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Original poster

How old is your car?

76 replies

HiccupHaddockHorrendous · 19/07/2012 22:58

I'm looking for another new car. The 2 cars I've owned, so far, have been 10/11 years old. My BIL can get me a 9 year old one at a reasonable price but I'm wondering if I should get something newer. I don't have a huge budget and don't want to take out a loan but I have savings that I could use if absolutely necessary.

OP posts:
Ponders · 19/07/2012 23:31

I bought a very low mileage (under 12K) 7-yr-old diesel Zafira last Aug for c £5K

in theory cars like this are really bad news, but rather than eg daily 2-mile journeys this one was only used approx once a month for 100 miles or so a time.

I have had to have one tyre replaced this year because it was a bit perished, but otherwise it's a nearly new car - no squeaks or rattles, & runs like a dream. Also, because of its age, it doesn't have any of the expensive new diesel technology.

Including MOT & new tyre, a recent annual service (at nice trustworthy small local garage) was £350.

MedusaIsHavingABadHairDay · 19/07/2012 23:33

10 yr old Nissan micra here and DH has an 11 yr old Renault. The Nissan micra is FAB.. over 95k on the clock and never a hiccup. The Renault has had lots of problems but is still cheaper to repair than replace. I'd have another Nissan any time.

FartBlossom · 19/07/2012 23:35

nice trustworthy small local garage
I would advise to always look for these rather than dealer garages (unless its under warranty) as IME dealer garages just try to rip you off. For example, my car (when my parents had it) was recalled as it needed something replacing. They said that it will need some new brakes soon and could they do them. My parents said no and it has since past 2 MOTs (another one booked in 2 weeks) and still has the same brakes now.

Original poster
HiccupHaddockHorrendous · 19/07/2012 23:56

Thanks for the replies!

I've just spent half an hour looking at BN cars Grin.

I need a 7 seater for work. My BIL can get me a 2002 Zafira but it is my least favourite choice - though I can see the benefits of it. It's pretty cheap and I trust that he knows his way round a car so won't get me a pile of crap.

Maybe the car after next will be a newer one Smile

OP posts:
Aquelven · 20/07/2012 00:07

I've got two, both owned from new.
One two years old, the other a 32 year old Mini. The two year old was supposed to replace it but I just couldn't bear to part with it.

BuntyCollocks · 20/07/2012 07:44

Mine is 3 months, DH's 4 years.

OHforDUCKScake · 20/07/2012 07:49

You wouldnt know it though its in such good nick. Really well looked after by the previous owner. I was wondering just a minute ago whether she misses it!

TalcAndTurnips · 20/07/2012 07:57

Toyota Turnip

One careful owner from new

Full service history

Low mileage

Leather upholstery and air-conditioning. Sort of.

A few dints here and there in the bodywork, but basically sound

Good runner

Go on, treat yourself - any sensible offer considered. Try the public bar at the Dog and Courgette; ask for Talc 'Honest' Turnip.

DukeHumfrey · 20/07/2012 07:58

Current one is a Honda, just coming up to 2 yrs old, had it from new. Pleased with it and so far so reliable.

Previously:

  • Renault. Was 3 yrs old when I got it and 6 when I sold it. It was ok. but it has broken down several times since I sold it to my sister 2 years ago
  • Nissan. My first car was a Micra and I loved it; it was great. Had it from 3yrs old to about 13 yrs old, did about 100,000 miles and was still going strong when I got rid of it for a newer model (the Clio) when I started a new job with 100-mile-a-day round trip.
whatkungfuthat · 20/07/2012 07:58

I'm another one who would say go Japanese for reliability, I have an ancient Honda which just won't die, starts first time and just runs and runs. I've just gone over 100,000 miles with nothing really spent on it since I had it. Before that I had an Audi for 10 years and that was just as reliable.

