OT: A second car - suggestions?

[Kieran]

:headsc: :typy: :headsc: :thinking: :wall: :dunce: :huh: :uhoh2: :help:

I'm considering reducing Hordak to a secondary car, so that I can spend more time preening him and save a few pennies too.

BUT....

I've no idea what to get as a runabout?!

It MUST be the following:

40+ MPG
Cheap as chips to insure
Capable of swallowing some shopping, plus the odd bit and bob from B&Q
Reasonably trustworthy/reliable
Cheap to purchase (prefrably sub £1K)

The following would be NICE, but not vital:
A fairly sizeable car. I'm not keen on cars that are sub-Ford Escort/Fiat tipo size - I need the space for all the crap I often transport around!
An automatic - I know this goes against economy, but Hordak is tiresome on the city commute.
Something cool :$

Problem is I can't see the wood for the trees, and I wonder if I will actually save money or just feel like I am. Hence I turn to the members of Club VR-4 for some straight, no-rubbish advice!

My thoughts so far have been as follows...

MCC Smart
Ford Fiesta TD
Honda beat/suzuki Cappuchino
Merc 190D / 300D / C220 D
BMW 318TD/325TD
Audi 80 TDi
Rover 825TD
Fiat Tipo 1.9TD

Help & suggestions please!

[Kyoshu]

Dunno how much it costs other there, but I run a 94 Civic sedan as a daily driver. Pretty cheap on the gas as it's only a 1.6l & auto. Has been hassle free and doesn't cost much to insure. Has also lived through being crashes into 3x and being driven into a ditch.

[Physician]

Just the job .......

Very reliable, hatchback, 1,495 cc engine so very fuel efficient and low tax, low insurance. Nice interior with AC etc. Automatic box.

Mitsubishi Lancer around 1990/2 should cost about £500-800 for a 70/80,000 + mileage in 'fair' condition and there are loads available.

If you want to have a look around one - I have one sat in my drive doing nowt!

Just one thing Kieran ....... NOT COOL ! :sad3:

[HJM]

Good luck Kieran - may be difficult to match your stringent criteria. You may have to be more flexible. We ran 3 cars for a while for space reasons (2x2 seater sports cars divided by 2 dogs = hardwork!) and in the end it was'nt the cost, but the hassle factor (especially washing all of them !) that led to buying the VR4 - good decision or what !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Physician]

Here's one Kieran, although a dealer so price is higher. There is a web link in the spec and pictures on the website. (The garage isn't a million miles away either)

MITSUBISHI Lancer 1500 GLX , 5 Doors, Automatic, Hatchback, Petrol, G Reg . 12 months Mot included, 12 months parts and labour Warranty incl, Air-Conditioning, Central Door Locking, Immobilizer, in car enterainment, power steering, Alloy wheels, Electric windows, Electric mirrors, Electric sunroof. for other mitsubishi's and models visit Dealer website for full stock list and colour photographs www.stationgarageuk.com, phonelines open 9 til 9, 7 days a week, £999

[Roadrunner]

I have a '96 Ford Fiesta 1.25 Zetec Ghia which the kids use. Cost me £900 + maybe another £300 to get it up to my spec (40k service, top quality tyres, etc.). Cheap enough to insure, definitely cheap to maintain, all the toys you'd want inside (Ghia spec). You did say you weren't keen on small cars, though, but then you mentioned a Smart ... :headsc: ... which you definitely won't get for less than a grand ;)

40+ mpg (and it's got a proper petrol engine, not a smelly old diesel) ;)

[Big Ian]

any ford or vauxhall,cheap as chip's to run or wait for it..............puggit 405 D go for ever anb masive space in the rear?

