[Mottok]

Well looks like the 335d is going, just not doing enough miles to warrant a 20k car and have projects I want to do so need the cash.

Problem I'm left with (like everyone I suppose) is I want to save most of the cash and still need a car. So just wondering what people would go for if they wanted to spend just a few grand on a motor. Ideally no more than 5k but then possibly as high as £8k ish (keeps creeping up!) if it was something half decent.

By something decent I kind of fancy the 5 series 2010 onwards but been too worried about the timing chain issues. I would consider petrol but not sure if they suffered too, anyone know? Would avoid the 520d N47 engine at all costs obviously.

Anyway, any thoughts? not sure why I'm asking actually because I'll have an excuse for not buying just about everything cause it's not a 335d/340i etc....!

[JD6]

I'm sure someone will be along to help with the man maths, but have you considered a new M3

[isleaiw1]

Ford Fiesta 1.0 eco boost. Run it until projects done then treat yourself...

[Broncho]

A pair of trainers?

[....,,,,..,,..]

Not a premium make, something like a skoda, Ford, Vauxhall.

It then depends on mileage and what you want from car.

How long are projects?

Consider leasing?

[Mottok]

You know sometimes you wish you never asked? Hahaha.

I’ve got the property bug so want to buy another flat but need the capital. Other thing is i’ll start taking my wee boy to the nursery so can’t be going all boy racer now anyway

The M3 does sound good if some can work out the maths......thanks for nothing you lot!!

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by Mottok

You know sometimes you wish you never asked? Hahaha.

I’ve got the property bug so want to buy another flat but need the capital. Other thing is i’ll start taking my wee boy to the nursery so can’t be going all boy racer now anyway

The M3 does sound good if some can work out the maths......thanks for nothing you lot!!

Your thread is about a cheap runaround to save cash.

Utterly pointless getting anything like a 5 series, the amount of risk buying say a £6k 5 series and expecting not to spend cash on it.

You can get quite a decent standard level of car £5k - £8k

Getting a BMW would be just plain stupidity.

[CraigUK]

Originally Posted by Mottok

Well looks like the 335d is going, just not doing enough miles to warrant a 20k car and have projects I want to do so need the cash.

Problem I'm left with (like everyone I suppose) is I want to save most of the cash and still need a car. So just wondering what people would go for if they wanted to spend just a few grand on a motor. Ideally no more than 5k but then possibly as high as £8k ish (keeps creeping up!) if it was something half decent.

By something decent I kind of fancy the 5 series 2010 onwards but been too worried about the timing chain issues. I would consider petrol but not sure if they suffered too, anyone know? Would avoid the 520d N47 engine at all costs obviously.

Anyway, any thoughts? not sure why I'm asking actually because I'll have an excuse for not buying just about everything cause it's not a 335d/340i etc....!

I chopped in my 5 two years ago for a 1.6 dtec Honda Civic. £0 road tax, cheap insurance, 70mpg everywhere I go and if I'm being unbiased not all that bad to drive. Hopefully it'll be reliable for years to come.

When the mortgage is paid off and the pension fund topped up then it'll be business as usual on the car front.

How exciting 😂😂😂

[gr4z]

Ford Focus. Built like a tank and cheap to look after.

[Sasquartch]

Originally Posted by LobB

Yes.

A 1992 Vauxhall Astra 1.9D LS

203,789 miles on the clock.

1 weeks MOT.

No service history.

Two good tyres.

16 former owners.

A little smokey.

I'm selling, if you're buying £75. ono

Obviously not to be taken seriously however old cars can be OK

I bought my son a 2001 Renault Clio 1.2 Dynamique from my boss for £100. His daughter had learnt to drive in it but apparently had to have a Corsa so the Clio had to go.

Every panel dented but surprisingly good mechanically. Other than spending about 120 quid on bits for the MOT (all simple stuff) it's been fine and he's had it over 6 months and it still runs fine. If he scrapped it tomorrow he's still had his moneys worth out of it

Part of me really envies the cheapness and the zero care required where you park it etc and the general carefree nature of running it. His total outlay is well under one lease payment and it's probably still worth £100 to someone.

