UKC

Am considering getting a second hand car. I only drive about once a week mainly doing short trips to the supermarket.

Can anyone recommend a particular make or model?

Requirements are:
- Size: 5 door Ford Focus
- Reliable
- Straightforward to get parts
- Cost £500-£2000

Thanks!

In reply to Mr Pinchy: Use a taxi.

In reply to Mr Pinchy:



A second hand 5 door Ford Focus?

In reply to Sir Chasm:

what he said - seriously

In reply to ripper:

I do make the occasional longer trip. (perhaps once or twice a month). Hmm, Zip Car may be another option. Will have to do some sums...

In reply to Mr Pinchy: Hiring for the long trips, taxi (or heaven forfend the bus) for the shorter trips. I think the maths will still add up over ownership

In reply to ripper:

Buy a bike !

In reply to Mr Pinchy: Take a look at '02 Subaru Forester: get the non-turbo as it'll last longer, and one with the All Weather Pack: means air con and heated seats. Bags of room and they go forever!


~Message me for more info, mine got written off recently whilst parked and I've a copy of the manual in digital format I can send over

In reply to toad:

Owning has big advantages, though, such as immediate availability and not having to worry about getting it mucky. For me that outweighs the cost even if I would choose cycling for local journeys generally.

Neil

In reply to Mr Pinchy:
Honda Civic Petrol 1.6 best years are 2004 and 2005 but 2003 is OK - avoid that model earlier than that.

In reply to Neil Williams: Availability is a good point, but I've never had problems hiring for work and bringing them back with peat cores and dirty stuff in the boot, but they might be easier on returns if you're from a big account than an individual

In reply to CurlyStevo:

I've had a couple of late 90's Civics (a 1.4 and a 1.5), both very reliable and cheap to maintain (and quite good to drive). Sold the 1.4 with 160k on the clock only because I wanted an estate car.

To the OP: Nowt wrong with a Focus!

In reply to Mr Pinchy:

A Toyota Yaris. Reliable as anything, cheap servicing, cheap parts

In reply to Steve John B:

Yeah I think the late 90's model (6th gen) was super reliable, even better than the 2001 - 2005 model. 2001 and 2002 did have some teething problems (as is very common on new models of car) that they ironed out by 2004 / 2005.