Need Another Car.. Advice Please

[LennyLexus]

Dam Ian you know a lot about these dont you? ;)

1.4 16V it is then. Now to find a decent one.

[Fidgits]

well, owned a couple, and after spending 3 weeks car shopping with the missues, I now know more about Vauxhalls than I ever wanted to!

But yeah, 1.4 82bhp, or 1.4 16v (again with 82bhp) there both insurance group 8 (the 60bhp is 6)

Should be able to pick up a 92-94 (with 100K) for around the 500-750 mark.. if you go for the pre-facelift (the ugly ones) should hit your budget fine, be easy to negotiate down, and mechanically there is no difference...

[LennyLexus]

Well its certainly helped me out, you can sleep better tonight hey? ;)

Insurance is no problem, as I'll be driving it 3rd Party, but fanx anyway.

[SHAHZ]

Right I do about 20'000 miles a year, and I cant afford do it in the Lex and theres certain things I hate doing to my baby, and certain things I cant do.

Take her to the skip,

Do shopping, hate car parks.

Take her to real :tsktsk: areas,

Eat in it etc

Right heres my criterea, lets hope someone can help.

I ideally dont want to spend more then £500!!!

Im exactly the same -- used to have mini as a run around. Im now looking to get another run around - Ive been thinking for my next run around im gonna get a rascal van. --> Only problem with that is i'll be the local delivery man for all the :tsktsk: neighbours...so im thinking maybe an old civic - again i dont want to spend more than £500 - £700.......Also started looking for a lock up for the LEX :D

[Fmrl]

What about a Mazda? The old shape 323 with the popup headlights looks nice and is really cheap these days (maybe 500 quid for a K plate?). The 626 is even cheaper which is surprising as it's a bigger car. Really good build quality (though maybe not quite as good as a Toyota).

[Fidgits]

The thing i forgot to mention about the early 90's Vauxhalls, is that they are very basic mechanically..

Which means, a. they are easy to fix yourself...

or b. they are cheap to take to a garage...

[LennyLexus]

SHAHZ Posted on Apr 14 2004, 07:15 AM

Im exactly the same -- used to have mini as a run around. Im now looking to get another run around - Ive been thinking for my next run around im gonna get a rascal van. --> Only problem with that is i'll be the local delivery man for all the  neighbours...so im thinking maybe an old civic - again i dont want to spend more than £500 - £700.......Also started looking for a lock up for the LEX 

A mini sorry mate just cant imagine a bloke your age in a mini.

I've got a Renault Extra van at the mo, hate it And the main problem is you cant more then 2 people in, so I end up having to take the lex

Tony found a nice VTEC 1.6 for 700/800 on autotrader

Good luck for the lock up search in LONDON

Fmrl Posted on Apr 14 2004, 08:13 AM

  What about a Mazda? The old shape 323 with the popup headlights looks nice and is really cheap these days (maybe 500 quid for a K plate?). The 626 is even cheaper which is surprising as it's a bigger car. Really good build quality (though maybe not quite as good as a Toyota).

My experience of jap cars, is they go on forever, but are really expensive to FIX

Fidgits Posted on Apr 14 2004, 08:20 AM

  The thing i forgot to mention about the early 90's Vauxhalls, is that they are very basic mechanically..

Which means, a. they are easy to fix yourself...

or b. they are cheap to take to a garage...

sounds like my kinda car.

I'm very very very I found really bargin last night!!!

£495 1998 R plate Astra, fairly good condition, only catch it belonged to the rossers. Reduced to clear. Rang up today its SOLD

Well my search for the Astra continues :duh:

[SHAHZ]

I've got a Renault Extra van at the mo, hate it And the main problem is you cant more then 2 people in, so I end up having to take the lex

good point - a small hatch it is then!

[LennyLexus]

Right havent been searching hard for an astra......

BUT

I have been offered a K reg escort 1.4 Lx with 50k on the clock, for a very reasonable price... under 500 squid

Has anyone owned fords before in particular a similar escort?

A Fix Or Repaired Daily with low mileage or an Astra with High Mileage?

[mudzs]

the escort on that year is a pig i would stick with toyota or honda ,keep looking for a lower mileage one they do exsist .the astra is a good car and the parts are cheap ,have a look at the salvage sites for stolen recovered etc ,some real bargains there and at that price hpi etc dos'ent matter

[immx]

I've had fords all my life til I got the Lexus, yea sure the escort is a bit of a rough ride compaired to the lexus!

But as long as you get one with a Zeta / Zetec engine (not a CVH they are :tsktsk: ) then It should be good for 150,000 miles as long as its serviced.

I just sold my last car, a 1.8Si Escort cabro with 122,000 (of which i'd done 100,000 of VERY hard driving!) on and that still ran sweet!

Worth a thought!!

[LennyLexus]

Lets put this another way.

how much would it cost to

a) run a 92 astra with 100k+

B) run a 93 sorted with 50k

for another 20'000 miles and 40'000 excluding tax, insurance and MOT test. If i get 40k out one of those cars I'm very happy B)

Ian, Zetec a bit out my range

[LennyLexus]

Help please, i'm looking to buy in the next few days.

The escort doesnt come with power steering does it?

[immx]

depends on the model, some did i think???

they started throwing the zeta engine in on the mk5 i think, and you can defo get one of those for 500 notes

[Gavin G]

Mate, I have an L reg 1994 Cavalier 1.6i LS hatch. Has sunroof, central locking, ABS, electric front windows, drivers airbag and power steering. Bought it for £200 last October to use as a runaround. Just had its MOT last month and passed. Has excellent MPG and I've had no problems with it so far. Its in great nick with no rust anywhere.

Would deffo recommend it.

Gavin :)

[MAC_600]

"L" plates and 50cc are not allowed

Who said a scooter had to be 50CC and have L plates.

Some of the lates scooters pack 650cc engines and are good for 130 mph - though I'd not like to do over a ton on a scooter