Problem is once you've had a decent car you never really want to trade down

[Sasquartch]

Originally Posted by CraigUK

I chopped in my 5 two years ago for a 1.6 dtec Honda Civic. £0 road tax, cheap insurance, 70mpg everywhere I go and if I'm being unbiased not all that bad to drive. Hopefully it'll be reliable for years to come.

I bought my wife a 1.6DTEC Tourer. Great car and so far living up to the Honda reputation for reliability

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by Sasquartch

Obviously not to be taken seriously however old cars can be OK

I bought my son a 2001 Renault Clio 1.2 Dynamique from my boss for £100. His daughter had learnt to drive in it but apparently had to have a Corsa so the Clio had to go.

Every panel dented but surprisingly good mechanically. Other than spending about 120 quid on bits for the MOT (all simple stuff) it's been fine and he's had it over 6 months and it still runs fine. If he scrapped it tomorrow he's still had his moneys worth out of it

Part of me really envies the cheapness and the zero care required where you park it etc and the general carefree nature of running it. His total outlay is well under one lease payment and it's probably still worth £100 to someone.

Problem is once you've had a decent car you never really want to trade down

My station car is / was a Pug 206 - 14 years old and a few dents, it was my sons for when home from uni (it was my Mum's before that - 30k on the clock when we had it!). Happy to leave anywhere, did what was needed, dirt cheap to run. Just bought a 15 plate Fiesta ecoboost for a few more creature comforts but keeping hold of Pug and having it tarted up - may then flog Fiesta on and go back to it!

[Wills2]

A Focus or a Civic would be a good shout, I'd go with a Civic they don't breakdown and will do what you want.

No point looking at leggy 5 series where you're looking at the bottom of the market.

If you want to save money then do just that put everything to the side, you could do a cheap 24 month lease on something at £200 per month as well and pocket all the cash from the sale but you won't have anything to show for it at the end of the term obvs.

[Daftasabrush]

Quite a few decent/interesting cars available between £4-5K:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Racing-Bl...EAAOSwq9Zblqql

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/11-FORD-M...0AAOSwTw5bi5Z6

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renault-W...4AAOSwmSVbfGXc

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-fies...8AAOSw~Flbloo7

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2015-Skod...4AAOSwXOBbhc0J

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/vw-up/132...sAAOSw-lZblZM9

[225]

For 5 to 6k that would get you a nice new lease for 2 years on say a 6x23 deal.

[320dAsh]

Subaru or Honda get my vote purely on reliability. Not premium marques but not Mondeo Man either.

[maclef420]

Had this debate with my dad and we came to the conclusion that a used skoda octavia mk2 facelift is one of the best bang for your buck out

Typical example:
2012
2.0 diesel
4x4 haldex
heated seats
estate
bluetooth
£3-4k

Only real downside is pride of ownership.

I know of one going with 120k on it

[Steveo.G]

Passat!
Park it anywhere and not need to worry about it and usually pretty reliable

[dobbo99]

I bought an e39 for just over 3k about this time last year, its been great so far

[Mottok]

Thanks all, lots of good sensible advice and recommendations. And what am I doing, up’ing the budget and looking at 3 litre Mercedes and XF’s! You’re right, once you’ve had premium cars it’s so difficult to go back, I wish I had a more sensible head but just can’t seem to do it. But it gives me pleasure driving them I guess.

[Watsey]

I knew a cheap little run around years ago; lived in Bristol.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by Mottok

Thanks all, lots of good sensible advice and recommendations. And what am I doing, up’ing the budget and looking at 3 litre Mercedes and XF’s! You’re right, once you’ve had premium cars it’s so difficult to go back, I wish I had a more sensible head but just can’t seem to do it. But it gives me pleasure driving them I guess.

But unless you up the budget a fair bit, those 3.0 cars are just crap cars other people have wanked in.

Just make sure you have half the cost of the car available for repairs.