Where do I start?

[OlafsTwig]

Pre-COVID, I commuted by train & bike. Currently mainly WFH. Can't imagine train will be viable in the next few months at least. From next week, I need to be in the office three days a week. It's a 75 min mainly motorway drive in no traffic; I can't imagine the traffic will stay away for long.

At the moment, I've borrowed a car from a family member who is over 70, but they're going to want it back.

So, I think I'll need to buy or hire a car for at least a few months. I have no intention of owning a car long-term. Could end up with relative selling their car (I'd guess few £hundreds max) and giving them this one.

Don't need anything big or high spec - just need to get to work and back reliably in reasonable comfort.

Where do I start? I have no idea how to buy or hire a car (other than for a weekend). Haven't got the capacity to spend ages poring over options - this isn't a "leisure" purchase; I recognise that is likely to mean I don't get a great bargain and that's OK. Any pointers greatly appreciated!

Depends on your budget really. If you don’t have much to spend then a small petrol engine is likely to give you the best balance of economy and reliability, cheap diesels have the potential for big bills. If you’re buying something a couple of years old then a diesel is your best bet.

Just to add, something Japanese will probably be your best bet, something like a Yaris or if that’s too small maybe a Civic.

If you’re driving mostly on the motorway, don’t be tempted by a tiny ‘city car’ like a Citroen C1 as they take forever to get up to 7mph which I found scary at times. I’d go for something small and run of the mill like a Citroen C3, Vauxhall Corsa/ Astra, or Ford Fiesta. If you get one that’s a few years old, it won’t be too expensive.

I agree with Japanese cars, very reliable. I had a Toyota Aygo which was cheap to run - low tax and great mpg. The Citroen c1 and Peugeot version are essentially the same car too. You can check the mpg and car tax groups on auto trader. Make sure the car is serviced and MOTd before you buy it if from a garage - you will also get a small warranty too if you buy from a garage. ALWAYS test drive the car before you buy it

Auto trader. Put in your budget, preferences and distances you would travel to view / purchase a car. Auto trader has small garages as well so id stick to these to get a warranty.
I'm in the same position as you, avoiding public transport during the current situation so purchased a Ford Ka for £1K from a small garage on the other side of the city.
Good luck!

Given the length and character of your commute I would buy something nicer and sell it when you no longer need it. I’m not sure what you flip roads are like but if you’re merging into traffic (rather than your slip road turning into it’s own lane) I’d strongly recommend some thing that does 0 to 60 in less than 10 seconds. Make sure that your tires are in good condition and the car hasn’t previously been in an accident. And never, under any circumstances but a Vauxhall Corsa. Safety should by your top priority here.

Honest John is a good site for car reviews and information if you find something on Auto Trader and want a bit more information on it.

Thanks for all these replies - helping me feel a bit less out of my depth!

In my imagination, buying a car is fraught with dodgy dealers and so on. Is that really true? Can I just rely on something from auto trader?

Would leasing a car suit me?

I've got a decent pot of money to dip into, particularly if I'll recover much of it when I go back to the train, so anything sensible goes. And I'm saving over £400 pcm on my season ticket (some of which will be absorbed in fuel costs).

The journey goes - urban/suburban streets then 50-60mph single carriageway main road (twisty in places) for about 10 mins, then one motorway (including a large bridge - bit concerned about that for the winter) and five mins of suburbia at the end. Slip roads both merge rather than become their own lane, but there's only one each way (when I first join the motorway) - all other junctions are suburban T junctions or roundabouts.

And another question (I am so clueless!): how does one sell a car? If a car were to be sold, it'd probably be my relative's which is a battered 20-year-old Japanese diesel estate (could do with being replaced, tbh!) so not worth much I wouldn't have thought.