[Big Ian]

another way of looking at having a second car?

if you are getting a second car..what way are you insureing it?
some company's will use your NCB twice.
also think of this,no matter what you buy it's more than likely to be easier on fuel and no matter what all car's need work at some time no matter if it your V6 or a puddle jumper? (just some are cheaper to fix)

look about for a cheap car that may need some work,fix it, use it and when your done with it....sell it
all you will be out of pocket is for insurance and road tax (maybe?) if it's a small engine and you get good fuel return,then in a way it pay's for it's self
weigh up how much Hordak will cost in fuel over 3 month's then do the same with a small engine car,what you may save in fuel could pay for a small car?

[rikward]

If I were looking for something that was 40+mpg and below £1k, I would go for a Micra or Corsa. But these you say are too small.

Perhaps your best bet is something along the lines of a 1.4 Astra or 306. I personally would go for the Vauxhall as you know where you are with one, plenty about, cheap and not a Ford.

But in my opinion (whatever that is worth?), to match your criteria consider the following specifications:

1.4 or less (for fuel efficiency, cheaper insurance, cheaper road tax and still enough poke to take you down the motorway)
Manual not auto (A car this cheap will probably have a few miles on it, and as we know, autos are expensive when not looked after and old so why spend that extra cash? Defeats what you're trying to achieve.)
Size matters (Go for a small family car like the Astra (series 2 or 3), Escort (not that I would), or something like this.)
Full service not a problem (Don't worry about this for a cheap car. Besides, a car without full service history is cheaper than one with. Also, if you were to by a simple small engine car, the engines are simple and easy to work on yourself)

Don't consider Audi, VW or anything else German if you want to keep the cost down. But it's all up to how much you want to pay out and practicality of the car.

My second car is an X-reg 1.2 Vauxhall Corsa. Cheap to keep on the road (low tax, up to 60mpg, 4 good tyres @ £80 etc), comfortable (4 hefty adults could sit inside), confidant rides, practical. Surprisingly big inside (although 3 metres of 2x4 would need the Legnum). The only downside is the price as a car in good condition will cost £2.5-£5K on the second hand market, not the £1k your were after.

For cheap cars buy on eBay. At the end of the day if you're after a "banger" there should be no need to worry if it breaks down after a year. Just be wary of death-traps.

Anyways, happy hunting and I hope you get yourself a cracker.

[Nick Mann]

A friend just bought a diesel Vectra in excellent condition on e-bay for £890. Bobby bargain! What about LPG? Tried and tested on the V6. A guy I know has just fitted a kit himself to a disco for £800. It is a multi point injection system with two tanks. He reckons a single tank six cylinder system wouldbe less than £600. For £20 the place he bought the kit will test the install and issue a certificate with it. If running costs are the only issue, this could be a good way forward?

[enigma]

I have thought about a second car often, but discounted it because I bought the VR4 to enjoy it. Whilst cost is an issue, I would not put it too high up the list. If you do get another car the chances are it will be a bit rough and you simply wont enjoy it. At the end of the day Hordak has not cost you vast sums of money, and some would consider it second car material. Enjoy it while you can and stick with it.

I have said it before and no doubt I will say it again, a Galant in any shape or form is not really worth saving for best. Drive it, enjoy it, when its broken fix it. It may be different if you have a £100000 car, but I know if I had a car worth that much money I would still drive it everyday!

[nick-f1]

Get yourself a van Kieran.

[HJM]

I have said it before and no doubt I will say it again, a Galant in any shape or form is not really worth saving for best. Drive it, enjoy it, when its broken fix it. It may be different if you have a £100000 car, but I know if I had a car worth that much money I would still drive it everyday!

:stupid:

Totally agree with you Dave - cars are for using and not pampering. Still each to their own, which thankfully means not too many of us on the track or strip :-b :-D

[Big Ian]

and some would consider it second car material. Enjoy it while you can and stick with it.


your right some would consider it this way Dave,but...then again some folk would'nt. ;)

[Kieran]

Thanks Guys. Some interesting points raised here. :)

I'm pleased to see that, judging by most people's reactions, that a second car isn't a loony idea - I was worried. :)

Dave - I know what you're getting at, but as I think you must know by now, first and foremost is condition & presentation in my book. I simply don't enjoy driving around in a dustbin. A manky Hordak equals an unhappy Kieran! I too bought both my Galants to enjoy them, and I've always wished I could let a runabout take all of the day to day crap, so that my preferred car can look absolutely MINT all of the time - not to mention the fact that as the 'special' car, the journeys in it would have more magic.... "Honey, how's about we take Hordak out, seeing as it's a warm sunny day".... That's what I'm on about.

