Looking for a cheap old banger !

[Rave]

Really it depends how much you need a reliable car. By the sounds of it your Vectra is worth sod all, and you'd be looking to pass it on for a couple of hundred quid. So....unless it would cause you serious problems to break down in the middle of nowhere and/or on your way to work, then just keep it until it breaks TBH. So what if it needs a cambelt? It might snap tomorrow, or it might last thousands more miles. If the roof it rusting- just paint some Kurust or similar on it.

My Mondeo cost me £550, bought off my father in law with 4 months tax. I got £350 from my own company when one of our drivers drove into it and broke the rear bumper; my mother and I have since done at least 2000 miles in it with the bumper held on with gaffa tape (though declaring the knock put my insurance up by 40 quid ). The car owes me less than nothing really, it's due its MOT net week and may well pass, in which case I'll just keep it till it breaks; if not I'll strip it and sell all the glass, lights etc. on ebay before I get someone to lift it away for scrap steel (which I'm sure they'll do for free, it's heavy enough).

[Behemoth]

I've been put right off the idea of buying a cheap old car, having seen whats out there !

After having a chat with my old man, he advised me to take out a loan with my bank and then look for something decent. To my amazement, I made the application for the loan this afternoon and it was accepted

Have spent much of the day going the length and breadth of the county, am pretty sure that I'll end up going back for the deal I was offered to part ex in my Vectra for a 54 Plate Almera 1.5 SE with 46,000 on the clock

After giving the Almera a test drive I couldn't see any difference in performance between that and my 1.8 Vectra.

Looking to spend just under 4k for all those that want to know what my budget is.

[finlay666]

Looking to spend just under 4k for all those that want to know what my budget is.

I picked up a good condition (little worn/stains on seats etc) A4 1.8 Turbo for almost half that with 64k on the clock

You can do well looking around to see what is going about. I don't think Guy paid much for his 530d and that lasted him quite a long distance too

[Behemoth]

Down here in Cornwall, even the high milage BMW's are pretty pricey, primarily because of the BMW badge. I had alook at some Audi's too, and the ones in my budget were very tatty high milage examples, (I'm talking 150,000) I know on some engines this is no bother at all.

I'd be happy if I could find one though sitting on around 90,000, I just don't like buying cars with more than 100k on the clock. Espeically when I'm looking to drop more money on it. If I was still looking for an old banger (which I'm now not) the mileage would not have been a problem.

[Biscuit]

When i get a new car i will most definitely be driving up to my parents in Yorkshire, cars are cheaper up there! I would recommend you try and do the same thing if you know anyone up north as you wil get a lot more for your money.

[Behemoth]

Totally agree with that BUT if theres a problem with the car getting back there could be an issue.

[Guy]

Mileage is just a number on the dashboard.

As long as its been properlly serviced and looked after a higher mileage car wont cause you any issues.

[kalniel]

Totally agree with that BUT if theres a problem with the car getting back there could be an issue.

With a 4k budget there's enough for a decent national warranty with recovery if that's a concern. Some of the car supermarkets actually have quite good ones, but there's lots of third party ones.

[finlay666]

Totally agree with that BUT if theres a problem with the car getting back there could be an issue.

4k budget, spend £100 on RAC cover

still gives you plenty of money to spend on the car

[Behemoth]

Am going to see a VW Bora 1.9 TDI tomorrow, the 130 BHP version with the 6 speed gear box. Priced at £4500.

[Guy]

http://www.autoquake.com/used-ford-m...l/inspid=27170

[Behemoth]

The Bora I went to see turned out to be an insurance write off job thats been repaired. Visually when I looked at it, it was fine.

When I had a gander at it from underneeth it had clearly been repaired. I kindly pointed out to the dealer selling it he needs to state that it's been in an accident and left it there shaking my head.

On the list for tomorrow are a Kia Rio 1.5 CRDI with 16k on the clcok and possibly a Passat on an 06Plate with 60k miles for 5k (130 BHP model with the 6 speed box), hoping to beat the dealer down on that one, don't think he'll want to take in my Vectra, its letting in water like a collinder.