I am sooo confused as to what car to get!

[Mondo]

Had a quick browse at a few garages today.

1 - this seems perfect. 1.8L petrol Focus, 45k miles. (£4200 on their website)



2 - Golf SDI 2.0L Diesel, 80k miles though, 2 owners



3 - The land of the crazies time - 03 plate Mini Cooper S, 66k miles, but no full service history, it missed 05, 06, 09, 10 services. Last service was 08 at 60k miles.

[divine]

The 1.8 Focus is ok but the engine straddles a funny middle ground where it kinda carries the disadvantages of the 1.6 and 2.0 without any advantages. (1.6 = slow but eco, 2.0 = quicker but thirsty, 1.8 = slow and thirsty)

Golf SDI isn't the worst thing in the world but given your stated mileage, you may as well stick to petrol, a 1.6 petrol or similar would probably be better in the Golf range.

Cooper S is probably a bit thirsty and over the top for a first car, especially if you won't appreciate the extra performance it brings over a regular Cooper or even just a One.

[Belmit]

To be honest I think you're going to have to settle on a make and model you really want otherwise you'll keep going 'round in circles. It's hard enough comparing different versions/ages/examples/nuances of one type of car, let alone such different marks. Eventually you'll just get fed up, go and view one and go 'sod it, I'll just have this one', and maybe end up regretting it.

In my opinion you'll enjoy driving the Cooper but that may dull as the fuel bills start coming in. I can't really comment on the others but I'd suggest driving them and seeing which you prefer... or if neither move on.

[Pheebs]

Mondo - the focus will guzzle. Be warned! As will the cooper.

[Justsomebloke]

As it's your first car & you have not grown up spannering I'd pick summit bomb proof that needs minimal maintenance & is backed up by Superb dealerships/after sales etc..
From the 3 you posted the Yaris would be perfect.

[Jonny69]

Originally Posted by Belmit

To be honest I think you're going to have to settle on a make and model you really want otherwise you'll keep going 'round in circles. It's hard enough comparing different versions/ages/examples/nuances of one type of car, let alone such different marks. Eventually you'll just get fed up, go and view one and go 'sod it, I'll just have this one', and maybe end up regretting it.

In my opinion you'll enjoy driving the Cooper but that may dull as the fuel bills start coming in. I can't really comment on the others but I'd suggest driving them and seeing which you prefer... or if neither move on.

I agree. We've been going round in circles for a long time now and basically not got a car, despite looking for about 6 months now. Settle on one and go for it. We've settled on the right Pug 207 if it comes up, but if there's a red auto Fiat 500 that comes up in the meantime we'll go for that.

The thing to remember with the 500 is it's not depreciating. New they are about £11,000-£12,000 and 3 year old ones are selling for £9000. I think that's pretty damn good.

[Mondo]

I think i might save up for another month and get a fiat 500, I basically just need to sae up £1k more and I can get one from Fiat Direct (if i didn't haggle and pay list price). That car would make me happy the most.

In the meantime, if I can get a 1.3L T-Spirit Yaris for the right money, then I would do that.

Until then, I got to stop looking at the Mini because frankly they are a waste of time, and too much money for a 8 year old car.

I basically like a small car that has alloy and air con, electric windows, power steering and trip computer.

[Jingo]

One thing about the 500 is it is bloody good fun to drive

FiatDirect have a lot of 09 registered cars with less than 10 (yes 10) miles on the clock; a lot of them are about a grand off of the 'new' price simply because they have an 09 plate.

We haggled a nice lump off of their price also as well as the usual blaggable extras i.e. car mats, full tank of fuel etc.

I think you have to be happy with the car and its appearance as a year or two down the line you won't care about the extra 5mpg, but you will want to enjoy getting into your car and driving around in it

[Kitten]

Originally Posted by Mondo

That car would make me happy the most.

Then this is the one! Decision made

[Mondo]

Originally Posted by Jingo

One thing about the 500 is it is bloody good fun to drive

FiatDirect have a lot of 09 registered cars with less than 10 (yes 10) miles on the clock; a lot of them are about a grand off of the 'new' price simply because they have an 09 plate.

We haggled a nice lump off of their price also as well as the usual blaggable extras i.e. car mats, full tank of fuel etc.

I think you have to be happy with the car and its appearance as a year or two down the line you won't care about the extra 5mpg, but you will want to enjoy getting into your car and driving around in it

It does mean need to go down to London from where I am...long way to go not knowing if I am buying a car and a £70 rail trip or £40 worthof petrol plus a day's food it could soon add up the cost of just looking at a car.

Out of interest, how much did you get off their list price? Let's say it's listed at £7k, think i could get £1k off? Or £500 plus matts and tank of petrol?