Great start to the new year (not)

[bourbon]

Took redundancy end of September. Christmas day, My car decided it didn't like the half shaft attached to the wheels. MOT due 5th January. It's an 03 plate ford focus 1.6 petrol with 180000 miles on the clock, had an advisory for rust on both sills corrosion on both subframes, brake discs worn. CAT needs replacing, and that's before they find stuff on the MOT. It's been a good workhorse for the 14 years I have owned it. Towed a caravan ( even up Chedder gorge!) towed a trailer on numerous fields with my re-enactment gear in it. and driven loads of miles on motorways, never let me down once. But I suppose everything comes to an end. Only got about £5000 to throw at another.

 

[DanZac]

I'm guessing from the fact your on here, that your a resourceful, mechanically minded chap. In which case £5K should get you a nice car, provided you take your time to find something suitable, avoid the dealers and don't mind servicing it and sorting out the few little niggles that always show up when you buy anything new.

And as a new years bonus the focus will be worth a couple of quid from the scrappies.

 

[RonA]

Condolences of the season would seem an appropriate reply. As they say when one door closes, another slams shut in your face or to put it another way every silver lining has a cloud.
Hope you soon resolve your problems albeit as inexpensively as possible. Ive been there in my early years, hope it gets better for you soon.
RonA

 

[bourbon]

I did my spannering years ago. My back is so bad now, I struggle to change a bloody lightbulb now. I fancy a small van, but they are going for stupid money now. The on-line quote off the scrap man says £295. better than we buy any car who will give me £50 minus admin fees Thanks @RonA

 

[Munkul]

An 18 yearold focus with 180k on the clock, it was inevitable that it would fail beyond economical repair soon enough... scant consolation though.

 

[8ob]

I did my spannering years ago. My back is so bad now, I struggle to change a bloody lightbulb now. I fancy a small van, but they are going for stupid money now. The on-line quote off the scrap man says £295. better than we buy any car who will give me £50 minus admin fees Thanks @RonA

Move the old hitter into a dealer on a part ex, you will get better than scrap value on it and trolley out of there with something that has warranty. The transit/transporter type seating position is good if you suffer with a bad back. I can drive about all day in that Delica of mine and get out/stand straight up without a twinge, I need peeling out of anything with a low seat like cars/small pickups/vans.

Bob

 

[weldvandal]

5 grand that should net you a very good mk2 facelift focus with the same engine and none of the problems that come with too much electronics and expensive parts

 

[tom 748]

we buy any car is a pure rip off

 

[tom 748]

you would get more at the scrappy

 

[sg66]

Think of it more as an upgrade opportunity, van prob going to be diesel and a bigger risk on a budget, something big and square and jap, forester etc?

 

[500e]

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[bourbon]

5 grand that should net you a very good mk2 facelift focus with the same engine and none of the problems that come with too much electronics and expensive parts

You are right, I don't need or want loads of bells and whistles, Just something that starts first time every time and somewhere I can put my partners Mobility scooter. 4x4 is too tall on the tailgates I was looking at a Mazda Bongo yesterday, lowish miles, But auto and I have heard they are a bit thirsty with 2 litre petrol engine.

 

[Brad93]

VW Polo 2008 or earlier. Good reliable cars. Owned mine since 57k. On 120 now

 

[Morrisman]

Took redundancy end of September. Christmas day, My car decided it didn't like the half shaft attached to the wheels. MOT due 5th January. It's an 03 plate ford focus 1.6 petrol with 180000 miles on the clock, had an advisory for rust on both sills corrosion on both subframes, brake discs worn. CAT needs replacing, and that's before they find stuff on the MOT. It's been a good workhorse for the 14 years I have owned it. Towed a caravan ( even up Chedder gorge!) towed a trailer on numerous fields with my re-enactment gear in it. and driven loads of miles on motorways, never let me down once. But I suppose everything comes to an end. Only got about £5000 to throw at another.

There are some amazing looking cars going for chump change on Facebook pages. Used car value drops like a stone once they are more than five years old.

I‘m hanging onto my 2012 diesel Mondeo until it falls apart, it’s been a great car, 50mpg and no costs in the 5 years I’ve had it. Some rubber bushes and springs, and cam belt are do in the next year, but that’s only £500 altogether.

 

[bourbon]

@Brad93, can you get them in estate version? Genuine question. I may need to sleep in it on occasion

 

[Bobupndown]

Tdi Octavia Estate with 100k miles? VW Golf in cheaper clothes but bigger.

 

[stuvy]

If you want something that will run for ever buy a Toyota

Iv had my Rav4 mk1 for 7 years, I used it as a commuter, my parents did for a year or two and my gf is now using it daily

Iv never lifter the bonnet for anything other than a service once a year and cam belt

 

[slim_boy_fat]

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Link(s) not working?

 

[GRW]

As a solid option.... a mid-noughties old shape Mitsubishi Lancer, petrol, 1.6Litre.
Immensely reliable but without the Badge cachet and price of a Toyota.
Used to be considered one of the most reliable used cars.
They make a great estate version as well, but they demand stronger money.
All well inside your budget though.
(I bought a 2006 one for my ex in 2012, and it's been faultlessly racking up 15k a year with basic scve & consumables ever since - for half the money of a Toyota)

 

[stuvy]

Ford escort van? Cheap and reliable 1.8 diesel