What can we get for £2k

[hagis]

The missus is considering changing her car. She currently has an r-reg Tigra which is running well enough but with the baby it's not really that practical and she doesn't feel comfortable in it as it's quite low.

We've not got much to spend and were wondering what we could get for 2K. We were thinking of something along the lines of a Golf, but 2K won't get us anything more than a pre-98 Mk3, usually with high milage.

Any suggestions? Am I right in assuming that the Leon is the same car as a Golf? They seem a bit cheaper. I think she'd also consider a Polo.

[onzarob]

If i wanted a budget car, I wouldn't buy a Golf too popular, better to get a Leon or an Octavia. all the same floorpan;)

An older A4 seem to be better buy than a gold as well.

Are you looking for a diesel or petrol?

[hagis]

We've also been looking on Autotrader at the Polos and Ibizas as well. She doesn't want a car as big as my A4.

As the car won't be doing a lot of miles we're not too fussed whether it's diesel or petrol. I'm guessing that a larger engine might be better as the cars in our price range tend to have higher milage.

[onzarob]

All the so called samller cars are holding there money for the reason that they are small etc. But the A4 isn't that big really even my wife who thought a Ctreon Zxara was big doen't think so.

I just feel you will get better value for money ;) Buth thats only my opinion:D

[paul b]

Skoda Fabia ?

Seat Toledo ?

Paul

[skezzywooaudi80]

For 2k you can have just about owt you want, surely.

I started driving in 1997

I`ve had 5 cars in the 10 years i`ve been driving 4 of them were old bangers and they were by far the best,

bought in 1997
1st car 1988 austin metro with 54000 miles and full rover service history, rusty underneath, but shiny on top but never broke down £500 had it for a year and a half

bought in 1999
2nd car 1989 citroen ax 105000 miles no s/h but looked like it had recent engine rebuild i had it for 6 years and did an unbeliveable 255000 miles when i scrapped it because of serious corrosion on front suspension.

bought in 2002
3rd car 2002 saxo i bought brand new was worst car i ever had took it to main dealer for all services did 45000 miles and engine blew up and garage wouldn`t fix it cos the car was 500 miles late for it last service, so i put a cheap second hand engine in and got rid.

bought in 2005
4th car audi 80 tdi 1994 £550 154000miles no s/h but was very clean and cheap for a tdi, i`ve still got it now i`ve added 30000 miles to it and only prob has been gearbox synchro packed in, but for price who cares

bought in 2007
5th car 1984 talbot samba cabrolet 69000 miles £260 off ebay driving it now when suns out, i think it brilliant but my wife hates it, i think shes been spoilt with the audi, i`ve done 6000 miles and only had to do a service to it, this is the most fun car i`ve owned.

So in my opinion don`t spend 2k on a car thats not doin many miles spend some time looking and researching which cars keep there condition well and are cheap too run, spend £500 on a car put £500 aside for repairs and spend rest on a week in blackpool, keep the car 2 years look after it and you`ll get your £500 back or even make money if you choose carefully enough or in the worst scenario scrap the car you`ll get around £100 scrap on a weigh bridge and you`ve only lost £400.

Your probably thinking yeah but an old car wont be reliable, but how many of the cars that you see broke down at side of road are actually old bangers, i bet its not many, most of the time its usually poor maintenance, remember just cos you only pay £500 doesn`t mean you dont need to service it. dont worry about milage either buy by condition. i`d rather have a rust free smooth car with a clean engine bay with 150k miles on than a newer lower milage one thats goin to depreciate, by the way i`d avoid fords like the plague if you dont want big blobs of rust on ya rear arches after 2 years.

HOPE THIS HAS HELPED

[k9max]

£2k will give you a great choice of Polos, Passats and some late mk3 Golfs, all from R to around W plate; there's Astras and Vectras galore for that price as well - boring I know, but plenty to choose from. Try www.Compucars.co.uk (http://www.Compucars.co.uk), I find it a useful site just to give me an idea of prices and what's about.
;)

[audipersempre]

Renault Clio? I wasn't a fan but bought one for my daughter for £2k. Turns out to be a good little car. Hatchback with plenty of room, apparently ENCAP rated 4 which surprised me, digital climate control, electric sunroof, DIS etc etc. 1.4 litre and returning 40mpg on her motorway runs to college.

How about a formerly Rover MG? OK it's still a Rover but some of them look pretty good and they are cheap.................and eat head gaskets most likely :(

Nissan Primera. Earlier ones are true Japanese quality and relaibility later ones have the Renault influence in the build quality unfortunately.

Must be lots of others..................

[Audi A4 Lover]

I have ther perfect solution!Get an old A4, I payed 1750 for my 98' 1600.Came with only 75k on it and a full audi service history, tax and mot. And is not looking too shabby either.http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/2691/sl370163il7.jpg

[MalcQV]

^^That looks B E A Utiful. Excellent VFM ;)

[hagis]

Thanks for all your suggestions, I'll talk it over with the wife and see if there is anything she fancies in particular.

[MalcQV]

Thanks for all your suggestions, I'll talk it over with the wife and see if there is anything she fancies in particular.

Oh yess at the end of it all, it is for your missus :p

[k9max]

I have ther perfect solution!Get an old A4, I payed 1750 for my 98' 1600.Came with only 75k on it and a full audi service history, tax and mot. And is not looking too shabby either.

That looks rather tasty, I have to say....

[minty0_10]

have a drive in a 1.4 polo theres a big difference in build quality to other small hatches realy suprised me.

open air model is a nice car to

[RickT]

How about this little find.....

1998 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 1.9 STDi, 1998,

88000 Miles, black, 5-door hatchback, very clean car, immaculate condition, central locking, power steering, electric windows, radio cassette, twin air bags, new tyres, MoT till Oct 08, tax 10 months. £1,675.

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/VOLKSWAGEN+GOLF/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-9-13-43-145-4294966995-4294967159/advert.action?R=200824110379601&distance=154&postcode=ls1+1aa&channel=CARS&make=VOLKSWAGEN&model=GOLF&min_pr=1000&max_pr=2000&max_mileage=100000

Its not the fatestest car in the world, but your not buying it for that reason,

It will be cheap on the MPG, car tax and a "safe" car for the family..



Rick