Seen four cars - Finally find one I might buy

Wasn't http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.asp?id=200702266009203 was it lordsummit? I make that one a bit more than £1k.

 

Could have been. Been rushing and didn't read the small print.

Another look and it seems that Suzuki Swifts may be the bargain. Some cheap low mileage models for under a grand

 

agreed, if in doubt.....

there are loads of them around, you don't want to pick a dud 'un.

 

The engine sounds too mint tbh. Its amazing what a steam clean and a polish of the black stuff with WD40 can do. I would expect a fair bit of crud round the hoses etc.

That Fabia sounds cheap (or Ive totally lost my nose for prices). Toyota starlet could be worth a look though I'd expect insurance to be quite high being from Japan.

I wouldnt rule out the older Hyundai's either, most of the Korean stuff was recycled Japanese products.

 

Here you go:

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/ww...ecords=200&modelexact=1&photo=1&hassearched=Y

 

Good idea. One of my friends ran one of those, never a problem

 

How about: http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.asp?id=200703266901902

 

very clean little car - but what size engine is it..?

edit - I noticed it states - "Perfect for leaner driver..."

I hope the prospective owner hasn't over indulged over the festive period...

 

Micra is the car for you. build up your no claims in a car that Works and then buy something else let's be honest for 700 quid you're not getting a babe magnet but a worse turn off is when she gets in and it won't f***ing start! Get a Jap car for sure- they go, they turn, they stop.... consistently. This is not to be underestimated.

Maybe a starlet or possibly a civic if you can find one.

 

A bit off topic but...

If you've passed your test, but don't own a car, will that time of being a qualified driver, still cout toward lowering insurance and such?

Hope that makes sense.

 

Yes it seems to Though the no claims discount is the biggest way.

Japaneese cars seem to be a lot more to insure for some reason .

 

I think its because when they do go wrong, they cost a lot more to fix. Could be wrong though.

 

My theory is that the older Asian cars lacked a lot of safety built into the design, where as this was standard from most European cars form the early 90's. Also maybe the locks were weaker.

I can't see why the cost of repair will affect third party premiums, fully comp then yes.

I am seeing a £400 Fiesta tomorrow, not what I wanted but its something to learn in and its a not so bad loosing £400 on a shed compared to £800.

 

Then again I would spend as much as you can afford, give or take a bit, in order to buy the best reliabilty possible. Of course, if you see an especially good cheapie then it could be worth taking a chance.

I new a lad once, he bought a 1600 Astra privately s/h, it had so obviously been looked after (everything clean, tidy, working, full complete tool kit etc)........... "he just had to have it".

 

Yep I know Fiesta engines are very very reliable becuase everybody I know has one and nobody has ever had any major trouble with them.

I've fixed a few very minor things on my mates - they are so simple many things can be done DIY.

 

If your going for a Fiesta the 1.25 16v models are great, they handle like go-karts, and their engines are brilliant for the size. In fact, i'd choose it over a Punto.

 

When I last looked (a fair time ago) Fiestas were using the old Kent OHV push rod engine......a solid/economical enough unit....I take it they have all been replaced by more modern 16v units now?

 

The 1.25 is a yamaha designed engine that is very much more modern (and more powerful, cleaner, etc) than the 1.3 (which continued to be available for some time and is still used in the Ka).

 

On the other hand the Kent engine can be fixed very very easily with a spanner. I remember the throttle came away from my girlfriends and I simply fixed it with an elastic band. On a Zetec is everything is so much more complex, but I know they can the engine and gearbox can do 150,000 miles without any major problems if you're lucky.

Sadly good MK4 1.25 Zetec still fetch £800+ which is really over my budget . Its something to really consider when I pass my test though.

Dave the Valancia unit which is based on the Kent block was made up until 2003 and used in the Ka, I think it was phased out in the Fiestas for the MK5 in 2001 but it may well have been before.

They are noisy, slow, crude but they are reliable and very easy to fix.

 

yes, very fair summation.

just by chance I was mooching around my local scrappy a few days ago.........one big 16valve DOHC I think in a Rover 600 (biggish saloon anyway)........I wouldn't fancy working on that.