My car went up in a cloud of smoke and I need a new one

[StripeyKnickersSpottySocks]

Well actually it was steam but what the heck.

Cylinder head gasket is gone, blew the thermostat up in the process. This adds to the problem of the very stiff gearstick that it was booked in at the garage next week for. Plus it needs £320 worth of shock absorbers. And its MOT time next week. Its 10years old and I'm thinking bin it and get a new one.

So mainly where is the best place to get a car and quickly as I'm struggling getting to work atm. I've only ever bouhgt from smaller garages before and it takes a week to get paperwork, etc sorted (at least). Why can't you just buy and drive away (would be paying on credit card, always do).

Any advice about private sales, ebay, etc. Should I avoid like the plague?

thanks.

If you buying private/ebay take someone who really knows cars with you as dp didnt the first car needed new gasket kit pistons piston rings etc only did 20mph, then the same week our cam belt went on the newer car we had taking the engine with it!the scrap man had both so we waiting to get new car.
My dp looks on autotrader.com good luck