and before the smart arses come on, the bike is not practical for what i need, i need a new car…
ive had my wee clio 10yrs, and im averaging about 2000miles a month.
I need something comfortable that will get me hundreds of miles home at the end of a 12hr day, doesnt cost a fortune to run/tax/insure and is reliable.
I dont have allot to spend though (have been saving but the car is on its way out sooner than later)
Im getting mixed reactions about whether to get a diesel for the running costs,but compromise on reliability, and also the only real things in my budget at the moment is something like a mondeo or focus as im not keen on getting finance and dont wana sell the bike!
i know its a bikers forum, but most of you bikers drive in the winter anyway
Seat Ibiza’s aint bad, had mine from new for 3 years now, done 42,000 miles no problems, servicing doesnt break the bank, brake pads are good for about 50000 miles have not had to get mine changed yet, I wanted something different from Ford and Vauxhall this time , the Leons are pretty tasty too, worth a look
we have a peugeot 106 half a million years old, 105,000 miles cost us £200.00. We always get crap cars as they are just run abouts for london and we dont make loads of long jouneys, but it means we got more money to spend on bikes and bike related trips/goodies!! :D:D
Toyota Yaris or Auris. Honda Jazz or Civic. Mazda 3 or 6.
If you want reliability you have no choice but to go Japanese.:D:D Read the latest issues of the J D Power surveys and you’ll see the cars for what they really are.
I scrapaged a 15 year old Clio for a Toyota Yaris. Very happy with it. Well built, feels solid, handles well, and if you always spank it and keep it high in the rev range it will shift. I overtook a Porsche once! A long second gear means you can almost drive it like an automatic in London.
Whichever car you go for don’t forget about the scrappage scheme, I am sure they have put more funding in for this so it should still be going, I recently chopped my old 11 yr astra (poor Reg is now a cube ) for a new fiesta, very pleased with it and can’t moan at £2000 off the price of a new car, a lot of companies offer money off some of their used cars to so worth checking out
True but like I said, some places like Dagenham Ford where I got my fiesta offer the the scrappage scheme on their used cars too so worth looking in to
New cars make alot of sense if you look at cars as what they are, they all loose money, and they all cost you money what ever way you look at it…
If you buy a 5k used car, what might it cost you in MOT’s? brakes? tyres? servicing? higher road tax? (older car has higher emmisions) higher fuel bills? (better fuel consuption on new cars) what do you pay if it goes wrong?
BUT i agree, you’ve still got to find the difference between the scrap car and the new one.
Id have a look round at the volume brands, like ford, and speak to them NOW, they will have a target to do by the end of the year, your saving 2.5% on VAT, you’ll qualify for scrap and they may offer additional discounts.
Other option, lease or PCP one.
New car, fixed monthys, put the key in and use it… no prizes for guessing my occupation.
i have a 99 ford focus 1.8 16v zetec 18" alloys with loads of tread a/c e/w e/m abs t/c and very reliable.3 previous owners (2 women) 80k some history.
ive only done about 2k miles bought after my bike crash.driven slowly by me
The Focus estate I bought a year ago is by far the best car I have ever driven in 20 years of driving for road holding and compfort. I know it isn’t flash, but it does everything a workhorse needs to do very well.
i have had quite a few cars but the best by far was 2005 honda accord executive… has everything and uts a 2.2 diesel which is only £120 a year tax and beats all the low emmision zones… fantastic to drive and will last forever
) for a new fiesta, very pleased with it and can’t moan at £2000 off the price of a new car, a lot of companies offer money off some of their used cars to so worth checking out 
