(no subject)

[kingandy]

My car is in need of substantial repairs before I MOT it, and it needs MOTing by the end of the month so that I can buy road tax. Friendly Local Garage Man estimated there was somewhere around £400 of work (though he can't personally get it done by the end of the week, he's very busy). So, either I have to find some place that can do the repairs by Friday or get hold of a new car.

I seem to recall a few people on the flist mentioning spare cars but I strongly suspect they'd be out of my price range ... I'm currently toying with the idea of leasing, because it's like paying off a loan but better because the leasing company take care of all the repairs and servicing, and you get a new car, and stuff like that. The other options are combing Auto Trader (which can be enormously fast), or walking into somewhere like Carcraft and seeing if there's something I can drive off the lot (for a minimal part-exchange on the old Honda). I'd probably have to let them finance me, though, as I don't really have the time to chase around banks and loan agencies to get the best deal. Anyway, I probably wouldn't know the best deal if it slapped me in the face shouting "I'M THE BEST DEAL".

... Sorry for the stream-of-consciousness ending, I'm in a bit of a rush.

Comments

[mistressp.livejournal.com]

Yep - flee in fear from Carcraft - they are very expensive.

The MR2 is £3.5k and the MG £4k. The issue doesn't stop there though - the insurance would be a killer as you have too many points on your licence.

What's your budget? You know I love a good car conversation :)

[kingandy]

Well, if I get a loan I could probably go for a few thousand, I don't know. People are willing to lend you a hell of a lot these days. In terms of purely hard cash, though, I'd be looking at about £500-£1000 for an old banger.

The tactic of buying an old car and driving it into the ground is probably not the way for a happy life, but past experience has made me wary of signing up for long-term payment commitments...

What I'm looking for is a reasonably economical car with at least four doors, and good potential boot space (ie, seats may be folded down to allow for kit), not too big but with a good roomy driver's seat. This allows for the considerations of (a) LARP, (b) Ferrying friends around, (c) commuting to work and (d) being a lanky bugger. I am informed that the category known as the Supermini would be most suitable.

[icklejo]

If you're willing to go to the £1000 mark or thereabouts you would probably be able to get something that wasn't actually an old banger. You could join the "Practical Japanese Car Club". I bought my Toyota Corolla a year ago for £1400 so you could probably get something similar now on your budget. I too was fed up of always fixing things and stuff breaking and since getting Corollas (this is my second in a row, would still be on number one if it hadn't been for stupid drunk woman writing it off) the most I've had to get done for an MOT was freeing up a break calliper for £30.

They've got big boots, which can be made into giganto-boots if you fold the seats down, and 5 doors with plenty of driver space. And the main thing - if serviced regularly, they don't break. They're the best selling cars of all time don't you know.

Anyway. That's all from the Toyotota Promotion Society for today.

[mrssshhh.livejournal.com]

My brother bought another one too.

[mistressp.livejournal.com]

Gotta say I totally agree - get a loan for £1,000 (or put £1,000 on a credit card and then change to one with an interest free period) and go japanese - easily the best choice.

Corolla, Mitsubishi Colt, Civic, Mazda 3 series - all hideously reliable, all cheap, none bangers.