I also disagree Dave and HJM's comments that a Galant in any shape or form is not really worth saving for best... I bet there are several grey-haired people in the UK who now wish that they had kept their pristine 1974 Colt Galant 2000 GTO... We could be in that situation, and sooner than you think I feel!

Ian/Brian/Rickward - Yep, some definite food for thought here. I think i need to rethink my criteria. Beggars can't be choosers... A Flawd or a VauxHell may be the most economical 'Whole Life' running cost car...

More thought required, and if anyone else wants to throw their two penn'orth in, please do... Your feedback has helped mould my somewhat nebulous thoughts. :-b

[Legnum Boy]

As is most things in life, it all boils down to money. :(
If you can afford to run the car full-time, you will. If you can't, you won't - or you will and go bankrupt in the process... ;)
I agree that a VR4 isn't the most specialist of vehicles, but those of us that own one know the un-expolited WOW factor, and thus treat them with respect and love they DO deserve, just as this website serves to prove.
I am in no doubt that by not using the VR4 everyday, you can save bucket loads of cash.
I am now getting more than double the MPG I was getting, the insurance cost reduced by enough to pay for the second car in full in just one month :rolleyes5 . The servicing interval has been reduced to twice a year. (half what it was before)
Going to extremes... the mileage is no longer piling up, which will reduce depreciation.... :$
I got a rover 216 GTI 5 door for £300 from ebay when the VR4 was in for the gearbox overhaul. I really didn't think that it was going to be a long term investment at the time, and proceeded to thrash the poor thing to death... many months down the road, I'm still trying... :laugh: ... it just won't die..
Its quite economical (after the VR4, a 747 would seem quite reasonable to run though ;) ), its not too embarrasing to be seen in (try driving an old, gold micra for a week...oh the shame!!!) and its still big enough for most of the load lugging the VR4 was capable of..(but I do have to put my rear seats down to get the full drum kit in)
Spares are in abundance, should you need them.
And the car has a loving and helpful online following, for advise and spares.
Just one thing, get the Honda engined Rover, the K series eats headgaskets for a light snack on a regular basis. :-D :-D

[dcuk]

I also bought a P-reg Hyundai Accent on ebay for £300, drove it for a couple of months, then p/x it for £700!

[enigma]

I simply don't enjoy driving around in a dustbin

Then why resign yourself to doing so?

I know what you are saying, but I dont really get the logic.

I have had the opportunity to drive several cars over the last few weeks with work. Normally I would use my own car to make the trips to Blackpool but in its current condition I thought that was not so wise.

I have had a 6 speed Golf, a 2.0 Passat and a Golf TDi. They have all been horrible to drive, are cramped and uncomfortable, the driving position is rubbish, they dont go and they are crap on juice. Cost me £42 in petrol in the Passat, and £28 in the TDi golf to do ~270 miles. I can just about match the Passat in my VR4 - sure it involves a different driving style but to be honest that is a small sacrifice.

Last weekend I went to Reading and clocked up 350 miles in my car with only 5 cylinders. We were going to go in the Punto but I just couldn't face it, the VR4 whilst underpowered made mincemeat of the trip and we did it in comfort and style. I have driven the Punto 14 miles to work today as the health of the VR4 is suffering with the cold and I had a bad back before I was half way here and I am miserable as a result.

Sure, you can get a sh1t tip to run you around, but will this satisfy you ultimately? I would rather be broke and happy than rich and miserable.

[Kieran]

Sure, you can get a sh1t tip to run you around, but will this satisfy you ultimately? I would rather be broke and happy than rich and miserable.