I would steer clear of Vauxhall and the french makes, they are built to be good for about 5 years and then it gets expensive. DP has had quite a few in the past.

wonkylegs · 20/07/2012 08:04

Mines 7yo and I've had it from new. It's an ultra reliable Toyota yaris (old style) and touch wood has been no probs. Each year has sailed through service & MOT.
Only work it's had done is a flat tyre & cracked windscreen which is nothing to do with it's reliability.
Unfortunately and very reluctantly I'm going to have to get rid of it this year as I need an automatic as I have a wrecked hip that is painful to use the clutch with.

Sirzy · 20/07/2012 08:04

All my cars bar 2 have been vauxhall and never had any major issues with any of them, I have only sold to upgrade.

I wouldn't touch fiat or renault with a barge pole - my parents had a brand new Renault which set on fire after a month and the customer service from them was horrendous

Bunbaker · 20/07/2012 08:05

You also need to facture in the cost of insurance, servicing and fuel consumption. Some older cars run less efficiently and have higher carbon emissions.

In recent years I have owned 2 Honda Civics and a Ford Focus. All have been reliable. I switched to Ford because insurance and servicing was cheaper.

ratspeaker · 20/07/2012 08:05

Not long bought a 10 year old Nissan
My previous beloved volvo (old style estate with fold up seats in boot ) was F reg therefore older than my kids
I bought the Nissan for half what it was going to cost to get Volvo serviced, repaired ( head gasket starting to go, exhaust rusting as was radiator etc etc ) and MOT'd

I miss the volvo but not its fuel consumption

Bunbaker · 20/07/2012 08:06

I forgot to say - my Focus is 4 years old and OH's Mondeo is 5 years old.

toboldlygo · 20/07/2012 08:11

Today I am trading in my much beloved 18 year old Nissan - 100k+ on clock, cost me £500 six years ago and barely a penny since. Not a damn thing wrong with it, it's just too small for my needs now. Upgraded to a 2002. I would never buy brand new even if I could afford it, total waste of money.

iknowwho · 20/07/2012 08:12

I get a new Mazda 6 every 2 years. Due a new one in September.

ken0eddie0kennedy · 20/07/2012 08:12

Mine's 14 months old.

TaggieCampbellBlack · 20/07/2012 08:13

DHs is 13 mine is 11. Both citroens. Neither ever broken. Mine particularly is v economical c3, diesel, made of plastic.

I'm planning a newish one next year and giving mine to DD who will be 17 by then.

TequilaMockinBird · 20/07/2012 08:15

Mine is 2 years old, DH's is 9 years old.

Never had any problems with either of them

accidentalchickenkeeper · 20/07/2012 08:16

My car is five years old now, have had it for just over two years.

Bought it from an ex-motability auction. Very low mileage, well looked after.
Bought my car before that the same way.

GrandPoohBah · 20/07/2012 08:19

I have a T reg Nissan Micra. No problems with it - it's the second I've owned, they just keep going!

bigTillyMint · 20/07/2012 08:22

9yrs old. We have had it for 5yrs, I think.

kellykateneedsaholiday · 20/07/2012 08:27

My old one , seat alhambra, bought at two yrs old and got rid of it after six years, it was very reliable and comfy but also expensive to run because of bloody 40k timing belt change interval. We were doing about 20k miles a year and it ate tyres yearly. I loved it though, would have kept it but it had 130k miles and was starting to need a lot of work done on suspension, electrics, god knows what else.

New one is two yrs old, a Zafira, Paid about £10k fo it, quite like it but it's not same quality as old car and it's tiny but I needed seven seats for work and wanted something quite new and something that didnt smell of wet dog and old food like my old one

littlebluechair · 20/07/2012 08:42

Our Citroen Picasso is 10 years old, bought it 2 years ago. It has had two ominous noises, both times was just a bolt needing replacement.

Its a decent car, we have had no problems, but want to buy a 2 or 3 yo car soon to last us a while - hopefully!

I would say a good diesel with a bit more age is a better buy than a newer, crapper, cheaper car.