I need some sort of idiots guide on how to buy a car

[giraffesCanDanceAtHogmanay]

So do you know of anywhere that I can read this information - in an unbiased way! Or anyone willing to give me a quick run down.

I should join some kind of car forum but they would eat me alive! I have established that you can put a child in the front so long as air bags disabled so am still on target for my small car. Am thinking old yaris, corsa, punto type thing.

I am very good at pointing out exactly which colours and prices I like but not alot else.

Some corsas on autotrader for under £2000 - looks good but are they likely to fall to bits quickly? If paying up then can go higher, but they charge lots of interest don't they?

Oh I am so confused. What I really need is for someone to buy me a car? No? Well how about telling me what sort of age of car is too old, would hope for it to last 2/3 years before thinking of new one. What about millage? What sort of number do I want?

Why don't they teach us this at school?!

Hiya,

As requested Here I am. lol.

If it's a corsa type car you are looking No more than 50,000 on the clock ideally for it to last a while. Also it is worth going ot a garage if you dont know much about what you are looking for so you don't get had and insist on some kind of warranty as well. I'd also fork out the extra £20 odd for a AA check on the car so you know it is in good nick.

Although you may pay a little more than you would privately it is worth going down the garage route so you get some security.

Go for the corsa , don't get a FIAT (Fix It Again Tomorrow) i had a punto and it was in the garage once a week until i sold it.

We are looking for a 2nd car at the moment, dh says it needs to have had a new cambelt fitted , service history is good and low millage (which depends on the age), if you want a car to last 2 years plus i wouldn't buy anything thats done over 80000 miles.

Thanks

also there is a book called Parkers which tells you how much you should expect to pay for models of whatever vintage, as a rough guide