Cars ..repair or buy

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/ROVER+200/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146,N-12-4294966797-4294966929/advert.action?R=200748299728913&distance=224&postcode=bn27+3nf&channel=CARS&make=&model=&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=

Just a quick look at something you can buy for no money.

There's a limit to what you can get away with on a banger. They are cheap in terms of capital up front but unless you're useful with a spanner then they will hurt in mech bills.

If the head has gone then that's not major unless the reason it went was a warped head or block. Then it gets silly and more than the car is worth. A new gasket is relatively cheap it's the labour that will cost you here. If your have warping then forget it.

Sounds like you think the ax has had it anyway. A scrapper will not charge you for it at the mo as metal is in big demand. Call around.

Astra - loads about, not known for great reliability, relatively cheap bits.

My 1st car was an AX....head gaskets are a common problem on them.

As with many older cars things tend to go wrong...and it is a citroen, so expect other things....such as the heater matrix.

Id be inclined to get shot of it no matter how much you like it...I really didnt want to get rid of my AX as it was the sporty GT and a hoot to drive....but the engine fell out one day (no really it did!) and I thought sod it and bought a brand new car instead.

Mine is the GT too - lovely little boy racer car and was very nippy till the last few months

AA man thought it had probably "blown a valve" and was only running on 3 cylinders - mech though head gasket was going when he worked on it a few months a go

would love a newish car but dont have the cash to flash at the mo unfortunately so need a very cheap runabout for the next 12-18 months or so

Pity you didn't post this a couple of weeks ago Buney.

Someone dumped an old Porsche 944 at the bottom of the track that leads to our house. Unlocked, ignition hotwired. It ran as well.

Cops weren't interested (not reported stolen, not used in any reported crimes). Council didn't want to know (not parked illegally), and the Park Authority were hassling me about it cos they thought it was mine.

So I guess you could have had that as no one wanted it.

Its gone now though - people started pinching bits off it, and after I banged the Park and Local authorities heads together it got shifted...

FR - why didn't you post, I'd have taken it!!

 Bangers can be very economical to run IF you buy the right one.  Used car prices are plunging at the moment and dealers seem to be having a lot of trouble shifting stock so you are in a strong position, espically as a cash buyer with no trade in to get rid of.

I would say not to write off a new car straight away without some thought.  A brand new off the forecourt Ford Ka will cost around €5k which you can finance through Alliance and Leicester for £60/month (assuming you put down your £500 as a deposit).  £60 is a decent meal in a resteraunt and for teh comfort and peace of mind it may be worth considering.  This link has 2nd hand Ka's from £500 to 3000  in Manchester and it's worth a nose.

If you do decide to go teh banger route then I would always advise going for a good quality car.  Cars liek Citroens and Vauxhalls are built to a price and so - when miles get high -  will generally have more failures than a more expensive when new car.  A BMW 3 series or even a big 'ol Volvo estate will probably cost teh same as an Astra but run further.  Repairs may be more expensive but will generally be much less frequent.  80s Mercs and even VWs have been known to clock up 200K without signifigant problems.  In particular when looking pay attention to service history and mileage rather than age.  An older car with regular oil changes and fewer miles will be a better bet than a much younger car with higher miles that has been neglegted.

 And finally pay attention to the total cost of ownership.  A newer car will cost less to repair and (with lower CO2 emissions) be cheaper to tax and possibly insure.  Likewise they will be more fuel efficient and so cost less to keep on teh road.  A £500 banger that you have to pay a hundred quid to get through the MOT  every time and drinks like Ollie Read ona bender isn't really such a bargain

I was going to suggest an old Volvo. I've got a K reg 940 estate with 380K on the clock that still runs like a sewing machine.

Built like a tank as well

Bit big for Buney though....

oh its an N reg with 68k

Mines a Y with 82k!

Buy a honda or toyota. These things will run for f*cking donkeys years. Nams has 120k on her clock. last MOT was a bit naughty but b*gger me can her car fly!

FR. If anyother cars arrive at yours needing to be claimed please email me. I need one for a "project"

My Sprog was bought a brand new KA by her Granddad... 9 months later ( one engine, 2 gearboxes, and a new boot lid {The Ford dealers crunched it on a truck in the workshop}) she bought a 2 year old Fiesta. Brill motor

We now have 4 Fiesta's in the family, the latest a 1400 Diesel is a super town car and gets 60 mpg and only 35 quid a year to tax

FORD

Fix Or Repair Daily!

The only Ford I would want is one of these:

Escort Mexico, MK I or MK II, either would do nicely!

Or, at a push:

TT's right though - Toyota and Honda will run forever.  Top Gear did a thing once where they tried to kill a Toyota pickup truck.  They battered it, drove into walls, set it on fire and sank it in the sea.  Oil change later and the dam thing still started!