Best beater?
Reason for the small-car idea was cheapness of running (tyres, insurance, etc.) and something to which i could make my own repairs and do my own servicing).
Can't tolerate Cinquecentos (as suggested by a mate of mine) but an older shape Punto 1.2 may be worth a *ahem* punt?
Can't tolerate Cinquecentos (as suggested by a mate of mine) but an older shape Punto 1.2 may be worth a *ahem* punt?
Problem is, small cars are high on a lot of people's shopping lists so you;
a) Are in competition with young drivers (insurance is cheap)
b) Are in competition with people who don't (or can't) drive much (old people, school run mums)
c) Are in competition with people who can't afford to drive a bigger car (chavs).
And you risk the car having been owned by several of the above in it's life.
If you can afford the insurance, larger cars are a much better buy, and if you go for something without an aspirational/boy racer image you stand a pretty good chance of bagging something which has has a cosseted and dealer-maintained past.
It's how I ended up at a big Saab (110k miles, FSH all Saab dealers,
a) Are in competition with young drivers (insurance is cheap)
b) Are in competition with people who don't (or can't) drive much (old people, school run mums)
c) Are in competition with people who can't afford to drive a bigger car (chavs).
And you risk the car having been owned by several of the above in it's life.
If you can afford the insurance, larger cars are a much better buy, and if you go for something without an aspirational/boy racer image you stand a pretty good chance of bagging something which has has a cosseted and dealer-maintained past.
It's how I ended up at a big Saab (110k miles, FSH all Saab dealers,
I'd look at Gen6 Celicas .. the block is *fairly* bomb proof, good chassis, good reliability and big enough for 4 people and a goo size boot.
Bit better than a luke warm hatch anyhow.
Get down to the Jap import auctions and they go for about
Bit better than a luke warm hatch anyhow.
Get down to the Jap import auctions and they go for about
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Originally Posted by Bibbs,Oct 19 2006, 04:09 PM
Well I've mates that have so far obtained of note an MX5, FTO & mk4 Supra and a few other bits and bobs.
They have all looked (and run) fine after a service and a polish. They then drive them for a while and flog them on for a few quid profit.
And for the money they paid, they are laughing.
They have all looked (and run) fine after a service and a polish. They then drive them for a while and flog them on for a few quid profit.
And for the money they paid, they are laughing.
Originally Posted by gaddafi,Oct 19 2006, 08:44 PM
I'm sure they are very happy - it's not a bad way to motor at the bottom end of the market
thanks for clarifying what you meant
thanks for clarifying what you meant
but if it runs fine, low (unverified) mileage and doesn't have dents, scratches or torn up interior.It's not quite the bottom end, they do this for beaters and spend any profit on their "proper" cars.
Defo get down the auctions if you don't mind a lack of history and you are handy wiring up a fog light.