Hmm - need to clarify here...My 'dustbin' comment was referring to the Cleanliness of whatever car I'm driving, not the actual car - though this obviously has a lot of influence too. You see, a daily driver car gets battered, whatever way you look at it. I consider that my V6 is better used as the 'backup' car and therefore kept in pristine condition, for when I want the fun factor, or the power, or the style, or whatever.

But if you're broke.... Then the luxuries that make you happy, Ie: Your VR-4 would be one of the first things to go.

And... You can't really, truly ENJOY a V6 Sport or a VR-4 during rush hour anyway. OK, so you can blast away from the lights - against the chap in the Escort diesel who isn't interested in your car in the slightest and is simply thinking about the day he's got ahead. - or sometimes you'll get a rude-boy in his 1.1 Nova with GSi badges who has a go... Dull, dull dull.

As you say - some days, I probably wouldn't want to face making a journey in car two... So I'd grab Hordak's keys and away we go! Job done. And it would be all the more enjoyable because, 1 it would be different and two - I wouldn't be thinking - 'Crumbs, more dirt to wash off" or, "God I'm due for ANOTHER service"...

Hmm. I think this could be on the brink of a 'Auto vs Manual' style debate! :rolleyes5

[Nick Mann]

I understand your argument, Kieran, but I disagree. Driving can be enjoyable regardless of time of day and quantity of fellow road users. The whole point of having a nice car is to enjoy it. It would annoy me to travel around in a car I wasn't keen on knowing that I had a very nice perfectly usable car sitting in the garage at home.

There is a case that a mint galant may be something special in a decade or two, but the same is true of almost any car. The Cortina, FFS! The first true rep-mobile! Now has classic car status!

I would personally rather enjoy the car as much as possible. That excludes having a cheap workhorse runabaout. I'l have the best car that I can convince Vicky I can afford!!

[enigma]

I was going to post a response along the lines of Nicks, but I felt it better for others to have a say.

You could always get the Escort out Kieran :lipsrseal

[Big Ian]

go find yourself a wee astra like the one i use for work,shopping...picking the wife up,throwin the dog in (not 2 off the same! :laugh: ) and the odd daily trip to the skip's
it's got a nifty 1.4 multi point i engine,5 speed,recaro bucket seat's leather steering wheel,power=steering,window's and sunroof also has central locking..all the big car comfort's but with small car cost's

also,as i work in a factory and ferry folk in and out of work who have no real respect to other's car's..a second car to me is "a life line" as if they abused my Galant like they do to my wee cheap astra then their life would be "on the line" :laugh:

[Kieran]

You could always get the Escort out Kieran :lipsrseal


I'm saying nothing! :lipsrseal :$

[ritch_w]

heres my thoughts - i wanted to do exactly the same thing as you with the v6 a few months ago, after my missus got her colt and we had the carisma spare, for about 4 weeks the v6 was parked up, off the road - with the intention that it would stay there for the winter and not clock anymore miles up.

i ran the carisma for 3 weeks and that was enough. Its not that the carisma was a bad car or anything, but anything other than the galant is dull and boring.

when someone offered to buy the carisma, so i sold it as i really wanted to be back in the v6 and sod the mileage.

I'm sure any sub £1K runabout will be ok - but once the novelty wears you could be wanting to ditch it for the v6.
The v6 is a brilliant car - enjoy it!
Never once did i feel i couldnt be arsed driving the v6 even in traffic jams etc - its a nice place to be!

Also - any small auto will be harder to sell on, only autos on 2ltr+ cars are desirable

[KiwiTT]

I saw this post, just before I left to go to Fiji. I hired a Toyota Echo (Yaris) while I was there and it wasn't half bad for the 60-80 kmph speed limits (i.e. lessor speeds) there.

However, even though it was a newer car (OK for pottering around), I and myslef found ourselves wishing we where in the VR4.

As my signature says, we work to live and to live is to drive a VR-4 (and in your case a V6) and this is similar to Dave's and others sentiment.