Which Car to get ?

[mac_shinobi]

All I can say is make sure you check it well.. My X reg 1.6 Astra auto cost me 2k, and apart from an ECU failure (£300), it's been spot on. I need to do the air/pollen/oil filters and oil change, and 1 new tyre..but it's painless and quite nice.

 

The 1.6 I had before that was stunning (£1800)..in 5 years it only cost for the usual tyres/brakes/servicing..then some tit crushed my boot. I do have a "spare" 1.4 auto that cost me £400...and it's a nail. Sigh.

 

Off the top of my head it needs a new headlamp, a new indicator, a complete exhaust rebuild (suspect a collapsed catalyst), a total rebuild of the brakes (no pressure), a steering check and tracking, and I'd say the autobox has been abused badly, judging by the turbine and fluid pump whine.

 

It came to me with a full MOT...mmm...can we say dodgy garage? Luckily it's a spare, so it's sat on ramps until I find the time.

 

Im no mechanic by a very long shot - so not sure what things to check or look out for etc - any bullet points / brief list of things I can keep an eye out for to avoid.

[Sirbendy]

Hmm. Listen for odd noises, if it's been started and warmed up before you test it, be wary. Check the tyres, check the fluid levels and colours, look at the general vehicle condition. If you can, get a road test.

 

All my usual checks are geared towards making sure the autobox is sound. Oh, and if the dealer seems to be trying to pressure you to buy it with "someone's coming to see it" etc etc, laugh in their face. I've had that sell twice now.

 

The place I bought the nail from had lots of cars, many with dents/broken trim...he said "I sell cheap cars". Then he gave me a load of flannel about the Asstrap being "for a friends daughter, but I've beaten them to it" etc. I just laughed and said "It's a sh*theap, make it roadworthy, slap a 12 month ticket on it, you've got a deal. I don't care about the dents, rust, the welded up exhaust, the "no more nails"...it's a temporary car for a few weeks." I think he was quite taken aback.

 

It'll do 40 with a runup..it doesn't do hills, it won't do pulloff acceleration, it won't do fuel economy. it's a project..I know the ECU/MPi systems are sound, the timing is spot on, the engine had 67k on it..I can make it go. If I can't I'll nab the injection setup as a spare for the 1.6, use it as an educational "test" car for servicing then scrap it.

 

He had an Accord estate auto in on a V plate...but by christ, it sounded rough. Why do I think it'll be bodged and sold off quick...

 

Quality used cars in Telford, Shropshire | Dream Car Sales - page 2, the black V plate 1.6i Aerodeck. NAIL!!

[EduTech]

Vauxhalls hold their value well? Don't think so!

 

oh lol! suppose when it was a toss between that and a Fiat Punto.. i was right to go with what i have done?.....

 

hehe... i hate not knowing anything about cars

[mac_shinobi]

hehe... i hate not knowing anything about cars

 

makes 2 of us - Australian equivalent holdens are meant to be pretty good - not sure if thats the case though

[Sirbendy]

This is why I buy used..both my written off P reg and the X are ex-Motability cars..3 years of Vauxhall full servicing at no expense spared, regular maintenance, then usually either sold to the owners or put into auction cheap.

 

Both had/have MASSIVE service history folders, including hand written notes about ALL work the X reg has had from new by the old owner, up to 2 months before I bought it. Think the X is now at 60k. Resale values, I don't do. Run 'em till they die, treat them as essentially a disposable asset. 2k, 8 months ago...I've been paid more than it cost already.

 

Yes, it's 9 years old this year..the last one would have been 11, the Nail is 14 years old..all still work well enough. As they say, face - bothered...there's NO value is second hand cars now...