Small car high mileage

[glojo]

Has anybody mentioned the new fiat 500 yet?

She's seen one, she's seen one and......................
thinks they are too small. .

Quote, "I want a Focus" unquote

Regards
John

 

[robert.saunders]

John, I have finally been looking at cars within 60 miles of your postcode - I confess to not having viewed all links on this thread, but is there any leeway on the Focus? As you know I'm a fan-ish of Ford, but also the Seat Ibiza which I think is a cracking car. The search reveals a few Vauxhall Corsa, which I prefer to the Astra, but if it's size she wants is it worth looking for an albeit older VW Golf?

Although having searched some more I see a lot of insurance-unfriendly GTi models

 

[robert.saunders]

How about a fun Mazda

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...=&model=&min_pr=1000&max_pr=2000&max_mileage=

 

[glojo]

John, I have finally been looking at cars within 60 miles of your postcode - I confess to not having viewed all links on this thread, but is there any leeway on the Focus? As you know I'm a fan-ish of Ford, but also the Seat Ibiza which I think is a cracking car. The search reveals a few Vauxhall Corsa, which I prefer to the Astra, but if it's size she wants is it worth looking for an albeit older VW Golf?

Although having searched some more I see a lot of insurance-unfriendly GTi models

Hi Robert,
I think the 60 mile radius is punching beyond my weight and Captain Sensible is trying to make me reel this in to a maximum of 40. I have tried with the older Mk III Golf as I personally prefer this, but number one daughter reckons it is too square.

We did start looking at the Vauxhall Corsa, but as soon as she saw the Focus, everything changed. The car of choice started off as a Polo, I was convinced she wanted a Polo, we even lined a few up to have a look at.

The Astra has tempted her and every so often I plonk one under her nose byt she will not Focus on them . I think little Scumbag is to blame!! She has read his posts and now war has been declared (don't tell him that)

I'll show her a few more Vauxhall's just to see what she says.

Thanks again,
John

 

[robert.saunders]

go for the Mazda

 

[SimonsMerc]

Does it have to be so small? This is a lot of car for the money, in Plymouth which isn't too far from you (right?).

-simon

 

[SimonsMerc]

Or this looks interesting, right size, in Exeter...

 

[glojo]

Hi Simon,
THANK YOU very much for taking the time to do the research and I will pass on your recommendations. I agree about the Mondeo being a lot of car for the money and my own feelings are it would be nice to convince my daughter to try a bigger car, but she has been learning for a long time in a Clio and I feel the 'small car' syndrome may well be having an effect. I don't want to be the cause for any blip in confidence so at the moment I think I will offer her choices, but I will also listen to her replies.

I will certainly show her BOTH your selections. At the moment they are out looking at a Focus saloon. My daughter has already raised the issue of this vehicle being longer and I'm sure you would say the same thing as myself and suggest this very small difference is really insignificant.

Thanks again for taking the time to post the links, which I very much appreciate.

Yours very sincerely
John

 

[glojo]

Hmmm decisions, decisions.

We haven't seen this one and it is in blooming Cornwall, which is a different country and ten thousand miles away or 39 Cornish miles

Or a Focus saloon which is a local car and been in Devon all its life. 51,000 with some service history, nice record of MOT's and only one advisory for a worn tyre.

Looks like the decision has been made

Daughter has returned, I've laid out printed copies of Toyota's, Mazda's, the Honda, but her mind is made up. All I have to do, is drag my body across to Paignton and 'kick' a few tyres. So it's not a done deal yet although the bodywork is far, far superior to the previous vehicle and highlights how these two ladies are very realistic in their assessments.

Regards
John

 

[janner]

My choices would be
Mazda 323 - smaller engine + lower miles than the one you highlighted
Honda Civic - looks nice
Toyota Corolla 1.3 - again, looks nice


Edit.
Only buy a French car if you have a warm garage and lots of tools

 

[glojo]

My choices would be
Mazda 323 - smaller engine + lower miles than the one you highlighted
Honda Civic - looks nice
Toyota Corolla 1.3 - again, looks nice


Edit.
Only buy a French car if you have a warm garage and lots of tools

You have seen the pictures I printed off I also included the other Corolla which is up at Exeter. reg no 'MAN'

I showed her that nice Honda and......

"It only has two doors"

There's only one of her, how many doors does she need??

The Mazda also looked a nice car but this Focus has hooked her, so I have no choice but to go and have a quick look. I do like the fact it is a car that has spent all its life locally and has a genuine 51,000 miles, so it is not a 'rep' mobile that has been flogged to death.

Regards
John

 

[janner]

The Corolla 1.6i is insurance group 9 whereas the 1.3i is group 5.

http://www.parkers.co.uk/insurance/groups/

Edit. Looks like the Focus is group 7. That could make a big difference to a young driver.

 

[glojo]

The Corolla 1.6i is insurance group 9 whereas the 1.3i is group 5.

http://www.parkers.co.uk/insurance/groups/

Edit. Looks like the Focus is group 7. That could make a big difference to a young driver.

Just got a quote for the Focus, fully comp, under 21yrs of age starts from £840.

I reckon the next item is the Hpi check.

Regards
Edit HPI check done, no problems

 

[drbsheffield]

What about 'Piff's' dad's Fabia - Sounds perfect!

He has had a trade in offer for his Skoda Fabia 1.4 (8v) Comfort 2000W, 33,000 miles, MOT & tax until July, full service history (3 years main dealer then independant), small dings on both corners of rear bumper. Offers over £1500 if any one is interested.

 

[glojo]

Unfortunately the deal is done and the Ford Focus has been bought

It will be a stone bonkers certainty that a better car will turn up, but the deal is done the car will be here tomorrow.

1.8ltr 1999 4 door saloon 51,000 miles very clean interior, clean engine compartment that has not been steam cleaned or had a quick make-over. I would have prefered the Japanese vehicles but this one looks nice, drives well and sounds very nice (quiet)

Regards
John

 

[robert.saunders]

Well done, don't forget pics in the defector gallery

 

[jaymanek]

well done John... Hopefully it will serve the purpose well!

 

[janner]

Congrats, the Ford Focus is a great car and that one sounds like it's been cared for. Nice colour too

 

[glojo]

Well done, don't forget pics in the defector gallery

Oi.....
I haven't defected............... Yet!

Regards
John

 

[SimonsMerc]

Nice one! Probably the best of the cars mentioned here so far, I'm sure you've done the right thing ;-)

-simon