Shopping for a new car

PvtPyle · 19-10-2008, 22:22

Hi folks

Pending a salary review in a couple of weeks, I am in the market for a new car. Time to trade in my Focus 1.6 Zetec for something a bit more interesting. I am 24, unfortunately I lost my NCB last year and I have 3 points on my license, thanks to the plod around here and their reluctance to catch any real criminals :/ so I need to be careful with insurance.

Currently have two new toys in mind; Mini Cooper S or Seat Leon Cupra (probably the TDI).

My question is, when is the best time to start looking? Some people have told me right before Xmas, others have said very early January. My budget is somewhere between 8-10k inc part-ex or resale value of my Focus ('53 plate, 40k on the clock). I think I paid over the odds for the Ford, so I really want to get a decent deal on the next car I buy..

JUMPURS · 19-10-2008, 22:41

Civic Type R gonna rape you on insurance?

Zirax · 19-10-2008, 22:43

Tough times at the motor industry at the moment. There is always talk of getting a motor just before the change over times. Really I say just get out there and have a look, that costs nothing

You will cry over how little the book value will be for the Focus. I would try and sell privately (but that's me).

You seem to be torn in your choice. A sporty mini or a diesel. Can I throw something in the mix, what about a big engined petrol car (V6) and then factor in £1500 for a gas conversion? This is what I'll be considering for my next one.

edit:- should add that not all large engined cars rape you on insurance.

Matblack · 20-10-2008, 12:07

MINI S will be expensive to insure and tax, they are thirsty little monsters, I rarely get more than 35MPG and regularly around 26MPG, that said they are great little cars to drive and if can get one that had the TLC+ package then yoou may get a few services for free. If you want something comprable but cheeper to live with then consider a Clio 172, I had one before the MINI JCW and in all honestly its not much slower or worse handling. £8k won't get you a great S but it would probably get you a very nice Cooper and with the 5 speed box they aren't slow by any stretch, if you haven't driven an S yet then maybe try the Cooper first, if your content with the performance then you'll get cheeper everything to go with it. My JCW will cost £500/ year to tax in a couple of years, just food for thought!

MB

Burble · 20-10-2008, 12:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matblack

My JCW will cost £500/ year to tax in a couple of years, just food for thought!

I'm not convinced. The 2009-2010 price for band K is £300 rising to £315 for 2010-2011. The first year rate (so that for brand new K band cars) will be £550 in 2010-2011 but I can't see a renewal for your JCS being £500.

Matblack · 20-10-2008, 12:27

Yep just checked £310, right now its £210 goes up to £300 next year and £310 in 2010, don't know where I got £500 from

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/road-t...px?deriv=32764

MB

leowyatt · 20-10-2008, 12:10

cost you how much???? That is crazy.

Matblack · 20-10-2008, 12:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by leowyatt

cost you how much???? That is crazy.

Its a Band K for emissions, its the supercharger

The new turbo ones are cleaner and cheaper to tax because of it, Cooper has no charger and hence is cheaper because its cleaner

I'll be keeping her for another year and then we'll have to think about the future which may be a turbo version with BMWs ED tech or something very different, like an A4.

MB

Burble · 20-10-2008, 12:28

Sorry, I meant £310 rather than £315.

Mine is going to be pretty nasty. I paid £400 a couple of days ago for 12 months tax and in a years time it'll be £430. Damn you, band L!

Matblack · 20-10-2008, 12:31

Just looking at the new S3, one band lower than mine and 265PS 0-62 in 5.9, I have a feeling I might have to test drive one of these in a year or so

MB

19-10-2008, 22:22	#1
PvtPyle Sofa Boy Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wield of the Shire Posts: 701	Shopping for a new car Hi folks Pending a salary review in a couple of weeks, I am in the market for a new car. Time to trade in my Focus 1.6 Zetec for something a bit more interesting. I am 24, unfortunately I lost my NCB last year and I have 3 points on my license, thanks to the plod around here and their reluctance to catch any real criminals :/ so I need to be careful with insurance. Currently have two new toys in mind; Mini Cooper S or Seat Leon Cupra (probably the TDI). My question is, when is the best time to start looking? Some people have told me right before Xmas, others have said very early January. My budget is somewhere between 8-10k inc part-ex or resale value of my Focus ('53 plate, 40k on the clock). I think I paid over the odds for the Ford, so I really want to get a decent deal on the next car I buy..

19-10-2008, 22:41	#2
JUMPURS Columbian Coffee Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Glesgae Posts: 98	Civic Type R gonna rape you on insurance? __________________ You have come here because society has no further use for you. This place will now become your holding pen until our death. I am very good at this business because I make all the rules. But if you break any of my rules, you will find that there is life after death.

20-10-2008, 12:07	#4
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	MINI S will be expensive to insure and tax, they are thirsty little monsters, I rarely get more than 35MPG and regularly around 26MPG, that said they are great little cars to drive and if can get one that had the TLC+ package then yoou may get a few services for free. If you want something comprable but cheeper to live with then consider a Clio 172, I had one before the MINI JCW and in all honestly its not much slower or worse handling. £8k won't get you a great S but it would probably get you a very nice Cooper and with the 5 speed box they aren't slow by any stretch, if you haven't driven an S yet then maybe try the Cooper first, if your content with the performance then you'll get cheeper everything to go with it. My JCW will cost £500/ year to tax in a couple of years, just food for thought! MB __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

20-10-2008, 12:27	#6
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	Yep just checked £310, right now its £210 goes up to £300 next year and £310 in 2010, don't know where I got £500 from http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/road-t...px?deriv=32764 MB __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

20-10-2008, 12:10	#7
leowyatt Chef extraordinaire Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Infinite Loop Posts: 11,143	cost you how much???? That is crazy. __________________ "Dr Sheldon Cooper FTW!"

19-10-2008, 22:43	#3
Zirax Goes up to 11! Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,577	Tough times at the motor industry at the moment. There is always talk of getting a motor just before the change over times. Really I say just get out there and have a look, that costs nothing You will cry over how little the book value will be for the Focus. I would try and sell privately (but that's me). You seem to be torn in your choice. A sporty mini or a diesel. Can I throw something in the mix, what about a big engined petrol car (V6) and then factor in £1500 for a gas conversion? This is what I'll be considering for my next one. edit:- should add that not all large engined cars rape you on insurance.

20-10-2008, 12:28	#9
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	Sorry, I meant £310 rather than £315. Mine is going to be pretty nasty. I paid £400 a couple of days ago for 12 months tax and in a years time it'll be £430. Damn you, band L!

20-10-2008, 12:31	#10
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	Just looking at the new S3, one band lower than mine and 265PS 0-62 in 5.9, I have a feeling I might have to test drive one of these in a year or so MB __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"