What's best way to finance a Used Car ?

[Diestl]

What about a VW TOUAREG, should get a 2003 for 15k.

[rootsnall]

Erm, if you don't have the money, don't buy a car like that?

Here here ! Surely even a divorced contractor doesn't need car finance !?

If you are that skint get an old Vectra or Mondea with your insurance money. I've been waiting for my Vectra to break down for years to then get a new car but it won't, it just keeps going, its never been cleaned and it looks that crap even I'm considering getting rid of it ! It's yours for 500 quid !?

[Bagpuss]

Here here ! Surely even a divorced contractor doesn't need car finance !?

If you are that skint get an old Vectra or Mondea with your insurance money. I've been waiting for my Vectra to break down for years to then get a new car but it won't, it just keeps going, its never been cleaned and it looks that crap even I'm considering getting rid of it ! It's yours for 500 quid !?

I wouldn't get a mondeo, the suspension has a fault and it's an expensive fix.

[Vito]

I thought you said you didn't have a lot of money? aside from the X5 maintenence on the others could be quite high. and me thinks the X5 will be hard to find cheap - as is probably true with any BMW - just because of the badge. M class - tulipe, Merc quality has dropped.

Would you go for a Honda?

Merc quality has dropped on some models...but I've got an '05 Merc CLK Sport and its fantastic...no problems with it at all and whilst servicing is a little pricey, the quality of service is great.

And the best way of funding a car...cash! Never buy anything that depreciates on credit...golden rule no.1

[lilelvis2000]

A guy in the office has a 2 year old Audi TT. It is forever being fixed for some fault or other and the service costs are ridiculous. Still , it's VAG and they are very reliable, apparently

I have a S reg Passat - I wouldn't recommend a VAG car. Mondeos are more reliable which gives you an idea. I have never ending problems with it. Heating, locks, water leaks, fuel pump, windows etc.. Stay away. They are very overpriced - again, badge snobbery.

[Euro-commuter]

I have a S reg Passat - I wouldn't recommend a VAG car. Mondeos are more reliable which gives you an idea. I have never ending problems with it. Heating, locks, water leaks, fuel pump, windows etc.. Stay away. They are very overpriced - again, badge snobbery.

Especially locks and windows.

[rootsnall]

I wouldn't get a mondeo, the suspension has a fault and it's an expensive fix.

I quized the old boys at my local garage on the merits of various cars if you practice 'bangernomics' and their pet manafacturuer seems to be Nissan, they don't break but they can fix anything for peanuts if they do. They also rated Vauxhall and Ford, not that keen on German stuff despite its reputation of reliability, and they almost fell off their chairs when I mentioned buying an old BMW, half shock, half laughter !

[ratewhore]

Just lease cars for 3 months at a time until you find something you like...

[css_jay99]

I quized the old boys at my local garage on the merits of various cars if you practice 'bangernomics' and their pet manafacturuer seems to be Nissan, they don't break but they can fix anything for peanuts if they do. They also rated Vauxhall and Ford, not that keen on German stuff despite its reputation of reliability, and they almost fell off their chairs when I mentioned buying an old BMW, half shock, half laughter !

For all the years I used my BMW, the only time is went for repairs was when i had ball joint problem. I did the parks/oil/filter/ break pad/disc changes myself. It has 180k miles on the clock and the engine is still in top condition. Now that says something about Full servise history as beign a Ripoff ! . you pay for check's not fixes.
bcos i have used a BMW for that long, naturally i am biased towards a BMW as a next purchase.

Besides as an ageing single man, i need something to pull the ladies. German engineering is still the way for me.

Choices are definately limited to:

Coupe --> BMW 3 series or Merc CLK
4X4 --> X5 or Merc M Class
Max spend £12K-15k
year 2000 - 2002


I think the 3series will be cheapest of all
Cargiant in NW London prices tend to be high + high milers as well.
only interested in FSH and low milers.

[Diestl]

Approach BMW and offer them a years CSS support in exchange for a brand new X5 and 7 series.