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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To need help buying my first car

46 replies

JustWantCake · 11/07/2018 10:45

So I've only ever had company cars and never my own car but for my new job I will not be receiving a company car and so need to purchase my first one. I haven't a clue where to start though as I cant afford anything close to what I have been previously driving.

I was driving brand new ford focus estates with all the works.

I've got an appointment to see a Nissan dealer tomorrow but their engine sizes are all 1.2 in the ones we can afford, my fords were all 1.6 - Will I notice the difference?

Is there anything I need to consider for a new car? Am I best to go to a dealership? I need the car by Friday.

I have £5000 in cash for a car, insurance and tax and possibly could pay an extra £150 a month for finance.

OP posts:

allmycats · 11/07/2018 14:54

Try a 5 door Skoda Citigo, I have the Monte Carlo version and it has all the bells and whistles on it. Only 1 or 1.1 litre but very nippy, good fuel usage, it is so well built and reliable (and I have had BMWs/Mercs/Land
Rovers etc in the past). This is really a fully specced up VW and you should be able to find a 65/66 plate low mileage one for your price.

Original poster

JustWantCake · 11/07/2018 15:01

So I shouldn't be put off by the 1 - 1.2 Ls then?

I just recall rattling along in my Ex's 1.2L car struggling to overtake on the motorways and having no real acceleration.

Maybe I should also point out in this car, my first journey shall be a 4 hour drive which shall require going on the M25.... (something which I have to do a few times a year). I'll be fine in a 1-1.2L car yeah?

OP posts:

Original poster

JustWantCake · 11/07/2018 15:03

Don't think I'll fit the double buggy in a Citigo allmycats thanks though

OP posts:

QuestionableMouse · 11/07/2018 19:42

Well yes. There's nothing wrong or bad about a smaller engined car. I drove regularly on the M25 in a 1.4.

Go to your local car supermarket or a mixed dealership rather than one branded dealer. You'll have much more choice and will be more likely to get the car the same day.

BigPinkBall · 11/07/2018 19:51

Do not get a pay day loan, ever, for anything! Just having had one, even if you pay it back on time can bar you from getting a mortgage with some lenders.

Go to a comparison site and search for personal loans or search for dealers that are offering 0% finance (unlikely on a used car but not impossible)

Quite honestly you’re unlikely to get anything now to drive away by Friday because the dealer usually has to service it and do paperwork before you can take delivery, can you use taxis for a week, while you look around, it might save you money in the long run

DoYouLikeHueyLewisandTheNews · 11/07/2018 19:55

I have a Nissan qashqai. It's a 1.5 which I was worried would be sluggish as my tiny cars previously were all 1.4 but it's definitely nippier. Also has a decent sized boot, 5 doors and isofix. It's not sexy or rare but I love it.

Sunshinegirl82 · 11/07/2018 20:04

Can you hire a car for a couple of weeks to hide you over? Then you can take a bit of time to shop around. You could look at a Dacia? They are cheap but pretty reliable and you could probably get something fairly new.

QuestionableMouse · 11/07/2018 20:33

Honestly with 5k you can get a perfectly good car without having to get finance. It might not be brand new but I don't think that's a problem.

Have a look on autotrader.co.uk.

QuestionableMouse · 11/07/2018 20:42

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201807038084782?advertising-location=at_cars&transmission=Manual&price-to=5000&postcode=ct11tu&body-type=MPV&body-type=Estate&sort=year-desc&page=12&quantity-of-doors=5&radius=100&fuel-type=Diesel&fuel-type=Petrol&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New

This would be perfect for you.

Original poster

JustWantCake · 11/07/2018 21:45

Thanks everyone, I am appreciating all the advice!

I can't afford to hire a car, cost is crazy (was my initial thought)

Can't get away with taxis either as I wouldn't be able to afford it. I regularly travel 25+ miles daily

QuestionableMouse that car is perfect. Exactly what I want (I've admitted now I can use sat nav on phone) just too far from me

Okay so my plan now is to go to Nissan and have a look at the second hand cars and then go to a few more mixed dealerships too.

OP posts:

Barbaro · 11/07/2018 22:00

Oh dear don't get a clio or any french car. Cheap and break a lot.

I would have thought a big car with a small engine would struggle to be honest. You want a big estate car from the sounds of it, but one of them with a 1.2 engine may struggle. It's fine in a hatchback, but an estate? Dunno have no experience.

Barbaro · 11/07/2018 22:07

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201804135533184?advertising-location=at_cars&maximum-mileage=80000&price-to=5000&postcode=iv26dg&model=PASSAT&sort=price-desc&page=1&make=VOLKSWAGEN&onesearchad=Used

I know this won't be where you are but could try and find an old passat.

IChooseTheHat · 11/07/2018 22:30

I have recently got a Ford Fiesta (probably too small for you but as an idea) for only £5500 which is only 3 years old with 40000 miles on it. My insurance is only £40 a month too and that is with my partner on it who just passed in December

Try motors.co.uk I found them better than auto trader to look on

DextroDependant · 11/07/2018 22:33

I have just bought a 10 year old Renault Scenic for £1180 so I reckon you could get a newer one for your 5k.

It has loads of room, pram would go in the boot I am fairly sure. Three full size seats in the back so no problem for your car seats, mime has isofix so a newer one would too. 1.6 engine. 5 doors.

No Bluetooth though but you would be getting a newer model so might have it?

DextroDependant · 11/07/2018 22:37

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201711301707869?search-target=usedcars&advertising-location=at_cars&price-to=5000&postcode=wa74bz&model=SCENIC&sort=mileage&page=3&price-from=500&make=RENAULT&version=b&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New

Not the nicest colour bit meets your spec.

SadTrombone · 11/07/2018 22:52

Go to a dealership with a 0% finance offer on. I know Bristol Street Motors has one on now, 0 deposit 0% APR for 4 or 5 years I think it was.

SadTrombone · 11/07/2018 22:54

www.bristolstreet.co.uk/used-cars/5-years-0/

SadTrombone · 11/07/2018 22:55

^ offer only on this weekend apparently

QuestionableMouse · 12/07/2018 17:31

Honestly get on autotrader and have a look. Don't walk into a dealership blind because you have no way of knowing if you're getting good value. If you let me know your closer big town I'll do it for you.

sayanythingelse · 12/07/2018 19:07

Did I write this post in my sleep? I'm also looking to buy a used car as I'm giving my company car back. It's a daunting task after having a company car for a while isn't it?!

Have a look around some local used car dealers and take some test drives. Cars may have a similar spec but they won't all drive the same. I've got an 18 plate Seat Leon at the moment and I just test drove an 13 plate Astra with the same engine size but it had less bhp. Personally found it a bit clunky. You'll definitely be able to get something decent for around £5000.

If you do alot of motorway miles, a diesel will probably be more cost efficient for you aswell.

Castl3onb0at · 12/07/2018 22:34

Last 3 or 4 cars I've had cost under £1000 drove for a year, drove a lot of miles. When things broke , it wasn't worth the cost to fix. I pay for AA or RAC road assistance and fully comprehensive insurance. Buy a car with low mileage if possible. Buy a car that is cheap on fuel

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