Not having a clue about cars, i have a budget of between 1600 and 2000 pounds to purchase a second car, mainly to be used for long distance driving (approx 500 to 600 miles a week). Anybody have any suggestions.
If you're only doing about 100 miles a day, you could put the money to a decent push bike and have minimal running costs.
I would go for a diesel something like a fiesta if you're not bothered about size they can return up to 65mpg driven sensibly.
just let the guy in the garage know you dont know much about cars miff, and im sure he will gladly assist you ..
What's the limit on how many miles on the clock? That's a massive factor in what you'll get for your money.
1.8 or 2.0L. 4doors My past 4 crs have been Honda Civic Aerodeck (current car), Mitsubishi Charisma, Ford Mondeo, Audi 80
I honestly would avoid a diesel. I currently have one, a Seat Leon TDi, and sure, great car but I do around 200 miles per week and it is NOT economical to run. Sure I get 60mpg ish but the cost of diesel is a ****ing killer. You can get like 40-50 out of unleaded now I think, and thats a lot cheaper to run.
I've got a BMW diesel coupe that I picked up in Halifax and drove back to Hythe in Kent which driving sensibly returned almost 60mpg, would prob get a decent 52 reg for that money a guy who works for BMW down here said the best BMW to get is the 320d asstill quick if you need it and hold their money slightly better as well
Now I'm no expert on cars but here's my advice for what it's worth. Try and get as low milage as possible. That may sound like common sense and it is. What you should't do is think that diesel engines are just about run in around 100,000 and go for a better make. I've just got rid of a 5 series BMW with star ship milage( granted I'd put most of them on) but it was starting to cost me a mint. Clutch, suspension, wheel bearings to name a few of the things I had to get sorted. I sat down and added up the cost of repairs and in the last couple of years running it it was costing £100 a month on repairs alone. The engine was fine but the rest of the car was shafted. In fact that's not true because I think one on the injectors was packing up. I'd honestly go for something like a Nissan Primera. I might get laughed at but I know a couple of people with Nissans and they never go wrong. You can pick up one up with just over 42000 miles on the clock, 1.8 litre petrol for £1500. I'm sure you realise for that money you're not going to get a head turner so you'll have to work out what you really want from your new motor.
I had a 525d. A wheel bearing cost £250 to get repaired. If you're getting a cheap car I'd stay clear of BMW and Merc. Less so Audi and VW.
I'm a car dealer, BMW 320D all day long, 50mpg and they don't break down, or a Volvo D5 (only go for a manual, Volvo diesel autoboxes can't handle the torque), I've seen Volvos going through the auctions at 300,000 miles and they're still good, and they do 45mpg+ on the motorway and are super comfy!
I have a reciept in my service file from the previous guy and both rear bearings were done for £230 . Maybe the £250 was main dealer ouch
I best have a word with my cousins husband who fitted it then. I've just asked her indoors and she reckons It was actually £220 not £250. How much would up say then for a new clutch and dual mass fly wheel? He quoted £250 less than Autologic and he's the only other BMW specialist in Hull. Stratstones quote was nearly double his. I had a 320D before my 5 series, three years old and the paintwork on the plastic inserts on the pillars started to bubble. It looked awful, like it was rusting. Overall I've not been that impressed with BMW and the after care at Stratstones is the worst I've ever known. Motor Depot are better and they're still a pile of ****e.
