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For further buying advice visit Matthew's site: www.UsedCarExpert.co.uk
Hi,
I'm a 17 year old female who has just passed her test recently.
I am looking to buy a car just to get from A to B.
I'm completely clueless about cars and have no idea what I'm doing.
What would be the best car to buy?
At the moment I have about £700 but looking to save up between £1000-£2000.
What kind of things would I look for in a car eg:- engine size and mileage
etc, where is the best place to buy? And what would be a good little car to
get around in?
Hope you can help me.
Many thanks
Siobhan Armstrong, UK
Hello Siobhan,
But what happens if when you get to B you don’t like it? Or it gives you the
confidence to explore a little further and head on to C?
I think, far from buying a car for just one journey, we should look to get
something thrifty and reliable that will last a few years and hopefully
generate many happy memories.
With a budget of £2,000 I often advise people to look at Astra-size cars
because small cars carry a premium. But as you won’t have any insurance no
claims bonuses, the more weedy your engine, the better really. 1.2 litres
and below.
So, city cars from 2001 are really what we are looking at. The Ford Ka is
brilliant: funky, cheap to run and repair, insurance group 2 and 42 mpg.
Or you could look at Smart’s City-Coupe is a similar price and offers even
edgier style, the same insurance group plus 58 mpg.
Congratulations on passing your test.
Matt,
I had a car accident in early March this year and the car has been in and
out of the body shop 7 times and they have not correctly repaired the car,
and in turn have damaged my car whilst in their stewardship.
This body shop is an Insurance approved body shop that I was sent to by the
third party’s insurance company, I claimed directly as it was clearly a
no-fault accident on my side. They have been providing me with a hire car
during the time the car has spent in the body shop
I have since spoken to the insurance company and said that the fit and
finish of the car is still not upto standard and I want it to go to a VW
group approved repairer. They have told me to get a quote for the work and
to fax it over to them. This is something I am in the process of doing,
however what I don't know is where I stand after that, what avenues are open
to me to ensure I get the work carried out professionally and promptly, the
car is drivable just not upto standard.
I have also spent upwards of 20hrs of my time on the phone to the Insurance
Company, Body shop and Hire car company to ensure that I still had a hire
car to use, to find out when my car is being repaired as the hire car
company informed me that the car rental was expiring on more than one
occasion and the following times to the insurance company to ensure
extensions etc where forwarded to the hire car company so I was not left
liable for the charges. All of this should of been dealt with by the
insurers themselves. In addition the agreement between the hire car company
and the insurance company is that I need to goto my closest office to
collect the car and drop it off taking another hour out of my day instead of
the rental company collecting the car when works are completed (which is
frustrating).
In addition to this I now need to find a company who can repair my car gain
quotes etc and basically do there job for them. I am wrong to bill my time
to them on a hourly basis as I would do my clients who are looking for my
expertise?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Regards,
Mike Chapman, UK
Hi Mike,
You really need a lawyer, and possibly a holiday. But certainly a stiff drink.
You’ve been really unlucky here; the fact its not your fault makes it all the
more galling. Unfortunately, insurance companies are by-and-large pretty
unpleasant.
You may be able to sue for compensation, but would be surprised if you can
claim an hourly rate based on expertise you don’t have.
If you just want the car fixed, then you could put your complaint in writing
to the garage owners and send a copy to any trade association the garage
belongs to, asking them to assist you. The association may be able to
resolve the dispute.
For advice on codes of conduct and other services, contact the Motor Vehicle
Repairers Association: www.mvra.com
If the car is still under manufacturer's warranty, then contact the Society of
Motor Manufacturers and Traders: www.smmt.co.uk.
Telephone: 0870 751 8270.
If that doesn't work, you should contact Consumer Direct for advice: www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.
Telephone: 08454 04 05 06. They will tell you your legal rights and the
language you can use in the letters.
If you want to sort the insurance company out – so to speak – then you need
the Financial Ombudsman Service on: 0845 080 1800.
Sorry I can’t be of more help.
Dear Matt,
I am looking for a fun new or nearly new car, spending in the region of
£15k but I may be selling the car in as little as a year so cost of
ownership is an important factor. I think I have it down to two cars, a new
500 Abarth or a post ’06 Cooper S. I realise both are expensive to insure
as I am a 21 yr old bloke.
