 3 of these wear well.

Golf's are out of your range really, for a decent one, you'd need £3k+

other than that, I can't disagree with the recommendation of the Ford Mondeo. Focus' tend to hold their value quite well, so £1800 for one might be a bit tight

[Ben_]

What do you need the car for?

As plainly a saxo vtr is going to be quite a laugh around b roads, but wont be able to carry five adults in much comfort..

Insurance would be fine I shoudl imagine, remember that its the car your insuring not its engine.

Thats why a Lancer evo will cost you more to insure than a 6 ltr monaro.