In a word, reliability!


In the 5 years I've owned my old Fiesta it's not let me down once, by that I mean a breakdown - it's just getting to the point where if I don't trade in I won't get anything much for it. Plus, this year it's had two shock absorbers and springs at the front - more indicative of the state of Manchester's roads than any shortcomings in the engineering side of the car (we still have huge pot holes unfixed from January when we had the big freeze!). The exhaust is starting to sound a bit throaty too, so it's going to start costing me money if I keep hold of it much longer. Mechanically, though, it's a sound little car, hence why a Ford is at the top of my list.

I've had two French cars (a mark 1 J-reg Clio and a P-reg Pug 306) and the build quality back then was questionable on both those cars - I believe the latest Clios are very well put together, though. The Ford's build quality is much better IMHO, and the latest models seem to have built on this.

All I can say is eight grand pays for an awful lot of repairs!

well, yeah, you're right there - but there's also the inconvenience factor of being without the car and it always being in and out of the garage for bits and bobs - which you're always going to get with older cars, regardless of make. I'm not mechanically-minded either, so I want something reliable that I can depend on to get me from A to B. Like Heather, I just want something that works day-in, day-out - and isn't going to cost me a lot in garage bills.

And if I have the money, why not treat myself to something newer?

And there it is! I just always find it a bit annoying that people try and justify buying a new car by saying it will save them money, when really they just fancy a new car. I'll never understand your choice, but that's just because we're different people. If you've got the money, spend it how you want.

Don't forget rule no 1 though; never buy the same car twice. I've learnt that the hard way!

I do hope it works out though, sorry if I sound a bit antagonistic...

Hmm, see I don't understand that one, if you've been happy with your previous car seems like a reasonable assumption to me that the newer version will be just as good, if not better. Guess we are different people!



s'alright, though I was starting to wish I hadn't mentioned my new purchase. I thought it might help Heather's decision-making, that's all.

Sorry if I made you feel that way. I think Heather would be best off with a cheap, reliable old barge, with something more fun (like a seicento) for high days and holidays!

Hmm. If it's mechanically sound, why shop it in?

I had a diesel Ford Escort once. Possibly the worst car I've ever owned. It died on me in Devon. Starter wouldn't have it - even a tow from a tractor and dropping the clutch into first wouldn't get her going. Not to say all Fords are bad, but once bitten twice shy.

And it's not just older cars that'll get you stuck going in and out of a garage for bits. Try changing a front headlight bulb in some newer cars. I think there's a Renault that requires you to remove a wheel in order to gain access to a hatch in the wheel arch.



You mean two shocks and dampers.



I had a friend with a Clio - about 7 years ago the engine let go after about 20k thousand miles on the Hangar Lane gyratory. Properly went bang, made it to the side of the road, but it's got a new engine now as a result.

Nothing against people buying new cars, it means the rest of us get a better deal. If you have the means, then why not, but I question the efficiency of your spend.

My dad had a ford when I was young, my sister-in-law had one until last year and my father-in-law still has one.
They've all had issues, many of them major.

Japanese are the way forward.

A lot of the far east manufacturers are offering very good deals in terms of financing or long warranties. Though personally unless you can afford the huge year one depreciation on a new car I would wait for a slightly used car for considerably less.

My girlfriend has a 2002 Renault Megane 1.4L estate, a little under powered, compared to the TDCi Mondeo and my D-CAT Verso, but a good little runner, reliable. She doesn't have the money to get it services, her brother does an oil change for her once a year and that's about all it gets.

It runs a bit lumpy for the first couple of minutes, when it is cold and damp, but otherwise it hasn't made any problems in the last 3 years. She got it cheap (5,000€), because it had been rear ended, a brother-in-law repaired it for her (useful having a family in the motor trade - and building trade).

She could import a Hindustan Ambassador - or source one in this country. There are a few about. Last time I was in London, I saw one gaily* decked out for a wedding.

* Proper use of “gaily”. Not the “homsexual” use of it.

That's a bloomin' good idea.

If I had to cash to splash, I'd have snapped up a nice little Austin Healey Sprite I saw a while back. It had been, um, upgraded with a Mini Cooper 1275cc engine and beefed up steering, suspension and brakes.

Vroom! Beep-beep!

hoovers with sirens, whatever next

Heathen!

I was referring to this.

If only.

A Hindustan Ambassador...? You are aware that this will not grant you diplomatic immunity in the event of being stopped for <insert indiscretion of choice here> aren't you?