My impression of the Cooper S is that is a much more refined car in every
way but lacks the fun that comes with the 500. I would be interested to
hear your opinions on the two cars and if there are any others I should be
considering.
With kind regards,
David Simms, Surrey, UK
Alright Fella,
Word to the wise, wink, wink: When you call the insurance company, don’t call
yourself a bloke, a geezer, or even a lad. You are a young professional. Got
it?
Even then, your premium is going to be a source of great amusement around the
pub table. Still, you can’t take it with you. You have my respect and full
(moral) support if that helps.
It’s got to be the Fiat, bizarrely. It will cost you £25 less to tax, give you
3 more miles per gallon, is in insurance group 13 (gulp) which is better
than the Mini’s group 15 (double gulp) and is only 8/10s of a second slower
to 60. It is more chuck-about-able and you will be the only person with one
for miles. Whereas Minis are everywhere.
Q.E.D. mate.
Hi Matt,
My husband is soon to buy his first car (recently obtained his licence) and
safety is his number one priority. We need a vehicle to transport two
people, our baby, and a German Shepherd on occasion. The vehicle will be
used for weekend use. He would love an SUV (loves the Volvo XC90) but they
are costly and not so green. MPV's seem to take the joy out of owning a car
- I'm personally not keen. What are the best options for us based on a £4k -
7k budget which is a safe family car which doesn't look too much like a
family car.
Many thanks for your help.
Kind regards,
Mrs Holst, UK
Dear Mrs Holst,
I am not sure if you are against SUVs or just the XC90s, which are, as you
say, expensive.
But to get safety, on your budget, you need to ‘go large.’ Newer cars have
higher NCAP ratings and lower Co2 output, but the price is too high.
So unless you buy a small car (there are great deals on nearly new Clios in
your budget) you are going to be less green – the best you can do is get the
highest possible MPG.
The top of your budget puts you, assuming a 4x4 is what you want, into cars
from 2003, including Nissan’s rough and ready Patrol. But it only gives you
26 mpg! Or you can go for a Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2 D from 2002, get 2 MPG
more and pay similar money.
But flicking back a few pages in the Used Car Expert price guide, I notice
that the small 4x4s section offers a 2005 Kia Sportage, 2.0 CrDi with 32,000
average miles and 40 MPG. That would be an intelligent, sensible choice and
within budget.
Or you could get a 2.0 diesel Land Rover Freelander from the same year that
does 37 mpg and has 36,000 miles on the clock. Yes, its 3 MPG less, but it
was made here, so hasn’t been shipped around the globe like the Kia (which
is bad news in Co2 terms) and Land Rover run a carbon offset programme.
Although you need to look into the detail of that if you want to get
involved.
Happy hunting.
Matt,
I am in the market for a new car, but I have the hardest time deciding. My
1997 E class is getting a bit on in years and I need to change it before it
explodes while I'm driving it. I've looked at the new Audi A4 and BMW 3
series as potential candidates, but remain completely unconvinced on buying
either one. Should I hang on to my faithful old Benz till it decides to kill
me, or buy a car I am not entirely sure about?
PS. I am going through my quarter-life crisis (24) and would like to find
something that's got a little more excitement than a Merc.
Maybe you can point me in the right direction
Thanks,
Luay, Jordan
Hi Luay,
Lie down on the couch. Close your eyes. Let me help, old chap.
If you are 24 and can afford a new A4 or 3-series, but don’t want to all your
hair to fall out through boredom, here’s what you do: You go and buy a one
year old Audi TT or a two year old BMW Z4, or Honda S2000 or Nissan 350Z.
These are all perfectly balanced, comfortable, rapid, GT cars that will make
you smile as you climb in, let alone pull away. You may also get a
girlfriend. Or a better girlfriend. Or several. These are powerful machines,
my friend.
What you don’t do is continue in a banger that you think is about to kill you
or buy a ‘grey’ saloon targeted at those sinking under the burden of their
middle-aged responsibilities.
My invoice is in the post.
P.S. So Jordan don’t have a scrappage scheme then? Shame, you’re the first
person I’ve met who could benefit!
Further information: www.usedcarexpert.co.uk
