Thinking practically about getting a new(er) car.

[Mike_Amiga]

The way I see things my car has just been fixed for the MOT and so I'll most probably be keeping it at least another year. However before my Dad waded in to help me I was potentially facing a massive £400 bill for this years MOT.

As it turned out my father sorted out some quite tricky new suspension bits for my half beaten to death X reg Fiesta for which I'll never be able to thank him enough as it bought my final repair bill to a more manageable £117 for some welding on the sills, and £95 for parts.

So I've been thinking to myself, seeing as cars are money pits anyway, should I get a new car?

My shortlist are all Diesels so I'd appreciate any advice on the models I'm interested in. I've had a look at honestjohn.co.uk but I'm worried he might be slightly biased towards Fords judging from his top 10.

Ford Focus
VW Passat
VW Golf
Skoda Octavia
and scraping the barrel...
Vauxhall Vectra

[Mike_Amiga]

When I say New(er) I mean just that, I'm not going brand new as after paying for the car the whole of my savings would be spent. I was thinking 4k-5k at maximum. for an 04-05 plate something or other. Obviously with things like BMW and VW I'd be talking more 02-03 plate but with any luck the car is better made having had a higher initial cost.

It would have to be a moderate size cos I just like that size of car and should be more economical. However most MOTs with my Fiesta have had something wrong with the suspension. I blame all the stupid speed bumps in the area. If all the roads were smooth like they're supposed to be I'd be saving a packet on repairs.

[Mike_Amiga]

Nah, you'd probably have to pay more in insurance premiums thanks to all the cars that are stolen and smashed by boy racers.

I don't think so, I'm over 30 now and while new drivers would find it more expensive I don't see why I would.

Seems new drivers are already paying retarded prices just to get insured on small engined (but popular) cars. A work colleague is paying just over £800 and that's the cheapest they could find for a ford fiesta 1.2 at the age of 20.

As was shown by one of our younger idiot drivers who smashed up his car, repaired it then completely wrote it off. Some people are just stupid and will do stupid things. The car he ended up with from the insurance pay out is nowhere near as flash as his original car so what the hell he was playing at I just don't know. Gladly he's long since left us.

[Mike_Amiga]

Aren't Volvo 850s the old brick shaped estates? I'd have to google images to confirm... They're too old to be on my list, and besides I don't tow caravans!